Our Agnieszka has lived in Wrocław for eight years. She calls on Sundays. After she moved in, the apartment became too big and too quiet, and Grześ and I learned to live side by side like two decent neighbors. He in the living room with a game, I in the kitchen with a crossword puzzle, or on the balcony by the geraniums. We didn’t argue. Maybe because there was nothing to talk about.
Jobs. Now, in the kitchen, putting rolls into a basket, I started counting them. Tuesday afternoons. Sometimes Saturdays. For about a year now, Thursdays more and more often. “The lady in the house in Grudzice, the entire installation needs replacing, the work will take months.” Months. I believed it, because why shouldn’t I? He brought in money. Not much, but he brought in money.
I didn’t say a word until Thursday. I was surprised myself. Ela from school would probably have thrown the phone in his face right then and there. And I walked around, cooked, ironed his shirts, and watched. As if I had to see this man all over again before I said anything.
