“I really like that,” I said.
“But I can't promise anything yet.”
“That's no problem at all,” said Charles.
“Almost only women work here at Brussels Jazz Club.
Just a few men. Is that okay with you?”, teased he.
“Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I have anything against women, right,” I laughed back.
“I respect everyone, as long as they respect me.”
“We'd love to hear that,” said Charles.
“You have to do this job to make contacts with the music students of the conservatory and then we will discuss the entire situation with the non-profit organization.”
“You must inform me about how everything has gone so far, with the students and the non-profit organization,” I said.
There was a wealth of information, Charles said, but at the moment it was the youth project is no longer ongoing. It would have to be completely rebuilt. A serious assignment, but, as Charles concluded at the end of the conversation:
"All in due time. First it has to be okay with your medical advisor.”
My medical advisor approved the situation, and this new adventure could begin. I did it sensibly: I would rest in the afternoon. Otherwise my body, and my head, would say “stop” very quickly. The mornings were supposed to be for volunteer work, but I couldn't give those afternoons. They would remain for myself, to rest and recover.
My new Russian acquaintances also kept their word: they called me the day after we met! We spoke from Brussels Jazz Club and from there they would look for a brasserie to eat and drink something together.
“And, are you used to Belgium yet?”, I asked Ivanhov
once we sat down.
“Yes, but we are often chased away by the police when we play in the street,” he began. He told more and more about their situation and how it was not so ideal. One of the female musicians, who could sing beautifully “Ave Maria”, said that their conservatory was not really set up with the fact that they played on the street. This musician was, apparently, also Ivanhov's girlfriend.
“We actually need some kind of permit to be able to play on the street,” said Ivanhov.
“Can't you come with us to the administrative center tomorrow?”
“Do I really have to be there?” I asked.
“Not really, but Charles said you know Brussels well.”
“Well, a lot has been said, but okay, I will come along.”
“Thank you!” said Ivanhov.
“I actually have another question.”
"Just ask?"
“The apartment we rent is quite far from here.
Could we leave and pick up our instruments at your home? It is a Quite a hassle to drag it up and down every time.”
So indeed, that was continuous dragging and lugging.
“Okay, I live in a fairly small studio, but you guys will be able to fit something in there,” I said. I invited them to take a look together after lunch. They had their instruments with them, so we could suddenly test it out.
“Luc, so small?!” Ivanhov laughed
after we all find the narrow had squeezed through the stairwell.
“That's good preparation if I ever get thrown in jail!”, I joked.
I told that joke to everyone who passed by. In fact, the size of the studio wasn't too bad, especially for just one person. There was also enough space to store the instruments. We agreed it was okay!
“Do you trust that?”, some people sometimes asked me about the whole situation.
“I think they should trust me more than I trust them!”, I replied.
37.
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