“You seriously think he is going to come back?” Judy asked.
“I don’t think it, I know it,” I said from where I was standing, looking out the window as if I expected to see his silver car roaring down the street.
“Then I think you both should come stay with me,” Judy said, and I turned to smile at her.
“That is very kind of you, but no,” I said, lifting my hand when she began to protest. “I don’t mean to be rude. It’s an extremely kind, very generous offer, but, Judy, this isn’t like trying to hide from a pissed-off ex. The moment I walked in and found Nikolai standing in my house, I knew there is no place on earth he won’t find me.” Walking back to where my grandmother sat, I knelt by her chair and took her hand again. “Baba, you should—”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Olga said, her voice stronger than it had been earlier. “I’ve lived far too long to allow any man to frighten me away from my… from our home. You are much stronger than you were four years ago, and you still managed to walk away. And, this time, you aren’t alone.”
“I love you with all my heart, but I’m not going to let you put yourself in any danger because of—”
“I’m not talking about me, child, I’m talking about the man who has won your heart.”
Inside I was already shaking my head before she even finished speaking. No way in hell was I going to let Alek dip a single toe in the swirling cauldron of Nikolai’s evil brew. Alek was a good man. He might have a kinky, dirty side, but his heart was as pure as the driven snow, and I fully intended to keep it that way. Still, I didn’t want to get into an argument with my babushka.
“Perhaps I’m overreacting. After all, Nikolai left when I asked him to. Perhaps he’s reconsidered his life and…”
“And perhaps he blows rainbows out his arse,” Olga said, rolling her eyes. “Dorogoy, leopards don’t change their spots.”
I couldn’t help it. I mean, who wouldn’t laugh when an eighty-five-year-old woman went from farty rainbows to dangerous leopards in a heartbeat? Judy was smiling as well, and I decided this was a great place to declare intermission.
“All right, but for now, let’s talk about something else. Tell me, exactly what the doctor said.” Returning to the footstool, I poured us all another cup of tea and listened while Baba and Judy told of how my grandmother’s tests had shown she qualified to enter the latest drug trials which could help her find relief from the crippling pain of her arthritis.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard in forever,” I said happily, meaning every word.
The plans I’d made earlier had instantly been nixed with Nikolai’s presence, but suddenly I knew that was the worst thing I could do. I’d spent years cowering in fear of what the man might do… perhaps because I knew what he could and would do. But, like my grandmother said, I’d changed. I was stronger now. If push came to shove, I wasn’t going to walk away this time. I was going to fight.
Standing up, I clapped my hands. “We’re going out to celebrate.”
“Celebrate?”
“Yes, celebrate,” I said firmly. “You’re going to be a star patient in this clinical trial, and we’re going out to celebrate the gifts we have been given.”
“Well, when you put it that way,” Olga said, sounding a bit unsure though her eyes instantly brightened and she sat up straighter in her chair. “Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you to dinner, but first I thought you might like to see Volkov Ballet.” I grinned, knowing how much she loved ballet and all that surrounded it. “See where I run off to every day, and afterward I’ll take you to Johnny Reds.” Sure, it might not be the fanciest or most expensive restaurant around, but it was my babushka’s favorite, so I was more than happy to treat her to something special.
“That sounds wonderful.” Olga smiled happily. “Thank you.”
I turned to Judy. “Please, come with us.”
“I’d love to, but I have my book club this evening,” she said.
I might have thought it was just an excuse and perhaps she was already beginning to distance herself from us, and I certainly wouldn’t blame her. However, I knew she and my grandmother often spent hours discussing the various books they’d read, both bibliophiles to the core.
“Perhaps next time?” I offered.
“I’ll look forward to it,” Judy said, bending to give my grandmother a gentle hug. “Have fun and don’t overdo it,” she said with a soft smile. Turning to me, she shifted her eyes toward the kitchen even as she lifted the tray.
“I’ll be right back to help you get ready, Baba,” I said and followed Judy. Once we were alone, her expression shifted to one of concern.