Heating has been the topic as winter is upon us.
“We used to hang out in tank tops in the winter!”
We sit bundled up in sweaters in her apartment. A little electric heater with two tubes glowing orange sits in the corner.
“The state took care of our heat and it was hot. A sauna if you wanted it to be. We took the heat out years ago. It got so expensive, and then they charged you for the pipes that run through! The 2 centimeter pipes! How does that heat an apartment?”
“A king’s tax!”
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“Really?! They charge you for that? I have pipes! My landlord says thats how I’m going to heat through the winter!”
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“Ha!! Good luck with that. You have to get a cat, like mine.”
She motions to the heater sitting between us.
She can see I’m nervous. So on my way out she loads my arms with a massive faux rabbit fur jacket and some old sweaters.
She comes over for coffee the following week, telling her I have someone to introduce her to.
“Meet Oscar!” I say as she walks in. “My LION.” I plug the heater in…
“See, he even roars when you start him up.”
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“Bozheeeee… napravo golyam tsirk e v tuka!”
My God. It’s a downright circus in here!
She rolls her eyes and starts rearranging my rugs and kitchen organization as she does every time she comes over.