25.5.2009


ACT 13






ACT 13

http://www.netsaga.is/media/files/EUPHORIA.mp3

    The sisters, Violet and Edith, had little in common in their early years. When Violet reached confirmation age, Edith had moved out of the house, and a few years later she moved abroad and settled in Copenhagen. She had lived there for eight years, when she met Cecil, an Icelandic musician. After a brief acquaintance, she moved in with him. A while after that, they were married. They moved back to Iceland in 1992.

    While Edith lived in Denmark, she had no contact with her parents or Violet. Edith and Cecil made their home in Langanes in northern Iceland where Cecil taught music and was the organist in the community church.

    One day at Violet and John's place on Tjarnargata, the doorbell rang; it was Edith. Violet and Edith stood facing one another on the vestibule. It took Violet a moment to assess the situation. Edith was in a better position since she knew where she was, why and who the woman was who opened the door.

    "Hello, Violet"

    "Hello."

    "Don't you know me?" She smiled a little, and then Violet realized that it was Edith. They stood, looking one another over. Violet extended her hand, and they greeted each other like distant relatives who were meeting each other for the first time.

    "Won't you come in?"

    Edith took off her coat and put down the purse she was carrying. Then they went in.

    "Would you like something?"

    "Nothing at all, thank you."

    "I heard about you when you returned to the country. Mama told me."

    "You've got a family?" said Edith as she looked over the living room.

    "Yes, two?Paul and Steina. How about you?"

    "No, no children."

    "How is it living out in the countryside?"

    "It's nice. Very good."

    "Your husband's a teacher, isn't he?"

    "Yes, a music teacher."

    "Do you ever see Mom and Dad?"

    "No."

    "I think you should."

    "Maybe."

    "Not much has changed for them. They've still got the company."

    "Isn't it strange, our meeting again?"

    "Yes, a little."

    "Of course, you're wondering why I came?"

    Violet smiled: "No, actually not."

    "I quit drinking a long time ago, and I've changed a lot."

    "That's good."

    They continued talking in this way for quite some time. Violet had the feeling that Edith had not yet gotten to the point. And, in fact, the purpose never emerged.

    Actually some falling out had occurred between Edith and her parents, and although Edith had changed, she was socially isolated. She had only one friend, Cecil. Thus, when there were marriage difficulties, Edith had no one to whom she could turn to talk about it. So, she decided to visit her sister. However, she realized immediately after they started talking that they had nothing in common. They were two women who had known of one another, but never had gotten acquainted, and did not know each other.