PONDĚLÍ

It must have been late at night. But not May Day, but about mid-November and Monday. As usual, after the day's hustle and bustle, I calmed down on the couch and stretched my legs in an effort to lighten my knees and ankles. I had a book and a drink glass ready, and a lighted lamp accentuated the warm intimacy of the evening. Before I could open the book on a page carefully set up with a tram ticket, my gaze faded to a chair on the other side of the coffee table. No one was sitting in a chair at the time, and nothing was lying on it. You just stood there.

Of course, she still stands there, but now she has somehow provoked me with her emptiness and visible uselessness. Maybe I was a little sorry for why he has no program, no fulfillment. It reminded me of my own destiny, so I addressed her:

"So who do we put a girl on you so you don't look so annoyed here, like you're unnecessary and pushed aside." The chair didn't respond, which I basically expected. But then it suddenly occurred to me that she was just thinking about it, and after a while she seemed to answer me with a quiet velvet alto:

"Well, if you want to put someone like me on the day before yesterday, I'd rather stay abandoned."

To explain it to you. That was last Saturday and I had a ladies' visit. Well, there was basically nothing serious, but you know, one is sad about himself and sometimes it's quite nice to stay with someone. In my case, the stay and pleasant somehow related to women. Not that I don't have any friends, but friends aren't good at treating the longing I mean. So a women's visit. She was the cousin of a colleague of mine from the company. She introduced us somewhere, the word gave the word, and sometimes we saw each other. But until that Saturday always in public places. About a week before the mentioned visit, for lack of another opportunity, I said to myself that I could invite her and find out what was hidden in her. If "with everything", I didn't solve it, but I don't think it was ruled out.

Then my chair must have been wearing it for much of the evening, and she was probably not thrilled. I already had my opinion on the event, but I was still interested in another opinion. I say:

"Unseen, the girl was a little heavier, but when I sit on you, it's a much bigger onslaught, don't you think?" And the pleasant alto sounded in my head again:

"Weight is not the worst friend of people, you might already know that. After all, you know that a perfect figure, a funny face or combed hair does not yet form a great girl. You've tried that a long time ago, haven't you? ”So I have to admit she was right. (I later found out that my chair was almost always right.) At that moment, the image of the few girls who had crossed my path in one way or another in recent years flashed through my head, and I had to admit that the remarkably beautiful one was mostly unsatisfactory. Not all of them, and certainly not the same, but it was somehow more problematic (but it was also not a statistically significant sample).

In order not to owe the answer, I responded as quickly as possible: "Of course you are right. It's just that the skinny ones scare me a little. And in general, a girl does not have to be her own kindness - that is, pure and well-groomed - and if she is also a friend and is not only interested in herself and IT, and you can talk to her and keep quiet and is interested in one, then so much in detail. it doesn't work. "

"Then why did you bring and put Alice on top of me? You could easily explain that outside. ”This time her alto was a little less velvety. But that's the problem. There was simply nothing to know outside. The conversation went smoothly, but still "on the surface." Only in private could something come to light. And it also showed.

"You understand that," I say, "it was here that she showed herself by criticizing my household, as if she were already in charge. And now I realized, but you didn't pass without reservations either - you are too hard and you have an inappropriate cover. No! Isn't that the real reason for your dissatisfaction with her, after all? ”I didn't even want to talk much about the lady's way of getting tired of the chair the first night. But my digging triggered the sluice:

"Don't explain, I could see her throwing herself at you, and you almost ran to the balcony. And you didn't even offer her the cakes you had in the fridge anymore. Eventually you called her a cab and sent her home. So you can't make excuses for me. "

“Oh, hell. I guess I won't apologize for my own chair.

"Sure, what would you apologize to me for, I'm just a piece of wood and a rag. So don't bother. But…. you could. ”The alt in my head sounded beautifully velvety again. You can see that my chair cares about me. She makes sure I don't run into any, and she's glad I'm nice to her. It's very nice. But - you can't replace a woman with a chair. Does not matter. When I bring one again, he'll have to sit down in a chair. And I will be taken care of.

