Work Text:
She changes her mind. She doesn’t want to be lonely. She definitely doesn’t want to be in the boardinghouse alone, with the world being what it is these days. The wedding happens after all, the morning after Cliff leaves Berlin. Sally is there, and she brings a cake from the bakery down the street. They don’t ask how Sally managed to charm the pastry out of the baker, but it’s good to have something sweet to eat after they sign the certificate at city hall.
They are nervous and shaking, in spite of their ages, in spite of their experience, during the reception. They dance to a recording of Gershwin alone in her apartment, and find a little warmth there.
Still - when a child screams or a woman shouts on the street – she jumps. He smiles at her kindly. “It’s the end of the world, darling,” he says, and pops the cork on their bottle of wine. He pours half a glass for her and half for him. “Let’s dance while we can.”