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

«Thank you,» she breathed out.

Jeff looked at the nail and shook his head in view of the size.

«You have to go to a hospital,» he told her. «I’ll drive you.»

«No.» Nina tried to get up, and Jeff helped her. «No hospital.»

«Don’t worry.» Jeff understood her concern. «They will give you aid even if you can’t pay immediately.»

«No hospital,» resolutely objected Nina. «I’m a Russian woman. I’ll be fine.»

She tried to walk, but she could not, and she cried again.

«What happened?» Seeing them, Bill Thompson called from the porch.

«I’ll be okay.» Helped by Jeff, Nina limped towards the house.

«The lady stepped on a nail in your yard,» the policeman told him, and an anxious Bill thought: `Damn! What if she sues me for that?»

«Thank God it was not Goldy!» Nina heavily sat down on the armchair in the anteroom and petted the snuggling retriever. «I’m almost done, could I finish tomorrow?»

Bill understood she was worried about the payment, and, confused, he felt pity for her.

«You are done,» he said, smiling. «My yards never were so clean.»

While they talked, Jeff took Nina’s shoe off and checked the wound. It was not bleeding, and Jeff became even more concerned, as it meant all the dirt and infection had stayed in her body. The injury required medical treatment.

«You have to go to a hospital,» he told her again.

«I’ll drive her,» murmured Bill Thompson.

«I have to call my husband.» the woman said hesitantly.

Bill moved a phone close to her, and Nina dialed the number.

«Marina?» she said in the receiver. «Is Vlad there? Can I talk to him? Thanks.» She waited for a while. «Vlad, don’t laugh, but I stepped on a nail… No, I’m okay! Vlad, I… Mr. Thompson’s house, but…»

Confusedly glancing at Bill, she put down the receiver. «He’s coming. Oh, who’s going pick Larisa after the school?» Nina dialed the number again. «Busy…»

Nina gazed at Jeff. «Did you say you can drive me to a hospital? Does it mean you have some time to spare?»

«Want me to pick up your daughter?» asked Jeff. «I’ll be glad.»

«No, I don’t want to scare her.» Nina sighed. «But maybe you can tell Vera about this? She’s done it a few times.»

«That’s even better.» Jeff barely restrained himself from saying it aloud and just nodded. Nina explained how to find Vera. They heard a car stop near the house.

«It’s Vlad.» Nina smiled as the loud impatient tap confirmed her phrase.

Jeff opened the door. Vlad stormed into the room and rushed to his wife. Falling on his knees, he checked her foot out and started nervously, «Stupid little girl. I told you to stay home.»

«But I made money,» she justified herself.

«Hell with all money in the world!» he shouted at her, and Nina cried. He hugged and rocked his wife, then he took her into his arms with one motion. Jeff and Bill were surprised at how strong this skinny guy was, because, despite her short height, the plump Nina was very heavy.

«Your payment,» Bill said timidly, involuntarily becoming scared under the mad glare of Vlad’s blue eyes, glowing like the flame of a cutting torch. Carrying his wife with one arm, Vlad shoved the check into his pocket and left without saying a word.

* * * * *

Jeff Menard found the room and knocked as he went in. He saw a professor with a model explaining how to draw four-legged objects. All the students looked at the police officer, but he saw only Vera gazing at him.

«I’m sorry,» Jeff addressed to the professor. «Can I talk with Vera Grach?»

He saw her eyes go round with surprise as she quickly walked to him. They went into the corridor, and Jeff explained to her the reason for his visit.

«Are you sure she will be okay?» Vera asked with concern. He nodded and she returned to the room, closing the door in front of him, not saying even goodbye.

The excitement from the meeting with her left the policeman.

«What did you expect?» he thought with vexation. «That she would fall onto your chest? Well, she did it in the police station, but she was drunk, upset, and angry with her husband. Now she has recovered her wits, and you are just nobody to her…»

He turned and slowly plodded away.

Suddenly he heard the door slam, and a soft voice called out to him. «Jeff!»

Not believing his ears, he spun to the sound, and next he did not believe his eyes. Smiling, Vera walked toward him quickly, almost running. She leered at him.

«Gosh!» she noticed. «What long legs you have… you big black wolf. All the better to run after you, my child!» She snorted at those thoughts and neared the recovered policeman.

«Sorry, I didn’t say thanks,» she uttered, sensually looking at his beaming face. A hot surge of happiness passed through the policeman. She lifted her arm and touched his mouth, adoring his plum lips. He held his breath, frightened of scaring off this fantastic feeling.

