Counting, May 1944
“Are you sure, are you really sure, how can you be so sure.”
“Well, I know, that’s all. I just know. I’m never late.”
“Well, maybe you don’t know this time; maybe you made a mistake. Maybe you didn’t count right. Maybe. What do you think? Do you think maybe you didn’t count right”?
It was early afternoon when they usually met. He often found time to escape before ‘Question Period’ in the House. She had packed her kids off to school after lunch.
It was one of those misty days in May, almost warm, when you knew, you just knew, spring had finally arrived. Winnipeg was like that–misty and cold until the very last moment. Then spring!
“I don’t know. No, I think I counted right. Maybe not.”
“Well, let’s wait and see… yes, let’s just wait.”
“Will anyone have to know, except you and me?”
“Well, yes, you’re not thinking clearly. I think someone will have to know; it’s going to be pretty obvious. I have a family. You have a family,”
“So, what do you think you will do?”
“Well, I will continue skating all summer just like I’ve always done. Maybe I’ll fall. That’s it, maybe I’ll fall.”
“Well, we certainly can’t tell anyone. Now. No one.”
“No, we won’t have to tell anyone”, she said.
“Yes, and maybe you’re not sure; maybe you counted wrong.”
“Maybe…….” she said, unconvincingly. ” I don’t think so. I can count.”
247 words