Utery

I admit that on Tuesday I was already curious in the early evening if it would be a good time to talk to the chair again. Of course, I couldn't discuss it much during the day - there was no time or environment for that. But that kind of partnership made me happy. At the same time, I made sure that this is definitely not a form of schizophrenia that begins with me - I do not leave my personality, I only hear (feel) reactions to my problems and experiences from elsewhere.

Tuesday night came and I proceeded in exactly the same way as yesterday in order to create a suitable situation. I also prepared the book for all cases (the others, of course). I just settled down and looked around, remembering Alice again. Not that I originally planned it, but it happened. I was a little surprised that I thought of her much more amicably today. And so I declared a bit provocatively into the space:

“But we washed that Alice yesterday. Maybe she didn't deserve it so much. ”I fell silent, expecting a reaction. Nothing for quite a while. And then resonance:

"You have to reconsider, boy, what you expect from a woman. Of course, no cat is as black as it looks. Maybe in the end she would be a friend in the rain. But what is her method? And how long would you last in that boss's embrace? A while or until…. "

"Well, it's just hard. It probably can't be decided by reason alone. Dad used to say that in order to get married, you had to take a little risk. If he wanted to have everything thought out and insured, he probably wouldn't do it at all. ”Did Dad, it was said and advised, when he had all the worries and decisions behind him. I think he turned out quite well with his mom - rather great. In order not to feel like a very selfish person, I added generously: "One should also take into account how big a win he is for the future partner."

In order to end the topic, I just asked in vain: "Shouldn't I invite Alice one more time? Maybe we both took it to the wrong end. That misunderstanding is the most common guide to interpersonal relationships. It's kind of said, isn't it? ”

The response was just such a growl: "As you think, you're the boss here." It didn't help much, but strangely, it hastened my decision. It was true again. No one can make that decision for me. And when you make decisions so quickly and quickly. I took my feet off the couch, went for my cell phone, and dialed Alice's number. She surprised me quite a bit by taking it.

That evening I wasn't debating the chair anymore. I was so pleased that Ali accepted my invitation after all, that I was already looking forward to the next Saturday. "Well, at last I can read something, too." I sipped from my glass, stretched my legs again, and started to read. I have to say that the chair fully respected my mood. Of course, I admit that I fell asleep at the book after about an hour.

WEDNESDAY

It was not exactly a successful day for me. But it happens more often. However, I got to the evening sitting quite late and especially in a relatively depressed mood. I didn't really want any debate either. As I was soft, I thought back to my childhood, to my parents. I looked into space and suddenly saw my mother sitting on a chair. Not the old one, but the one I remembered from childhood.

My mother died a long time ago and I don't remember her voice very well. So it didn't surprise me that she spoke to me with almost the same alt as the chair yesterday. "So you think Dad had a nice life with me? Well, probably yes. But it wasn't that simple either. When we got married, I wanted to have twelve sons as apostles. But your sisters were born and it passed quickly. Then at least one boy was enough for us and it was you. And when we lived in Prague, a lady from the grammar school where he taught took her father. Well, as it really was then, I found out much later, but it didn't come out completely clean. He was simply a handsome man, an educated and sociable man, and so there were sometimes annoyances.

"But I'm telling my mother, I understand that and I don't realize anything at all. I also haven't understood at all why someone who already lives with someone should walk for the rest of their lives with their eyes closed. It will probably be a little different, but how does one hit when that search as they say a life partner is not really a big search. What about me? It didn't work out at school. There are female couples at work and children with children - although not everyone has men - but you still think you should have your children. As someone can say - this and no other - you even have to reach for life. After all, he saw and did not know any of them. So the same is true of girls. That's a choice - and how, nobody cares anymore. At work? At the bar or at the dance floor? In addition, one can just catch something there. Either through the mouth or later… And what guarantee do you have that if you choose, you will not meet another in a few years, which is far more the right one than one has at home? Sure, there's family responsibility, commitment, gratitude, and so on. That is a fact and there is no point in belittling it or even coughing it up. But it doesn't change anything at all. There is no immunity. I know that men see it easier in themselves than in their wives. It's old and there's a lot of forums and stories about it. But also a tragedy. You know, but I'm not dealing with equality now, but how to understand these things. ”I almost fell exhausted after this outpouring of thoughts that bothered me at times, but I didn't have them organized.