«See you,» she said in a whisper, and ran back. An enchanted Jeff did not even remember how he left the building.

Outside he looked around at the blooming nature, and laughed with euphoria. Closing his eyes, he lifted his face to the drops of the soft spring rain, and the tender streams ran down onto his neck, tickling his skin.

He heard singing and chirping birds and the usual noises of the campus. Everything harmonized with his spirited mood. Jeff was in love and he knew it, and did not feel sorry that this love was forbidden.

He heard a car fail near him, and Jeff turned to the sound. It was a light blue car. A slender blonde girl with fluffy curly hair got out, opened the hood, and stared at the engine.

Jeff walked to her. «Problems, ma’am?»

«Yes, officer.» She nodded. «My friend asked me to pick up his daughter after the school, and this stupid piece of junk ruined all my plans.»

Accustomed to Russian accents, Jeff guessed who she was, and asked just to be sure. «Do you mean Vlad and Larisa Lapina?»

«Yes.» Marina looked at him in surprise.

«Don’t worry, Vera Grach will pick her up,» said the police officer. «I’ve just talked with her. Nina Lapina asked me, so I did.»

Marina gazed at his jocund smiling face and suddenly understood that there was a stronger reason than just a wish to help.

«Impossible!» she thought, astonished. «I would believe that the Sun goes around the Earth before I’d believe that Nina has something going on with that man. Or it’s Vera? That shy gray mouse? No way! But Nina? Give me a break! Maybe he felt something for her, without her responding? Poor him, then. Nina’s crazy about her hubby. But what if I’m wrong?»

This episode caused Marina to think about her own love, and absurd, pointless hope revived in her heart.

Chapter 17: Cheating

It was the final exam. David, Vlad, Marina, and some other monitors were walking between tables, watching the students working.

Suddenly David noticed a girl was cheating, and he addressed her. "The exam is over for you.»

The girl blushed and tried to make excuses. But Vlad took her papers, and the student got up and quickly went to the exit. Before leaving, she hissed, not looking back, «Anyway better to cheat on an exam than on a spouse.»

Despite that she spoke very quietly, it reached David’s ears. No one else heard it, and the professor pretended he had not noticed. But Marina saw how his face clouded and understood everything, and depressing pity squeezed her heart.

Vlad Lapin involuntarily recalled a similar incident. It had happened in Moscow many years ago, but he still clearly remembered it. It was also a final exam and Vlad was the first to finish it. He had not married Nina yet, but they were engaged, so he lived with her in her room, and helped her to study.

Now she was sitting two desks away from him, and was working hard at the test. Worrying about how she was doing, Lapin decided to wait for Nina, and he pretended to still be working.

All students had already left. Nina and Vlad were the last.

«Haven’t you finished yet?» wondered the professor.

Sighing, Vlad got up and gave his papers to the professor. The educator went to Nina, and stood next to her desk. «Time’s up.»

Feeling nervous, the girl looked at her watch. Though Nina had a few minutes left, she dared not argue, and without a word held out her paper.

Taking it, the educator went to the others, and Nina had started packing her stuff when she heard the professor address his colleagues. «It’s against the rules, but one time is okay. I suggest we check Nina’s test right now. Some people claim I nag her, so I want to have witnesses that I’m objective.»

Standing still, Nina looked at Vlad. He smiled, trying to support her.

The pedagogues checked Nina’s test and whispered to each other.

«She passed it,» one of them said in a surprised voice. «She has enough points.»

Nina laughed gleefully and Vlad hugged her.

«It’s impossible.» The professor grabbed her paper and re-checked it.

«You cheated!» he shouted at Nina, and she flinched as though he had slapped her face.

Next Vlad flung himself at the educator.

«Apologize right now,» he uttered very quietly, however in such a frightening voice that everybody was still with terror. Nobody who knew Vlad could ever imagine this shy, restrained guy was able to show this kind of emotion.

Blushing with anger, his tender face showed resolute fearlessness. His blue eyes were glowing like the flame of a gas stove burner, and the professor, looking at him in amazement, realized that if he did not do it, Vlad would hit him.

«I’m sorry, Nina,» the scared pedagogue barely squeezed out. «You did everything great. Congratulations.»

Shaking, Vlad went to his desk, took his bag and left. Nina followed him with trepidation and trust in her heart, as other females have followed their protectors and defenders through the centuries.

