Page 80 of The Secret to Belonging

Bjørn lays out a koldtbord of pickled herring

kaviar, meats, and cheese

Alison charms everyone with stories

of adventures on the train

an older gentleman certain she was Italian

handsome university students taking her photo

when they thought she was sleeping

a herd of reindeer she saw out the window

when you finally get her alone in your room

you can’t wait to tell her about your life

but just as you begin, she leans back on the sofa

just for a second

just to rest my eyes

you cover her with a blanket and sneak out

pulling the door behind you

the next day you show Alison everything

translate as you go

she oohs and aahs at the view from the school

praises the shawl you’re weaving on Elinor’s loom

you invite her to sit and take a turn

but she’s happy to just watch

you and Espen take her out to the club

with Margrethe and Vibeke

everyone else has beer, but Alison orders

Cinzano Bianco with a twist

you’re surprised when she bums a cigarette

even more surprised

when she starts making out on the dance floor

with a British guy who’s been buying her drinks

you drag her to the restroom