He didn’t try to convince me. I appreciated that more than I told him.
A month later I accepted another invitation. It was a small lunch, and before answering I asked if Kristin would be there.
It was still suspended.
The seamstress had already repaired the sleeve of my dress. I tried it on in front of the mirror and slowly raised my arm. I still felt a slight pull on my shoulder, but I was able to fasten it myself.
I used it again.
Upon arriving at the club, Robert greeted me by the entrance. We strolled leisurely toward the garden. I recognized some faces; some greeted me with a level of attention they hadn’t shown me the first time.
The woman who had spoken approached before we sat down.
—I wanted to apologize for taking so long to help her.
—Thank you for saying what you saw.
He lowered his eyes for a moment.
—I should have done it from the beginning.
—Yes —I told him.
We remained silent. Then I asked her if she wanted to sit with us.
During the meal, I was able to listen without being constantly aware of every person who passed by. It wasn’t immediate. The first time a chair scraped the floor behind me, I turned around too quickly, and my shoulder reminded me that I still needed to take care of it.
Robert noticed, but continued with what he was saying. He let me recapture the moment without turning it into another source of worry for the whole table.
Finally, they brought the desserts.
The waiter who had been next to me the day of the fall approached with a tray. We recognized each other.
“There’s raspberry tart, Mrs. Walker,” he said.
—Then I’ll want one.
She placed it in front of me. I thanked her and arranged the napkin on my lap.
Beside me, the woman searched for her glasses to read the café menu. Robert was still talking. I picked up my fork and cut a slice of cake, my feet planted firmly under my chair.
END.
