The Russians are Coming!, 14 Months in the Life of the Town

«I understand, Jeff,» the minister had started softly. «She’s Russian, first time, et cetera, but I hope you understand that this first time should be the only time.»

«How about «Love me, then love my dog’?» Jeff looked at him. «And I do love this woman.»

«Let’s not go nuts,» the minister said. «Jeff, I hope, we can stay friends.»

«Don’t worry, it was the last time, I swear.» And, frowning, Jeff went to the exit.

Upset, Jeff Menard and Vera Grach got into his car not saying a word. They did not expect that their meeting, which started so happy, would finish so sadly.

About half of way home Vera suddenly giggled. «Do you remember «Thumbelina’?»

«Not very well,» he replied, sighing. «Why did you ask?»

«Don’t you remember how the mayfly left her because he was the only bug who liked her, and the others did not?» She tried to smile, but she wept, and hid her face in her palms.

«Oh, honey.» Pulling over, Jeff stopped the car, then hugged her. «Don’t cry. We’ll find another church, suitable for both of us.»

«No, Jeff.» She sniffed. «You shouldn’t do it.»

«You don’t want to go with me?»

«I don’t wanna be a burden.» She looked at his eyes.

«You never will,» he retorted bringing his face close to her.

The woman opened her lips, and their breathing mixed, but Jeff was afraid it would lead them too far. He did not want to give her the wrong impression or scare her. He wanted her to trust him.

So he took his hands away and drove the car again. He saw Vera was shaken, and he thought, «It’s okay that I stopped. She’s stressed. This was our first time together. Let’s not make it the last. Oh, Vera, my beloved. I’ll do anything for you.»

«You fool, say it aloud.» rang in his mind. Jeff wanted to do it, but a strange shyness squeezed his throat, and he was unable to utter a sound.

* * * * *

He drove her to her house and stopped the car. Vera looked at him.

«I’m sorry about today,» Jeff told her.

«I’m not.» Vera smiled. «Thank you for everything…» And she petted his cheek.

«Tell her about your feelings! Tell her! Tell her right now!» his mental voice cried out, and Jeff tried to compel himself, but he could not. Closing his eyes, he just silently pressed her hand to his face for a few seconds.

Suddenly he sensed a kiss. He looked at Vera, but the door slammed; she’d already left, and, almost running, she went to the house. Jeff hesitated, feeling the desire to follow her, then he slowly turned his car and drove home.

Chapter Twenty – One: Larisa’s Birthday

It was in Moscow, Saturday morning, 5:40 a.m.

Vlad had just come back home after his night’s work. He was still studying at the University, but when Nina became pregnant, he found this job to make additional money. He was contented, as, working an entire Friday night, he could sleep and take it easy on Saturday.

He entered the apartment and sensed at once that Nina was not here. Somehow, he always felt her presence as well as her absence. Nina’s mother Alla held a receiver and her face had such a strange look that Vlad grew scared, and addressed her, «Where is Nina?»

«The doctor just called,» Alla answered with a mechanical voice, and, struck with horror, Vlad blanched.

«Something has happened to Nina!» he thought, feeling his life at once would lose all meaning in this case. «If she’s dead, I’ll kill myself.» It was not just a phrase, but a final decision.

«It’s a girl,» Alla continued, and Vlad gaped at her with bewilderment.

«Damn,» said Alla, shaking her head. «I did not ask, what is her name?»

«What are you talking about?» yelled Vlad angrily.

«Don’t dare shout at me.» Alla was surprised, as Vlad had never raised his voice at her. «Nina gave birth to a girl. Congratulations, father!»

«Father, father, father,» sounded repeatedly in his mind, and a marvelous wave of pride and enjoyment flowed over the young man.

«But we thought we had about a month left,» he mumbled.

«So, we were wrong.» Alla put the receiver in its place. «The doctor said they are both okay.»

Uttering a whoop of delight, Vlad spun around, dashed out, and, elated, he ran along the street. He wanted to sing and hug the whole world.

He did not have the patience to wait for a bus, so he raced down the boulevard.

This early summer morning was fantastically charming. The bright sun just rose above the tall city buildings. It was not hot yet, and the warm golden sunlight flowed through the leaves of the trees, trembling with light fresh wind. A dazzling blue sky showed no clouds, the singing birds were pottering about near their nests, and it seemed as though the nature echoed Vlad’s exhilaration.

Even though he had not slept the night before, the young man did not feel tired, and he was running full of power and energy, as if Nina had given birth to him also.

