Original subtitles

A single minute can mean anything.

A brief moment, or eternity.

When there's misfortune, or great happiness...

...time passes differently.

It races.

It stops.

It extends endlessly.

Only, it can't be turned back.

A MINUTE'S SILENCE

Shit, it jams.

Wait, I'll help you. Hendrik, it's stuck. It doesn't work.

Hirtshafen, Baltic Sea

Can you give me the binoculars?

What are they doing?

I'll be right back.

They should take the foresail down. Or it won't work.

Stella!

Stella!

Stella!

Stella, come back.

Take the foresail down. Down!

Stay out!

Stay out! You're too fast.

Careful!

THREE WEEKS EARLIER

Bärbel, remember the garlands.

The punch is ready? - Yes.

I did it, mom. With lots of schnapps. - What?

Could you help me?

Am I in the way?

Soon you are. It'll start at 7.

Sorry, I forgot the time.

I always thought a city like London let's you forget calmness.

Now I'm back.

When I'm grown up I'll be a teacher too.

I thought a vet?

Will you live in the hotel with us forever now?

Only until tomorrow. I can't leave my father alone for too long.

I said closer to the port-side.

Closer to me.

That's enough now.

I think the refreshment comes just right.

Come on, I'll do it. You've got enough to do.

Thanks.

It's great, what you've made out of the hotel.

Your parents would be proud of you.

I asked you to drop it closer to the port.

If you always pull like that, you'll never get one in.

Could you do it even slower?

Even your father is faster.

That's enough now, Ulrik.

Be careful, my goodness.

Such a loser in my unit.

He should rather work in the kitchen.

Hey! - Hey, what are you doing?

Hey, what are you doing?

That lout has no business on the boat.

That's enough now. Once and for all.

A little refreshment, gentlemen?

On that day at the port, we met for the first time.

I don't know whether you realized...

Mrs. Brun invites you.

...but I couldn't stop looking at you.

Who are you?

The new English teacher.

You're Petersen's little girl?

Not that little anymore.

I can see that.

Holy Moly! Who'd have thought you could grow so straight with the Tommies.

Thanks for the compliment.

You were so different to all the teachers I had before.

Wilhelm Voigt.

The stone fisher.

You looked as if nothing could hurt you.

On my 8th birthday I was allowed a trip to the fields.

You were a little too small to dive for stones.

I'd like to catch up on that. Could I join you again?

In spring maybe.

We're done for this year. - Too bad.

Those were the days. You could live of stone fishing.

Now we drive tourists around.

That's my son.

Christian, nice to meet you.

He'll join senior classes this year.

Yes, right.

Animal Farm is your thing, right?

You wrote a great essay last term.

Thanks.

Well then, I hope the boy will hold his ground.

We'll see.

Stella!

A long-distance call from London for you.

See you at the port festival?

Yes, definitely.

The fishermen are ahead.

Looking good!

Yes! The fishermen are ahead.

But now...

The winners of the tug war...

Our youth! Applause!

Christian! - Dad!

Are you proud? - You were good! Cheers!

Congratulations!

You did a great job.

Come here, big boy.

Cheers.

Miss Petersen.

Come on, let's have a seat.

I'm glad you've come, dear colleague.

Good evening, Mr. Block.

May I offer you a glass? - With pleasure.

Have a seat, guys.

Dear audience!

The Kurz Enzmann quartet welcomes you to this year's port festival.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the dance floor is ready.

How about us? - Your choice.

Ladies' choice.

Come on, Christian. You promised me.

Dance?

A promise is a promise.

Where's our colleague Mr. Kugler? I thought you'd come together.

I haven't seen Jürgen all day.

I guess he'll be here when his kids are in bed.

You met Stine and Elke already?

Briefly, yes. - Very nice girls.

Still, it hasn't been easy for him since his wife died.

Well, now you're here.

All year round he keeps the storms under control for us.

And only once, at the end of summer...

...he comes to us from the depths of the sea...

...to choose his mermaid.

The Octopus Man!

Where is my mermaid?

Where is she?

Will you save me if he wants to get me?

Ladies, give him a reward for his effort.

Mermaid?

Where is she?

Good evening, Mr. Kugler. - Good evening, Christian.

I almost missed the Octopus Man picking his mermaid.

Where's my mermaid?

There is my mermaid.

Bravo! Good choice.

I don't think so.

