…»
He drove his car to the apartment building, hastily got out, and knocked on Marina’s door.
Nobody answered and he peeped through the window. The blinds were closed, and he could not see any lights on. He returned to his car, and started to wait.
The twilight became darkness. David sat stock-still.
All his life went through his mind. He tried not to think about his family, but he could not help it. He remembered all the events so clearly as if they had happened yesterday. Their first kiss, first time together. Her naive kind smile. «I’m pregnant.» He saw a bride wearing a wreath with a thick white veil. He moved it aside to kiss her, but it was Marina.
David flinched and awoke.
He looked at his watch. It was 2:46 a.m. Worried, he did not know that to do. He was awfully hungry and tired, his legs hurt, and he had a headache.
The situation was stupid and absurd. He could not go back to his wife, but could not compel himself to go to a motel. Besides, he hoped Marina would be back any second, and he did not want to miss her.
Suddenly a light lit up his car, and at first he did not understand what had happened.
«Hey, you!» David heard. «Get out of the car! Slowly.»
David obeyed. The policemen trained his flashlight on his face, recognized him, and went close.
«Dr. VanStein?» Jeff Menard asked him, astonished. «What are you doing here?»
David did not reply.
Whispering, his partner nudged Jeff with his elbow, and the policemen looked at Marina’s apartment. David felt his cheeks blush.
Jeff’s partner chuckled, but Jeff did not smile, as he was thinking about Vera. He could understand the feelings of David. Recalling the incident on the birthday party, he realized what had happened to David.
«Let’s go,» Jeff said to his partner, and they left.
All alone, the professor stood there for a long time until he felt cold, then he sat in the car again.
* * * * *
Day was breaking, and David thought about his work. Glancing for the last time at Marina’s dark apartment, he drove away.
He had breakfast in the first open coffee shop and drove to the University.
When he entered his office he saw a small letter on his desk. He understood everything even before he read it.
«It was going too far. Goodbye. I don’t want to be a reason for unhappiness of someone. Don’t try to find me. And I won’t reply anyway. I’m young and independent. Don’t worry about me. I’m sure I will find my real love. And you already have it. Marina.»
David heard someone enter the laboratory. His boss gazed at his face and only could shake his head.