The Wooden Chair by Rayne E. Golay Page B

was away, I used to dream of listening to music. More than clean clothes or a warm bed, I missed you and music.” Papi closed his eyes.
    Leaning against his chest, his heart beat against hers. She closed her eyes, too, so very glad she wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.
    A sharp burst of the doorbell interrupted their private moment. Leini sat straight on Papi’s knee.
    “Who’s coming, Papi?”
    He winked at her. “Why don’t you open the door and find out.”
    She studied his face. “Papi?”
    “Go ahead, sweetheart. Open the door.”
    Leini slid off his lap and rushed to the door. Remembering Mamma’s warning never to open without knowing who the caller was she put her mouth close, lips almost touching the wood. “Who is it, please?”
    Two rapid bursts of the bell. “Surprise, my Leini.”
    “Karl! Oh, Karl!” And she turned the lock as fast as her slim fingers let and opened the door wide. “Karl!” And she leaped up, wrapping arms around his neck, legs around his waist, cheek pressed against his cold face.
    Catching her in his arms, he hugged her to him. “How’s my best girl?”
    “I’m good. You’re here.”
    He set her down, adjusting her glasses that had been pushed sideways, and he hung his fur-lined overcoat on the clothes rack before he entered the living room.
    Karl bent over Samy’s crib by the window. He glanced at Leini. “Does he wake you up nights?”
    She made a face. “Often.”
    “And I bet you don’t like it?”
    Leini hesitated. Then she lowered her voice so only Karl could hear. “I don’t like him .”
    “ Hmm . That’s a big problem.”
    She nodded energetically. “Yes. I wish Mamma would give him back.”
    “I’m afraid it’s a bit too late for that. You’re stuck with him. He’ll grow, and things will get better.” Smiling, he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “Where’s Mamma, by the way?”
    “At the hairdresser.”
    Her hand found his and slipped inside the warm nest.
    He was so tall she had to bend her head back to see his face. “Are you Papi’s brother?”
    The sound he made was between a snort and a chuckle. “Heavens, what gave you that idea?”
    “I thought so because you and Papi always talk together. And you laugh, and Papi loves antiques, just like you.”
    “Well, these are good reasons for being brothers, but the answer is no. I’m Mamma’s brother. I thought you knew it, or did you forget?”
    Her breath caught. “I remember now.”
    “Papi and I are close friends.” He gazed into her face for a moment. “You’re almost right. I love your father; we’re so alike we could well be brothers.”
    Leini pressed her cheek against the back of his hand. “And I love you almost as much as I love Papi. I don’t have to be afraid of you or Papi.”
    Karl sighed. From a pocket, he pulled a showy white handkerchief and blew his nose, sounding like a horn. “A precious little girl like you shouldn’t have to be afraid at all.”
    Leini wanted to ask him something, but wasn’t quite sure it was polite or maybe Karl would be hurt. In the end curiosity won and on an exhalation she blurted the words. “Why aren’t you married?”
    The corners of his mouth pulled down. “Ah, Leini, the questions you ask. Before the war, there was this girl I loved very much. God took her from me.” Gently, he unwound the strand of hair that she was busy twining around her fingers.
    Why does Karl sound as if he has a cold?
    In the den, Leini watched as Karl and Papi hugged and backslapped. She noticed both their faces were a bit red, their eyes shiny. Karl blew his nose again, and Papi rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.
    “I’m glad things are returning to normal,” Karl said. Picking up the matches on the table, he lit his pipe. “You look healthy. Leini has grown up to a pretty young girl. And Harry’s on duty downstairs since this morning, he told me.”
    Papi tilted his head forward, eyebrows raised. “Oh, so Harry’s in