Tag: fiction

Feeling Safe in Switzerland

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

As a student, I worked in Norway – a beautiful country. One day, I was out with my Norwegian colleagues when one suddenly said, “Look, there’s our king,” nodding toward an elderly man walking alone across the street. At first, he didn’t look like a king at all – perhaps I had a somewhat naive idea of royalty back then. But most surprising was that he was walking completely alone. I’m not sure if something like this would still happen in Oslo today. In Switzerland, though, you can still encounter a Federal Councillor or, more often, a former Councillor, casually going about their day alone.

For example, a former Councillor lives in our building. A very kind gentleman. We often meet at the mailbox, in the elevator, or in the stairwell. It feels good to feel safe. I feel safe in Switzerland – why wouldn’t I? Many young children here go to kindergarten all by themselves. I can’t think of a single place in Switzerland where I’ve felt afraid. It’s perhaps wise to avoid Oerlikon station between 1 and 4 a.m. on weekends to steer clear of conflicts with drunk or otherwise impaired individuals. But the truth is, if I had to be at Oerlikon station at that time, I’d feel a sense of respect, but not fear. This sense of security, which seems so natural, is truly a valuable gift.

As a young student, I lived in a different country, in a run-down area where, alongside many wonderful people, a few strange characters also lived. If I had to go home in the dark, I often felt uneasy. So, I decided to arm myself. A weapon is useless if one isn’t ready to use it in an emergency. Willingness alone isn’t enough – you have to be able to defend yourself. The only weapon I can handle well is a fencing foil. So, I began carrying a silver foil, like a musketeer. My foil wasn’t sharp, and the tip was rounded. Injuring someone with it would only be possible if the blade broke. Still, my foil gave me a sense of security, and I walked without fear, even at night, in that neighborhood. Only once did a near-incident occur.

I was returning home around 8 p.m. in winter, and it was already pitch-dark. The light in the corridor of our building wasn’t working well, as usual. I couldn’t see much when a shadow suddenly appeared. Someone had been hiding in the darkness near my apartment door. A shiver ran through me, and my adrenaline spiked. All possible options flashed through my mind in a split second. I could scream loudly, though in this building, it probably wouldn’t have caught much attention – there was constant shouting from arguments or drunken cries. I could run, but where to and with what result? So, I chose my foil and immediately prepared to defend myself.

Then, the shadow suddenly said “Boo,” and I recognized the voice of my foolish friend David. He’d wanted to scare me, and it was a close call – I might have seriously hurt him. What a silly prank! He frequently made inappropriate jokes like this. He’d actually been waiting for me because he was feeling down and wanted to talk. Why someone in distress would make jokes is beyond me.

I know what it’s like to feel afraid when walking alone, and I deeply appreciate not having to feel that way anymore. Thank you, Switzerland.

Anja

Michaela Merz1 Comment

My friend Anja is originally from Russia, but she has been living in Switzerland for what feels like forever. She has adapted well to Swiss culture and built a successful career. Anja is incredibly helpful, funny, and has a big heart. Spending time with her is always a joy. However, in certain areas, she’s quite particular, and even after all these years in Switzerland, things like punctuality haven’t left much of an impression on her. I’m used to her being late. Not always, but almost always. That’s why I only meet her in places where I don’t mind waiting. The best option is when she comes over to my place. Then I couldn’t care less if she shows up at 7 or half past 8.

We had made plans again recently, and based on my past experiences, I suggested she come to my place for dinner. So, we agreed. I told her 6 o’clock on purpose, knowing that she wouldn’t show up before 8 anyway. I didn’t stress about having dinner ready at a specific time either. By 8 o’clock, I had pretty much eaten alone. Calling Anja doesn’t help anyway, because she never picks up her phone. In the past, I used to worry when she was late and tried to find out what was going on. But I stopped doing that a long time ago, as I know it doesn’t help. She’ll eventually show up, smiling as if nothing’s wrong.

That evening, however, Anja didn’t come at all. Since I had a few things to finish, I dedicated the rest of my evening to work.

The next day, Jacob was visiting me when, at 7 p.m., the doorbell rang. There was Anja, greeting me as exuberantly as ever.
“Anja,” I asked, surprised, “didn’t we agree to meet yesterday?”
Completely calm, Anja replied, “My dear, I couldn’t make it earlier,” kissed me on the cheek, and started taking off her shoes.

We ended up having a great evening with lively conversations, though the food was a bit scarce for three. But that’s just typical Anja.

Lisa and Isa

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

Little Anna had always wanted a pet – it didn’t matter what kind, as long as it was something alive. Since the discussion with her parents about getting a dog or a cat proved difficult, she brought home whatever she could find outside. There were earthworms, tadpoles, snails, cicadas, butterflies, and similar creatures. Anna took care of them and usually set them free after a certain amount of time.

One day, Vivien offered her two mice. Naturally, there was no need to convince Anna – her answer was an immediate “yes!” The real question was how Anna would convince her parents. Unsurprisingly, the discussion that evening was tough. Despite Anna’s tactical skill, her parents didn’t want to hear anything about mice. Anna was quite upset. She refused her favorite food and even turned down the movie they offered to watch together. She withdrew to her room and flipped through her large animal encyclopedia, which she had received from her grandmother for Christmas two years earlier. But the pictures offered her no comfort. Anna had an immense longing for something alive, something she could care for.

Meanwhile, her parents discussed whether it might indeed be possible to give two little mice a home. It could be beneficial for Anna, they thought. Anna’s mother visited her in her room and asked how long these little mice would live. Anna didn’t know, so they began searching for information. They found that mice have a lifespan of about two years. For her mother, this seemed like a manageable risk – she would never have agreed to a turtle.

