Erick Poladov Coolness

Since Gustav was the one who lectured everyone about life in their family, Roberta took on this role outside the home. She considered herself wiser and more clever than everyone else, simply because she was the oldest woman in the village. She didn’t even care that Herman’s wife, Yvette, for example, was only four years younger. In this respect, Roberta was much like her husband. In addition to not bothering about social graces, Roberta irritated everyone further by doing things like opening cabinets, rearranging items, giving orders, signaling when to set the table and when to clear it, scolding hosts for squeaky chairs and crooked tables, demanding that a hostess throw out old spoons and get new ones, telling everyone where to sit, and… In short, she literally made herself at home. She was also the chief culinary specialist, never missing an opportunity to comment on the dryness of the dough or a lack of sweetness. The last time Magdalena made a raspberry cake, Roberta — either because she couldn’t find a fault or for some other reason — said: “Next time, try adding some nuts, and plenty of them”.

The absence of such a toxic spirit made the gatherings a true rest and an excellent opportunity to speak freely, without any fear that their secrets would be heard by someone they didn’t want privy to their conversations.

Soon Selma appeared at the doorway. Ludwig followed her, holding a wide pan with the cooked hare. After placing the dish on the table, the young man wished everyone a pleasant appetite and departed.

Selma’s first act was to approach Ava, whom she did not allow to get up from her chair.

— How is the baby doing? — Selma asked, glancing briefly at Ava’s belly.

— He’s buttin’ — she replied.

— And right he is to do it — Selma insisted. — Good boy, don’t let your mom relax.

Ava laughed.

Selma quickly fetched a plate, and with surprising ease, sliced off the best piece of hare, which she placed in front of Ava, adding:

— I hope the baby has a good appetite?

— Like an animal — Ava replied a second before managing to put the first piece in her mouth. — I barely have time to swallow.

— There you go! — Selma exclaimed. — That means this time you have a true giant in there, because a girl couldn’t hold that much food.

Ava laughed again, revealing her snow-white teeth, which made it hard to imagine — even though she was the youngest of all the wives — that she had already given birth to four children and was carrying a fifth.

— Thank you, sweetie — the hostess almost shouted after Ludwig as he was closing the door behind him.

6. Trembling and Cold

The first severe frosts arrived. The ground underfoot was harder than stone. Over the course of a week, the frost had finally established its round-the-clock presence, whereas only a few days prior, when the sun was at its zenith, the soil underfoot would thaw for a time. Now, the frost gave no reprieve, day or night.

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