Arnon Grunberg

Other people

Temptation

On Wednesday my mother left the hospital.
This afternoon I visited her in her home, together with my godson and his mother.
My sister was there as well. She gave my godson some of my old toy cars to play with.
My godson asked: “Can I borrow this toy car?”

“Of course,” I answered.

Five minutes ago my mother called me: “I don’t want your godson to steal my toy cars.”

“My toy cars you mean.”

“My toy cars,” my mother answered. “I take care of your toy cars so your children can play with them later. I’m now counting your toy cars to see if other people couldn’t resist the temptation either.”