From a chair, a low voice said, "There is a lot of truth to what you are saying. My dad and I have been dating since the fifth, so we didn't really have any experience. Even before the war, some greater gathering of experience was not socially tolerated. In the end, we lived together for a long time and quite well. But it was definitely not a direct path of roses. And it wasn't just Dad that flew in. I also liked one man here and there more than others. Fortunately, I had three of you, so on the one hand there was a lot of work and you knew quite clearly where they belonged. "

Although I loved my mother very much, this did not convince me. I almost growled as I objected, "This won't help me much. I would also not like to run from one to the other. For one thing, I don't have a figure for it and I probably wouldn't even enjoy it. You know, Mom, I'm not really trying to guess what will happen to me in twenty years, but I need to work out what he's meeting and may still meet now or in a year or two. I am over thirty years old and I would like, as they say, to settle down and start a family. I ask married friends, I'm looking for literature, but basically no one can advise me. Everyone speaks and writes about responsibility, fidelity, patience and tolerance. But it comes to me as empty phrases that infuse me because they have nothing to say to me. "

I caught my breath and continued, "Look, maybe the loyalty. What exactly is it? Doesn't sleeping with someone mean I'm faithful? Even if I like others, am I thinking about her and looking for her? Guys at work say it doesn't count. Probably enough, but what is the truth, if any? After all, it can be the other way around. I will have a wife and she will admire another male, but she will not start with him. I'll know and what about it, Nothing? Or should I make a commotion - when everything is running normally, the family is doing well, the household is fine and she has nothing to do with it? What exactly is tolerance? According to the educational dictionary, it is the ability to accept other people's behavior, opinions and values. So tolerance in the family is actually resignation. Or am I wrong? ”I didn't speak easily, I searched a lot for words, so I basically looked at the ground as I spoke. When I finished, no answer awaited me. I raised my head and realized that the chair was empty.

 THURSDAY

I don't know who, but I personally like Thursdays. Especially Thursday evenings. So Saturday is a little better, but Thursday just has something in it. Why? Well, probably because the work week is already well past one and one can directly feel him coming to the weekend.

I was in a good mood this Thursday also because Petr and Ivanka will come to me. He Peter was, is and will be my best friend. We have been two since the beginning and have been sticking together for years. We always knew about ourselves, and it was clear to us that if the other person needed anything, he would have an end. And you can trust me that it worked and still works today. Well, Peter has a sister, but much younger - almost ten years. When we were boys, it was an uninteresting little thing that bothered us for a while. He had Peter a strict mother and so he had to be a caring brother.

The care for Ivanka remained with him into adulthood. He already has his family and Ivanka is still with her parents. But he always finds time to do something for his sister, go somewhere with her, accompany her at various events and so on. His Helena came to terms with it and finally decided that at least Péťa never had to lie somewhere and who knew what to do. Of course, Ivanka is no longer a child, she is around twenty. She goes to college, but I don't even know how she does it. The girl is pretty, nice. Peter would like the two of us to get together. Why, that's pretty clear. Which is about it, I like her both the look and the character. But I feel old next to her, and sometimes I feel like he sees me as a good uncle rather than a man. Well, maybe I'll dare today and at least "sit her on a chair". Well, the fact is, I'm looking forward to them. I even cleaned the apartment and prepared some snacks in advance. Petr wants to come straight from work and just stop by Ivanka's parents. From this it is clear that he cannot afford to come home God knows when.

