Monday morning. The alarm clock woke Sasha rudely up in a topmost
penetrante manner.
Half past 6.
Oh God, is it truly time to get up again already?
Yes.
And while Sasha stumbled into the bath half asleep, she thought that
THE Monday was finally today. Suddenly, Sasha became lively. After
she had taken a shower and had dressed, she nearly hovered the
stairway down into the kitchen. There, Linda had already made a great
breakfast.

Linda: Good morning, my darling! You have but good mood in the early
morning! From where this may probably come.....?!
.....she greeted Sasha and cared her a kiss on the cheek.

Sasha: Good morning, mom! For sure I have good mood today! If it only
would be already this afternoon!
Linda: Well the most has already passed! What separates you in the
most favorable case are.......
.....Linda looked at the clock.

Linda: .....hardly 9 hours of a surprise, that you haven't certainly
imagined in your wildest dreams!
Sasha: Mom, that's mean! You know exactly that the worst and the
longest are the last hours before a big thing!
Linda: Ok, ok, it's alright! But you will get an eye!
Sasha twisted the eyes to the ceiling and had to laugh. She knew her
mom. If she watered her mouth for it so much, it had to be something
special.
Sasha was allowed to be curious.

Exactly at 8 o'clock, Sasha sat at her desk.
She worked in a graphic-design-agency and had worked hard to become
in shortest time the right hand of the boss-designer.
Her advertising-posters had already gotten many prices and awards.
Some were even nominated for the „Oscar "of the advertising-industry
and so Sasha had made a name quickly in this business.
Of course, she drafted the posters with particular passion for ice
shows within Canada and the USA.
That was her specialty.

Shortly after she had sat down, her mobile phone rang. It was
Stephane.

Stephane: Bonjour! Well, how is the first working day after the
vacation?
Sasha: Bonjour, Stephane! It has started just only now, but thanks
for asking! So far, everything is still in the green area, cheri!
Stephane: Oh, I love it, if you speak French! Do you come today to
the Dome? Please say yes!
Sasha: Stephane, firstly I had a good teacher concerning my French!
And secondly I come to the Dome today by all means! My mom has
promised me a giant-surprise! Do you know something about it?
Stephane: Hmmm.....I believe, yes, if it's this, which I think....!
Sasha: WHAAAAAAT??? YOU know about, too? Well, don't tell me now, I
endured it for a very long time, so I manage this few hours as well!
Stephane: Oho, I won't tell you anything! Linda would kill me!
Sasha: Oh, I could not be responsible for this of course! So see you
this afternoon, Stephane! Et merci beaucoup pour vous coup de
téléphone!
Stephane: Mhmm... you know how to let the sun rise in my heart! See
you this afternoon, mon petite!

Stephane! What kind of a charmeur! And this with barely 19 years! She
knew, if they had become a couple, he would have layed her down in a
bed of roses....if it hadn't been for these 10 years of age-
difference. But this matter was clarified for years already. Even if
Stephane often made it very hard for her and simply couldn't curb his
charm.
Still smiling about Stephane, Sasha started her work.
As she found the next time a minute to look at her clock, it was
already half past 12 am. She decided first to make her lunch break
before she started something new. But her ringing mobile phone kept
her away from it at the moment.

Sasha: Ansbach?
Cassy: Hi Sasha! It's me, Cassy!

Sasha could hardly believe it and nearly screamed into her mobile
phone:

Sasha: CASSY?!

Cassy, that was Cassy Lutes. The two had met, as Sasha had came with
her mom to Canada and went with Cassy into the same school class.
They became friends from the beginning and determined pleased on the
first day that they lived only a few streets off of each other.
Quickly, they became the best friends. This probably had to do the
most with it that Cassy and Sasha had the same hobby: figure skating.
Or better, to watch it.
At the same gala, at which Sasha had met Steven Cousins, Cassy was
also there.
There, Cassy had met this American dancer Clint Lutes. The two had
married almost 2 years ago. Sasha was Cassys marriage witness of
course. She was happy for Cassy of course, but this marriage also
meant that Cassy left Canada to live with Clint in America.
Sometimes she envy the both for their luck.
But mostly, she was highly satisfied with her life. She had a
wonderful mom, who was well-known from all in the skating business
and was respected, she had a great job, that sometimes took she up 15
hours on the day, she knew many skating stars personal and was
allowed to name the European Champion and almost-World Champion 2004
Stephane Lambiel her dearest friend. In short, Sasha would have
hadn't any time for a friend or even a husband. But she granted Cassy
her new life.
And now Cassy finally called her after a long time.

