TE21 Serbian Moments

Nikola Tutek

The Widower

and your wife had a great life together.” Then he smiled and added “Actually, I know it for fact.” Egan got up from his chair and approached Melch. He put his hand on the young man’s shoulder.

“Oh, that boy, Christ,” Dr. Tironi sighed, “I know it’s not a nice thing to say, but that idiot... Gordon is turning in his grave. Poor Gordon, such a tragedy. Both of his boys...”

“You and Gordon were close, right?”

“Come on. Let’s send your letter.”

“We were best friends. The bestest. Hermanos. We had no secrets.” Egan took a slow sip of whiskey. He focused his eyes on Dr. Tironi’s face. Then he closed one eye.

They sent the letter three minutes before the closing time. But even if they were late, Egan would have been able to work something out. He hasn’t ordered a whiskey for almost twenty years. So, he ordered a whiskey. In Two Boars Tavern, a gloomy little subterranean gym for local boozers. Doctor Tironi used to drink there almost every day. Egan saw him a few tables away; he was just giving a funny drunken speech that made everyone present choke in laughter. He was a great performer. When Dr. Tironi saw Egan, he could not hide his surprise. He right away approached the table where Egan was sitting.

“Did Gordon fuck my wife?”

“What? Kate? C’mon, buddy.”

“Did he?”

“Why do you want to know? What would it change now? He didn’t.”

“Well, well, well. I haven’t seen you here for a long time, buddy.”

Egan took another sip. Then he laughed. Just a bit, elegantly.

‘Cheers to that!” Egan raised his glass. “Sit down. I want to ask you something.”

“When did it happen?”

“Oh, buddy. C’mon...”

“Sure,” Dr. Tironi readily pulled out a chair for himself.

“I’m not bitter. Quite the contrary. I’m exalted by the fact that Kate can provide surprises even after she’s dead.”

“I spoke with Melch.”

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