style="font-size:15px;"> «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
