Aliss at the Fire

Not thinking anything, Signe says

No, Asle says

I’m not thinking anything, he says

I’m just standing here, he says

You’re just standing there, Signe says

Yes, Asle says

What day is it today, Signe says

Tuesday, Asle says

It’s a Tuesday in late November in 1979, he says

The year’s going by fast, Signe says

Unbelievably fast, Asle says

It’s a Tuesday in late November, Signe says

Yes, Asle says

and he steps away from the window and he goes to the hall door

You’re going, Signe says

Yes, Asle says

Where, Signe says

Just out for a while, Asle says

Yes well no one’s stopping you, Signe says

Yes, Asle says

and she sees him go over to the stove, he takes a log and he bends down and he puts the log in the stove and then he stands up and looks at the flames and he stays standing like that for a while and looks at the flames before he goes over to the hall door and she sees his hand on the door handle, as though with a small hesitation, a lingering, and should she say something? or is it he who should say something? but neither of them has anything to say and then he pushes the handle down

There isn’t something you’re, says Signe

No no, says Asle