My name is Paul.

I am four years old.

I live in Berlin.

It is the year 2126.

Right now, I am sitting in the grass next to the swings at kindergarten.

The sun is getting lower.

Most of the children have already gone home.

My friend Bepo left a long time ago.

His mum and dad picked him up.

Before they left, they even played with him on the climbing frame.

Bepo laughed so loudly that everyone could hear him.

My friend Susi has gone home too.

Now the playground feels much bigger.

And much quieter.

I look towards the gate.

Nobody.

I look again.

Still nobody.

Next to me sits Mrs. Sabine, my group leader.

She sits in the grass and watches the clouds with me.

"Nani will be here soon," she says.

I nod.

I know.

But I still look towards the gate.

Just in case.

A few minutes later I hear a familiar voice.

"Hello Paul."

I jump up immediately.

"Nani!"

Nani walks across the playground.

She looks like a friendly woman.

She always does.

She kneels down and opens her arms.

I run towards her.

Nani hugs me.

"I am sorry you had to wait."

"That's okay," I say.

Mrs. Sabine smiles.

"Have a nice evening, Paul."

"I will!"

Nani takes my backpack.

Then we walk together to the car.

As always, Nani asks me about my day.

Did I play football?

Did I paint something?

Did I eat my lunch?

I tell her everything.

Especially the important things.

Like how Bepo fell into a puddle.

Twice.

Nani laughs.

She always laughs at the right moments.

When we arrive home, the apartment door opens before I can press the bell.

My mum is already waiting.

She hugs me tightly.

Then she kisses my forehead.

"Hello, sweetheart."

"Hello, Mum."

My mum looks at Nani.

"Did Paul eat something this afternoon?"

"Yes," says Nani.

"He had fruit and two oat biscuits."

My mum smiles.

"Perfect."

Then she turns back to me.

"I missed you."

I smile.

"I missed you too."

My mum has been working all day.

She often works a lot.

Much more than me.

I'm glad she is home now.

A little later, Nani helps me put on my pajamas.

She reads me my favourite story.

For the hundredth time.

Maybe the thousandth.

When she finishes, she pulls the blanket up to my chin.

"Good night, Paul."

"Good night, Nani."

She switches off the light.

The door stays slightly open.

I can hear my mum talking in the next room.

And I can hear Nani answering.

Their voices become quieter and quieter.

My eyes begin to close.

I think about Bepo and his parents.

I think about Mrs. Sabine.

I think about my mum.

And I think about Nani.

Then I remember sitting beside the swing and waiting.

I remember looking at the gate again and again.

And I remember how happy I felt when someone finally arrived.

The last thing I hear before I fall asleep is my mum laughing.

It sounds nice.

And somehow that makes me feel safe.