Chapter 15 12

That Thursday morning, I put on the sweater I wore for the first time that fall.A gray Shetland sweater that hasn't changed in any way, a little ripped under the arms, but still quite comfortable to wear.I shaved more carefully than usual, put on thick cotton trousers, and pulled out desert leather boots that were as old as black charcoal.The boots looked like two kittens sitting on tiptoes.The twins ran around the house, looking for cigarettes, lighters, wallets, and tram passes for me. When I got to the office, I sat down in front of the desk, and while drinking the coffee the girl made, I sharpened six pencils.The room smelled of pencil leads and sweaters.

I went out to eat during my lunch break, and went to play with the Abyssinian cat again. I stuck my finger through a gap of about one centimeter between the glass of the display case, and the two cats jumped up and bit my finger. That day the clerk in the pet store asked me to hug his cat, which felt like high-quality cashmere, and the cat brought its cold nose close to my lips. This cat loves being around people.The clerk explained. I thanked him and put the cat back in its cage, and bought a box of cat food that I didn't really need.The clerk packed it neatly.When I walked out of the pet store with the package of cat food, the two cats were still staring at me like they were looking at fragments of a dream.

Back in the office, the girl helped me brush the cat hair off the sweater. Went to play with cats for a while.I explained in circles. Your underarms are out of line. I know.It broke last year.When he wanted to attack the armored vehicle, he was scratched by the rearview mirror. take it off.She said without interest. I took off the sweater, and she crossed her long legs by the chair and began to sew with black thread.While she was sewing, I went back to my desk, sharpened my pencils for the afternoon, and got back to work.No matter what others say, I think I am a person who can't be picky about my work.It is my practice to finish the work that should be done within the limited time, and do it as much as possible.If it is in Osbitz (a city in southwestern Poland, the location of the Jewish concentration camp of the German Nazi Party during World War II), it must be regarded as a treasure.But I think the problem is that the venues that are suitable for me are all outdated, and I think this can't be helped.Nothing can be traced back to Osbitz or double-seat torpedo bombers.Nobody wears miniskirts these days, and nobody listens to Jan and Dean.When was the last time you saw a girl in suspenders?

The clock struck three, and the girl brought hot Japanese tea and three biscuits to the table as usual, and the sweater was neatly sewn. Hi!Shall I discuss something with you? Speaking.As I said that, I ate the biscuits. It's about traveling in November.She said: How about going to Hokkaido? November is the time when the three of us have regular company trips. nice.I said. That's it.Will the bear show up? Hard to say?I said: I think it probably hibernates. She nodded as if relieved.How about having dinner together tonight?There is a good seafood shop nearby. OK.I said. The restaurant is in the middle of a quiet residential area about five minutes by taxi from the office. When we found a seat, a waiter in black came silently from the carpet woven from coconut fibers and brought two boards the size of swimming boards to fetch water. The menu was on the table and we ordered two beers before ordering.

The prawns in this shop are very good!It was cooked alive. I read while drinking beer. With her thin fingers, she played with the star badge on her head for a while. If you have something to say, it is best to say it before eating.I said.But after saying it, I regret what I shouldn't have said, and it happens every time. She smiled slightly.Then, on the grounds that it would be troublesome to restore the quarter-centimeter smile, he temporarily left it on his lips. Because the store was so empty, I could even hear the sound of the shrimp moving its whiskers. Do you like your current job?she asked me

how to say?I never once thought about work that way.But there is no dissatisfaction. I'm not dissatisfied either.She said so and took a sip of beer.The salary is good, the two of you are also very kind, and you can take regular vacations I have been silent, listening to others seriously, it really has not been a long time. But I'm only twenty years old.she continued.I don't want to live like this for the rest of my life. Our conversation was interrupted for a moment when the food was on the table. You are still young.I said.In the future, I will fall in love and get married, and my life will always change.

It won't change.As she skillfully peeled the shrimp with a knife and fork, she spoke softly.No one likes me, I can only spray cockroach medicine and mend sweaters for the rest of my life. I sighed and suddenly felt as if I had aged several years. You are cute and charming, you have long legs and a good brain, and you even peel the shrimp well. You will have a good life in the future! She continued to eat the prawns in silence, and I ate the prawns too, and while I ate the prawns, I was thinking about the switchboard at the bottom of the cistern. What were you doing when you were twenty?

Desperately miss girls.In 1969, I had just come of age. What happened to you and her? Separated. Are you happy? If seen from a distance.I said as I swallowed the shrimp: most of the things look beautiful. When we finished eating, the shop began to be gradually buried in customers, and the sound of knives, forks, and chairs clashing became lively. I ordered coffee, and she ordered coffee and lemon cake. How about now?Do you have a girlfriend?she asked. I thought about it and decided to exclude the twins.No.I said. Aren't you lonely? I'm used to it, it's out of training. What kind of training?I lit a cigarette and blew the smoke about fifty centimeters above her head.I was born under a strange star, that is to say, I will get whatever I want, but every time I get one thing, I step on another thing.Do you understand?

A little. No one believed it, but it was true.I just noticed it three years ago, and thought I'd never get anything out of it. She shook her head.So you're going to live like this for the rest of your life? I guess so.That way it won't trouble anyone. If you really think so, she said: just live in the shoe closet. What a lofty opinion. We walked side by side on the way to the station.Thanks to the sweater, I feel very comfortable at night. OK, I will find a way to do something.she says. Didn't help much. I'm relieved you let me speak. From the same platform, we boarded trams going in opposite directions on both sides.

Are you really not lonely?She finally asked again.I was still looking for a good answer when the tram came.