25.5.2009


3






3

    It had never occurred to Kalli Sandfeldt that something was wrong with his marriage. Didi Stina certainly had pestered him because of this rumor that he was having an affair with Pia Leifs. And although he had been pinching the woman a little down there where they worked underwater, it did not seem much of a reason for risk to his marriage. It was not until Rev. Pauline, on John's birthday, had raised the possibility that Didi Stina, perhaps, had gotten tired of him and, for that reason, had taken a lover. Kalli Sandfeldt always had regarded that as a completely remote possibility. It was more accurate to say that it never had occurred to him. He had half-listened when Didi Stina was joking about her friendship with Cod-biter, but that anything serious lay behind it, that was ridiculous.

    When Kalli Sandfeldt began to think about it, he began to suspect that he perhaps did not know Didi Stina as well as he thought. Perhaps there were sides to her that he had not grasped. It could be that her jealousy toward Pia Leifs had caused her to want revenge by having an affair with?what's his name?Cod-biter.

    He had come home from work to talk to Didi Stina: "Now, I want the cards laid on the table," he said.

    She looked at Kalli Sandfeldt and was surprised at how nervous he was.

    "All right, Kalli. First you. Lay your cards on the table." She suddenly felt a surge of strength and had the feeling that she was the strong party and he the weak one.

    He looked at her and felt he had painted himself into a corner. "People have started to drop hints about this?this relationship of yours with this buddy you call Cod-biter. Are you amusing yourself by making us a laughing stock?"

    Didi Stina seemed to have grown taller when Kalli Sandfeldt looked at her.

"Is there anything to this?" he asked.

    "Even if there was anything in it, I wouldn't admit it."

    He was speechless for a while.

    "Are you telling me we can't reach any conclusion?"

    "You put your house in order; then I'll put mine in order."

    After they had talked a bit, Kalli Sandfeldt stormed out the door, slamming it behind him.

    That evening when he came home, he took Didi Stina out to a restaurant. "There is nothing between Pia Leifs and me. You know I love you and can't think of being with any other woman."

    He talked a long time, but when he finished, Didi Stina took over and told the main points of her relationship with Cod-biter.

    "I think it's gross to let him get away with this bullshit of getting laid with you."

    "You don't know him. I think it's funny."

    "I don't think it's funny. The next time he comes, you call me! I want to talk to the lad."

    Didi Stina looked at her husband steadily: "And how about Pia Leifs? What assurance do I have that you're not involved with her?"

    "We have to trust each other."

    "Then it's better that you don't give our acquaintances and friends cause for speculation."

    "You know, I'm glad this came up. People have to talk to each other."

    "Yes, people have to talk to each other," she said.