he told his wife for the last time how much he loved her. he smiled for the last time to support a young man with tuberculosis. he breathed a sigh of relief for the last time. The war is over, he is no longer in danger. now the whole world was celebrating the victory.

but his heart remained in his native home. What's in there now?

Now he had nowhere to go. Soviet soldiers drove you and him to Poprad, right to the place of his parents' house. His parents are dead, and the house, once alive and full of warmth, is empty. It was quiet and cold, like their dead hearts. Where are they now?

— they're in a better place, — you say comfortingly, and Berger forces himself to believe it. he wants to believe that they are all "there." on soft clouds or in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Berger doesn't know if he's crying out of grief or relief, but he knows for sure that you're with him. You are both lost in this big and scary world, but now you both know that the most terrible attack has passed you by. Soldiers return home, kiss their wives, parents, and children, and celebrate the victory... and you're celebrating together with Berger, just standing outside and enjoying the sun. the sun — it has been so long since it was in your life, warm in spring and also rejoicing at the victory. everything around you: the sun, rivers, greenery, birds and even butterflies — everthing and everyone knows that now you are free and happy.

— I'm happy. and you're happy, — he looks at you with tearful eyes, and the corner of his mouth twitches. But you know: It's a more complicated feeling than just happiness. a mixture of sorrow and joy, a smile on a pale, thin face and a chest full of fresh and clean air.