Slice Of Life

The three of them were often seen walking in a park. It was always the same walk: in a middle of a wide alley, small gravel underneath their feet, crowns of the trees arched above. A couple walked slowly, holding hands. Another woman walked a few steps behind.

Two sisters. One husband.

1970

The little hallway is flooded with a bright light. In front of the mirror, a woman in her early thirties is brushing her hair. Sun reflects from it with the sparks of gold.

“I am almost done!” She adjusts the little hat and puts on a lipstick.

A young man comes up with a coat and helps her to put it on. He wraps his arms around her and looks at the reflection of the two of them in the mirror.

“You are adorable.”

She smiles and touches his hand with her lips.

They notice a shadow on the wall and turn. There is a woman on the top of the landing. Her silhouette looks black against the golden light pouring in through a big arched window behind her.

“Eva! I didn’t see you coming.”

The woman slowly walks down.

“Good morning.” She smiles at the couple. “John, Mary, you missed breakfast, again.”

“Ah…” Mary squeezes her husband’s hand. “Kind of decided to sleep in.” She turns around to hide a smile and to pick up the keys.

“Are you ready?” She asks.

“Just need my coat and gloves.”

Mary gives her a scarf.

“It looks like it’s sunny, but it’s pretty chilly outside.”

“Yes, and we don’t want you to get cold.” John helps her with her coat.

“Thank you, dear.” She buttons the coat all the way up. “I know I am old, but I am not that old, yet.” She laughs.

“We didn’t mean that.” He hugs her on the shoulders.

“I know, I know.” She puts gloves on her hands. They became very sensitive to cold after she turned forty-five.

“Are you, girls, ready?”

“Yes.” Mary takes her husband’s hand and the three of them walk out the door.

1975

The gray light of a winter morning makes the hallway feel even colder.

Mary is standing in front of a mirror. It’s covered with black fabric.

Eva comes from behind.

“Mary?”

Nothing my the sound of the clock.

“Mary?”

She waits a few.

“Mary, dear, it’s time.”

“I know.” She doesn’t move.

“Mary, we have to go. People are waiting.”

She keeps still.

“Please, dear, do it for John.”

Mary looks at the picture at the table. She slides her finger along the black ribbon crossing it.

"He does't care any more."

She walks out the door.

1990

A warm golden light fills up the little hallway. Eva, she is in her middle sixties now, is playing with a hat in front of a mirror. She tries different looks until she finds the right one, sophisticated and flirty at the same time.

“You look gorgeous, dear.” A man comes from upstairs.

“Paul! I thought you were still on the phone. Do you want more tea before we go?”

“No, thank you. I am good” He kisses her.

Her cheeks turn pink and she lowers her eyes.

“I love it then you blush! You look like a girl.”

“I am too old for “a girl”.” She smiles at him.

“OK, grandma!” He kisses her, again.

She wraps her arms around him.

He returns the hug and looks down at her.

“Are we ready?”

“Yes.”

“Where is she?”

“Waiting outside.”

The two go out and close the door behind.

They walk toward Mary, who is sitting on the bench. She looks awkward in her black shoes, stocking, and coat against the tapestry of the golden leaves and sunlight.

“We are ready. Are you?”

She looks at the couple through the black veil of her hat and nods.

They are heading toward the park.

The couple walks slowly, holding hands. Another woman follows a few steps behind.

They walk the alley the two sisters and a man walked for the past twenty years.