CH 2

Astrid explained her father all things related to the play while he started working in the kitchen and turned the oven on.
She sat on a high chair, eating slices stolen from the apples he was cutting for an apple pie and texting with her classmates their choices for the play.
"Maja wants to sing, she is good, her mother is an opera singer and she took lessons."
"And you? Do you have a preference?"
"I'd like to help with the set design, there are large paintings to do."
"That's a good idea, you do what you like, not what your friends do."
"The majority wants to act, you know, so all families will come and see them on stage."
"I did a part in a school play, around your age."
"You liked it?"
"Yes, but I never tried again, although they said I had talent. Once was enough, I got stage fear the final day and I remember I vomited during all the afternoon before it started."
"But you'll come and see our work if I don't act, won't you?"
"Sure Astrid, I'll come."
The key turned in the lock and Saga entered with a bag full of books. Henrik turned to her.
"You're early, you wrote you'd be home around eight."
"A black out in the library lighting and heating. It closed and I had to take home all the texts. I have to finish the essay in two days. There's another bag in the car."
"I'll go get it as soon as I finished here."
Saga approached and sniffled the dough.
"Cake?" She stole three apple slices, Henrik took another fruit from the fridge.
"Dad is doing an apple pie."
"I like apple pie."
"I know, I bake your favourite cake and cook Astrid's favourite pasta. So you're both happy."
He put the knife down.
"I go and collect the books. Astrid, tell Saga about the play."
Henrik got his car key and opened the front door.
Since the Porsche had been stolen from the university parking, around two months ago, Saga had been without a car and Henrik suspected it had been a big factor in her decision to live with him.
She was on a monthly rent and he grabbed the occasion: Astrid had started school, things were getting better between the three of them, so he felt ready.
He had no problems in lending Saga his own car or driving her to the train station and they were discussing to buy a new car at the beginning of the new year, as soon as the financial settlements they had been involved with – Frank's trial and Saga's parents inheritance – would appear in the bank accounts. Alice's life insurance had been already a huge income but Henrik's lawyer assured him Frank had the money the court sentenced him to pay.
Henrik wanted Christmas to come soon, he had a big project if all went well.
He returned and Saga was rummaging in one of the boxes piled up in front of the rear windows, the carpenter had to come and install the new bookshelves for Saga's readings.
She opened a second box and like a mole dug in the layers of books
"I got it."
She branded her old copy of the Dickens' novel, full of small notes on the text, written in pencil.
"It's a short version, for my high school English. I work on my essay until dinner then we'll read together the story."
Father and daughter nodded and Saga disappeared in the master bedroom where she had changed the drawers under the windows with a white desk.
After dinner they sat on the couch, Henrik in the middle, Astrid leaning into his right shoulder, knees bent under her, Saga with the ankles propped up on the pouf at his left.
Henrik breathed pure relief, feeling two warm and alive bodies close to him was a miracle and he wanted to celebrate the incoming festive season like he never did before. And the school play was a good start.
Henrik asked Saga if she wanted him to read and she refused, she didn't remember the story well and she wanted to keep concentrated on the book.
It was an habitude to rest like that in the evening, watching television, dvds or reading; when alone, after Astrid retired for the night, they'd talk about their days and Henrik used to turn the television off for a while to simply observe Saga reading before going himself to bed.
Her sleeping patterns got better, she still slept a few hours only, but since sharing with Henrik a bed she gained on average a hour of rest.
I like to look at you, he said once, it was a blessing for him to have here in his house. The beginning of the night was a moment of peace where words were not needed.
The well known story of the old wealthy man who overcame his greediness was an universal tale and Saga liked the journey Scrooge made during the night of the eve.
When alone – Astrid in bed, tired and excited at the same time, Henrik talking with her, their private father daughter time – she read again the text and decided to buy the complete version for Astrid. There were similarities between the carol and her own life. Like Scrooge, she buried the remains of her past and worked in the present to build a new future.