Unfortunately, this is a true story (only the names have been changed). During my biology studies, I planned to go on a several-day botanical and zoological excursion to Denmark with my good friend Sara. Everything had been so nicely organized: we wanted to spend a stopover night at Sara’s boyfriend’s place in Kiel, when, rather at short notice, another student, Angelina, asked to join us in Sara’s car. I was not very enthusiastic, because to be honest, I didn’t particularly like Angelina. Even less did Sara and I like Angie’s idea of spending the night at her parents’ holiday apartment on the North Sea coast. I strongly rejected this suggestion — something I would come to regret only a few days later. A story about unexpected twists of fate, and about the lifelong burden of guilt one carries when constantly asking the question: what would have happened if I had made a different decision… _____________________________________ For fieldwork we were on our way, To Denmark on a summer’s day. With tents and gear all tightly packed, Mosquito spray, ID intact. Sara drove, our course was clear: We’d spend the night in Kiel, right near Her boyfriend’s flat — our resting place, With beer and songs and warm embrace. Then Angelina, bold and loud, Jumped in the car, head in a cloud. She laughed, she talked without a pause, And really got on all my flaws. Oh Angelina, if I’d only known that fate was carving names in stone I might have yielded back that day, And he might still be here today. She begged to visit by the shore Her parents, waiting at the door With coffee, cake, and smiling grace — But Kiel, I said, would be our place. She didn’t fight, no angry plea, She simply bowed and let it be. Two to one — the vote was done, So north to Kiel we drove as one. Oh Angelina, if I’d only known that fate was carving names in stone I might have yielded back that day, And he might still be here today. The night in Kiel — the beer was cold, We sang like pirates, loud and bold. And even Angie didn’t spoil The mood — the fun was worth the toil. Two days ahead, up in the North, A car rolled in, her name called forth. She heard it, froze, then fell like glass — Collapsed in grief upon the grass. Her father drowned in the wild sea While we were singing careless, free. If we had chosen there to stay, He might be with her still today. Oh Angelina, if I’d only known that fate was carving names in stone I might have yielded back that day, And he might still be here today. I think of you, though years have flown, And guilt still cuts me to the bone. Perhaps fate’s path we couldn’t bend, No way to change the bitter end — But maybe you had held him tight, And seen him one last time that night.
