page 36

Henk intended to completely focus on the
graduation exam. "Erdal, I just don't have
time for other things anymore. I can't
afford to fail the exam. Look, you'll pass
easily, but I should finally be doing
something. Six years in this jail is enough."
Paul and Norma, whose last name turned out
to be 'Winkelhaak', were like two lovebirds.
Norma was working as a nurse in the home for
terminal patients 'Kalorama' in Ubbergen.
She was depressed but brightened again, thanks
to the love for Paul. Her father was the owner
of the riding school 'St. Francis' in Groesbeek.
While 'andare al cavallo di San Francesco'
is an Italian phrase for: to go on foot.



"If I'm shaking the windows, give
a me a shout at radio Santa Maria.
All the good numbers to Sjef Hendrickx,
Lady Sunbeam, and everyone that might be
sick, old or lonely. Get your ears on."
Boet was tinkering with his motorcycle.
The radio continued: "Schöne Meid, hast
du heut' für mich Zeit ... ho ja ho ja ho …
ja ba da ba doe ..." Henk was helping his
mother baking sausage rolls. 'Apple of
my eye, are you coming along, Sunday, to
root for Boet, at the motocross in Boekel?"

page 43

Boet had been able to swap the second-hand albums
for 25 boxes hard rock merchandising stuff:
Judas Priest T-shirts, Motörhead buckles ...
Since the beginning of the motocross season
this spring, he worked for the French lubricants
brand Lubriflex. To install billboards, banners,
crating the engines for an overseas Grand Prix,
that sort of work. In the Ford Transit was beside
the boxes and his Kawasaki motorcycle just enough
room for an air mattress and a sleeping bag.
"My address, mother? Poste Restante Toulouse."



Vanessa's complaint (in her diary):
That bastard of a Henk,
that smug jellyfish.
Like there's nothing wrong with him,
that mullet, that goldfish,
that red fish head.
His freedom, an excuse.
His smooth talking,
his deadpan face ...
That student with a summer job.
Why was he in the 'Onderbroeck'?
Why did I put up with him?
And Norma rubbing salt in the wound
with her love bird behavior.