him of her.
He took a shower, and that evening he went to bed a little earlier than usual. A police officer, he wanted to be in a good shape for tomorrow’s shift.
* * * * *
Vera Grach parked her car on the riverbank. She had discovered this rest area and wanted to show it to her friend, Nina Lapina, because they both loved nature.
«Look how beautiful the view is from here.» Vera smiled, seeing that Nina was impressed. The autumn forest displayed a whole range of hues and tints from a very light yellow to brownish red and dark purple.
The women got out of the car. Nina took the bag of snacks; Vera carried the box with her painting equipment and her easel. They chose a table and started their picnic.
«It looks like Russia,» Nina said sadly, observing the river. Vera sighed. They silently ate, thinking about their motherland.
«Why don’t you get together with Marina?» Nina asked suddenly. «We are the only Russians around. I think we should stay together.»
«I don’t like her,» Vera answered slowly. «I don’t like gloomy people.»
«She has gone through so many ordeals.» Nina was talking, keeping her eyes on the river. «Her father was an alcoholic, as was her mother. One day her parents got so drunk that when the fire started, they didn’t wake up. Both her brothers were gone, too. Her sister was sent to a different orphanage. They lost each other forever. Oh, she’s a real heroine. She was able to find strength and fight her fate. She graduated from the University. She worked and studied. No one supported or helped her; she did it all alone.»
«Gosh.» Vera shook her head. «I didn’t know that. But I don’t feel that she needs my friendship.»
«No, she does!» Nina exclaimed emotionally. «I visit her often. She feels so alone.» She stopped short. «Look, I’ve been watching that for a few minutes, but I can’t figure it out. Is it an animal or just a plastic jug or something?»
Vera turned her head. The women looked hard at a white spot moving in the water not far from the riverbank.
«It’s a cat!» Vera gasped. Forgetting about everything, they ran to the river.
When they got close they saw a white cat. The current carried it, and the animal uttered plaintive meows. Despite their disgust for water, cats can swim well, and the women were surprised that this animal could not get out of the river.
Struggling through bushes on the bank, they ran along the water’s edge.
Nina noticed a few rocks led almost to the middle of the river, and she started to walk upon them carefully.
But her foot slipped. She lost her balance and fell into the water. Now, she was not afraid to get wet, so she just waded through the waist deep water towards the cat and grabbed it.
When she pulled the cat out, she saw its back leg was tangled in a net. This was why the animal was so helpless.
Nina struggled out of the water, and Vera helped her. She gave Nina her jacket, and the women ran back to the car.
* * * * *
Jeff Menard parked his police cruiser near an apartment building and checked the address. He got out and knocked. The door was opened immediately, and he went in.
He saw two young women and recalled that they were Russian. Then he looked around the apartment with curiosity. One woman started to talk, but he only understood the word «cat». Another woman was painting, and she put down the brush with visible displeasure.
Jeff’s eyes involuntarily stopped at her braid. It impressed the young policeman. He had never seen a white woman with hair so thick. The long chestnut braid went all the way down to her waist. Like some fantastic snake, it stirred with any movement of her body, emphasizing every curve.
The woman turned toward him, and her braid fell onto her chest, between her breasts. Jeff was afraid she would misunderstand his gaze and lifted his eyes. Her paleness and strange, severe beauty struck him like a gangster’s bullet. Jeff just stared at her face, barely realizing that the first woman was trying to explain something to him.
«We catch a cat!» she said.
«Found,» the woman with the braid corrected her. «Nina, you should say, „We found a cat.“»
Her tender voice sounded very soft and a little tired. Jeff forced himself to look at the other woman.
«We found a cat,» Nina Lapina repeated obediently. She pointed to the couch, and the policeman saw the fluffy white cat.
«Are you sure it’s not one of your neighbors cats?» Jeff took out his notebook.
«I’m sure.» The woman nodded. «I already know all the cats around here.» She got worried that she had violated some law, and looked at her friend for support.
«Yes, officer.» Vera addressed Jeff. «We found this poor animal when it was struggling out of the river.» She smiled. «I’m almost finished this picture. Wanna look?»
Jeff stepped closer and gazed at her work. It was a sketch, showing two women rescuing a cat from the water, and an impressed Jeff only shook his head. He saw her signature on the paper. Vera Grach, and he was surprised; as he knew an African-American girl with the same name.
«My God!» Vera glanced at her watch. «Sorry, officer, I’ve gotta run. Nina will explain everything.» She took the picture, closed the box with her painting paraphernalia, and, waving her hand, she left.
Jeff stood still, trying to understand what he felt in his soul. But his sense of duty compelled him to go back to business, and he addressed Nina Lapina. «Okay, ma’am, could you tell me exactly where you found the cat?»
* * * * *
Vlad Lapin had driven home, and saw a police car in the parking lot. Thinking about his family, he hastily got out of the car, rushed into the apartment, and almost collided with the police officer.
«What happened?» Vlad saw his wife and calmed down a little. «Is Larisa okay?»
He spoke English so the policeman would understand.
«Don’t worry, honey.» Nina smiled. «I just found a cat.»
Vlad sighed with relief. Then he demonstratively frowned, «It’s very typical of you.»
His job was over here, so Jeff Menard picked up the box with the cat inside and left. Nina followed his car with her eyes, then hugged her husband, «I’m sorry. But the poor kitty almost drowned!»
Vlad laughed, grabbed Nina in his arms, and spun her around a few times.
«Thank God you are all right!» he exclaimed happily. «One day your jokes will give me a heart attack.»
«You already took my heart away,» whispered Nina, bringing her lips close to his.
«I love you, my wonderful little girl.» Vlad panted with adoration, kissing her, and Lapina smiled, recalling the first day she had seen her future husband.
It had happened eight years ago, when Nina was seventeen, and it was her first day in the University. Shyly, the girl had peeped into the classroom,
