Chapter 45: No One Can Replace You in My Heart

"Andres!" He heard a familiar voice call him. "Andres, are you off to Medellin now?"

It was Franklin Storitz. His university classmate here in Berlin.

"My ship will be in a few hours." He felt himself say, with a bright smile. They were in an orchard. "My Mama misses me very much, and I managed to have my benefactor allow me to visit."

"Give her my warmest greetings." Franklin said. "Oh, and give her this as well...."

Franklin took out a pouch clinking with the many gold coins inside, a very hefty sum, yet he gave it away easily. He was even smiling giddily as he handed the bag to Andres' meaty palm.

"Oh, Franklin! You must absolutely not feel obliged to do something like this every time I leave the city... You give me more money than my scholarship benefactor, that is enough to make a man ashamed of himself."

"Why should you be ashamed? This is just gifts between friends." Franklin assured him. "Or as you say, amigos. Compadres de corazon."