Klara and the Sun

I’d thought that once I was no longer observing them through glass, the theater people would become more distinct. But now I was in their midst, their figures became more simplified, as if constructed out of cones and cylinders made from smooth card. Their clothes, for instance, were devoid of the usual creases and folds, and even their faces under the streetlight appeared to have been created by cleverly placing flat surfaces into complex arrangements to create a sense of contouring.

We kept walking until the noise was all around us. At one point I stopped and reached back for Josie’s arm, but she was no longer behind me. And even though I could hear her voice saying to Rick, ‘There’s Mom over there,’ when I turned to it, I saw neither Josie nor Rick, but a smooth forehead coming towards my own face. Someone pushed my back, though not unkindly, then I heard the Father’s voice, and turning again, I saw him and Miss Helen standing beside a stranger’s elbow. I could hear the Father saying:

‘I didn’t want to say this back there in front of the kids. But Helen, look. It’s all very well calling me a fascist. Call me what you want. But where you’re living now, it may not always remain so peaceful. You hear what happened in this very city last week? I’m not saying you’re in danger right now, but you need to think ahead. When I speak to Chrissie about this, she just shrugs. But you need to think about this. Think ahead about Rick, as much as about yourself.’

‘Oh, but I am thinking ahead, Paul. Why do you suppose we’re here today? Why do you suppose I’m looking left and right for my long-lost lover? I’m thinking ahead, and I’m planning, and if I’ve done so correctly, Rick will soon be elsewhere. And not, I hope, in any community barricading itself with weapons. I mean for Rick to do well, and for that I need Vance’s help. Oh where can he have got to? Perhaps he went to the wrong theater.’

‘Rick’s turned into a fine young man. I hope he’s able to find a path through this mess we’ve bequeathed to his generation. But if things don’t go so well, Helen, either for you or for him, then I want you to get in touch. I can find you both a place within our community.’

‘That’s very sweet of you, Paul. And I’m sorry if I was rude earlier. This might surprise you, but I’m not actually angry about the way we’ve become. If one child has more ability than another, then it’s only right the brighter one gets the opportunities. The responsibilities too. I accept that. But what I won’t accept is that Rick can’t have a decent life. I refuse to accept this world has become so cruel. Rick wasn’t lifted, but he can still go far, do very well.’

‘I wish him the very best. All I’m saying is that there are all kinds of ways to lead a successful life.’

Many faces had been pushing in around me, but now a new one appeared in front of the others and kept moving closer till it was almost touching mine. Only then did I recognize Rick and let out a sound of surprise.

‘Klara, do you know what’s up with Josie?’ he asked. ‘Did something happen earlier?’

‘I don’t know what was said between Josie and the Mother,’ I said. ‘But I have very good news. The task that was given to me, that evening you helped me reach Mr McBain’s barn. It’s now been completed. It was a task I so wished to complete, but for a long time I couldn’t see how to do so. Rick, it’s really been done.’

‘That’s wonderful. But I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.’

‘I can’t explain yet. And I was obliged to give up something. But that doesn’t matter at all, because now we can have hope again.’

Ever more cones and cylinders – or what appeared to be fragments of them – were squeezing into any spaces left around me. I then realized one of these fragments – a shape moving in to replace Rick – was in fact Josie. Once I’d recognized her, she became immediately more distinct, and I had no further difficulty holding her in my mind.

‘Hey, Klara, this here’s Cindy. She was waitressing our table earlier? She knows about your old store.’

There was a touch on my arm and I heard someone exclaim: ‘Hey, I used to love your store!’ When I turned towards the voice, I saw two tall funnels, one inserted into the other, the upper one tilting slightly forward towards me. When I smiled and said, ‘How do you do?’ the funnels went on:

‘I was telling your owner here. I walked past it last weekend and it’s become this furniture place? Hey, you know, I’m sure I saw you in that window once.’

‘Klara wants to know where they moved to. Cindy, do you know?’

‘Oh. I’m not sure if they moved…’

Someone was tugging my arm, but before me now were so many fragments they appeared like a solid wall. I’d also started to suspect that many of these shapes weren’t really even three-dimensional, but had been sketched onto flat surfaces using clever shading techniques to give the illusion of roundness and depth. I then realized that the figure now beside me, leading me away, was the Mother. She was saying, almost into my ear: