did the world stop spinnin'?

a smile in his eyes from another time and place

Frida was taking long strides down the hospital hallway, she hated them. The fluorescent lights in the hallway gave off a cold glow, reflecting off the relentlessly polished floor tiles. She felt beads of sweat dripping down her back, while Görel beside her was also taking shorter steps, making her look like she was in a hurry and the truth is that she was surprised that her friend despite using a cane was walking so fast.

Frida's face was normally serene, but now it had a mix of uncertainty and determination, then she became more relaxed when she reached the waiting room of the area where Benny was, there she saw familiar faces. Peter was sitting while talking to Heléne, they were already waiting for her and knew she would arrive at any moment.

Peter stood up immediately upon seeing her arrive and Görel behind her. "Good morning," Frida said, catching the attention of everyone in the room. Ludvig was also there with Johan waiting. She and Heléne shared a hug first, she caressed her back and they both held each other tight; then Peter hugged her too, this one was shorter.

Frida turned her face towards Ludvig, she knew that perhaps he would need it more, so she did not hesitate to put her hand on his cheek and smile at him, before they both hugged. There was a connection between them that was indescribable, Ludvig always had a great respect for Frida and little by little she won his heart, especially after he had to work more closely with ABBA for the ABBA Voyage. "Thank you for coming," he said and they both broke the hug.

"You have nothing to thank me for, Benny is a great friend that I cannot leave alone at this moment," she squeezed his hand. "Above all because I also value you all and consider you part of my family," she added.

"How is Göran doing?" Görel intervened, hugging Ludvig, because she had already done with Heléne, Johan and Peter.

"He is fine, he is a little more cheerful today. He asked about Frida this morning as soon as he opened his eyes and well we had to lie to him, or rather, hide certain truths," Ludvig explained.

"He is now with Mona in the room, he is eating his breakfast," Peter intervened. Frida gulped, feeling like an intruder knowing that she had to go in and Mona and Benny would be together.

"I think you should go in too," Heléne encouraged her. "He will be happy to see you."

Frida sighed. "What do I say to him?" she asked worriedly. "I don't think I will be able to tell him that I am not his wife but I don't want to lie to him either," she confessed.

"The doctor says that at least until the therapies begin we should not confuse him with the reality that he has in his head," Ludvig said. "You don't have to tell him you're his wife, but maybe don't tell him about the divorce just yet, just play along," he explained.

Frida nodded. "Görel, are you coming with me?" She asked, holding her arm.

Görel shook her head in denial. "Go in by yourself, I'll do it in a bit... I think you two have a lot to talk about," she said.

Frida took a deep breath and nodded. Ludvig walked her to the room door to help her, mostly to open it. Before Ludvig opened it she held his hand and paused, "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes," she whispered. "I just need a moment before I go in," she pressed her lips together and took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself for what she was about to face on the other side of the door. She knew that when she crossed that threshold she would meet a man who had been part of her life, her youth, her love story, but who was now trapped in a distant past. She gave Ludvig the go-ahead and he opened the door, she entered with deliberate steps and heard the door close behind her.

Mona was there helping Benny with breakfast, she was sitting next to him with the tray while she made him eat; Frida knew that all this was wrong, she felt horrible for interrupting that moment. She was stunned but Benny noticed her presence immediately and recognized her face, he knew it was her. He smiled completely ignoring Mona who had stayed with the spoon in the air to bring it to his mouth, but he was no longer interested in that. "Frida," Benny murmured, as if the name was a whisper from the depths of his memory. In his voice there was a mixture of relief and bewilderment.