«I thought,» replied Marina, sighing. «If you need a woman so much maybe I should allow to you to have me rather than let you go and rape someone.»
«I don’t need a woman,» he retorted with bitterness. He neared her, and knelt, staring at her motionless face. «I need you. Only you. Damn! I need you badly. I’m sorry that I lost control. I swear. I’ve never forced a girl to sleep with me. You made me crazy. Please, give me a chance!»
«Joe.» Marina did not know how to explain. «I feel nothing for you.»
«Just once…» He kissed her hands. «Let’s just try, eh?»
She did not reply, examining him and her feelings.
«Oh, sorry.» Joe rubbed off blood on her skin.
She pressed her palms to his cheeks forcing him to lift his head. She saw his bleeding nose and a scratch on his lips, and she was horrified at herself. «My God! Did I hurt you so?»
«It’s okay,» Joe replied with an unnatural smile. «I deserved it.»
«Oh, I’m very sorry.» She helped Jones to the couch. He lay next to her, timidly gazing at her face, and tender pity filled the woman.
«Okay, lets try,» she whispered with closed eyes. Marina felt him begin to carefully touch her, and she smiled as she responded to his caressing.
Jeff Menard thought for a long time about how to invite Vera Grach out with him, but it would have to look as if it was not a date. In this small town rumors spread in the twinkling of an eye, and hearing that people were talking about the VanSteins and Marina Aleksandrova, Jeff did not want the same talk about Vera.
Finally, he found the means of doing it.
It was Saturday, and after his shift he went to the city park, as it was a nice, sunny day. In such weather, when Vera had no school, she was always drawing her pictures near the playground.
The policeman was right; she was there. He entered the park, and noticed her immediately. Seeing only Vera, Jeff walked towards her, admiring her slender refined body. Her braid, shaking on her back, seemed to Jeff as if waving him over.
Despite the morning hours many people were here already, and he tried to walk, not run, yet his soul was flying to her. He approached and called, «Vera!»
His voice croaked with emotion. The woman stood still. He coughed and called her again, and she turned toward him. Her pale cheeks became color of winter sunrise, as she saw him next to her, and a timid smile curved her thin purple lips.
«It’s you,» she whispered, gazing at him. «I thought I just dreamed your voice.»
Jeff could not reply. «Just hug her, just one hug