,» 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.»