The Russians are Coming!, 14 Months in the Life of the Town
«Olga went back to her boyfriend, mad,» continued Oleg. «She didn’t notice she’d been shadowed. Olga was humiliated. She was trembling after such stress, and she needed support, but that fool Sergey started shouting at her. He got angry that she’d failed, and they lost a lot of money. He talked to her the same way as her parents had and that made Olga insane. When she took his gun Sergey didn’t turn a hair. He knew how that girl loved him.»
Oleg paused for effect, then finished. «It was an automatic pistol, honey, and Olga kept firing until the police burst into the apartment and shot her down.»
Oleg did not tell Lana that this guy, Sergey, was one of his closest friends, that they even «worked» together, and this was a real reason he knew all the details of this story.
«Awful.» Lana embraced her lover. «Poor girl. Damn all the money in the world. Long live Love.»
«You bet, my miracle!» exclaimed Oleg, trying to show off all the enthusiasm that he could demonstrate, and they fell onto the bed again.
* * * * *
Oleg impressed Lana as no one had before, and next day she decided to meet Vera Grach.
«I have to talk to her’, she was thinking. «Interesting, did he tell me the truth? I have to find out.»
She parked her car near the apartment building, and knocked on the door. Vera opened it, and smiled. «Did you come to buy a picture?»
Surprised, Lana nodded. «Phew, I don’t have to explain my visit.» She silently went in.
Lana did not understand art. So she just pointed to two pictures, and Vera started packing them. Lana glanced around. «What should I ask?»
«Strange,» she said surprisingly. «Why didn’t you paint your husband?»
«I draw only things that impress me,» Vera answered calmly.
«I thought if you loved someone it means he impresses you.»
«Girl,» Vera shrugged her shoulders. «It’s very difficult to love a man who doesn’t care about the family budget.»
«Money doesn’t make happiness,» Lana said with irritation in her voice. «When dad passes away I’ll give all his money to some charity organization.»
«I’m sorry, Miss…?» Vera looked questionably at Lana.
«Limpson.»
«I’m sorry, Miss Limpson, but you’re too young for such discourses. Your father spent all his life to make this money, and you want to waste it? It would be a stupid and dishonest act.»
«Oleg is right,» Lana thought, feeling angry. «She’s just a miser.»
«As I know,» she addressed Vera. «Your husband is making good money in Russia. You have to love him very much, don’t you?»
«I think it’s too personal to discuss.» Vera looked at Lana with surprise, but she thought the girl needed some advice, and she relented. «Life is not as easy as we wish,» she tried to explain.
It was the same phrase that Oleg had said to Lana when she had asked him why he did not divorce Vera if they did not love each other. «Life is not so easy.» He sighed, and a tender compassion for this Russian man rising in her heart.
«Once Oleg came home with his coat so dirty that I was amazed,» Vera continued. «I’m sure he got plastered and fell into some puddle. Like a pig. And I have to love such a man?»
Lana recalled the episode with the wolf-skin coat, and her feelings for Oleg became much stronger. But this phrase made her worry.
«Does he drink a lot?» she asked, trying not to show her concern.
«Honestly, I’ve never seen Oleg drunk,» Vera confessed, sighing. «But that evening he was so strange, I have no other explanation.»
«Oleg loves me!» thought Lana, melting with that feeling. «He loves me! He surely loves me! Stupid woman, how could she not appreciate him?»
Lana took the pictures and gave the money to Vera.
«If you don’t love him,» asked Lana carefully, «why don’t you rent another apartment?»
«It’s okay with me,» Vera answered calmly. «But to rent a separate apartment would be a pointless waste of money.»
Lana shuddered and left without saying goodbye.
Chapter 7: In Love with A Married Person
Lana did not have school today, so she drove home. Not to the house that she rented on campus, but to the Limpsons’ mansion. It was a rare day that her father was home, and she planned to show him those pictures and ask him about an idea that had come to her.
At home she told a servant to call her father, and, while waiting for him, she placed the pictures in a special hall, where she usually kept her new things before she decided which place was best for them.
Lana heard her father come in, and, smiling, she turned toward him. Stubby, but imposing and dignified, he was in great shape for a man in his mid-fifties, and Lana looked at her father with delight and pride.
«How do you like them?» she pointed to the pictures.
Her father went close and gazed at the paintings.
«Where did you get them?» he asked, surprised. «I’m not an expert, but they seem to have been made by a gifted person.»