* * * * *

Tired after the exam, Lana left the building and near the entrance she saw the girl that had been caught cheating. Smoking and sniffing, she was talking with some other girls, and feeling pity for her, Lana went close.

«Damn VanStein!» The girl nervously inhaled. «He’s so honest, eh? I’m sure if I allowed him to pinch my butt, he would have pretended he didn’t see my crib.»

«Don’t worry.» Lana tried to support her. «Next time…»

«What next time?» the girl suddenly yelled at Lana. «My parents are not so rich that I can take the same course again and again like someone does.»

«What do you mean?» Lana murmured. «I didn’t repeat any courses.»

«But you can!» The girl was still shouting. «Your damn money allows you to study whatever you want, and for as long as you like. They allow you to have fun with that handsome playboy despite his wife’s studying here. Of course you’re supporting that damn VanStein. Because you’re acting the same.»

Gasping, Lana ran to her car.

Inside she cried, and on her way home she recalled a dialogue she had with Marina a few weeks ago, when Lana was working in the laboratory.

The process was underway. She checked the time, and found that she had a few minutes to spare. She glanced at Marina walking between the tables and called her. The teaching assistant neared her with the usual emotionless look on her face. «Problems?»

«Yep.» Lana glanced around to be sure no one else could hear her. «I wanted to ask you… How does it feel to love a married man?»

Struck by such a frank question, Marina kept quiet, but, then a sarcastic smile curved her scarlet lips.

«It’s awful,» she answered calmly. «It’s a painful, shameful, and hopeless condition. It’s a damnation of Fate. Yes, I do love a married man. You’re welcome to make fun of me. But as I know, you’re in the same situation.»

Lana gaped at the assistant, as the girl did not expect that anyone noticed her relationship with Oleg.

«What are you talking about?» She tried to face it out, but the hypnotizing glare of Marina’s icy eyes paralyzed the will of the girl, and she hung her head. «And what should we do?»

«I don’t know.» Depression sounded in the tired voice of the teaching assistant. «If you have questions about the process, I’ll be happy to help.» And she quickly went to another student who called her.

* * * * *

«Yes, yes.» Driving home, Lana whispered, gulping tears. «What should we do? I do study psychology. Why don’t I use my knowledge in my own case, in my own life? Why? I have to break up with Oleg, but I love him. I do love him, don’t I?»

But suddenly she thought about Ruslan Grafinsky.

Because of his control, this finals week had been easier for her than any previous one, and Lana was sure she would have at least all B’s this time.

«I have to say thanks to him.» The girl became confused, thinking about his caring with gratitude.

Lana wanted to talk with Ruslan right away, and she drove to his apartment. He rented it in her block. So she parked her car in her parking lot and walked to the apartment building.

She looked around and drew in deep breaths.

Joy and a peaceful feeling reigned in her heart. Retaining drops of water after a short warm rain, the emerald new-sprung grass and leaves glittered brilliantly under the rays from the sun slowly moving down to the horizon. The hot day hours had already abated, and a fresh wind was bringing evening aromas.

She knocked at Ruslan’s door, but nobody answered, and Lana became upset again. She found her cell phone and called her father.

«Honey,» he said in gladdened tone. «How was your exam?»

«It’s fine, Daddy.» She sighed, and asked, hesitating. «Do you know where Ruslan is?»

After a pause, Mr. Limpson slowly replied, «We are at the plant. He’s next to me. Do you want to talk to him?»

«Yes please, Dad.»

She heard the voice of Ruslan and smiled. «Thank you for supervising me.»

«You’re welcome,» he answered coldly and hung up, and Lana looked at the dead phone with vexation.

She heard a honk, turned toward the sound, and saw Oleg stopping his car near her.

«What are you doing here, my love?» he asked tenderly, but Lana sensed an irritation in his voice, and she glanced at Ruslan’s door.

«Are you jealous?» She winked. Oleg smiled.

«You betcha.» He sighed. «But I love you. How could I not be jealous, if you are my sunshine and the breath of my life?»

Lana enjoyed his words, but he continued, and anxiety was aroused in her soul.

«I’m just worried about you. Because Ruslan abandoned his child in Russia. I’m afraid to trust such a person.»

Lana stood still, then walked to her house. Oleg slowly moved his car after her.

«Lana?» he asked with concern. «Sweetheart? Are you all right?»

