Half-time

'Warst Du nicht mal in Irland im Urlaub?*' Sebastian asks out of the blue.

Christoph pretends to be engrossed by a Japanese diaper commercial. He cracks open a can of coke, wishing it was beer. 'Ja,' he mutters non-committently, and can't help a glance at Sebastian, whose eyes are still fixed on the television.

The telephone rings, once, twice, then stops. Christoph tries not to think of Robbie on the line, feels that Sebastian would see it in his face. Would know.

Sebastian nods. 'Dachte ich mir.**'

He only feigns sleep when Christoph sneaks out of their hotel room later.

* 'Didn't you go to Ireland on vacation once?'
** 'I thought so.'

fin.