Lisa slowly walked down the aisles filled with shoppers and was struck by an extraordinary exhibition of trinkets, jewellery, clothing, and stationery. Each new counter presented a dazzling and tempting sight. She tried to resist the alluring power of each and every precious trinket, but she could not allow herself to go anywhere else. All she needed was there, all she wanted to have. Alluring shoes, stockings, fine-pleated skirts, lace, ribbons, combs—every piece inspired the desire to possess it, and Lisa with particular acuteness realized that she did not have enough for any of them. As with every woman, Lisa was attracted to girlish and beautiful things.
Lisa felt nervous, a too-impressionable girl suddenly thrown into the cold, calculating world devoid of poetry.
Lisa felt an irresistible attraction to all the new and beautiful pieces of ladies' clothing and with an aching heart, watching well-dressed ladies squeezed forward, not paying her any attention. Lisa‘s eyes devoured everything they saw on the shelves. She was not so far off status-wise from the boutique salespersons. However, when she compared herself to them, Lisa felt pathetic. Most of them were beautiful, independent, and indifferent, which gave a special piquancy to the most interesting of them. They were dressed elegantly, and when they looked at Lisa, she was convinced that they were condemning her shortcomings. Envy ate at her heart. Lisa began to understand how much temptation was present in a big city: the richness, elegance, and comfort. Lisa was painfully drawn to fancy dresses and beautiful things.
She bought herself a chocolate bar for one dollar, which she found in her savings and went to do window shopping, looking at beautiful dresses and smelling the perfume and pastry and forgetting about the dreadful reality she was trapped into. Lisa did not want to spend her money on cheap food, she saved every cent for her dream trip.
A day later, her host family came back. The first question the host mother asked was: “Where's the muffin? Did you eat it? I wanted Ben to take it to kindergarten. “
Lisa wondered if the only thing that had worried her host family during their vacation was the single muffin. In addition, the three-day-old muffin would be too dried-out to eat.
The host father wanted to protect Lisa and said, “She's got to eat something, Angelica.”
“Yes, but before she eats anything in my house, she needs to ask us.”
The host parents discussed this so loudly that Lisa did not dare defend herself.
Sometimes she thought that because they worked as managers, they could only think about numbers. How many cents does a muffin cost? How many dollars does a dinner cost? How much do they save a month having a naive Lisa and not a normal maid or a babysitter? Thankfully, Lisa didn’t eat much. She always had a slim figure and liked her appearance, but she was only a human being who could not survive only on air and love for the child.
The family kindly took care of her body, telling her, “Meat is unhealthy. Do not think about eating meat.”
As Lisa already understood that there was no perfect host family, and she already had a contract, she just stayed, accepted the dreadful reality and her naivity, and suffered quietly.
Silence and work—these things were expected of an au pair.
The internet became an escape from her dreadful reality. Lisa continued answering emails. She thought that she didn’t feel lonely anymore. Writing emails to a stranger from the other side of the city created an illusion of not feeling very lonely in a foreign country. The internet became a window, allowing her to escape from the dreadful reality of being a poor au pair.
Of course, Lisa didn't plan to have any relationships or fall in love with someone. The only thing she wanted was to improve her language skills or speak with a native speaker. Her host family did not help her in improving her language skills at all as they only demanded things of her, humiliated, and lectured poor Lisa.
Each day, Lisa rushed to her computer after work and breathlessly opened her email. She read with interest Alexander's stories about the city, traveling, and work.
It seemed like they had known each other for ages, although they had never seen each other, despite living in the same city. It seemed that she was not alone anymore.
From: Alexander
To: Lisa
Subject: :)
Hello, Lisa,
I was glad to get a letter from you, and I really liked your photos. You are beautiful.
Some things about me: I don’t smoke and very seldom do I drink. I play some sports (snowboarding, diving, bicycling, and running), and I also like to travel (mostly to areas that are warm and good for diving).
I was born in this big city and I work as a builder.
Can you swim? I ask because last year I bought an old boat and I would love to take you on a tour one day.
Tell me a little bit about your host family. How many children do you take care of? How many hours a week do you work? Do you have days off?
And how long have you been playing the piano? I think that’s great; unfortunately, I cannot play. :(
Greetings and have a nice rest of the weekend!
Best,
Alexander
From: Lisa
To: Alexander
Subject: :)
Hello, Alexander,
Thanks for the kind words. I think you’re also an interesting person.
My host family is nice. I usually work 5 hours a day, and during my free time I study or go for a walk and visit interesting places. I take care of a 5-year-old boy. Sometimes we do things like play football.
I have been playing the piano since I was 10. I too like riding my bike. Since you like traveling, which country do you like the most?
Wishing you a great weekend.
—Lisa
P.S. Sorry for my mistakes.
From: Alexander
To: Lisa
Subject: :)
Hello, Lisa,
Thank you for your nice email. :)
Surely you can play ball with a 5-year-old boy and win! :) Unless, of course, the child allows you to win?
So can you swim? At some point I’d love to take my old boat out with you. :)
My favorite destination so far has been the Maldives. It’s great for diving. My friends and I stayed 2 weeks on a dive boat and dove on many islands. And then we relaxed in a hotel.
As for cities, I found Barcelona to be very good! Great architecture and pleasant people.
What did you do this weekend?
Kind regards,
Alexander
From: Lisa
To: Alexander
Subject: :)
Hi, Alexander,
Thank you for your nice email. :)
Well, playing football is interesting. Unfortunately, he plays better than me and I don’t always win.
I can swim but not very well. It’s cool that you have your own boat!
Your trips sound great, and diving sounds interesting.
This weekend I read a book, and then I went for a walk with my girlfriend in the city. What have you done this weekend?