She went to his car and kissed Oleg. «Sorry, honey, I’m just tired. I’m going home, okay?»

«See you.» He answered with such an upset voice that Lana felt pity, kissed him again, and smoothed his beautiful red hair that seemed like a flame colored with a saffron sunset’s light.

She went home and sat by the window looking outside. She admired the magic hues of the twilight. Lana wanted to talk with Ruslan, and the awful thing that Oleg had said about him only increased this wish.

Mechanically eating the dinner served by her housekeeper, Lana was waiting, keeping her eyes on the street.

* * * * *

At the end of the exam day, when everybody left, and David VanStein was the last one there, Marina timidly went close to him.

«I’m sorry,» she whispered, trying not to cry.

David looked at her haggard face, and he saw transparent streams run down her cheeks. It seemed as if her eyes were melting, and, feeling pity, David hugged her.

Marina stood still for a second, enjoying the moment, then gently pushed him away. «Enough, professor.» Her voice gave a squeak. «Somebody can see us… Again.»

«Marina,» David said with effort. «My chief told me to fire you if I don’t want to lose my job.»

The teaching assistant drooped with his words. «Okay,» she pressed out.

«I refused,» David continued, and she stared at him with surprise.

«Don’t worry. "He managed a smile. «We are old friends, we compromised. I’ll help you find a position in some other University. But if you can find another job outside the University it would be great. Just for a couple of months, eh? While I’m looking for the position. I’m sure I can do it very quickly.»

«Thank you, David,» she answered softly, her tears dried.

«Well, that’s all,» she thought. «Good bye, my love, good bye! Finally, this is the best solution to the situation.»

It was the voice of her mind, but her heart was screaming and crying, suffering with the anguish of unrequited love.

* * * * *

It was getting dark when Lana finally saw Ruslan Grafinsky riding his bike, and she called him out. He stopped and went close.

«It was not nice to hang up,» she started.

«Sorry, I thought it was all that you wanted to say,» he replied calmly.

«I wanted to ask you,» carefully choosing words, Lana said to him. «Is it true that you left a child in Russia?»

Ruslan intently looked at her. «A child?» He rubbed his forehead. «Yes, true, five or six of them.»

Lana gaped at him.

«No, I didn’t just leave them,» continued Ruslan very seriously. «I killed them, and hid their bodies in the forest. Ah, sorry, I forgot. First of all, I boiled them alive, then ate them up. I hid their fleshless carcasses only.»

«Are you insane or what?» shouted Lana.

«I don’t know.» He made a foolish face. «It’s you who are a professional psychiatrist, not me.»

«Why are you talking to me like I am a stupid little girl?» asked a perplexed Lana.

«Because you are,» he answered without pause, and Lana simply choked on his phrase.

«I’ve never met such an ill-mannered fellow,» she finally squeezed out.

«Sorry.» He grinned. «I’m just a boorish Russian bear. I only studied, and worked, and had no time for lessons of how to please some rich bored dolls.»

«I’ll tell my father and he’ll fire you, stupid!» screamed Lana, growing crazy under his self-assured smirk.

«I’m scared to death.» He pressed his palms to his chest. «I lived thirty years without you and this job. Can I live another thirty without that?» He took the handlebars of his bike and finished confidently, «Yes, I think I can.»

«Thirty?» wondered Lana. «I thought you were younger than me.»

«Females usually like their partners older, eh?» He screwed up his eyes, and she blushed, understanding his hint.

«Are you jealous?» She giggled, being curious about how he would reply. She hoped he would say something like Oleg did.

But he looked at her with sincere bitterness in his eyes.

«I can’t be jealous,» he voiced gently. «I just pity you.»

«Why?» Lana murmured.

«Because,» he whispered quietly, coming close to the building. He lifted his arm and touched the mosquito screen. «You are a beautiful princess, locked up in a palace, and a huge dragon guards you…»

«Wait.» Lana rushed outside. When she reached the street, she saw how Ruslan slammed the door entering his apartment, and she knew it would be stupid to start to knock. Lana was one hundred percent sure Ruslan would have not opened.

Chapter 18: Summer Heat

Joe Jones had always thought that McDonald’s was only for kids. But when his friend with a son visited the town, they went to this place. While the boy was climbing and playing in the play area, Joe and his friend were talking, recalling the past and sharing later events.

Joe noticed a new girl cleaning the room. She did it very quickly, skillfully, and even artistically. Although she was not his dream girl, her work impressed the man, and Jones leered at her.