He saw a lilac bush, darted to it, and started breaking the branches to make a bouquet.

«Hey,» he heard, turned back, and became confused seeing a municipal police jeep stopped near him and a few patrol officers looking out of the vehicle. «What do you think you are doing?»

«All the shops are closed,» Vlad explained. «But my wife gave birth to our first child.»

«Son?» asked one of the policemen.

«It’s a girl!» Vlad exclaimed gleefully. «A baby girl!»

«Then why are you so happy about it?» wondered another officer. Vlad did not reply. He always wanted to have a daughter, but he was smart enough not to start discussing it.

«Don’t mock the poor lad,» cut in the eldest policeman. «Maybe next time they will be luckier. Guys,» he addressed his colleagues. «Let’s bring this daddy to his ladies.»

«Daddy, daddy, daddy!» Enjoying this word, Vlad closed his eyes for a second.

So, instead of giving him a ticket, the policemen gave him a lift and treated him with vodka. Though Vlad did not drink alcohol, he could not refuse, and drank a couple of glasses, mechanically chewing a salami sandwich offered by one of the officers.

Honking, the policemen dropped Vlad off in front of the hospital. Holding the bouquet of lilacs, he entered the building.

Near the registration desk he saw a table displaying pictures of the women who had given birth to their children in this hospital, and, from the top, he immediately snapped up the photo of his wife.

Holding her napping newborn baby, a fatigued Nina was looking right into the camera, and her dark brown doe eyes, overwhelmed with emotion, seemed to take up half of her face.

Not feeling his legs, as if in a dream, Vlad strolled to the registration desk.

«Lapina,» he panted, as he addressed the nurse. «Nina Lapina. I’m her husband.»

The medic checked her book and, nodding, she took his bouquet. «I’ll send the flowers up to her, but you have to wait. All visits are only after 10 a.m.»

«But I need to see her,» murmured Vlad.

«After ten.» The nurse smiled with understanding. «I’m sure she’s sleeping now.»

Vlad dashed out and ran around the building, gazing at the hospital windows, trying to guess where his wife was.

«Nina!» he bellowed, looking up. Unaccustomed to alcohol, the young man had lost his usual shyness. «Nina!»

The windows started to open. People shouted at him, but he saw and heard nothing.

An orderly grabbed his shoulder. «Are you crazy or what?» He shook Vlad. «Stop it at once or I’ll call Security.»

«My wife is here.» Vlad looked at him with a drunkenly cheerful smile.

«A lot of women here are someone’s wife,» softly retorted the orderly, releasing Vlad. «You have to remember that.»

«Sorry.» Ashamed, Vlad regained his wits and rubbed his head. «I shouldn’t have drunk that vodka. Damn, that’s a disgusting thing.»

«Vlad!» A weak voice sounded from above. The young man tossed his head, and a happy smile flashed across his face when he saw Nina looking out from a window on the fourth floor.

«It’s an angel talking from Heaven,» he thought, admiring his wife in her white hospital gown. His eyes clouded, to Vlad it seemed as if Nina was flying in the sky. He reached his arms up to her. «I love you, my little one. How…» He could not find the appropriate words. «How was it?»

«Next time you’ll do it!» She laughed, but a heavy guilty feeling fell on Vlad, and he burst into tears.

«I wasn’t beside her.» Burying his face in his palms, he sobbed, thinking about the suffering she went through. «I didn’t even know…»

Suddenly someone touched his elbow, and he dropped his hands, and was surprised to see Nina next to him.

«Honey,» she mumbled, looking at him with concern, as she had never seen her husband crying. «It was nothing, honest. It was so easy, I can do it again, and again, and again…»

«No way!» Lapin snorted, as he embraced his wife. «Next time only when I’ll become a millionaire, okay?»

* * * * *

Memories, memories. Sweet memories. It had happened six years ago.

Today was the same weather – no clouds, and dazzling sunshine lit up the front yard where the Lapins had organized the birthday party. Now Vlad was holding the rope of the donkey piñata and watching with a delighted smile as Larisa tried to hit it.

Today was Larisa’s first birthday in the U.S.A., so the Lapins were careful to make everything perfect. They invited a few kids from her class. And, of course, Hannah VanStein and Megan came, leaving Dylon with a babysitter. David could not come, as he had to give a talk at another University.

Nina still had difficulty walking after her injury, and Marina and Vera were helping her during the celebration.

Unexpectedly, Jeff Menard joined them, and only Vera understood the reason for his arrival.

«Why did he come?» the Lapins wondered, but dared not to ask. However, the Americans were not very surprised seeing a policeman at the party.