Don't disappoint the people, Miss Petersen.

Off you go into the sea!

Yes, drop her in the sea.

Let me down!

Let me down!

Let me go, damn it!

You think you're special?

Only English men may touch you?

That's enough.

That's enough!

You heard what the lady said.

Which lady?

All I can see is a Tommies' bitch.

Now, into the water you go.

Let me go! Let me go!

Hey! - Hey!

Thanks, Christian.

It's enough, Ulrik.

Get yourself something to drink and calm down.

And you should go home.

Me?

Why me?

Music!

Christian, give it a bone.

I'm sorry.

Would you like to dance or go for a walk?

Thanks.

The bitch will powder her nose first.

I guess the sea will be a little stormier next year.

My fault.

Is something wrong?

You ruined everybody's mood.

Was I supposed to let the boozer throw me into the Baltic Sea?

Just so your guests have something to laugh about?

We always do it like that. Last year it was me, so what?

I'm dry by now, too.

Definitely not.

This isn't London, Stella. Sometimes you have to play along.

I decide who to play with. Put it on my room.

If she's just a friend, then tell me her name.

Don't tell me I'm exaggerating. I just don't want to be...

Colin?

What are you doing there? - What?

The buoys have to get in the water.

So do it!

Get lost!

It isn't my fault if you leave your window open.

I'm sorry, it wasn't about you.

Thanks.

If you want to come along, we could sail past the stone fields.

In one or two weeks it's autumn.

The ground will be ruffled and you won't see anything.

You'd be back for breakfast.

One moment, Christian. Something got tangled.

Be careful, the ropes cut into flesh.

I put out buoys before you were even born.

One sec, I'm coming.

I'll help you.

Why do you live in the hotel?

I took a few days off from home.

Living with my father isn't always easy.

We have to get used to each other again.

And why did you come back to Germany?

My father's eyes are getting worse, he needs me.

I used to go for sailings frequently.

Sometimes for hours.

Sometimes I imagined to just go on sailing.

That was the last one.

Well, then let's head for the stone fields.

The next one is right behind the bird island.

I hope the weather will stay like this.

Of course I knew the weather wouldn't stay that way.

But the wish to be alone with you, had washed my worries away.

I'm afraid it'll get pretty uncomfortable.

We have to head for land.

From here on we'll have to swim.

I can't get any closer with these waves.

I guess it's 50 meters.

About that. But it's not too bad, you can soon stand here.

Hey!

You're good.

True!

We got wet after all.

It was pretty refreshing.

I'll light the fire.

Who's living here?

The hut belongs to the old ornithological warden.

And he's been gone for quite some time now.

Matthiesen, the fisherman looks after it from time to time.

Here!

Otherwise you'll catch a cold.

So? Do you miss London?

Well, 14 years were a long time.

First I worked as an au pair girl in Leeds, then I studied in London.

What are your plans after your A-levels?

I haven't thought about that yet.

You could study abroad too.

Hirtshafen isn't the hub of the world.

No, I can't. My father needs me too.

You're far too reasonable for your age.

You read all our exams during the holidays, right?

Yes, Christian. I did.

Tea for two.

Christian.

Careful!

Stella!

Stella, can you hear me?

You have to breathe.

Faster!

Faster!

There you have a nice lunch.

Which one fits you? - This one.

Do you know that?

It looks disgusting.

Each of you gets a little piece.

Excuse me, are there more tours today? We'd like to come along.

Tomorrow afternoon again.

Tomorrow. - Pity.

Well, Undine is back in the safe harbor?

Hello, Mr. Kugler.

A mermaid is safer in the water, Jürgen.

Hello, Stella. - Hey, you two.

Fish for today?

Do you want to join us? We'd be pleased.

There'll be beer again, too.

Thanks for your help, Miss Petersen.

Wait for me, I'll come along.

You got pretty wet.

Yes, we put buoys down for the regatta and the storm surprised us.

Around 8? Would that be fine?

I have to return to my father before school starts tomorrow.

That would be a little late. But maybe another time.

Yes, we'll make good for that.

Here, your fish.

Sounds like a comfortable evening with Kugler.

Enjoy it.

We'll meet again, right?

Yes, we will.

Tomorrow in the 3rd lesson.

That's not what I was talking about.

I know.

Good morning. - Morning.

Morning everybody.

Some of you have met her already.

Miss Petersen is the first and only teacher at Lessing High School...

