your husband Simon was being sent to war, and today was the last opportunity to spend an ordinary, peaceful day with him. You were dancing in the living room to the music pouring from the tape recorder. "and an alarming dark steppe lay between us" the song continued to play, and Simon continued to dance with you, humming a melody from a song. You were restless, your heart ached because of the impending separation. –Are you sure you have to leave?