To My Dearest Roseanne

Chapter 46

Enzo was chasing a ball until it fell under an armchair. The dog stood there gobsmacked. His nose inspected the tiny space between the floor and furniture. His paw swooshed into the opening, but it couldn't reach the ball.

Robert was plastering up a hole near the window sill in the living room when he heard the sound of rummaging coming from the kitchen.

"Honey, I told you I will prepare dinner!" he shouted from the room.

"But I'm fine. You don't have to do everything for me! Just let me cook something. It's nearly evening. Rosie should be back any minute." Liz filled a pot with water and placed it on the stove.

"Well, okay."

Having plastered the hole, Robert shoved the spatula into a bowl and straightened his back. The setting sun beautifully covered the blocks of Szwederowo in the intense orange light. The late afternoon was coming to an end and the street looked as peaceful as never before.

"It's going to be a beautiful summer," Robert said.

"What is it that you're saying?!" Liz asked from the kitchen.

"Nothing honey. Just talking to myself."

Enzo began wimping loudly, pointing with his paw at the spot where the ball had disappeared.

"What is it, old buddy?" Robert turned to the dog. "You lost your ball, huh?"

The man crouched and fished it out from under the armchair. Enzo barked in happiness at the sight of reclaimed property.

"Where's the ball now? Where is it now? Here it is!"

Enzo took the ball in his mouth and ran away. A doorbell sound spread across the apartment.

"I'll get it, hun!"

Robert walked to the entrance and unlocked it. His eyes widened because he saw a familiar woman at the doorstep. He never had a memory for names, but he knew her face from somewhere.

"Well, hello, What a surprise!" he said.

"Yes, it is." the woman smiled.

Awkward silence fell between them immediately. Robert wanted the woman to explain the purpose of her coming here, but the woman clearly expected Robert to do something.

"You probably don't remember me, do you?" the woman asked.

"Please forgive me, but my memory can't be trusted. I know I've seen you before.'

"I'm Emily's mother, Molly Champignon. We met outside the hospital two weeks ago."

"Ah, yes. That misunderstanding concerning Roseanne and the police."

"Exactly," Molly rolled her eyes in slight embarrassment. "Well, I came to collect my daughter."

"Oh, okay," Robert was about to go to Roseanne's room, but then he realised something. "Wait a minute. You came to collect your daughter?"

"That's correct."

"But my daughter had a sleepover at your daughter's, so it's impossible for your daughter to be at my daughter's."

"What do you mean? Emily told me she came here for a sleepover."

"And Roseanne told us Emily invited her for a sleepover."

"This is nonsense! Where's my daughter?" Molly raised her voice.

The woman stepped inside and the two began to shout over themselves, gesturing dramatically. Molly threatened to call the police, whereas Robert demanded the return of Roseanne. Suddenly, Liz called them out from the kitchen.