“I’ve survived ninety-five years. I know how to ask uncomfortable questions.”
We’re protecting you.
***
The following afternoon, I met Stanislaw again.
No romantic conversation.
No reminiscing.
Just one question.
“Why now?”
I know how to ask uncomfortable questions.
He considered it carefully.
“After Helena died, I couldn’t face disturbing the past. Recently, my doctor reminded me that I shouldn’t keep postponing things that matter.”
“Are you ill?”
“Nothing dramatic. Just old.”
“That’s a condition I know well. Do you know I have savings?”
Why now?
“I assumed so.”
“Are you interested in them?”
He laughed, then noticed I wasn’t smiling. “Zofia, you’re serious.”
“Completely.”
“Then tomorrow, I’d like to show you something. Afterward, you can decide whether to see me again.”
Nothing dramatic. Just old.
“You do realize you’re making yourself sound more suspicious?”
“I know.”
