“Let me pay you for it then. How much does it cost?”
“Out of the question. I haven’t even decided on a price. It’s priceless,” he quipped awkwardly. “Anyway, it’s my pleasure, take it. In the end, what other joy does a writer have than giving to his readers?”
Feeling foolish, Evghenie is about to leave, holding the book.
“One moment, mister. Let me autograph it for you,” said the author, stopping him in his tracks.
Evghenie accepts the autograph, gives the writer an encouraging pat on the shoulder, shakes his hand heartily, casts a glance at his bicycle, and then goes back inside to pick up the album of wedding photographs...

• Amortire / Numbness

• Florin Lazarescu