With Lisa's situation in his mind, Huib continued, "I'm suddenly reminded of Wednesday, when both construction crews come. Do you have a good feeling about all those guys?"

"Yep, I've been through them all before and never had any complaints about them. The only thing I did have to warn them about is that they shouldn't whistle at a woman or make weird comments. That behavior seems fairly harmless, but I look at it differently. And the situation with Lisa makes me realize that there are probably a lot of women for whom something like that is really nasty."

"Yes, it can prick in their pain or fear just like that."

"Exactly, that's what I mean. I'm not going to warn the boys about it in advance, I don't think that's necessary, they know me, know how I feel about it. But if I notice that they are not behaving in the best possible way towards Lisa or one of the other ladies, then I will react on it immediately. I have learned by injury and disgrace how not to approach a woman!"

Huib looked at him in surprise, he hadn't heard anything like that from Simon before.

Simon saw it and chuckled, "I haven't always been a sweetheart, Huib. I've been honest about it to Erik and most recently to Annerieke, and will be to you now. I have had years that I drank more alcohol than coffee. And during those years I regularly went to prostitutes. Erik never judged me at the time, but helped me to heal from all the shit that was underlying it, all my negative thoughts and feelings about myself. I went through a lot of shit, together with him, and partly on my own. I also told your mother. I found that difficult, I've loved her for so many years."

Simon shot in laughter at Huib's shocked face. "Yes, really, you don't want to know how jealous I was of Erik! And then his accident, that was crazy, I really mourned him, but at the same time I felt guilty, as if his accident was my fault, as if my jealousy had caused him to die. That was a crazy train of thought, I realize that now. I had nothing to do with the accident, I wasn't even close, but still, that feeling... When you called with the question of extending your houses, the first thing I thought was: then I'll see Annerieke every day, but how on earth should I deal with her? I thought it was pretty difficult, until that dance night last week. Yes really, not even a week ago. Damn, what happened in those few days! Anyway, we both felt that click and then the fire flared up. Your mother is an amazing woman Huib, I love her so mightily, more than ever!"

Huib nodded smiling. "All kinds of things are going through me Simon, really all kinds of things, worry for my mother, but also joy for the happiness of both of you."

"Do you care because of what I told you about my past?"

"Honestly I don't want to worry about that, I just want to trust you, but I can't stop a lot of thoughts from shooting through my head. No, I'm not judging you, I think I understand how you could come to that behavior. Pffff what a conversation, I have to let it sink in..."

Simon put his hand on Huib's arm: "Huib, for no prostitute have I ever felt what I feel for your mother. Annerieke is my everything. And I think she'll be okay with me telling you, you guys are so open to each other... we've already made love to each other, and I'll tell you honestly that was nothing like what I've experienced in the past. It's just not comparable. And I can only be happy about that! Can I allay your concerns a little with that?"

"Gosh, Simon, that makes me feel good that you're talking to me so openly about that. It feels uncomfortable on the one hand, but it also makes me so grateful and happy. Yes, you have completely silenced my worrying voices, thank you!"

They embraced each other, father and son, not in bloodline, but in soulline.

To chapter 168. A wall around Lisa

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