Without a word, Jeff helped him get feet.
«Sorry, ma’am,» Joe said to Nina, then to the others. «Sorry, folks, I’m really sorry. Oh God!» He wept, and became ashamed and hid his face in his palms.
«Let’s go home. I’ll accompany you.» Jeff told him. Slightly sobered up, Joe stared at him with surprise, «Why are you here?»
«The same reason you are,» Jeff replied almost inaudibly. Joe looked around and met the worried gaze of Vera Grach, then he understood, and shook his head, «Do you think it’s because they are Russians?»
«No, Joe,» the policeman said, sighing. «It’s just because of our Fate.»
They slowly walked away. But passing Marina, Joe stopped and leaned close to her.
«I’m glad that you loathe me,» she dropped not looking at him. «It will be easy to forget about me.»
«I’ll never be able to forget,» retorted Joe. «I love you.»
She showed no reaction.
«If you ever find in your soul at least a little spark of feeling for me…» He gulped, and panted, his lips started trembling again. «Please, Marina, please, remember me. You broke my heart, but I can forgive you for anything. I’ll be waiting…»
«Don’t do it,» murmured Marina. «It’s pointless.»
«Maybe,» said Joe, touching his chest. «But while there is life, there is hope…»
She replied nothing, and Joe trudged away with Jeff by his side.
Marina looked at the people in the yard. They all gazed at her, and she felt embarrassed, as if she was totally naked. Slowly she went to her car. Limping, Nina hastily neared her, and Marina understood her concern.
«Don’t worry, no more stupid actions,» Marina whispered, hugging her friend. «I always keep my word.»
Nina nodded. Marina drove away, and Nina returned to the guests.
During the entire episode, the shocked Megan VanStein could not move, barely breathing. Now she was slowly coming back to reality.
«I told you that they were lovers.» She heard an excited whispering.
It was too much. Sobbing, she grabbed the perplexed Hannah and ran to her car.
Very soon all the other guests left also, and the Lapins looked at each other with confusion.
«It’s okay, honey.» Nina tried to support her husband. «Moscow was not built in a day. Maybe next time will be luckier.»
«Play with me,» asked Larisa. «I’m so glad that everybody’s gone.»
Her parents laughed. «Anything for the birthday girl.»
Vlad ran with his daughter. Sitting on the porch, Nina threw a ball to them. Love and merriment reigned here, and the Lapins enjoyed this and each other.
Chapter Twenty – Two: An Honest Person
Oleg drove Lana to Larisa’s birthday party, but because they had to stop to buy the gift, they were late. When the car neared the house and Lana saw that there were no other people, she was surprised. «