«Really?» She was obviously ashamed, and her father became immediately worried.
«Honey?» he said tenderly. «What’s on your mind? Why did you buy them? Last time, as I remember, you bought a picture when you were a teenager, and it was some stupid hero from some stupid cartoon. But those works are masterpieces. Where did you get them?»
Suddenly Lana cried and hugged her father.
«It is a student here, Dad. She’s Russian. As her husband…» She did not know how to explain, and could only weep, but her father guessed what was going on, and a storm of feelings raged into his soul.
«Just be careful, my heart,» he whispered, kissing her hair, and Lana felt unlimited gratitude to her father who understood and supported her.
She looked at his face. «You were in the same situation, weren’t you?»
«Yes, honey.» He did not shift his eyes at all. «It’s awful to love a married person. Your mother will never leave her husband. This is why I’m pretending that I am a widower. I don’t want to be a laughing stock.» He sighed. «She doesn’t love me, and she never did.»
«I hate her,» Lana said sniffing.
«You shouldn’t,» retorted her father. «She gave life to you. She gave you to me. After her ’affair’ with me, she could have had an abortion, or she could have pretended you were her husband’s. But, risking her reputation, she gave you to me. Well, a quarter of a century ago it was much easier than it is now. But anyway, I have you. I love you, kitten, and I’ll do anything to make you happy. So, what do you want to ask?»
«Can you organize a party… Darn, Thanksgiving would be better. Okay, Christmas is coming. Can you? I want all the Russians to be invited, and all who work with them. Could you do it?»
«I’m not sure,» he replied, hesitating. «I have a tight schedule. Ah, I know. I’ll do it, sweetheart. I’ll rent a hall downtown and ask the VanSteins to be the hosts. Anything else?»
«Yes.» She timidly smiled. «Don’t be angry at me.»
«I’m not angry,» he answered sadly. «But I’m worried sick about you, and I can do nothing about this feeling.»
«Oh, Daddy.» She embraced him again, and for a long time they just stood there hugging each other, enjoying their closeness and mutual understanding.
* * * * *
The Lapins and Ruslan Grafinsky were the first persons to arrive at the Christmas party, and they were confused seeing the empty hall.
«I told you it was too early,» whispered Vlad to Nina.
However, Hannah was glad to see Larisa, and the girls started playing together.
«I thought Mr. Limpson, as the organizer, would be here,» Ruslan said to the VanSteins.
«He’s very busy, but he promised to come later.» Megan smiled. «Looking for a sponsor, eh?» She winked, but the face of Ruslan was so clouded that the woman felt herself uncomfortable, and she started talking with Nina.
More and more people arrived. Children ran around and were so noisy that Megan sent them to play in another, smaller hall prepared with some toys and games especially for the younger set.
«I’ll watch the kids,» Nina offered.
«Oh, don’t worry.» Megan explained, «There are nannies here to watch them, but thanks anyway.»
Oleg Merkulov came later. He nodded to his wife, yet did not come close.
He gazed at Ruslan Grafinsky and sat next to him.
«Nice evening,» Oleg dropped casually. The young man did not answer.
«I’m warning you, buddy,» keeping a nice smile in place, Oleg hissed to him.
«You don’t scare me,» calmly replied Ruslan.
Lana Limpson quickly entered the hall. She glanced about, saw Oleg and Ruslan, and she smiled. However, she did not go to them. First she addressed David, then the other guests, then went to Oleg only after other people had arrived and the attention of everybody was drawn from her to the newcomers.
«Hi.» she said to the Russians. Ruslan’s gloomy face surprised her. «Is something wrong?» she asked as she sat next to Oleg.
«Everything’s fine,» Ruslan replied sarcastically.
«When you’re beside me, nothing’s wrong,» uttered Oleg emotionally.
Ruslan glanced at him. «Except the situation, eh?»
Lana averted her eyes, and giggled.
«How’s your wife, Mr. Merkulov?» she said loudly, and Ruslan gazed at her. «I bought some of her pictures.»
Surprised, Oleg pointed to a group of guests.
Quietly singing together, Marina Aleksandrova and Nina Lapina were sitting side by side. Marina played her guitar while Vera drew a sketch of them.
«What about they had talked?» Oleg thought, worried. «I hope Vera didn’t say something that could destroy my plans.»
«Oh.» Ruslan attentively looked at Lana. «Well, it’s good. When will your father arrive?»
