“Yes, I remember.”
“You had your doubts from time to time.”
“Yes,” says Erik. “I admit it.”
“But I knew it would all work out,” Joona goes on.
“I didn’t.”
“I know, I noticed,” says Joona. “That’s why there’s something I need to say to you.”
“Yes?”
“What did I tell you?” asks Joona.
“What?”
“I was right, wasn’t I?”
“Yes, you were right,” Erik replies.
“Merry Christmas,” says Joona, ending the call.
Erik stares at the phone with a surprised expression, then turns to Simone. He looks at her transparent skin and wide mouth. Webs of worry lines have appeared around her eyes lately. She smiles at him, and he follows her gaze as she looks at Benjamin.
Erik watches his son for a long time. His throat aches with love. Benjamin is eating French fries, his expression serious. He has disappeared into his thoughts. His eyes stare vacantly, as if he has been sucked into his memories and the spaces between them. Erik reaches out with his uninjured arm, squeezes his son’s fingers, and sees him look up.
“Merry Christmas, Dad,” says Benjamin with a smile. “Here, have some fries.”
“What about taking some of this food over to see Granddad?” Erik suggests.
“Are you serious?” asks Simone.
“How much fun is it being in the hospital at Christmas?”
Simone smiles at him and calls for a taxi. Benjamin goes over to the counter for a bag to put the food in.
As their taxi slowly drives past Odenplan, Erik sees his family reflected in the window, superimposed over the enormous decorated Christmas tree in the square. They slip past the branches as if they were dancing together around it. There it stands, tall and wide, hundreds of tiny glowing lights curling up towards the bright shining star.
Lars Kepler
