At first, the merriment bothered Sasha, but then he thought, Maybe that’s for the better. For the better. Why would we be all sombre?
Matvey liked Negative’s reaction to the story, and he seemed to like Negative in general.
What Sasha couldn’t discern was Yana’s impression of Negative. He suddenly thought that she did not really care at all and did not feel particularly sorry for anyone. Maybe that’s for the better, he thought again. Really, for the better. It’s not as if she’s some Mother Teresa after all.
Maybe she sleeps with Matvey? Sasha thought, but this thought sounded strangely dispassionate and detached.
I don’t care whether she does or she doesn’t. I just want to see her. Touch her delicate fingers sometimes. No, often.
The coffeehouse was almost empty — there was only one m