...who managed to tame an octopus with vigorous help.

You’ll manage this class as well.

Don't disgrace me.

I wish all of you a good start into the new school year.

And lots of fun on your school trip.

Thank you very much.

Would you sit down, please?

I've read the essays you wrote about Animal Farm last year.

And some of you did very well.

Georg Bisanz? - That's me.

In English, please.

It's me.

What's so funny?

Sorry, but we aren't used to talking English in class.

I see.

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, as far as I know this is an English lesson.

So it's about time for you to speak English. Don't you think so?

Georg, your point of view is quite unique.

Life's not just black and white.

And Georg tried to find the reason for Napoleon's behavior.

Good work. - Thank you.

You're very welcome. Could you help me pass around the books, please?

Of course.

Looking at you, I understood what I needed.

Or thought I needed.

A confirmation for the sudden happiness I experienced with you.

The incredible feeling that had to be repeated.

I saw her legs and felt her body once more.

Which lay beside me and which I had hugged.

I couldn't forget what had happened.

I wanted confirmation. By a gesture, a look.

So close to her, I had the desire not to be alone with my memory.

Voigt, what's up? Will you come along to the beach?

No, not today.

Stefanie, will you come along to play volleyball?

You'll need a little tutoring to impress her.

You think so?

How was Mrs. Petersen in class?

Miss, she's not married.

I think she's a little young to be a teacher.

And beautiful, you have to give her that.

How can you guys focus there?

Thanks, it was nice.

What's up with him?

After school had started, I had no opportunity to talk to her alone.

Even during our school trip, you hardly noticed me.

You only looked at me once during that day.

Your look, Stella, hit me right in the heart.

I realized, I had to do something.

To the beach?

Somewhere with not too many people.

Where did you get this car from?

I borrowed it.

Posh, right?

Here. - What?

Gas sharing. - No, you're invited.

Christian, don't be stupid. It's just a little sharing.

What are you doing?

Are you mad? Give it back, what are you doing?

Hey!

Forget it then.

Say: "spaghetti". - What?

No, look back to me. Stella.

Looking good.

Wait!

Hey!

No, don't. Wait! I want to have you on it.

Looking good.

I'll do one against the sun. Wait!

That's great, wait.

I'm ready.

Let's do one together.

Wait, I'm coming.

How does it work?

Yeah, sure.

Did it take one already?

No, I think it clicks.

Nobody understands that.

Why do we have to read something like that?

What's Faulkner's problem with this inexpressible word?

Yoknapatawpha.

Faulkner can't be explained in a few words.

Try it! What makes him so special?

Do you really want to know?

Yes, I want to know all about you.

With Faulkner there's no good and evil, no right or wrong.

His characters can't do anything else, they act as they do.

Because they don't know any better.

They follow their own truth and fail.

I didn't say it, but I thought I loved Stella.

And I thought, that I wanted to know more about her.

No knowledge is enough when you notice you love someone.

What are you doing to me?

Twist me around your finger.

Stella, why do you ignore me at school.

What should I do in your opinion?

How would I know?

It just hurt me.

Into the clouds.

Someone go and get the ball.

Hello, Miss Petersen. - Hello.

What...

It's advantageous to give a lesson on the beach.

Whoever wants to join us can do so.

Well, we've just been in the middle of a game, so...

Alright!

Fine as well.

What else does she teach you? - Shut up!

The great love!

The light...

I didn't have that in London.

It was nice that you’ve come along.

It was really nice.

Next time, we'll go for a sailing trip to the stone fields. You and I.

What do you think?

That was the first time I thought about living with you.

It was a sudden, rash thought.

Now I know it came from the fear that what connected us, could end.

Sooner or later, everyone will know.

What?

Christian, we aren't...

You mustn't tell anyone, promise me that.

Yes, sure.

Frauke Bruns wanted to book a tour to the stone fields for a few guests.

I had to learn. - Next time you take the car, ask!

Yes, I'm sorry.

What about the tank?

Full. I filled it on credit from Nolte.

He'll get the money on Wednesday. From me.

Nobody's ever taken anything, but sometimes they forget something.

Tissues, cigarettes, a hairslide.

I've even found a key in the hut. Nobody ever asked for it.

They were afraid of being caught I guess.

Just recently some were there.

Perhaps they were looking for shelter, or just wanted to be by themselves.

And? What did they forget this time?

Nothing!

