Autumn Sonata Page #2

Can we find a board to put

under the mattress, for my back?

It's already there.

I put it there yesterday.

What's the matter, dear?

Are you crying?

- Have I said something wrong?

- It's because I'm so happy to see you.

Let's hug tightly,

as we did when you were little.

I only talk about myself.

Now you must tell, Eva dearest.

Let's sit down.

- How are you, little Eva?

- I'm very happy.

That's good. But isn't life here

very isolated?

- Viktor and I have our parish work.

- Yes, of course you do.

I often play in the church. Last month

I gave an evening recital.

I played, and then I talked about

the music. It was a great success.

- You will have to play for me.

- I'd love to.

I gave five school recitals

in Los Angeles.

Imagine, playing and talking

to three thousand children!

What a success - but awfully tiring.

There's something I have to tell you.

Helena is here.

You should have written and told me.

If I'd told you about Helena

you wouldn't have come.

- I'm sure I'd have come all the same.

- I'm sure you wouldn't.

Leonardo's death wasn't enough.

You had to drag poor Lena here, too?

Mother, Helena's lived here

for two years.

I wrote to tell you we were going

to ask her to come and live here.

- I wrote to you.

- I never received that letter.

Or you didn't bother to read it.

- Isn't that an unfair accusation?

- Yes, I'm sorry.

I can't bear to see her,

at least not today.

Mother, Helena is a wonderful person.

She's so looking forward

to seeing you.

She was so comfortable

in the nursing home.

I wanted to have her here.

- Are you sure she's better off here?

- Yes, she is.

And I have someone to care for.

Has she... I mean, has she...

Is she... worse?

Yes, of course she's worse.

It's part of the illness.

Then let's go and see her.

- Are you sure you want to?

- Do I have a choice?

I've never had a taste for people

who are unaware of their motives.

- Do you mean me?

- Take it the way you like. Come on.

My dearest Lena.

I've thought of you so often,

every day.

She's got a cold. She's afraid

she'll give it to you.

I'm not afraid - I haven't had a cold

for twenty years!

What a lovely room you have. And the

view is the same as from my room.

Helena wants you to hold her head

and look at her.

- Like this? Is this good?

- Yes.

I'm so glad Eva's taking care of you.

I thought you were still at the home.

I was going to come and see you

before I left. But this is much better.

- We can be together every day.

- Yes.

Are you in pain?

No.

Your hair looks lovely.

It's in your honour, Mummy.

If you want, I could read to you.

Would you like that?

And we could go out in the car.

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