«Who knows about those Russians? Maybe it’s a tradition,» was the common thought.

Hannah was the oldest one, and it was she who broke the piñata.

All the children rushed to pick up the candy.

«My God!» Nina thought with worry, seeing Hannah’s stick sweep close above the head of another child. «What if she hit him? Stupid custom! But if we move to this country, we have to accept the native rules.»

The kids were rummaging in the grass searching for candy like bear cubs, and the adults, watching them with smiles, did not notice a drunken Joe Jones stagger up and stop not far away.

«Marina!» He called her out with pain in his voice. Nobody looked at him, and he came closer and repeated his call.

Now everybody stared at him, but Jones saw only Marina, and the visible vexation that she showed as she recognized him struck the man to the bottom of his soul.

«Where is my lovely fiancée?» He opened his arms, and Marina forced herself to go to him. But Jones walked past her pretending not to see her, and the girl looked at him in bewilderment. He stood near the children.

«Dear kids,» he pronounced with drunken solemnity. «Don’t be scared, but I am an evil wizard, who has not been invited to the birthday of this beauty.» He bowed to Larisa, and the frightened girl ran to her father.

«Hey, mister,» Vlad called angrily. «I have to ask you to leave.»

«Don’t worry.» Jones pressed his hands to his chest. «I won’t harm her.» He looked at Megan, and sniffed. «Megan, Megan, poor Megan. How does it feel to share your hubby, eh?»

She gasped stepping back.

«Stop it, Joe!» Marina shouted with spite.

«Did someone call me?» he demonstratively looked around. «Is it someone who cares only about…» and he said a word that certainly should not be practiced at a children’s party. «And about how to hide it better…»

Seeing the riled up parents, Nina touched Joe, «Do you mind? Kids are here!»

He pushed her aside. «Oh, another Russian…» he used the same word as in Marina’s apartment, «is gonna teach me how to behave.»

«It’s just a nightmare,» thought Marina closing her eyes.

«My wife!» Vlad uttered such a horrifying howl that everybody’s blood ran cold with terror. He rushed to Joe, but Nina clung to him, blocking the way.

«No, Vlad, I beg you!» she screamed, thinking with panic: «What if this boozer has a knife or even a gun? He can kill my husband!»

Jeff Menard resolutely walked forward, but Marina was the first to reach Joe. Nobody understood what happened next. She barely touched him, yet he fell, rolling over.

He sat up, saw the oncoming policeman, and upped his arms. «Sorry, officer. It’s over. I’m not fighting, Jeff, I swear.»

Without a word, Jeff helped him get feet.

«Sorry, ma’am,» Joe said to Nina, then to the others. «Sorry, folks, I’m really sorry. Oh God!» He wept, and became ashamed and hid his face in his palms.

«Let’s go home. I’ll accompany you.» Jeff told him. Slightly sobered up, Joe stared at him with surprise, «Why are you here?»

«The same reason you are,» Jeff replied almost inaudibly. Joe looked around and met the worried gaze of Vera Grach, then he understood, and shook his head, «Do you think it’s because they are Russians?»

«No, Joe,» the policeman said, sighing. «It’s just because of our Fate.»

They slowly walked away. But passing Marina, Joe stopped and leaned close to her.

«I’m glad that you loathe me,» she dropped not looking at him. «It will be easy to forget about me.»

«I’ll never be able to forget,» retorted Joe. «I love you.»

She showed no reaction.

«If you ever find in your soul at least a little spark of feeling for me…» He gulped, and panted, his lips started trembling again. «Please, Marina, please, remember me. You broke my heart, but I can forgive you for anything. I’ll be waiting…»

«Don’t do it,» murmured Marina. «It’s pointless.»

«Maybe,» said Joe, touching his chest. «But while there is life, there is hope…»

She replied nothing, and Joe trudged away with Jeff by his side.

Marina looked at the people in the yard. They all gazed at her, and she felt embarrassed, as if she was totally naked. Slowly she went to her car. Limping, Nina hastily neared her, and Marina understood her concern.

«Don’t worry, no more stupid actions,» Marina whispered, hugging her friend. «I always keep my word.»

Nina nodded. Marina drove away, and Nina returned to the guests.

During the entire episode, the shocked Megan VanStein could not move, barely breathing. Now she was slowly coming back to reality.

«I told you that they were lovers.» She heard an excited whispering.

It was too much. Sobbing, she grabbed the perplexed Hannah and ran to her car.

Very soon all the other guests left also, and the Lapins looked at each other with confusion.