But when I got my things this morning, I knew somebody had been there.

I can feel that.

Cheers.

Why did you get your things there? Hello, Mr. Matthiesen.

With my rheumatism, the grind on the boat is enough.

Unfortunately, I can't take care of the bird island anymore.

Does that mean you'll sell the hut?

One doesn't sell property, remember that.

But lease it, maybe.

The hut staying the way it is would be fine with me.

Maybe it can still be a shelter for some people.

Imagine that:

The bird island still is as popular with couples as it was in our times.

How much would leasing it cost?

Why do you care?

Just because. Will we have fish?

Sporty.

Done already?

Yes, and you?

One more hour.

Did you hear it already?

They're searching for an English interpreter for a fishing conference next week.

Really?

Now guess whom Block has secretly chosen?

Sure, why not?

Shall we have lunch together? I’ll invite you.

I'd love to, but my father is waiting for me.

That won't work.

How's your class doing?

I'm very satisfied.

I stood in for some lessons in that class.

Georg is a great talent, right?

Definitely.

And Christian?

I don't know yet.

I thought...

What?

Please don't misunderstand me.

But do you think it's proper to give a student extra lessons at the beach?

I was playing volleyball at the beach.

With Christian, Georg and half the class.

We'll make good for lunch.

Sit down, please.

Well done, most of you.

I know it's not an easy novel to write about, but I can see a lot of progress.

Georg, good work. You're quite into Joe Christmas, aren't you?

Sure, Joe Christmas is the most interesting character in the book.

Yes, he is.

Joe has seen something he shouldn't have seen and profited from it.

Until he got killed in the end.

Hans, why don't you speak up in class? You have a lot to say.

Steffie, you really surprised me. Good work, congratulations.

Thanks.

Well, Carin, what can I say? You can do better than that.

I know.

Christian?

Christian.

You need to work harder.

Maria, good work.

Rudolf, well...

You've an interesting point of view, but in the end you kind of lost your track.

I liked it nevertheless.

Yes, Christian?

Excuse me, but I don't understand that.

What do you mean?

My grade, I don't understand it.

You need to work on your spelling, Christian.

That's possible, but a C- because of spelling?

Isn't it about what I wrote?

Alright, look here.

When and if are mixed up, life with v instead of f...

...and all nouns start with a capital letter.

As well as your interpretation missing the metaphoric level of the story.

And you ignored the fact that this novel reflects the actual...

...political situation of the 30s in the Southern States.

You can't differentiate between fairy tales and fiction.

You want to tell me which mark to give you? What's fair?

Open your books, please.

Mr. Kugler.

Hello, Mr. Voigt.

Christian isn't here?

Did anything happen in school?

You know Christian's new English teacher?

Stella Petersen, of course.

Well...

Recently, your son has problems concentrating during the lessons.

It seems like he's...

...fallen for her.

He isn't the only one.

According to what I've heard.

The final year at school is the hardest.

I just want to make sure that Christian passes his A-levels.

We can agree on that.

Hello, Mr. Petersen. - Yes.

I'm Christian, Christian Voigt.

The stone fisher's son. - Yes.

Very decent of you to help your father like that.

Our generation has a tough time.

They blinded my eyes during the war.

I'm sorry about that.

Tell me, is your daughter at home?

She's my English teacher.

School is over.

I've a question about my exam.

My daughter...

Is she a good teacher?

Yes, she's the best.

Christian, what are you doing here?

Excuse me, I...

I've a question about my exam.

Come in.

How dare you show up here?

I had to see you.

Stella, what happened in school was crazy.

You're telling me?

What do you expect of me?

You have to be considerate of both of us.

We can't just behave like two teenagers in love.

I know, but did you have to denounce me in front of the whole class?

Do you know what that means for me? And you, too?

One more day like that in school and I can search for a new job.

Stella, stop right there. You and I can do this.

I thought it all through.

In future we'll only meet on the bird island.

We have it all by ourselves. It's our hiding place.

What are you talking about?

Stella!

We'd be very careful and only go when nobody sees us.

That's crazy. - Why crazy?

You won't be my teacher forever.

And when I got my A-levels, we won't have to keep it a secret anymore.

Stella!

Yes?

Stella!

Could you explain to me what's up? - What?

What's the boy doing here?

Since when do you smoke?

This is Colin?

Petersen.

Hendrik?

I don't believe it.

How are you?

