When they reached a little square called Sacrifice, Anna ordered the driver to stop. She got out of the taxi and entered a nearby church, where the door was open. She felt calm and peaceful inside. She lit a candle and went around venerating the icons. She then kissed them and placed the candle in the round brass holder. Looking up at the tiny dome, she saw it was black from a thousand years of prayer carried up by incense.
She left the chapel and got back into the waiting taxi. Again, she had the feeling that they were being followed, but ignored it, thinking only of Nikolas. By the time she got to Nikolas's house, his mother was waiting for Anna at the door. "Welcome, welcome," she opened her arms to embrace her.
"It is so nice to see you," murmured Anna, with happy tears, burying her head in Penelope's welcoming bosom.
Pulling back, Penelope cheerfully said, "You look so nice, Anna!"
"Thank you, you look wonderful too, Mother Penelope!" She wiped her tears. "And your perfume is lovely."
"Thank you, Anna. It is a gift from
Nikolas, God bless him."
"Here, some nice things for you." From her large bag, Anna brought out a bouquet of roses, coffee, bread, aspirin, and meat.
Penelope made coffee on a small gasburning stove. She talked to Anna about Nikolas, asked about her parents, and what she would like for her wedding gift. When the coffee was ready, Penelope brought koulouria to the table, Anna's favorite.
"Nobody makes these cookies like you, Mitera!" said Anna, reaching for one of the buttery twists sprinkled with sesame seeds.
"Oh thank you, my dear."
On the tray, there was a letter.
"Is it from Nikolas?" asked Anna.
"Yes, I just received it a few days ago."
"May I?"
"Of course you may read it Anna."
Anna took the letter anxiously and opened it. It was dated May 19, 1941, two days before the bombing of Nikolas's ship. She brought the paper to her breast and held it there with tears in her eyes, her mind swimming with too many thoughts. She walked to the balcony and breathed in the warm afternoon air. There was noise on the street below. Anna noticed teenage boys playing, using their slingshots to hurl small rocks at a crow, which had trouble keeping his beak shut. "Bite your ass!" shouted one boy at the black bird.
"Shut up!" yelled another. Confused and frightened, the crow flew from the tall Cyprus tree right into the wind.
"Are you all right, Anna?" asked Penelope, leaning against the half-open wooden balcony door. Anna did not answer, but went close to Penelope, and walked with her into the house. "I am so glad the crow is gone," continued Penelope. "He was flapping his wings and making strange noises all day long as though he was trying to say something ... strange ... the strangest thing!"