They finally arrived. Peter is simply Peter, he is still great and will never grieve. For example, he knows that when he comes to me, he should not wear any visitor presentations. He is also always ready to listen to my views and concerns and even advise. Peter is just sure. But Ivanka… It seemed to me as if I hadn't seen her for a long time. She probably can't be said to have grown up, but she was definitely far more feminine. I didn't even miss the fact that she made proper use of her wardrobe and took the job of modifying the exterior at all. I don't think she needs it, but one will be pleased if the girl cares about him.

Honestly, the course of the visit is not so important. It was interesting, however, that Iva immediately chose a CHAIR to sit in the room. But most importantly, after about an hour and a half, Peter spoke out about some allegedly urgent duties and disappeared. He left Ivanka there with the appropriate story of gentlemanly behavior. And so we were alone. In private for the very first time. Fortunately, Ivanka did not allow me to show my inability to talk to her alone in this way. And so we talked for a long time about everything possible and impossible. We were so focused on the debate that we almost extended midnight. But Iva also had time under control, so I still managed to accompany her to the last metro line.

When I returned home I glanced at the chair. I thought she was waiting for me. I say deliberately slowly and half-mouthed, “So what do you call her, pretty good? But too young. ”

“That's good, so you ask me, and you also tell me how to answer. You're a level discusser. But I have my knowledge! ”

“All right, then leave the bickering and tell me what and how. How do you see her and whether it might even make sense to apply for her. "

"Betray! That's easy to say, but this is a serious matter. I do not deny that I was interested in Iva. That she impressed me. But I won't tell you more today. I have to consider it all carefully. Just wait a long time - tomorrow is also a day. ”And it was. I didn't get another word from her. Of course she was right again. It was a serious matter. Or better yet - it could be a serious matter. It wanted to tread lightly and not be hasty. Well, I can handle it. After all, I also need to put it all together in my head. Okay, go to bed!

FRIDAY

Like every Friday, on my way home from work, I went through the necessary shopping at the mall and made it home around six. I don't cook much, so preparing dinner was easy. I also didn't expect a visit and I was only interested in news on TV. Then I realized that I was still getting ready to relax on the couch and in front of the conversation about Ivan.

So Ivanka. I thought about her a lot during each little moment. Now came the right one, when I could clarify it all. I turned to the room and declared over the coffee table: "Ivanka is a problem. I like. I like it very much. But I'm not sure if it's Peter's sister. That somehow he's not a stranger. Peter would certainly be in favor, but I still can't imagine how we will meet one day and I will tell him that I slept with his sister. I think I would be quite ashamed. Or if, for example, we broke up or divorced, how would everything turn out? Those years of friendship are nice, but in this respect it's actually a nuisance. It just had to work out with Ivanka. "

The chair did not report anything, but I thought he was not objecting. If she had her head, she would surely nod.

"On the other hand, it is possible that Iva is worth the risk. That she might have transferred despite our age difference. But it's also possible that I'm painting something here and she sees it completely differently. For her, for example, I am just Peter's good friend, and because she loves Peter, she loves me too. But that probably wouldn't be enough to live in a couple. Damn, and I'm getting used to it again. And I completely missed Alice for sure. And I don't even count on one, as yet unknown. So it's on the stick! ”I almost shouted that.

"Well, well, well, you act like you're the only one in the world to deal with emotional issues. And it's not even certain that you really have emotional problems and not just a fear of loneliness. You should make that clear first. ”And again, the bitch is right. She doesn't really bother me. But no one likes to show him how he really is.

"Okay, let's start again. For example, how well I know Ivanka and if I can't be without her. I can answer now. I know her well, but she still surprises me sometimes. But this is normal for women - at least that's what they say. I can be without her. But the more I think of her, the better I would be with her. I mean, like always. What is the problem? The problem is I'm scared. What am I afraid of? I'm afraid of my age in relation to hers. And I'm afraid I won't hurt her in any way. Should I be afraid? The answer - I can't do anything with that age. When it comes to the possibility of harm, everyone should be afraid in relation to their loved ones. People who love each other usually don't want to hurt themselves. Can harm be completely prevented? Probably not, because one doesn't really know what really threatens the other, and what are just such moods. ”Ugh, so how am I doing?

