It was a very cold day. Rain was pounding loudly on windows
and birds were not to be seen anywhere near. A storm was
dancing in the streets, erasing any hope for a sunny day. A
brutal knock on the door of his flat woke him up. The
knocking continued until he finally got up to open the door.
The man outside was leaning against the wall as if he wasn't
done sleeping. Ringo sprayed a quick "good morning" and went
to the kitchen to fetch an envelope. The man took the
envelope, glanced inside and smiled, satisfied. When his
landlord left, Ringo noticed a neatly folded piece of paper
laying on the floor, as if it wanted to get into the flat,
but was shy. He lifted the paper and carefully put it in his
pocket - no reading before breakfast, he thought decisively.
He was not in a hurry that day, yet if it all went the way
he wanted it to, he would have a date with the woman he
loved in the evening. All he could think of was her - the
way she makes him feel, the smell of her hair and that
troublesome husband of hers. Being this woman's lover was
not easy for Ringo. Every day he felt sorry for not being
able to show how he felt publicly. That's also why he began
drinking again. He had to find a way to get rid of her
husband!                        About a week before he had a
great idea - why not call his old friend from the army?
Ringo saved his life back in Vietnam, so the man owed him
his life. Their conversation was very short and cold, but
Ringo was certain that they were going to be good friends
from that day on.  It just had to work, he wanted to promise
to himself, quite nervously.             After he finished
his breakfast, he shaved, he did the dishes, the laundry and
almost everything there was to do around the flat. Only then
did he decide to read the note, (not that he had a choice).
He hesitated a little before reaching into his pocket, but
eventually he unfolded the paper. The handwriting was
familiar. For a moment, it took him back to Vietnam. He
hoped that his friend had some good news. When he focused
his eyes and his mind on the actual words, he knew exactly
what he had to do.                                          
                       .                                  
                                 
                   "This is Eagle. The bird is down with
broken wings. The flower is open for the bee to come inside.
Drummer and  Eagle are even. This goes to the river".      
                                                           
 

         Ringo looked out of the window. The rain was
heavier than before, but he could still see the black metal
bridge above the river. He wanted to call her, just to
confirm their date, but he decided not to do so. He took his
rain coat and an umbrella, folded the note and put it back
in his pocket. He left the flat and walked casually towards
the bridge.                

         He stood on the bridge tearing apart the paper
into tiny pieces and throwing it into the water. Then he
turned and walked away; it was over.