“She won’t make it through the night,” she said with a sigh. “It was time for her,” said the other, the smaller one, getting up from her seat. “Don’t speak like that, she’s our mother,” replied the taller one. “And because she’s our mother, should I forget?” “I didn’t say to forget, but death lightens the burdens.” “You didn’t suffer as much as I did.” “We all suffered,” answered the heavier one, “less or more, it doesn’t matter. What counts is that we have wounds inside us that haven’t healed.” “And that cursed lamp doesn’t help at all. How did she live all these years without electricity? Is it possible to have money and not pay the electricity bill?” said the taller one now. “So she wouldn’t see her sins,” snapped the smaller one, her voice hissing like a snake ready to strike. “Mother was used to living through hardships,” replied the heavy shadow. The sick woman sighed deeply. She was breathing with difficulty, but she was listening. She opened her eyes again and looked at them. “The house… don’t let them take the house from you!” she said with effort but also with intensity.

The grace period had ended along with the lies. “Mother, why didn’t you clear the shame all these years?” they asked her in unison. The woman dragged her hand with difficulty and grabbed the arm of the taller one. “I didn’t have the courage to do it… and it wasn’t my job. You should clear it… Dimitra…” she said to the heavier shadow. “Yes, mother…” “You were always the toughest of your sisters, you should do it.” “Years have passed, mother, I’m not as tough as I was back then. Don’t ask me to do it, I don’t have the courage,” she said. “I can’t bear to go back.” “Myrto…” she addressed the smaller one now. “What do you want?” she answered sharply. “You’re the youngest, the weakest, but you always managed very well… like back then, in the forest… You can do it…” “Don’t ask me that. Don’t ask me that!” she said loudly. “You have no right to ask me for anything!” she screamed and broke down in sobs.