The summer in recollection had been a swooning haze of days spent sweating and sobering up, followed by the harsh hiss of shower water; the grind of gears through the end-of-school-day traffic; bitter afternoons releived at last by the fall of night and the rush of drink through the veins. In this way Vardo had put off having to feel the dread of the day that was coming. He sat at the table that had been theirs for dinner, in the room that had opened onto their kitchen. Her lawyer gently and patiently led the proceedings. The real Vardo didn't hear, but the animal part of him -the body that was in the room- payed something close to attention. In truth he was watching the light of the westering sun playing across the surf. "Mr Tabrovic?" The real Vardo just asked if he could have the boat. She agreed and he stopped concentrating. The animal let her have the rest, he didn't want anything. Before he left Vardo went down to the boat shed and drew out his beloved square-metre. Every glimmering inch of her he had tended with love, tried to anticipate her every need. This was his nature, he was a gentle man. Good with his hands. Patient, thoughtful. At least that's what his boat consoled him: how she shone, how good she smelled, his lovely little wooden boat. He piled all of her canvas aboard and drenched it in kerosine then he watched her move away into the deep, alight, before she listed and slipped underwater. When he sobered up he was standing in a garage. He was dressed, and somewhat clean. His hands were calloused up again. Vardo pulled a hand across his face, and tried to piece together what he had done while he'd been drinking. One thing was for certain: he'd done up an old truck, and built the likes of a gypsy ledge-wagon upon it. The key in the ignition was attached to his regular keyring Vardo observed with a shaky nod. The engine turned over with a good murmur, idling easily, the fuel burning clean. He walked away from the garage, bringing the coffee plunger with him, looking at the house. The back door was open. He thought he could see someone inside. link to ooc. please place a teency app with your thoughts!
