Kontuszowka is a polish liquor that strongly tastes of star anise. Myers liked the idea and ordered one for himself. It was heavily snowing outside and the cafe was swarming with people. Stout women, dumpy men, all fumbled around the seats and the counter. The matting was laboriously soiled and this repulsed Myers. He had taken a one seater so that he would not have to share his table. A server came back with his drink.

Kontuszowka was strong, one single sip made Myers alive. He lingered on the drink and ordered another. He held up the glass to gaze at the golden liquor reflecting the dim cafe lights and sipped glass after glass until it tasted like water.

His drunk mind felt soggy, eyes like glass and his muscles felt like water. It was time. Emily is around the corner. She was the reason why every year on November 25th he visits Dr. Scherner before visiting the cemetery. Emily will accompany him until his session with the doctor gets over and he will have to wait exactly one year until he sees her again.

He knew she lives, maybe only in his memory but she lives. Myers turns to look at the shiny pair of black heels trot into the cafe door.