Read Online Hold on to the Sun by Michal Govrin, Judith G. Miller - Free Book Online Page A

chairs of the diners. Monyek exited first and Lusia, treading heavily in his wake, had difficulty finding a place to plant her orthopedic shoes. Sounds of pleasure and chewing filled the terrace. Laughter accompanied the raising of beer and wine glasses and the jokes and funny anecdotes. The people seated next to the wall of the restaurant turned their heads to look after them enjoying their food and the delightfulness of the occasion.
    They walked along the esplanade, and the German voices from the restaurant terrace were gradually swallowed up in the noises of the evening. The restaurants were still full and the empty shells of white shellfish stood in piles. A troop of youngsters in black leather jackets and tight boots passed them. Monyek and Lusia made their way through the people standing next to the brightly lit shop windows, and when they approached the Municipal Casino they saw women in evening dresses and fluffy fur capes stepping out of black limousines and disappearing up the marble staircase like huge moths, leaving a train of darkness behind them.
    As they reclimbed the bluff opposite the Map of the World Observatory, Lusia glanced at Monyek and saw he was looking down at the pavement. They walked without
saying a word. Lusia’s heels clattered in the intervals between his steps and she clutched her bulky purse to her bosom still, as if she were leaning on it for support as she walked.
    The evening spread toward the street lamps, and down below, on the beach next to the water, the twilight trembled. Lusia shifted her purse from hand to hand and drew the lapels of her jacket together to arrest a sudden chilly breeze.
    “Did the doctor send you to have tests?” she asked.
    “Yes,” grunted Monyek.
    “What were the results?” continued Lusia.
    “He said there was nothing to worry about for the moment. But still, I should start taking things a bit easy. Get used to the idea that things aren’t what they used to be.”
    “But he was optimistic, no?” persisted Lusia.
    “Yes I think so,” answered Monyek, as they passed the balcony of the dark observatory.
    After a second, Lusia said, “That’s encouraging.”
    The lamp on the post rising from the observatory was unlit, and the balcony with its shell-shaped stone balustrade hung over the ocean like the shadow of obsolete grandeur.
    “I don’t know what kind of world we’re living in!” Monyek suddenly burst out, and his sharp chin trembled. “How they can come here without being ashamed, I don’t understand!”
    “Don’t think about it,” said Lusia almost to herself.

    “There are some things I just don’t understand,” continued Monyek, striking his head passionately with the palm of his hand. “I just don’t understand!”
    “Romek also used to say that people should learn from the past. He was a man with values,” said Lusia. “But how long can you go on thinking about the same thing?”
    “The cheek of it!” continued Monyek, and his voice grew tired.
    “Really Monyek, you shouldn’t upset yourself,” said Lusia, and there was a certain tenderness in the way she beat time with her free hand.
    “Yes,” said Monyek, and he tugged distractedly at the hem of his jacket.
    They descended the esplanade from the top of the bluff and the observatory, and Monyek’s steps resumed a subdued tapping between Lusia’s heavy strides.
    “Yes, there are still a few good years in front of us,” he said.
    “Yes,” said Lusia, and nodded her head.
    When they turned their backs on the light that was still clinging to the ocean, Lusia continued, “Whatever happens, I’m getting some repairs done in my apartment.The marble on the sink top in the kitchen, and the balcony blinds.”
    “Whatever happens,” Monyek repeated after her.
    They walked along the spacious street of the oceanside resort. The ornamental trees planted between the street lamps on the avenue swayed in the evening breeze.

    “Remind me to take a sleeping pill when we get