The free will ( eng)

25. Playing alive and Gone with the Wind

The days continued to go by in a haze and most nights were sleepless nightmares. I tried to enjoy the most beautiful summer for a decade and lie outside on the porch. Some days I tried to sit in the sun chair but it was easier to crawl up in it than to crawl down. It required muscles from both stomach and legs. Usually they were too weak and if I tried, I paid the prize for trying afterwards. After being extremely careful with my limited "energy" for a few weeks I finally managed to take my car and drive down to the sea. I told Olof about it when I invited him over for dinner.

- Hi Anna! How are you? He asks after giving me a hug.

- A little better actually. Something really strange happened last week. I decided I had to have some quality in my life and made it to the port with food and drink, as I always did before, and I sat for hours with the setting sun right on my forehead, and like a miracle I could walk afterwards.

- How do you mean?

- I don't understand myself. It took me fifteen minutes and a man to grab my arm from the parking lot to walk hundred meters to get out on the port. and when I didn't think I could get back when no one came by, I tried to walk my self. I couldn't believe it when I stood up. My muscles was working. It was the strangest thing, felt like a miracle.

- That's strange?

- Really! But after that episode I haven't been using my sun cap or protect me from the sun. I almost fry myself. I don't know if it's the heat , the radiation or the D vitamin chock my body is getting. If you should believe everything on the internet all of it has very strong effect on the immune system and how the whole body works and killing patogens in the body.

- I am glad you are better! No matter how? I brought some small bottles of wine as we talked about before and thought I would test your knowledge?

- That's fun! You are so sweet!

Olof helped me bringing out the grill and I put the marinated chicken on sitting on my chair next to it. He poured wine in numbered cups and put in front of me. I zip carefully. Some are easy and some are hard.

- You choose wines with strange blends! This is impossible! I protest after a smooth Shiraz that should be the opposite.

- Well, I thought you should have a real challenge, he said very pleased.

- Two of four is okay I guess. I knew the Tempranillo but just couldn't get I t out. It's very typical with taste of vanilla.

We had a very nice time and I was glad he came. He was a true friend.

- Thank you for coming and cheering me up! I needed that. Joy is though on the germs.

- Very glad to be of help! The pleasure was all mine,

After a few days a mail arrived in English from a man who wonders if I want to see him and go salsa dancing on the weekend? He's in Sweden and really wants to meet me again. I wonder who it is and have no recollection of meeting him? I explain that I am ill and can't dance and hardly walk. He says he wants to see me anyway and I say he's welcome, glad for anything that reminds me of living. With effort I manage to pick him up at the bus station with my car.

- Hi Anna! How nice to see you again! He says after stepping into my car and kissing me on the cheek. I suddenly recognize him and remember that we meet at the amusement park. He clearly showed his interest while we were dancing salsa and talked the whole time. He is pretty dark, thin and short with a friendly look and warm brown eyes.