"Basil, pay attention! You need to focus on this. I know you've been missing Zipporah but your mind needs to be here." Grandfather lectures and smacks the desk. I jolt, then lean forward with my head in my hands.

"I apologize, Grandfather." He heaves a sigh of despair.

"Basil, this is not hard material. But it needs to be completed before you join Zipporah in America."

"I know."

"Would it help if you called Zipporah now?" I nod.

"Ja. I haven't spoken to her since-"

"Noon?"

"It was early morning over there. The conversation was brief."

He shakes his head and walks towards the door, "Call her. But once you're done, finish that stack. I expect to see those papers on my desk by the time I leave tonight."

"Ja. Danke!" I call after him, scrambling for my phone. My fingers glide over the screen to Zipporah's speed dial and I click on it. It takes a few rings before she picks up, "Guten Tag, Edelweiss!"

"Hallo! Basil, was machst du [What are you doing]? You should be working." She tsks on the other end.

"I needed to hear your lovely voice. How are you?"

"I'm doing well, Basil. Isaac and I are in Sequim today. I'm enjoying soaking up the sun and blue sky," She chuckles, "Ahh, Basil, what about you? I miss having my wonderful husband."

"I'm drowning in paperwork. Most of it is easy but I can't focus with you gone. This week and a half has dragged by."

"I suppose Octavian has threatened you with extending the time you spend in Eldstein?"

"Ja, ja."

"Let that be motivation then. Come on, immerse yourself in the work and we'll see each other in two days."

"Ach! I shall try my best."

"I love you, Edelweiss."

"I love you more, Zipporah."

"Tschau."

"Tschüß." We hang up and I exhale. My eyes land on the paperwork before me and I reach for the top folder.

I successfully finish the miniature hill, but the moment I do the longing I have for Zipporah returns. I pick the paperwork up and drop it off, then trudge out to the car, "It doesn't matter what I do, these last two days are still going to drag by."

Please comment and vote! Thanks!

~Uilosris