And so, two little mice – Lisa and Isa – moved in with the Müllers. Together with Anna, her father got a large terrarium second-hand, and Anna set up a cozy and loving home for her two mice. After school, Anna would lock her bedroom door and let the mice roam freely in her room. Her parents would occasionally check to see if everything was okay, but it wasn’t really necessary. Anna took care of Lisa and Isa very responsibly and diligently. Weeks, months, and eventually years passed. By this time, Anna was a teenager, and the two mice had lived with them for nearly four years. The mice’s fur had turned white on the sides, but their advanced age didn’t seem to cause them any problems.

One day, when Anna came home from school, Lisa was no longer moving. She had died. Isa sat closely beside the lifeless Lisa, completely still. Anna didn’t dare move Lisa’s body. She was deeply shaken by the death of the little mouse, but she was even more worried about Isa. Isa, who had never been alone in her life and shared everything with her companion, was now left by herself. Anna didn’t know how to comfort a mouse or how to help her.

Anna sought advice from Vivien, from whom Lisa and Isa had originally come, and who, in Anna’s eyes, was the greatest expert when it came to mice. Vivien was concerned and told Anna that Isa couldn’t be left alone – otherwise, she would die too. So, Anna and Vivien decided that Isa should join Vivien’s mice. But this wasn’t so simple, because even though Isa had originally come from Vivien’s terrarium, the mice living there now didn’t accept Isa right away. Vivien therefore prepared a chamomile bath and bathed all her mice in it. The mice weren’t too thrilled, but none managed to escape Vivien’s grasp. Finally, Anna bathed her Isa in the chamomile bath as well. The entire room smelled of chamomile. With a heavy heart, Anna left Isa with Vivien’s mice, who immediately began sniffing her. The acceptance was there, and so Isa found a new home in the company of other mice.

Vivien explained to Anna that if they hadn’t bathed the mice and Isa had smelled different, the other mice might have bitten her.

And with that, the chapter of having pets came to an end. Lisa was buried in the garden amid tears, the terrarium was sold again – even for the same price as it was bought – and Anna had to explain to her mother that the two-year lifespan applied to wild mice, but under conditions with little stress and plenty of food, their lifespan could double.

Anna learned how important it is to have the same “group smell” in order to be accepted into a community. What applies to mice is no different for humans – it’s just that the solutions that work for mice are hardly practical for people.

The Marriage of Norma and Thomas

Michaela Merz2 Comments

I had dinner plans. As soon as I arrived at the restaurant, my phone rang, and my best friend explained that she was stuck in traffic and would be at least half an hour late. That’s nothing unusual, it happens almost every time. I didn’t get upset. I wanted to read my emails, but the conversation at the next table drew me in and fascinated me. I listened. The volume made it easy to follow without any effort. Here’s what I heard:

Norma and Thomas met at university. Both were studying law. After successfully completing their degrees, they both went on to obtain their law licenses. They moved in together and planned their future. They had agreed on having two careers and sharing family responsibilities. It’s now been 33 years since they got married. In the first year of their marriage, a son was born. He was born with a heart defect. By the time he turned three, he had undergone three surgeries. That time was extremely difficult for everyone, as it was uncertain whether the boy would survive, and if he did, whether there would be lasting developmental issues. With all the doctor’s appointments, Norma returning to her demanding job was out of the question. Norma stayed home and fought with all her might for her son’s life and health. After four years, they could finally say they had made it. Shortly after, a daughter was born, and then another daughter. With three children, one of whom still had some health concerns, and the limited childcare options in Switzerland, it was unthinkable for Norma to return to the professional world.

In the beginning, after the birth of their first son, Thomas was very involved and supported Norma, even attending some of the medical appointments with her. But this only lasted until it was clear that the boy would survive. After that, Thomas reduced his involvement significantly, and eventually, it was Norma who became the family manager while Thomas earned the money. He was an excellent lawyer and made a lot of money. From then on, all family-related appointments were organized solely by Norma. Thomas never attended a single school meeting. Their lives over the past 33 years unfolded in the same space but as if in parallel worlds.

By now, all three children have moved out. The son is working, and the two daughters are still studying, but no longer live at home. The departure of the last child hit Norma hard. Norma and Thomas’s daily routine always looked the same: In the morning, Thomas got ready for the office, kissed Norma on the forehead, and left for work without saying when he would be back. Norma cooked dinner but increasingly found herself eating alone, as Thomas worked late into the evening. When he finally came home, he was tired and hungry and didn’t want to talk. He ate dinner without saying thank you, then watched sports on TV. After that, he kissed Norma on the forehead and went to bed. Norma cleaned the kitchen and went to bed too.

They didn’t do much together on weekends either, as Thomas wanted to play sports and wasn’t really interested in cultural activities. Norma felt increasingly lonely.

That’s the background I understood. However, the conversation was actually about the fact that, over the weekend, Norma had suggested divorce to Thomas. She had prepared the divorce papers, including a proposal for dividing the assets and a solution for their living situation. Thomas was shocked and completely unprepared. Norma told her friend that he kept repeating that he couldn’t understand why. After all, they had such a great life. Norma wondered if she hadn’t told Thomas enough how unhappy she was with their life together.

At that moment, my best friend arrived, and I didn’t hear the rest of the conversation at the next table. I don’t even know if Thomas accepted the divorce. Honestly, I completely understood Norma’s need for change.