«It’s okay, honey.» Nina tried to support her husband. «Moscow was not built in a day. Maybe next time will be luckier.»

«Play with me,» asked Larisa. «I’m so glad that everybody’s gone.»

Her parents laughed. «Anything for the birthday girl.»

Vlad ran with his daughter. Sitting on the porch, Nina threw a ball to them. Love and merriment reigned here, and the Lapins enjoyed this and each other.

Chapter Twenty – Two: An Honest Person

Oleg drove Lana to Larisa’s birthday party, but because they had to stop to buy the gift, they were late. When the car neared the house and Lana saw that there were no other people, she was surprised. «Did they only invite us?» she wondered.

Well, to be honest, she was not invited at all, Oleg was. But having taken a course in chemistry, she worked with Vlad a lot.

«Ruslan is Lapin’s best friend, maybe I can get more information on him,» thought Lana, because the way that he treated her intrigued both the girl and her father.

They parked and got out, smiling. Oleg took out their present, and the Lapins walked toward them gazing at the huge box with curiosity.

«What is it?» asked Nina.

«It’s a swimming pool,» Lana said, and the hosts gasped.

«You just have to blow up it with a pump,» explained Oleg. «And add the water.»

«I don’t have a pump,» murmured Vlad. «I’ll go buy one.»

«Okay, get one,» Oleg smiled. «I’ll use mine for now. When you’re back, I think the pool will be ready.»

Vlad helped him carry the pool into the backyard, then got in his car, and drove away while the others began readying the pool.

«Wow!» Nina bustled around. «Oh, Lana. Oh, Oleg.» Suddenly she cried. «I’m so thankful.»

«Oh, Nina!» Lana hugged her. «I’m very happy that you like it.»

«Like, Gosh!» Nina gasped. «We dared not dream about it.»

«Mom!» Larisa tugged her mother’s sleeve. «Can I change into my swimming suit?»

«Sure, honey.» The woman nodded. «Need help?»

«No,» Larisa pronounced with a dependable voice. «I’m a big girl.»

Nina followed her with her eyes, then looked at Lana.

«Oh, thank you so, so much. Sorry, I have not seen you since the Christmas party, and, I forgot, what do you study?»

«Psychotherapeutic medical science,» Lana replied.

The smile left Nina’s lips, worry gleamed into her expressive doe eyes, and Lana was surprised by such a reaction.

«What’s the matter?» she asked, but suddenly recalled what Oleg had told her about Russian psychiatrists, and she grinned. «I know that in Russia the government used mental institutions as some kind of jail, didn’t they?»

«Not anymore.» Nina lowered her eyes. «Yes, it was so. But as I remember from «One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ and «Terminator 2», in the U.S.A. the mad houses are not the best places for living either.»

«Look, buddy,» Lana said softly. «No hospital can be a good place for living. I don’t want to work in a mental institution, I plan to be a psycho-consultant in family problems.»

«Ahaah…»

«By the way,» continued Lana. «This fall I will begin practice. Do you want to be a volunteer, so I can practice on you? It’s a payment program. Not big money, but anyway.»

«For Gods sake, no!» Nina threw her arms up. «I’m not crazy.»

«I know.» Lana smiled at her. «But it’s fun, and it’s recommended that everybody visit a psychotherapist, if only once every few years. I won’t force you to use any medicine. You can just tell me about your family problems.»

«Thank God, we have no problems,» the woman answered proudly.

«We can make up a situation,» suggested Lana. «Come on, buddy, I need a patient.»

«We’ll see about it,» murmured Nina, thinking, «She gave us such an expensive and wonderful gift. How could I refuse? Why am I so scared?» And she said aloud, «I have to think about it.»

«Of course.» Lana nodded. Oleg finished his task, and looked at them. «All done.» He turned on the water.

«Can I go in?» Wearing her swimsuit, Larisa hopped impatiently. «Pleeeease!»

«The water is too cold yet, honey,» her mother told her. «Wait a little while, okay?»

The girl pursed her lips, but, obediently, she did not persist. She went close to the pool, and looking inside, she played with the running water.

«Do you have some beer?» Lana asked Nina, and the hostess became confused.

«No.»

«Sweetie,» Oleg addressed Lana. «I told you they are tee-totallers. Would you like me to go and buy some? It’s not far away.»

«Okay,» agreed the girl, and Oleg drove away.

«Oh, what a shame!» thought Nina. «But we planned a children’s party.»

«Uncle Ruslan!» Larisa squealed, and the women saw him walking toward them with a box in his hands.