«Are you looking for a sponsor?» Lana snorted, but her smile died immediately in view of Ruslan’s face, filled with pain. Not answering, he got up and walked away, and Lana concentrated her attention on the conversation with Oleg.
Vlad Lapin was talking with David VanStein and some other professors from the University. A smiling Megan approached and interrupted them. «Enough talk about work.»
«You’re right, honey,» David said with an apologetic smile. His guests looked at the Russian women.
«Ladies,» called one of the professors. «Why do you hide in the corner? Come here and sing to us. I’ve never heard Russian songs.»
«I can’t sing.» Nina got embarrassed, but Marina calmly went to the middle of the room. Placing her feet on the stool, she took her guitar, and sang.
She was singing in Russian, so the Americans listened without understanding the words. Marina’s voice sounded very emotional, and everybody saw – she put her heart into the singing.
Suddenly Megan VanStein noticed that the other Russians were visibly confused as she intercepted exchanging glances. When Marina finished, and all the people applauded, she asked, «What was this song about?»
«Just a love song,» Vera hastily answered, and Megan did not like the look on her face.
«One girl loves one man,» Marina sighed, walking back to the couch.
«Yeah, one married man,» Nina Lapina said very loudly and laughed.
A deadly silence reigned at once.
Vlad quickly nudged his wife, and she looked at him, then around the room with naive surprise, as she did not expect her phrase to have had such an effect.
David saw Marina glare at him. Framed with the puff of her fluffy straw-colored hair, her face went red, and he was amazed, feeling his own cheeks blush as well. The guests exchanged whispers.
«I see it’s a very frequent situation.» Lana gave Oleg a wink.
«What do you mean?» wondered Oleg.
«I mean when a girl loves a married man,» she answered very quietly, staring at him.
Little by little the party resumed its normal course, and when Lana’s father entered the hall, only a few people noticed.
Lana, Oleg, and Ruslan walked to him very quickly, almost running. Lana glanced at Ruslan, and addressed her father. «Daddy, let me introduce Oleg Merkulov. I showed you his wife’s pictures. And this is…» She forgot Ruslan’s name, and confusedly looked at him.
«Ruslan Grafinsky,» he said. «Mr. Limpson, can I have a talk with you?»
«If it’s about sponsorship,» Mr. Limpson coldly replied taking out a business card, «here is the address to send your query or project. You will get a response within three months.»
«This is more important to you than to me,» Ruslan retorted in the same tone that Mr. Limpson had used. He did not take the card, and the businessman gazed at this Russian youth with interest.
«Very well, Mr. Grafinsky,» Mr. Limpson grinned. «I’ll give you a ride home and we can talk.» He went to greet the guests.
«He won’t believe you,» Oleg said in Russian.
«At least I’ll try,» replied Ruslan.
Lana did not understand, but the spite in Oleg’s voice made her worry.
«What?» she addressed Ruslan. «What are you talking about?»
«I’m afraid, sweetheart,» Oleg answered sadly, «my pal wants to ruin our friendship.»
«Nobody can do that, I swear,» she took his hand, and tenderly squeezed it with all her excessive emotion.
Without another word Ruslan moved aside.
* * * * *
On their way home Vlad stopped at the stop signal, and was set to drive again, when Larisa suddenly gasped, «Look, a baby reindeer!»
«Where?» The surprised adults looked outside and laughed when they saw a golden retriever with toy antlers on its head.
«I bet it’s the same dog that we saw on Halloween!» exclaimed Nina, and they got out of the car. The girl petted the animal, and Nina said «Hello» to the owner. He was an old man with a walking stick, and he politely replied, «Good evening, young ladies.»
«I remember her name is Goldy.» The girl trustfully looked at him. «And my name is Larisa.»
«I’m Bill Thompson.» He slightly bowed to her.
«When Goldy has babies, can I have a puppy?» asked Larisa.
«Absolutely.» Bill saw the mother get anxious with his reply, and smiling, he leaned close to her.
«Not to worry, she’s fixed,» Thompson whispered so quietly that only Nina could hear this. «Just let’s not kill the child’s dream, okay?»
Nodding, Nina laughed and looked around.
There was no wind, and the snowflakes dancing in the still air wove an enchanting lacy display. Lit up with Christmas decorations sparkling from everywhere, the usual buildings looked like fairy houses, and Nina lost the sense of reality.
Her husband in the car seemed to her an elf in a carriage. Bill Thompson was a kind wizard of course. Larisa looked like a little princess. And the dog with antlers on its head completed the impression of being in a fantasy.
