Summary

In the winter of 1946, Drioli was walking through Paris, on rue de Rivoli, on a particularly cold day. He could smell chicken from a nearby café, “yearning” (517) for some food. Drioli continued walking, ignoring all of the antique shops, jewelry shops, etc. When he approached an art gallery, the painting on display reminded him of an event from his past. The painting was made by Chaïm Soutine. Drioli recalled that Soutine had spent some time with Drioli and Drioli’s wife, Josie.

Drioli recalled the events of 1913, when Drioli and Josie went to Soutine’s apartment on the Cité Falguière. He had had a lucrative day tattooing soldiers, so he bought a case of wine and took it to Soutine’s apartment to celebrate. When Drioli entered the apartment, he saw Soutine painting a portrait of Josie. When Drioli announced that...