Thank you, I'm fine.

When?

On the weekend would be fine.

Okay? I'll ask Frauke. Okay?

Yes, okay. See you then. Bye.

Friends of mine.

They invited me to a sailing trip.

How nice.

I think some distance from all this might be good.

The visit was a big surprise, Christian.

When can we meet again? - Christian.

I have to meet you alone.

Leave now!

Just great.

I've never seen anything like that.

It was beautiful.

Where did you get that from?

When we were kids, we dived for coins. It was a game.

And whoever found one got a wish.

Really? So what did you wish for?

Something like that has to be thought through.

But you mustn't wait that long.

It's always useful to have a free wish.

Your skin is smiling.

What?

I've read that once.

In some moments, skin can smile.

Yours is smiling.

What?

Stella? Stella?

What's up? She was doing fine a second ago.

Wait.

I parked it in my hotel.

You've been waiting all night, right?

The first guests of the conference will come soon.

It'll start pretty early today.

Right, the marine biologists.

Yes. - Block asked me to interpret.

That's good.

We hardly meet anymore.

Lots to do?

Having your own class is a challenge.

And my father doesn't get easier either.

I'm talking about that thing, Stella.

Do you know what you're doing?

Christian is your student.

He'll be done in 9 months. - Just wait for 9 months then.

Frauke, I know you want the best for me...

Right, you decide whom to play with.

You're ruining everything for both of you.

You know how the people here are.

It's no problem for you, you could return to England.

I can't return.

I don't want to return.

That thing with Colin is definitely over?

And what is Christian?

A replacement?

Have you never wished for anyone to come after Hans.

I wish for it every day.

Did you think about the sailing trip? Will you come along?

I missed you.

Christian!

Yes?

I'll go shopping. Do you need anything?

No, thanks.

You like each other.

One can see that.

It's extremely sore.

Just leave that stupid thing off.

Vacation's over. School is your job now, boy.

I have to see how to get along myself now.

First you have to rest.

There's lots to be repaired on the boat.

I can go to the shed later.

Ulrik is always at the port very early.

Really?

When you're at the boat early, somebody can always see you.

Let him talk.

Nobody listens to him.

They do. They have eyes as well.

Mr. Kugler talked to me, too.

What?

I used to be young as well, Christian.

But the people don't have to know it all.

It's Voigt. - Hey guys, what's up?

Quite a lot going on in the hotel.

You want one, too?

Christian.

No, thanks.

Stop! Delegate?

No, I just wanted...

You won't get in here.

Mr. Voigt, there you finally are.

Miss Petersen.

He's my adviser. Please let him in.

He has no ID. - Yes, but I have one.

You asked me what I want to do after school.

Yes.

Maybe marine biologist.

That might be it. You can study that in Kiel, too.

Great.

You'll call me by my surname here.

Stella, there you are.

Miss Stella Petersen. I told you about our new translator.

Hello, nice to meet you.

She holds a degree in English literature.

And what does English literature have to do with fishing?

It's always good to be capable of reading. Moby Dick for example.

I've been told, that German fishermen are worried about the eel population.

Absolutely, it's one of the main issues on our agenda.

And who is this young gentleman?

Sorry, I’m Christian. Christian Voigt.

How do you do, Mr. Taggart?

Christian is one of my students.

You're a lucky one. My teachers weren't that pretty.

No?

Christian is planning to read marine biology in Kiel.

He's a native fisherman.

Lonegan, hello. - Hello.

What are you to catch?

What?

What to catch.

He asks what you fish for.

I see, stones.

We're fishing for stones.

That's a good one. Stones!

Did you hear that? The boy is fishing for stones.

The famous English humor, right?

Your English is excellent, honestly.

Thank you so much. - Where did you do you Masters?

In London.

You're a stone fisher?

Can you still do that here?

I thought all the stone fields are fished-empty.

There you are.

I'm so hungry.

Dad!

From now on, I'd like to be paid for my work.

Is that okay with you?

What do you need the money for?

I talked to Matthiesen. He leases the hut on the bird island to me.

What do you want with it?

I want to renovate it and live there.

You can't live out there.

Why not? I like it.

We'll calculate your wage.

Thanks.

If you want to be paid for your work, I want you to pay...

...for food and accommodation, for as long as you live here.

Okay, I can do that.

Jutta.

Would you like to go with him?

Why are you asking?

Traveling from one conference to the next.