"Stupidly. Actually, you didn't solve anything. Again. You want to be with her forever, like old age, don't you? If you say you know her well, you could answer. And if not right now, in a short time. Ivanka deserves to know how she's doing with you - no matter how she behaves. That is crucial. You can't throw your insecurity on anyone else's neck. "

I mean, now I've got it. But, whether I liked it or not, the chair was true again. Of course. If I go to her saying that I like her, then that must also be true. However, if I hesitate for a long time and act like nothing, he will think that I really take her as my niece, even though we are not related. And I will become an "uncle" for her. Brrr!

All right, but what about Alice? I repeated aloud, "What to do with Alice?" No response. Also good. Finally - it's eleven at night. So, a wiser evening in the morning.

SOBOTA

I haven't been worth anything since this morning. I've had a cell phone in my hand several times before that I call Alice and say something. Not that I don't want to meet her, but it's too early. I could not get a proper opinion about Ivanka. "Damn, there was still none, and now suddenly two," I said, relieved. I didn't even look in the chair - it wasn't her time at last. What if I told her I had movie tickets. Well, but then what? Will I send her home then? Or will I even accompany her? And what if he invites me on. I don't get away with that anymore.

In the end, I called Ivance quite illogically. He seemed happy about it. She asked how I slept after a walk to the subway after that evening. She immediately assured me (without asking) that she definitely can't today, but if I could make time tomorrow, she would definitely adapt. But if that doesn't work, don't worry about it, she's patient, that she's actually waited more than a year before she can talk to me alone, and that she can wait another day. It was a waterfall, so I'd rather talk to her and assure her that I'll be free tomorrow, and that we could go somewhere for lunch and then have a nice afternoon - that is, if her parents may miss her at Sunday lunch.

"It's a matter of fact that they may miss me, at lunch. But I have to go home for the night. There's nothing wrong with that, just so we don't have to negotiate. ”From this, I understood that he was counting on me not only for the afternoon, but also for the evening, and that we would probably end up at my house. Of course, that doesn't have to mean anything yet. I quickly promised to stop for her and hang up.

"Well, now I've really figured it out. I'm flying even harder now. ”I looked quickly at my chair. He seemed to be having a great time. But why not, according to Ivanka's reaction, I can assume that it is worth me. And according to the allusion to the obligatory return home, it could be judged that it is not so terrible with my uncle. "Well, Ivanka and I are developing quite well, but I mainly have to solve tonight. That's the trouble.

"What if I told Alice the truth. Is it true, of course? ”The chair couldn't stand it any longer, and she squirted,“ I told you to think about what you really want, that is, which one you really care about. Depending on how you triple now, Alice probably isn't. Of course, if it's the second one, it remains to be seen. But you can't insure both well enough. Besides, you'd go for it anyway. ”The agreement was long, but for the body again. What a man I am, I know where my heart is going.

"Of course I already know, but…. It's just still BUT !! And enough, I go for it headlong and without a lifebuoy. I'll call Alice before noon, I won't make excuses and I'll suggest that I'm in a hurry. He will be angry, but better now than with a later complication. And how could I look Ivance in the eye tomorrow. ”I had my back to the chair as I spoke. But even so, I could clearly hear her taking a deep breath and saying slowly into the ensuing silence, "I like you so much, boy." The voice stopped me. Was it just my smart chair? Or mom? I'd rather not turn around.

SUNDAY

Sunday is known to be a day of rest. You won't believe it, but I really rested. Sure, he's been on the move with Ivanka for half a day, but it was so cool, but hard to describe. In the evening we caught the last metro again. Nothing happened at my house. I'm a gentleman - as Peter said on Thursday. More importantly, we explained what it looks like for the two of us. Ivanka sat in the CHAIR again for part of the evening. Then, when she sat down on the couch with me for a moment, I felt like I was sorry for the chair. But maybe she wished me the other way around. She's my friend.