Free Swans Are Fat Too by Michelle Granas

just bought a large villa in Konstancin.
    "I haven't got a shift. But I invited the girl downstairs out for a drink."
    Pelagia looked her surprise. He could see her hastily wondering if she had said something she shouldn't.
    "Oh. A business meeting, I suppose."
    "Of course."
    Actually, he'd thought that Hania needed to get out; that it was hard on her, being locked up with the children. He'd felt sorry for her––as another human being––that was all. But he didn't say any of this to his sister. Unlike Pelagia, he was reserved, complex, capable of seeing two sides to every question, of seeing himself from a distance. Anyone he met at the café would assume it was a business meeting.
    "I find her rather interesting."
    Pelagia looked doubtful. As if even friendship might find it difficult to get past the extra layers.
    Pelagia, Konstanty considered, had this in common with every Pole––that appearances were tremendously important. But he was very fond of his sister, and knew he had faults too. She probably thought he was stiff and a little dull, if nothing worse. Good family relations depended on not pointing out a sibling's defects.
    "I'll stop in later," he promised.
     
    Hania stood before a mirror, trying her hair this way and that. Kalina appeared behind her.
    "I like it up like that."
    Hania turned in surprise, blushing a little. Kalina was regarding her critically.
    "I could give you a clip to hold it."
    "Thank you." She considered a moment then shook her head, "But I don't want to look like I tried to make an improvement."
    "Do you have a date?" Kalina asked curiously. She almost sounded friendly.
    "No. Just––I'm going out to have a coffee or something with Mr. Radzimoyski from upstairs. To talk about this work you know I've been doing for him."
    "Well, maybe something will come of it," Kalina suggested hopefully.
    That was nice of her, thought Hania as she shook her head; I know she thinks I'm a totally hopeless case.
    The telephone rang and Kalina went to answer it. No, Hania thought, looking at herself in the mirror again and letting her hair fall down onto her shoulders, there was nothing she could do to get ready for her first date. Only why should she imagine it was that? Don't be silly, don't be ridiculous. It was a business meeting. Well, not business exactly, but something like that. There was no need at all for those butterflies in the stomach. She felt the way she felt before a major piano competition. She took some deep breaths.
    Every dress she had looked exactly as shapeless as the next. It was a choice between black shapeless sack or brown shapeless bag. She flipped through the hangers in the closet: Blue sack, black sack, beige sack. All she could do was brush her hair and polish her shoes. She tended to forget about her shoes, she couldn't see them unless she took them off. She held one up and rubbed the toe. Anyway, it was all just her imagining. But what did it hurt if she imagined a little? He would never know it wasn't a 'business meeting' for her. It would be like a piano competition. One was nervous beforehand, and then one would walk out to perform and it would be all right.
    She emerged from the bedroom and found the children in front of the television. They'd be fine together for a couple of hours, Kalina had said. Kalina had been almost pleasant about it.
    "Mama just called," she barely lifted her head, sounding uninterested. "She's coming back to pick up some paintings. She says she'll be here in an hour."
    In an hour? No! thought Hania. "But I have to speak to her," she exclaimed in dismay. "And I have to go out!"
    Kalina just pulled on a strand of hair and didn't look at her.
    But, but, but…thought Hania. The first date of my life and she picks tonight to come back?
    "I should be leaving right now."
    Konstanty had said he'd meet her at the café. Calm, be calm, she told herself. She had to make a choice. Okay. She wasn't staying in, no matter what it cost––even if it meant