Far away from Hirtshafen and out into the world.

The conference was a nice change, you should've stayed.

Your so called marine experts never heard of stone fishing.

You could have enlightened them. I looked like an idiot.

You aren't, and nobody thinks so.

Tomorrow's going to be the day, right?

I still have to pack. We'll start early. We'll sail to Denmark.

You will return, right?

Of course I will, Christian.

I thought something had to be said, as a farewell or regarding what lay ahead.

I didn't, because I didn't want to say anything final.

He puts that photo on his desk and acts as if it was normal.

You should have seen his look.

Every young man wants to adore, Jutta.

Especially when the teacher is that pretty.

If it was adoring only.

I've no problem with adoring.

Christian's feeling more.

He's 18.

And she is way older. Who does she think she is? She's his teacher.

Well, sometimes that's the way it is.

Sometimes you can't do anything about it.

It just happens and you don't know why.

Dear Stella!

I can hardly expect you to return.

Guess what, I leased the ornithological warden's hut.

Until our next trip, I'll have furnished everything for us.

I even got some stocks already.

I'll repair the roof and build a bigger terrace if you want.

Maybe we can even learn to live together.

I miss you, Stella.

Since you've been gone, I'm counting every hour, every minute.

And a single minute seems like eternity.

Sorry, you're not allowed in here.

The three classical columns originated in ancient Greece...

Good morning. - Good morning.

I've good news from the hospital. Miss Petersen isn't doing great, but better.

A few of us can visit her at three o'clock.

COUNTY HOSPITAL

Dear Miss Petersen.

We've come to wish you all the best.

We're so glad that you're doing better.

And as we know that you like candied fruits...

...we've brought you your favorites.

They're from the council.

Get well soon, Stella. Okay?

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to ask you to grant the patient some rest now.

She still is weak and needs to rest.

If Miss Petersen is fine with it, we'll keep you up-to-date.

Are you coming?

Mr. Kugler, bye. - Bye.

Christian!

Yes?

I might be wrong, but this seems to effect you personally.

But you have to be considerate of others, Christian.

When Miss Petersen returns...

...it would be a pity to expel you shortly before the end of school.

Do you understand?

Good.

What are you doing here?

Stop hanging around here.

You'll damn her even more.

Mum said you saved Stella's life.

Shouldn't you be in bed?

Look what I've found. On the beach.

It hung on a seaweed plant.

Nice.

There's something in it.

Oh, right.

Wait!

A mosquito.

It looks alive, don't you think?

Can you see it? There's even more.

Yes, right. - It's a beetle.

The two of them weren't careful.

They sat on a tree and the resin tear caught them.

While they were alive.

But now they're together, forever.

Here!

It's a gift. - Really?

Mum has one like this with her necklace. Stella would like it.

Do you like each other?

Why are you asking? - If so, you'll get good grades.

I can handle that on my own.

I think you belong together.

Christian, is Sonja with you?

Her mother's searching for her.

I won't return.

Stella!

Stella!

Stella, I can't hear you.

Stella!

Stella!

COUNTY HOSPITAL

Excuse me.

Miss Petersen, did you move her?

I'm sorry.

That's impossible.

Yesterday she was still here.

Is there anything I can do for you?

My daughter.

She's dead.

I have to give you something.

That was between her stuff.

I have to take care of the burial at sea.

FOR CHRISTIAN

Please, stand up.

Dear members of the faculty, dear students.

Before I say something about our...

...beloved and honored Stella Petersen...

...I'd like to ask all of you to honor this...

...incredible human being that passed away, with a minute's silence.

I looked at your picture.

And while I imagined how you'd react to the silence, I remembered something.

So powerful, so overwhelming, I couldn't suppress it.

I saw the imprint of our bodies in the sand of the bird island.

Our territory, which we had found for ourselves and shared.

I understood that I could never reveal this discovery.

Because the revelation threatened to stop something that meant everything to me.

How old do you think I am?

How would I know?

72?

Seriously.

Most of the time you look like 25.

In school you seem older.

What?

And now?

It's a gift. You have a wish.

You have to wish for something.

I just did.

LESSING HIGH SCHOOL

FOR CHRISTIAN

Maybe, my wish had come true already, Stella.

At the same moment your wish was fulfilled.

What's in the past, happened anyway and will continue.

Accompanied by pain and fear, I'll try to find what's irretrievable.