The world shaper

7

It was getting dark when Anna finally came home. When she walked into the living romm, she found the old man lazily sitting in front of a television and was deeply lost in reading a book.

“Good evening,”  she nicely greeted him.

“Good evening to you too,” he replied. “Come here. I allowed myself to prepare a dinner for you.”

Anna wasn’t accustomed to somebody taking care of her so all of the attention from the old man made her slightly uncomfortable. When she came to the kitchen she just stood there with her eyes wide open. Everything was perfectly clean and tidy. Whole place smelled nicely of roast meat. The table was made-up and there were two plates on it. There was even a candlestick in the middle of the table. On the table was also a bottle of wine put in a jar with a lot of ice. Old man gently took her arm:

“Unfortunately I have to tell you that your husband returned in a pretty bad mood. He mumbled something and then he locked himself in the study.”

“He probably had some problems at work again. I ‘ll check on him.”

The old man smirked and removed himself to the living room. He sat on an armchair and continued on his book.

After a few minutes, Anna appeared on the doorstep.

“Simon is not feeling well enough to dine with me. I came to ask you if you would like to join me.”

“Ehm…” He started to argue, but when she gave him a puppy look he changed his mind. “Well, I don’t see why I couldn’t join you. Let’s have dinner.”

They sat quietly for some time. Then suddenly Anna asked:

“What is with the ball? Do you still see it?”

“I have to admit that I do.”

“Have you figured out what it might be?”

“I have no idea. If you would allow me, I would like to inspect it up closely.”

She didn’t know what to think about it. The old man might see the ball, but then again he might not. She didn’t know him at all, but she felt like she could trust him so she nodded. He stepped to her side and stared in a space above her head.

“How interesting… very interesting, indeed.”

“What is it?” she wanted to know.

“I haven’t told you I have seen a ball above your husband’s head as well.”

“Really?”

She looked deeply into his eyes. He was gazing somewhere into the distance.

“But his ball wasn’t as blue as yours. It was more… more grey, or better without color.”

“The ball is spinning.” He continued. “It looks like as a world. Like a small copy of the world.”

He suddenly stopped.

“This is like… like… Ah, I cannot remember, but I can feel it on a tip of my tongue.”

She didn’t want to bother him anymore on the subject, even though she was very curious about the ball and what it represents. He will remember when the time comes. She turned to him and took his hands in hers:

“I believe that you will eventually remember.”

They carried the dishes in the sink. While she was washing the dishes the old man offered to wipe it.

“In the evening I often take a stroll,” she started. “Would you care to join me?”

“I’d be glad to. I think it is time to stretch my limbs a bit.”