The ZigZag Kid by David Grossman

Author:David Grossman
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781466803763

17

The Infinite Distance Between Her Body and His

“ Who’s there?” she asked in a deep, loud, almost manlike voice.

“Uh … friends,” said Felix from the depths of his armchair, not bothering to turn around and face her.

She stood transfixed, uncertain whether to stay or flee. But even I could tell she was incapable of running away from danger.

“I don’t recall inviting anyone tonight,” she added with misgiving. Her gloved hand still rested on the doorknob.

“Just this old man and this boy.” Felix spoke into his wineglass.

“A boy?”

I nodded feebly.

“I don’t know any boys, and I don’t want any here. Send him away.”

I jumped to my feet, prepared to clear out immediately.

“He is not just any boy,” said Felix, motioning me to sit down again. “This boy you want.”

It was strange, there was an air of playfulness between them. They were like two actors reciting their lines. Lola Ciperola hadn’t moved from the doorway and Felix was still sitting with his back to her.

“And why is this boy dressed up like a girl?” asked Lola Ciperola. Holy cow! I’d forgotten I was wearing a skirt!

“Because he, too, is playing his part,” said Felix.

Now she hesitated, carefully choosing her words.

“And … does the boy know which part he’s playing?”

Silence.

“An actor only knows he is acting,” said Felix reflectively. “He doesnot know what others see in him.” I couldn’t work through so many riddles.

“That skirt …” Lola Ciperola groaned, and as she approached, I saw a look of shock in her eyes. What could be so alarming about a skirt? I tried to pull it down over my skinny legs. Lola Ciperola veered toward Felix. “You … you … you’d do anything, wouldn’t you.”

“There is no law to stop me,” agreed Felix, unperturbed. “As it happens, this boy is great fan of yours …” He stood tall, facing Lola Ciperola, very close to her. They gazed into each other’s eyes. She tilted her head back slightly, as though submitting to him, then straightened herself up again and looked at him sharply. She began to say something, but Felix took her hand, held it fearlessly in his, and led her to the armchair. “Please to sit down!” he ordered, and Lola Ciperola sat obediently down as though about to swoon.

“Pour me a drink,” she said weakly, taking off her shoes. Felix went to the corner table. He looked over the labels and poured her a glass of thick purple wine. Lola Ciperola nodded to him.

“So one night an old man comes to my door with a boy,” she muttered to herself. Her trembling fingers groped for cigarettes in her pocketbook. Felix whipped out a gold lighter. A tiny flame flickered between them. Lola Ciperola took a long puff, her eyes still fixed on Felix. Already he’s mesmerizing her, I thought, just as he did the engineer, the policeman, and me. I was disappointed to see her give in so easily.

“Perform for her, son,” whispered Felix, still gazing at her.

Perform what? Did he expect me to recite something, me, in front of Lola Ciperola?

“I’m … I’m not …”

“Amnon.

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