FOURTEEN

“DO YOU KNOW how to dance?” he asked unexpectedly when they finished coffee, which wasn’t anything like she had had at home, more bitter than she was used to. She also ate a few of these little sweets that were crunchy at the outside and soft in the inside, made of egg whites, sugar and almonds, was how he explained it. The taste and texture just delighted her so much it surprised her out of her daze. He said it was called priests’ bellybuttons because of the shape when she quizzed him more about it. She got into a kind of daze as he answered her questions like he really wanted to and enjoyed doing so. She was finding out how much she loved receiving his attention. It was still a wonder how she could have been in this place right now with him. She still couldn’t believe it, but he was there. And for the moment, that was what was important.

From there, their conversation turned to gatherings she used to go to.

“I sometimes dance in the village dances,” she told him. “But I am only allo