The eyes of eons. [Slow Editing]

Chapter 4

     Hesitantly, I stepped out of the salon and in my usual manner, and softly closed the door of my car. Now standing right in front of Kowalsky’s threshold, anticipation overpowered me. I began doubting in my own assumptions.

     The entrance was unlocked and wide open. A cool breeze was coming from a small parlor and when I let myself in, a shiver ran through me. 

     A low murmur and some shifting was coming from the living room. I advanced farther and looked inside. First I noticed Mr. Barney, he was sitting with crossed legs on the sofa holding the pile of papers and reading something to himself. His lips were silently moving and fingers were calmly tracing the edge of the heap. On the armchair opposite of the sofa was sitting Clair with a tissue to her nose. She wasn’t really crying, but her shoulders were slightly jerking, an afterwards of a hysteria, no doubt. Her husband stood behind the armchair holding it with both hands. Two teenage boys of twelve were sitting on the floor by the fireplace, both still dressed in suits with all the attributes: ties, handkerchiefs in the pockets, impeccably combed hair. Claris stood near the window and her stare absentmindedly directed at the floor. Mr. Kowalsky himself wasn’t in the room. As I cleared my throat to speak a tapping on the stairs startled me.

     “What are you doing here?” Luke snapped at me.

     His tone hasn’t shocked me, mentally I was prepared to his cold treatment. “I’m here to see your grandfather,” I replied calmly.

     “It’s hardly a good time.” He pronounced with less agitation, but his words had an edge of mockery.

     “It’s okay, Luke.” Mr. Kowalsky appeared on the top of the stairs. “I’ve asked Alexandra to stop by.” Heavily breathing he started descending the steps. Luke stared at him then at me with uncertainty in his look. 

     “Pardon, miss. Years are taking their advantage over me.” I stretched my lips in imitation of a smile and glanced away slightly embarrassed. When he reached the bottom he scanned the living room then turned to me and gesture into the kitchen. “My apology again. I will have to receive you in the kitchen.” I nodded and giving Luke a parting glimpse rotated in the direction I was shown. Luke pursed his lips and walked into the living room. I was intrigued, obviously my attorney help were not required for this type of conversation. 

     “Would you like some water, tea?” he offered. Immediately I shook my head showing that I was fine in any possible way. “All right!” He took a deep breath. “Agnes wanted to give you this slightly earlier, but unfortunately, she left us before she could deliver it personally.” As he pronounced the words, all his body as if stretched couple of inches longer and his chin again jerked up. Oh, dear. William Kowalsky! I pressed my mouth into a hard line. With shaking hands he picked a shoe box from the kitchen table and handed it over to me. My brows creased and unsurely I accepted the gift. Then I removed the top and froze.

     “Oh, my God!” Involuntarily the words popped out of my mouth and to hold any other phrases, I covered the lower part of my face with my palm. I shook my head in disbelieve and gaining my cool back reached with my fingers to touch the CDs. “That’s her favorite music,” I mumbled and with my eyes run by the titles: Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Puccini, Bizet, Vivaldi, Schubert, Camille Saint-Saens, Beethoven, Paganini, Rossini, Strauss, Liszt, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Gershwin. 

     “I can’t accept it. It’s too personal. It meant her so much.” I swept the carton top from the table and with trembling fingers covered the box. “I possibly can’t take it from you.” I pushed the box back to him.

     “Agnes wanted you to have it. I respect her wish. Please.” He straightened up in officer like manner as if giving me a medal of honor. “Please,” he repeated.