She was wearing a light blue long-sleeved blouse and jeans, and these clothes softly emphasized the curves of her slim body. She may have felt his searching look as she turned toward him.

The glare of her strange icy-gray eyes thrust him through like a spear, making Joe feel heat and cold had enveloped him at the same time. It was a luster similar to the shine of the brightest stars in the Galaxy – mysterious, awfully distant and this is why they are more desirable to be reached, because, you know, the stars only look cold, but they are extremely hot when you go close to them.

She left the room, and Joe barely came back to the talk with his friend.

But before leaving, Joe went to the cashier, and saw her again, passing a meal to the next customer. Joe read her nametag and called her. «Marina!»

She looked at him, and he smiled. «Hi! I’m Joe. Are you new here?»

«Here, yes,» she answered.

«Well.» Joe struck a pose. A brunette, he was not very tall, but nevertheless could boast an athletic body. With wild masculine charm, Joe Jones was good-looking, and he knew it. «And what are you gonna do after work?»

«I’m gonna rest,» she voiced indifferently.

«Right! „Poor Cinderella was working and working and had no fun.“» He gave her a wink. «How about if we go out… to rest? Together?»

Not replying, she just stared at him, and Joe felt irritation.

«What’s the matter? Nobody ever asked you out?»

«Americans, no,» she replied, and Joe realized that she was one of these Russians he had heard about, but had not met until today.

«Well, I’d like to be the first.» He bowed. «So, will you come?»

Looking him over, Marina said to herself, «Why not? He’s not my type, but why did I stick with VanStein?» She recalled the incident at the exam. «My stupid love caused me pain, troubles for David, shame and humiliation for both of us. If I get a boyfriend… officially at least, maybe the awful talk will stop.»

«Okay,» she forced herself to reply calmly. «Where will we go?»

«Next time, I’ll buy tickets to somewhere, but how about if we start from some pool bar?»

«Pool?» she asked, amazed.

«Yes,» he confirmed making a motion as if he was playing billiards. «Do you know how to play? I’ll be happy to teach you.»

«Ah.» She understood, and even smiled. «I thought you meant a bar with a swimming pool.»

Joe looked at her with surprise, and both laughed feeling the tenseness between them became lighter.

«I’ll pick you up,» he offered.

«No,» Marina shook her head, refusing. «I’ll go myself. Friday night is okay with me. Which bar and what time?»

«Are you coming for sure?» he asked with suspicion. She understood his concern, went close, and shook his hand. Joe was surprised to sense how strong she was. «I promise, don’t worry.»

«Six p.m., The Shark Pool, corner of Main and Elm streets,» he whispered, losing himself in the enchanting glitter of her uncanny eyes. «I’m Joe. Joe Jones.»

He hoped she would tell him her last name, and she did.

«Marina Aleksandrova,» she introduced herself, and now he could find her address in the phone book, in case if she was lying about coming.

Joe left the cafe with his friend, yet he still thought about Marina.

* * * * *

Joe Jones went to the bar at 5:40 p.m., took a beer and casually asked the bartender, «Martin, I overheard something about ’our’ Russians. Could you tell me a little bit more about them?»

«My pleasure.» The bartender grinned. «There’s a cute as a little angel guy with his tubby wife. They have a daughter. Not sure how old, but she’s a kid, about the same age as Hannah VanStein. Another couple: she’s an artist or something, a plain woman, nothing to say. Her hubby is a gigolo, and lately he escorts Lana Limpson. I heard also some Russian guy works for her father, but I don’t know for certain. And a college girl, the lover of David VanStein.»

«VanStein?» Joe repeated, amazed. «But he’s a family guy.»

The bartender only shook his head.

«Are you sure?» Joe was wondering which woman he had asked for the date.

«Yes indeed.» Martin nodded. «Don’t you remember my oldest daughter’s studying in the University? Mary always shares with me all the news of the campus.»

«Is she still a beauty?» Joe half-lied at the counter. «I haven’t seen her for a while.»

«It was finals week,» sighing, the bartender explained. «My poor girl was working hard.» Another customer called him, and Martin moved to him.

«How stupid,» Jones thought with vexation. «Who is she? The married artist or the professor’s lover? Ah, what the heck! I don’t wanna marry her anyway…» But suddenly he surprised himself, realizing it was what he did want. He was close to his thirties and a life alone was not as attractive as it seemed a few years ago.