The Geographer's Library

Jon Fasman
acoustics. So thank you, Paul Tomm.” Hearing my name in her mouth, even
then, made me uneasy and grateful. This is what happens when a healthy
young man holes up in a small town with no female contact for months. But
then I guess I always built romances in my head better than in the world.
“Thanks. Like I said, we’re all egomaniacs over here. It makes us feel good
to see our name in print. All we really want is recognition. So you made my
week.” She laughed a tickled, pleased double-hiccup laugh.
“So the reason I’m calling is, I’m working on an article about Jaan
Pühapäev. I understand he’s your neighbor.”
“Yes.”
“Have you seen him recently?”
“Let’s see. Not today, not yesterday, and I was chaperoning my church’s
youth-group trip Tuesday night. I usually stop in once on the weekend and
once during the week, but I just haven’t had the chance to visit yet.”
“So the last time you saw him would have been ...?”
“Let’s see. Last Thursday or Friday, I think. Are you writing an article
about him? You should, you know. He’s such a fascinating man.”
I paused. Not, I’m ashamed to admit, out of any respect for the dead, but
because I didn’t want to ruin our conversation by bringing up something sad.
But then I thought about comforting her, holding her, this woman I had never
seen, had spoken to for only a few minutes. “I’m really sorry to tell you this,
but he died. He died earlier this week.”
She didn’t say anything. Then I heard her moan softly. “I’m so sorry,” I
told her, and meant it. “Are you okay?”
She sniffed. “Oh, I’m fine. I just hate to think of him dying alone. I’m sure
he’s in a better place, though.”
I didn’t want to touch that last comment. “Listen, is there any way I could
maybe speak with you about him? I’m trying to write an article about him,
and you seem to be the only person in Connecticut or Rhode Island who
actually knew him.”
“An article? You mean an obituary?”
“Yeah.” Mostly. Maybe. I suppose so, technically.
She sighed. “Sure. I’m officially sick, so I don’t want to go out. Why don’t
you come by here this afternoon, and we’ll have tea?”
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