The Empty Chair

Samer used to read at the door of his shop in the late afternoon. One day he brought out a second chair because the shop was crowded with boxes. He settled down with his book, leaving the other chair at the edge of the shade. A woman carrying bags passed by and asked whether he was waiting for someone. He shook his head, and she sat down to rest.

Samer did not know how to begin. He asked about her bags, and she said she had chosen fabric to make a curtain. She told him about a room that did not get enough light, and a colour that would make it feel more spacious. He pointed to his shop’s old door and said he was thinking of painting it. They disagreed about the colour, then laughed, since neither of them would be painting the other’s door.

When she got up, she gathered her bags and thanked him. Samer put his book back on the table and looked at the place where she had been sitting. The next day he tidied the boxes, leaving room for both chairs inside the shop. He brought one outside all the same, then brought out the second and placed it where the shade began.