by then that even Frank Sinatra seemed insignificant.
The next time Ulli saw Leo and Isaac, a few nights after their first encounter, they were sitting at the same table. Ulli mingled with the other customers, looking for someone in need of her skills. She never pushed herself on anyone, but if she noticed a couple trying to communicate, she would approach politely and explain what she could do to help. Ulli was standing at the bar when the tall soldier got up and made his way to her. “My friend and I would like to invite you to our table for a drink,” he said, like a butler announcing the arrival of an important guest. He spoke perfect German.
“I’m sorry, but I’m waiting for someone,” she replied. He bowed almost imperceptibly and retreated.
Ulli grew tired of standing at the bar, so she found a table. After about an hour the stocky soldier came to her table. “Are you still waiting?” he asked in English.
“Yes,” she replied.
“For a client or for personal reasons?”
“It is none of your business,” she said.
“True,” he said, and sat down without asking for permission. “Cigar?” He took out two cigars from his breast pocket. “My friend can’t stand the smell. He used to have asthma.”
Ulli took the cigar and watched as he flicked open his lighter in that way men think is so gallant. She leaned toward the flame and breathed in. “Cigarette smoke doesn’t bother him?” she asked.
“It bothers him, but cigars he can’t tolerate at all.” During this exchange Ulli was waiting for Isaac to turn around to see what kind of progress Leo was making, but he had taken out a book and was reading. She wondered how he could read a book in a noisy bar. Perhaps he was only pretending.
“You’re a natural,” Leo said.
“A natural what?” Ulli asked.
“A natural cigar smoker. Never trust a cigar smoker, you know.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because they’re not trustworthy. It’s a known fact.”
“Thank you for the advice,” she said, which made him laugh. Every time he tried to speak, he would break out into laughter. Finally he said, “My name’s Leo.”
“Ulli,” she said, extending her hand across the table.
“Isaac,” he called to his friend. “Isaac, come over here and meet my friend Ulli.”
Isaac waved and went back to his book.
“He’s always got his nose in a book,” Leo explained.
“There’s nothing wrong with reading,” Ulli said.
“I didn’t say there was anything wrong with reading. I was just trying to explain his rudeness.”
“Rudeness?”
“You don’t think it’s rude to sit there reading a book when I’ve very nicely asked him to make your acquaintance?”
“No.”
That made him laugh again. “Would you like to take a walk?” he suggested.
“No, thank you,” Ulli replied.
“Well. Then we’ll just have to order another drink.” He called the waitress over and ordered a round of drinks for them and for Isaac at the other table. “So,” he continued, “tell me the truth. Who is this person you’re waiting for?”
“I’m not waiting for anyone,” Ulli answered.
“But you told Isaac you were waiting for someone.”
“Yes, but I’m not. I just said I was in order to be rid of you.”
“Well, I’m glad you told me.”
“Why?”
“Because I like to know where I stand in situations like this.”
“Situations like what?” Ulli asked.
“Complicated ones.”
“I don’t think this situation is at all complicated,” Ulli answered. Now it was her turn to laugh.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“The situation,” she said, and they both laughed, but she didn’t really know why she was laughing, only that she wanted to, that it had been a long time since she had done so.
“Excuse me a moment,” he said, getting up and returning to the table where Isaac sat. They talked for a while, but Leo kept watching her out of the corner of his eye, as if doing so would keep her from leaving. Ulli had time to smoke a cigarette before he returned to her table with Isaac in tow.
He formally introduced them to each other, and Isaac and Ulli shook hands. Leo pulled his chair up next to Ulli’s, and Isaac sat across from them.
“What were you reading?” Ulli asked Isaac.
“Oh, some kind of French poetry,” Leo answered for him. “He takes that book everywhere he goes.”
“You speak French too?” she asked.
“Yes,” Isaac answered.
“I don’t know why he needs the book,” Leo said. “He knows all the poems by heart.”
“Not all of them,” Isaac said. “I don’t have a photographic memory like you do. All he has to do is look at a page once, and it’s in his head.”
“I always thought there wasn’t really such a thing as a photographic memory,” Ulli said.
“Well, there is,” Isaac said. “Show her.”
“Now come on; it’s not really so interesting. Why don’t we all go for a walk? I’m getting tired of this place.”
“But it is interesting. I’m sure she would be interested, wouldn’t you?”
“Her name is Ulli, Isaac.”
“I’m sorry. Of course. Ulli. You would be interested, wouldn’t you, Ulli?”
“It’s not necessary,” she said, realizing only then that Isaac was drunk. He had seemed so quiet, so steady, sitting there reading his book, so she had attributed his awkwardness to his height, not to alcohol.
“Nothing is necessary, except for food and shelter,” Isaac said.
“And love,” Leo said, turning to Ulli. “Don’t you think love is necessary?”
“Not in the same way as food and shelter,” she replied. Isaac was looking away, watching the dancers.
“But necessary in some way, right?” Leo continued.
“Well,” Isaac interrupted. “I thought we were going for a walk.”
“Then let’s go,” Leo said, jumping up and grabbing Ulli’s hand, whisking her toward the door. Isaac grabbed their coats and followed.
It had been snowing for quite some time and the snow was accumulating rapidly. Isaac walked ahead, his long legs making faster progress so that he had to stop every so often to let Leo and Ulli catch up. But as soon as they were at his side, off he would go again at his long-legged pace.
“He doesn’t usually drink so much,” Leo told her. “I’m the one who always ends up not remembering what happened the night before. If it weren’t for him, half my life would be a total mystery to me.”
“He seems angry with you,” Ulli said.
“Angry?” Leo laughed.
“Why is that funny?” she asked.
“I don’t know. It just is,” he said.
At