Barely back to Earth, Nina said goodbye to Bill Thompson, seated her daughter in the car, and they went home. But even falling asleep, Nina remembered this incredible feeling and a happy smile still played on her lips.
* * * * *
When Oleg and Vera got home, he carefully addressed his wife. «Honey, congratulate me. I’ve got a job.»
Vera looked at him with surprise. «Really?»
«Yes, Mr. Limpson hired me as a bodyguard for his daughter.»
«You’re kidding,» the woman said, amazed. «You have no permission for this kind of work.»
«This is why it’s not an official position.» Oleg gallantly helped his wife take off her coat. «I’ll escort his daughter. Sometimes I would have to stay in her apartment even for a night. I hope, you don’t mind, eh?» He gave her a wink, and giggled. «But maybe you’re jealous?»
«Give me a break.» Vera snorted and yawned, tired. «I know she’s not your type. I’m sure you would prefer to sleep with a crocodile rather than with such a girl.»
«My little wife is right.» Sighing, Oleg thought about Lana. «But I have no choice. What does that damn Ruslan see in her? She’s fat, plain, and primitive! Well, he’s just a stupid boy yet. Her father gave him a ride. Interesting, what would they talk about?»
This thought bothered Oleg until he fell asleep.
Chapter 8: New Year
The Crystal Ball shattered in Time’s Square, and far, far away, in another state, the Russians watched the event on TV, raised their goblets clinking them against each other.
The Lapins were celebrating this New Year with Marina and Ruslan. They drank, ate, and talked for a while, but Nina could not help her yawning, then the smiling Marina got up and started to clean the table of the numerous dishes.
Soon the women, holding stuff for bed, entered Larisa’s bedroom, and put their load on the couch.
«Are you sure?» murmured Nina, barely staying in control. «I feel so impolite…»
«Go to sleep,» Marina whispered, kissing the hostess. «Happy New Year!»
«Happy New Year!» Glancing at her daughter, Nina left the room.
Still smiling, Marina made her bed on the couch, and approached Larisa, checking her out.
The girl was sleeping, holding her teddy bear tight, but this peaceful sight washed out Marina’s grin, and deep wrinkles appeared on her forehead and around her mouth.
She quickly turned away, fell onto the couch, and burying her face into the pillow, she wept with her memories.
She hated New Year, because, fourteen years ago, celebrating this holiday, her parents got drunk as never before, and the awful events of the following night were engraved in her soul forever.
Nobody ever figured out how it had happened, because no one saw how the cord of the old, tattered Christmas lights dropped a spark, and the nearest piece of cotton, imitating snow, caught fire.
Twelve-year-old Marina woke up sensing unusual warmth. Drowsy, she sat up in bed.
Suddenly she smelled smoke and sprang up, looking around with horror; half of the room was enveloped in flames.
Her younger sister, Masha, was still sleeping in her crib and Marina darted to her parents’ chamber. «Daddy! Mom!» she screamed, tossing the door wide open. «Fire!»
Cursing, the drunken man threw a bottle at her and put down his head again. Marina heard her sister’s cry and she ran back.
Glancing at the little black-headed girl standing in the crib holding the bars, Marina knocked at the door of her brothers’ room. It was locked, and no one answered.
Vainly Marina pounded, kicked, thumped the door, trying to get in. She was only twelve. She could not break the lock, and feeling increasing heat, she realized she had not much time.
She screamed again dispiritedly calling her brothers, then rushed to Masha and hoisted her out of the crib. Squealing like a piglet, her sister wriggled in her arms. Marina could barely hold her.
Marina turned toward the exit door, but a big burning piece fell from the ceiling blocking the way. Hugging crying Masha, Marina slowly retreated from the advancing fire.
The smoke filled the room and irritated their eyes, asphyxiating the girls, and a panicking Marina could scarcely see the things around her. She grabbed a chair and threw it at the window, smashing the pane. Coughing, forcing herself to stay in control, Marina climbed up onto the windowsill.
Her blouse caught fire, but the girl did not notice. She looked outside. They were on the third floor, and Marina clearly understood that a jump down would be suicide.
«Help!» she cried with all the power in her lungs. «Fire! Please, in the name of God, somebody help us!»
With hope Marina stared at the flashing lights of oncoming fire-trucks and police cars, but the heat became intolerable, and she realized her time was up. There was nothing for it, and crazy with pain and terror, still embracing her sister, Marina leapt out as far as she could.
