Intermezzo

by Sally Rooney

Ivan is standing on his own in the corner, while the men from the chess club move the chairs and tables around. The men are saying things to one another like: Back a bit there, Tom. Mind yourself now. Alone Ivan is standing, wanting to sit down, but uncertain as to which of the chairs need to be rearranged still, and which of them are in their correct places already. This uncertainty arises because the way in which the men are moving the furniture corresponds to no specific method Ivan has been able to discern.

Immediately Understand love and appreciat and am Ivan

With grim regret at having spoken, Ivan nods his head.

People get to know each other, things happen, that’s life. The question for Ivan is how to become one of those people, how to live that kind of life.