Sasha: Cassy! I can't believe it! How are you? We haven't heard from
each other for sooooo long!
Cassy: I'm fine, Sasha, thanks! Yes, it's been a pretty long time.
Clint was on tour so we went from one city to another. I'm sorry for
not keeping in touch with you but it was all very strenous. Can you
forgive me?
Sasha: Hmmmmmmm….I have to consider that………..ok, one last time!

Both laughed.

Cassy: Oh thank you, sweetheart! Now I'm much better!
Sasha: Ok, why are you calling? Any good news?
Cassy: Maybe….what would you say if I told you that Clint and I come
to Calgary for some days off?
Sasha: WHAT??? Is that true?
Cassy: Yes, absolutely!
Sasha: Oh Cassy, these are really great news! When do you come to us?
Cassy: If nothing goes wrong we'll be there on Friday afternoon. I'll
call you on Thursday for more information, ok?
Sasha: Hey that's just fine! Give Clint my best regards! Wow, what a
day today!
Cassy: Why?
Sasha: My mom promised me a big surprise for this afternoon in the
Saddle Dome and now you called and gave me such good news!
Cassy: A big surprise? Ohhh, I'm sooo curious! But wait, tell me
nothing till Thursday when I call you, ok?
Sasha: Ok, I'll try it! So till Thursday, alright? It was really nice
to hear from you again, Cassy! Bye!
Cassy: Ok, Sasha! Till Thursday, bye!

Sasha hung up. She couldn't believe it. If this day continues this
way......
She looked forward so very happy to the reunion with Clint and Cassy.
What she expected this afternoon had occurred to her again through
the conversation. Now she had become really curious again after she
was distracted quite well so far. Sasha decided that she now make her
lunch break first to get going with strengthened power.

Shortly after 1 pm, she sat at her desk again. Actually, she still
had 30 minutes of break, but Linda's surprise haunted constantly
around her head, she considered better to distract herself with her
work again.
At about 3 pm, she had managed everything, which had lain on her
desk. HOORAY! She packed up her stuff, snatched her bag and already
had the handle in the hand as the telephone rang. Argh, she thought,
please not NOW! She answered the phone.

Sasha: Shining star, Inc., Ansbach, can I help you?
Linda: Hey sweetie, it's me!
Sasha: Mom! What's up? Hasn't my surprise arrived yet?
Linda: Oh yes! I only wanted to remind you of it so you don't forget!
Sasha: Haha, very funny, mom! As if I could forget THIS!
Linda: Well then everything is clear! When do you come?
Sasha: I was already on the way from here to go home, changing my
clothes! I don't know admittedly for WHOM I start styling, but it
won't be a bad idea anyway, right?!
Linda: There, you're absolutely right as an exception once! So hurry
up! See you!
Sasha: See you, mom!

Aaaaaaah, but now get out of this place!
Breathlessly, Sasha arrived at home. After she had taken a shower
quickly, she stood helplessly now in front of her wardrobe.
What should she put on?
If she had known WHOEVER was the big unknown....but maybe it was also
better, that she didn't know, who expects her there, otherwise she
would have become presumably even more nervous. She decided for her
favorite-jeans with rose-imprint on the right leg.
As top, she chose a black sweater with carmen-collar and glitter-
embroidery on it.
She pulled her green winter-coat over it, snatched her handbag and
started on the way.
Nevertheless she had spent some time in front of the wardrobe, it
was „just " 3.45 pm.

She almost ran the first meters to the Dome but then she thought that
it made possibly more impression if she doesn't arrive there with
hanging out tongue and completely besides breath. So Sasha slowed her
steps to arrive at the Saddle Dome externally completely relaxed.
After a short conversation with George, Sasha entered the ice rink.
Stephane discovered her first and welcomed her very heartily.

Stephane: There you are finally! And delightful you look, as usual!

He took her into his arms and kissed her on both cheeks.

Sasha: Hello Stephane! Thanks for the compliment! I blush for
embarrassment!
Stephane: That's not my fault! You simply always look gorgeous! But
the red on your cheeks suits you also very well!
Sasha: Stephane, please!

Sasha had to laugh now. And Stephane smiled at her with his most
irresistibly smile.
Now Linda also had noticed that Sasha was there. She approached the
both.