The girl ran to her godfather and climbed on him like a little monkey.

«All kids always love Ruslan,» said Nina smiling, and Lana gazed at her. The woman did not notice it and continued talking, «He’s a wonderful person. I do love my husband, and won’t change him for any man in the whole wide world. But looking at Ruslan or just thinking about him, I always feel something like a slight sadness that I didn’t meet him before I fell for Vlad. Lucky will be the girl who is his wife.»

«Why?» asked Lana and surprised herself hearing how odd her own voice sounded.

«He’s a kind, caring, and honest person. He will never betray.» Nina glimpsed her, and Lana could not understand why a chill tremor ran down her back.

«You look alike.» Nina suddenly noticed, glancing at Ruslan and at Lana again, and she laughed. «Gosh. You are both so similar. Like twins.»

Totally confused, Lana was glad to see Vlad’s car stop in the parking lot, as Nina’s attention went from her to Vlad walking toward them.

«The shop’s closed,» he said to his wife. He saw his friend playing with Larisa, and, smiling, Vlad neared him.

«Congratulations!» Ruslan shook his hand. Vlad looked back, to be sure his wife could not hear them, then addressed his daughter. «Go, ask Mom, maybe you can swim now?»

Larisa rushed to the women, and when she was far enough away, Vlad confessed, «Lana gave us the pool, but I couldn’t choose a pump. They are so different. I didn’t know which one should I buy. Ruslan, can you help me tomorrow?»

«Tomorrow?» Ruslan faltered. «Tomorrow I have a ’rendezvous’ with her father. I want to show Mr. Limpson something new, but in the evening I’ll be free.»

«Oh, thank you so much.» Vlad shook his hand again. They heard a car park next to the house. Oleg got out, and Ruslan’s face clouded.

Oleg also noticed Ruslan. Vlad saw him approach Lana and say something to her.

Ruslan and Vlad went close, and Lana turned toward them with an apologetic smile. «We have to go. Have fun.»

«Thank you very much,» the Lapins said again.

Larisa was already in the pool. Laughing loudly, she was playing and jumping in the water enjoying the space, and, seeing her sincere delight, all the adults felt happy.

* * * * *

Returning home after the talk, David VanStein went to the kitchen and was surprised not to find dinner waiting for him. He opened the refrigerator, looking for something to eat.

He heard someone enter. David saw his wife, and smiled. «Honey, I’m starving. How about dinner?»

Staring at him, Megan did not reply. Tears glistened in her eyes. Her reply struck the man like the discharge of a defibrillator, making his body shudder and his heart beat wildly.

«I know everything,» she breathed out, and David slowly stood up.

«I don’t want to be third.» Megan sniffed, and continued resolutely. «Take your stuff and get out of here.»

«She has never asked me to marry her.» David did not recognize his own voice. «Honey, it was just an accident. I swear.»

«An accident?» yelled Megan crazily. «You bastard. I hate you! Get out!»

David slammed the refrigerator door. He felt guilty, and became angry as never before in his life.

«You asked for it, you got it!» he shouted at Megan’s face, and dashed to his room. He grabbed a bag and crammed some of his belongings inside. Trying not to think at all, he ran out of the house.

«David!» he heard his name called in a voice full of pain and despair. Not looking back, he jumped into his car, and drove away so fast that the tires screeched.

On his way, David VanStein calmed down a little. He was thinking about Marina. He remembered her unsmiling face, her gray blue transparent eyes, and he barely controlled the car. As the images of his children and Megan started to appear, David forced himself to push them aside.

«Later, later,» he whispered, trying to concentrate his thoughts on Marina.

«I love my kids,» shaken, the professor said to himself. «She’ll understand… She’s so kind… Megan… How could you… You should not have talked to me like that… I don’t want to… Oh, Marina, help me…»

He drove his car to the apartment building, hastily got out, and knocked on Marina’s door.

Nobody answered and he peeped through the window. The blinds were closed, and he could not see any lights on. He returned to his car, and started to wait.

The twilight became darkness. David sat stock-still.

All his life went through his mind. He tried not to think about his family, but he could not help it. He remembered all the events so clearly as if they had happened yesterday. Their first kiss, first time together. Her naive kind smile. «I’m pregnant.» He saw a bride wearing a wreath with a thick white veil. He moved it aside to kiss her, but it was Marina.

David flinched and awoke.

He looked at his watch. It was 2:46 a.m. Worried, he did not know that to do. He was awfully hungry and tired, his legs hurt, and he had a headache.