Fragments of Etienne

I have the house to myself
Rare
She’s been here more often
Since I keep the house quiet and since there is no-one else there
She moves about the house
Looking at everything
I can hear her moving
Touching
Mostly in a different room to the one I am in
I have been thinking about the house
Enjoying this peace
— Surely this isn’t you.
I look up
– It is.
— It looks nothing like you.
– My hair was straight. The colour of my skin, back then I favoured my mother.
— And now?
I stand
Open the drawer
– This is my father at 18.
She takes it in her hands
Stares
Looks up at me
Her mouth opens
– Don’t look so shocked.
And I’m amused by her look
— I don’t know what to say.
– Don’t say anything.
She lowers her arms
Holds the photograph of my father in one hand
Continues to step slowly around the room
– Do you want tea?
— Mmm.
To the kitchen while she remains in the living-room
Filling the kettle
Setting it down
Click
And wait
— Where’s your music?
I turn to her
She faces me
Standing in the empty space in the room
I walk through the house
Upstairs to my satchel
Open
Downstairs
She still stands in the centre of the room
Turns to face me
– What do you want to listen to?
Inhale
— Something quiet.
Raise my eyebrows
– Oh?
— Something other than those stupid movies we’re watching.
– We don’t have to watch those stupid movies.
— I like those stupid movies.
Kneel by the amplifier
The glow of electronics
— The house was translated.
– Yes.
The movements that conjure music
— Don’t you find that odd?
Stand
Stare
Her neutral face
I think
Yes
It is odd
— I’m surprised you agree with me.
Though I don’t always disagree
— No, but I thought perhaps you might want to, for old-times’ sake.
Sass pulling at the corner of her mouth
But she is still relaxed
The languid mode I have learnt to identify
— I know you.
Eyes very firm
She raises a hand to her neck
— I know you very well.
And I don’t doubt it
– The water will have to be boiled again.
As I move to the kitchen, I hear her follow
She pulls a stool away from the bench
Settles herself on it
The kettle boils quickly, temporarily masking the music
Click
Lift
Pour
Set the kettle down
Move to place the lid on the pot
— No wait.
Pause
— I want to watch the leaves unfurl
Set the lid down
Lean my elbows on the bench opposite her
Watch her watching the leaves