Heavy snow was falling on the streets,
and it signalled the absence of a weather change for the whole next week. Staying in the apartment for a moment more was the step to the suicide. So, in order not to aggravate her depression, Katie decided to run away to the library.
Women in such situations escape to malls, gatherings with friends or travelling to a neighbouring city. Everyone, but Katie. She calms down by scrolling through pages, searching for books, or observing students who try to swallow all the knowledge of the world in one night. Thereat she comes without a goal, rather to get rid of the melancholia or sombre weekend. Having passed the checkpoint on the first floor, Katie almost ran down to the bookshelves. She stopped for a second and asked herself “why should I run?”. Or it came from another visitor. Katie did not pay attention, but slowed down the pace of walking. “All salvation is in books, not on races,” she reassured herself, and turned to the nearest bookshelf to pick up the first book she could get.
The book turned out to be about neurobiology and Katie made an involuntary chuckle. Her father, who breathed his last several years ago, was engaged in this branch of medicine. He, unlike her mother, did not try to drag his daughter into science and convince her that the occupation of art-management was created for people who are not intended to engage into science. To tell the truth, he didn't care. He was worried about meetings with colleagues, brain research and numerous mistresses, while her mother was drowned in depression. The tendency to depression was inherited and Katie put the blame on both parents for that. But she already had let go of woeful memories of her childhood and her family, so she did not regret spending time and nerves on this. The last action would have been a pleasure for her dad.
Realizing that the stand was occupied with the books for “higher minds,” she went further. She paid attention to the nameplates "Science Fiction", "Computer Science" and "Art". She didn’t even hesitate stopping at the last one, because she considered the best way to get to know art is to visit exhibitions and look closely at paintings or sculptures. Her soul demanded to look through the masterpieces of Victor Hugo or Emile Zola and she slowly walked toward the "Fiction". Instead of finding “Dear Friend” by Guy de Maupassant, Katie wanted to relax. It was a book full of the most extraordinary memories. They were like that because they were imprinted in love. Chapter by chapter, they conquered this book with Frank. She could not explain why “Dear Friend” was exactly “the book” and her mind didn’t require this explanation. Katie hadn’t been enthusiastic about books until Frank appeared in her life. He opened her a multifaceted world of literature. She adored their dates in the library, especially the part where they had to run away from the guard because they were staying this side of midnight in the cloister of knowledge. Katie returned to a carefree time of love, regular lunches on Mondays and painting lessons or vocals by leafing over the chapters.
Their lifestyle was far away from the coach potato. They watched films in open-air cinemas or at premieres that flowed into flamboyant parties. Life filled with liabilities did not suit to Frank’s view of life. Everything was like a firework of emotions and Katie, who grew up in an atmosphere of suppression, wasn’t accustomed to it. The flight to the Moon was nothing compared to their relationship, which gave her strength and inspiration. At the time of their love, Katie was very productive at work and was able to win a grant for the exhibition at Art Basel in Miami Beach. Her life turned into unexpected success, and she could not imagine the another scenario of it. It seemed like they were flying at breakneck speed. This lovely journey added to their lives the excitement till the moment Frank become a lost planet in an icy space.
And then the end made Katie’s head flare up and slam the odious book.
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