Despair increased her strength. She reached the bushes near the building and, in the last second, she spun in the air like a cat, trying to avoid the branches that would hurt Masha in her arms. The sticks and thorns thrust into her own back, and, choking with exquisite agony, Marina slid down onto the ground, and could barely breathe.
A policeman grabbed Masha, and a stunned Marina did not protest, seeing her sister was okay. A fireman took Marina to an ambulance, and only now the girl felt all her pain, and sobbed with suffering.
* * * * *
It was Jeff’s day off and he saw Vera in the grocery store. Hoping to talk to her, he tried to catch her alone. Jeff had a good subject in mind for a conversation. It was January 1, and he wanted to wish her a happy New Year.
But people were around her all the time, and a vexed Jeff had no chance to speak privately. He dared not call out.
Waiting for his chance, he pretended that he was only doing his shopping. He stayed behind her, keeping his eyes on her gracious figure. Wearing a fox fur coat, the elegant woman with brownish red hair looked like a real vixen, moving quickly and smoothly, and the delighted Jeff could not tear his stare from his adored one.
He saw the Lapins meet her and start talking. Jeff quickly went into the next aisle, hoping to intercept Vera when she had finished and moved on herself.
He waited and waited, but only other people passed him.
* * * * *
«How was your New Year?» asked the smiling Nina. Larisa and Vlad, wearing identical bored expressions, stood next to the women. Vera was looking around and did not reply. She had seen Jeff appear a few times and she dearly wanted to talk with him.
«Where is he?» she thought, upset, as she did not notice where he had gone.
«Are you searching for someone?» Vlad’s deep calm voice startled Vera.
«No.» She sighed, pushing her cart again. «Sorry, what did you ask? I just didn’t get enough sleep. We went to bed at 5 a.m.»
«Cool.» Nina laughed. «No, I can’t stay awake for so long. I barely waited till twelve. I’m an early bird.»
«Yeah,» Vlad gently teased his wife. «But it doesn’t mean you have to wake me the same time you wake up.»
Still good-naturedly bantering, the Lapins walked to the cashier, and the displeased Vera followed them, losing hope of meeting Jeff.
* * * * *
Jeff carefully peeped out and gasped, seeing Vera had gone. He hastily walked around the shop and saw her on the point of leaving. He left his cart where it was and went out also. Jeff understood that this was his last chance to talk to her today, and he did not want to miss the opportunity.
Seeing that Vera was putting her shopping bags into her car, Jeff increased the speed of his steps. He saw Vera look around for a few seconds.
«She’s looking for me!» Jeff tried to get into her view, but he had to wait as a van passed by, and Vera did not notice him. Sighing, she drove away, and, frustrated, Jeff only followed her car with his eyes.
Whirling, Jeff saw the Lapins walking out of the grocery store and he scolded himself. «Why didn’t I come to them when they talked with Vera? They are friends, I’m sure they wouldn’t make fun of her or set a gossip going.»
* * * * *
Deeply upset, he drove home, but this time Jeff changed his route.
«What if her car fails?» he thought, cherishing some absurd hope.
Passing her house, Jeff saw Oleg’s car parked next to hers, and painful flaming envy struck the man like the discharge of a police electro-shocker. He barely maintained control of either the vehicle or himself.
«You asked for it, you got it!» his inner voice mocked. «You knew she was married. What did you expect? Her hubby would disappear because of your stupid feelings for his wifey? You are a fool, Jeff Menard. You’re such a fool.»
* * * * *
At home his thoughts still ran to Vera, and, feeling melancholy, Jeff changed a few channels, found a New Year comedy program, and started to watch.
Soon, cheered up, he was laughing with jokes that a young black stand-up comedian was telling.
However, when the comic started mocking whites, for the first time in his life Jeff felt uncomfortable with it. As this guy took on white women as a subject, thinking about Vera, Jeff changed the channel.
He watched for a while, but his joyful mood was wrecked and he went to bed.
Racked with the pain of love and jealousy he could not sleep for a long time.
«Maybe she doesn’t like me because I’m black,» he thought.
«No.» He recalled her playful glances at him. Jeff saw her eyes brighten every time they met. «I’m sure she likes to see me.» He smiled, but another thought spoiled his gladness again.
«My foolish flirting only flatters her female feelings,» an irritated Jeff said to himself. Yet his love for her could justify any of her actions.