The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Renée’s package is a gift from Kakuro; it’s an edition of Anna Karenina. At first, she is shocked she’s been found out, but quickly she feels her essence is replaced with a new inexplicable layer. She writes Kakuro a polite but brief thank you note, but immediately regrets it. She feels that she should have written a note that made her appear confused or uninterested instead, but when she goes to retrieve her note, she sees that Kakuro’s assistant has already retrieved his mail. Three days later, someone rings her doorbell.

Kakuro pays a visit to Renée and asks her to have dinner with him and discuss their shared interests. Renée searches her mind for an excuse not to attend.

Kakuro’s invitation makes Renée feel exposed, a similar feeling as when she was a child and found herself entranced by her teacher’s snow globe. She feels something inside of her move beyond time.