Page 130 of Sixty Meters Under

“Please, be quiet,” Hugo demanded, but not everyone listened.

“I know you don’t believe me, and I don’t care. But leave my son alone!” Anna added and her whole body shook.

Björn’s grin turned into a frown. He was still hiding in the shadows behind the crowd.

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Ryosuke entered the canteen in the middle of the exchange. It was hard to see what was going on right away, so he stopped and listened at first. Then he spotted Lennart and his mother standing in the center of the room.

Ryosuke wondered what that was all about, so he waited and continued to listen. In that few minutes he learned about an important part of Lennart’s life. His heart clenched, and sadness settled in his eyes as he watched Lennart turn and leave. He wished he could help him somehow, and to ease his pain, but he remained standing in his spot, petrified.

?

On his way back to his room Ryosuke noticed a woman at his door. He narrowed his eyes when he realized it was the same woman who had looked for Lennart the previous day.

Ryosuke tightened his grip on the tray he was carrying when the woman noticed him approaching.

I wish I could throw this in her face.

“You, again?” the woman asked and hung her hands on her hips.

“Me again?” Ryosuke raised his eyebrow.

“What are you doing here anyway?”

“I’m living here.” Ryosuke pulled out his card to open the door while keeping the tray in horizontal position with his left hand.

Leticia tried to enter after him, but he stopped in the doorframe. “I don’t remember inviting you in.”

“You don’t need to. This is Lennart’s room.”

“It’s mine too. And you’re not allowed to enter.”

“Why are you such an asshole?”

“Look in the mirror and you’ll get your answer.”

“Don’t act like a smartass. Let me see Lennart.”

“If he didn’t let you in by now it means he doesn’t want to see you.”

Her mouth hung open, but she quickly retorted, “Something tells me that’s your fault.”

“My fault, or yours, it doesn’t matter. Goodbye.”

“Don’t yougoodbyeme! I want to see him.” She put her foot in the doorframe.

Ryosuke held the door in place, refusing to let her in. “He’ll see you when he wants to. Okay? Now if you’ll excuse me.”

“No. Call him.” The woman stood her ground and stared at him.

Already tired from her persistence, Ryosuke rolled his eyes. “Look. I don’t believe he is in a mood to see anyone right now. It would be for the best if you just leave.”

Leticia groaned. “Fine. But I’ll be back.”

Ryosuke released a heavy sigh and closed the door. Still holding the tray, he walked over to Lennart’s door and knocked. The answer didn’t come, but Ryosuke opened the door nevertheless.

In the dimness of the room he saw Lennart sitting at his worktable. The screens of his computer were on, but Lennart just stared ahead, his hands supporting his head, when Ryosuke entered. Ryosuke even wondered if Lennart had heard him at all.