«Well, I’d like to be the first.» He bowed. «So, will you come?»
Looking him over, Marina said to herself, «Why not? He’s not my type, but why did I stick with VanStein?» She recalled the incident at the exam. «My stupid love caused me pain, troubles for David, shame and humiliation for both of us. If I get a boyfriend… officially at least, maybe the awful talk will stop.»
«Okay,» she forced herself to reply calmly. «Where will we go?»
«Next time, I’ll buy tickets to somewhere, but how about if we start from some pool bar?»
«Pool?» she asked, amazed.
«Yes,» he confirmed making a motion as if he was playing billiards. «Do you know how to play? I’ll be happy to teach you.»
«Ah.» She understood, and even smiled. «I thought you meant a bar with a swimming pool.»
Joe looked at her with surprise, and both laughed feeling the tenseness between them became lighter.
«I’ll pick you up,» he offered.
«No,» Marina shook her head, refusing. «I’ll go myself. Friday night is okay with me. Which bar and what time?»
«Are you coming for sure?» he asked with suspicion. She understood his concern, went close, and shook his hand. Joe was surprised to sense how strong she was. «I promise, don’t worry.»
«Six p.m., The Shark Pool, corner of Main and Elm streets,» he whispered, losing himself in the enchanting glitter of her uncanny eyes. «I’m Joe. Joe Jones.»
He hoped she would tell him her last name, and she did.
«Marina Aleksandrova,» she introduced herself, and now he could find her address in the phone book, in case if she was lying about coming.
Joe left the cafe with his friend, yet he still thought about Marina.
* * * * *
Joe Jones went to the bar at 5:40 p.m., took a beer and casually asked the bartender, «Martin, I overheard something about ’our’ Russians. Could you tell me a little bit more about them?»
«My pleasure.» The bartender grinned. «There’s a cute as a little angel guy with his tubby wife. They have a daughter. Not sure how old, but she’s a kid, about the same age as Hannah VanStein. Another couple: she’s an artist or something, a plain woman, nothing to say. Her hubby is a gigolo, and lately he escorts Lana Limpson. I heard also some Russian guy works for her father, but I don’t know for certain. And a college girl, the lover of David VanStein.»
«VanStein?» Joe repeated, amazed. «But he’s a family guy.»
The bartender only shook his head.
«Are you sure?» Joe was wondering which woman he had asked for the date.
«Yes indeed.» Martin nodded. «Don’t you remember my oldest daughter’s studying in the University? Mary always shares with me all the news of the campus.»