…»
«And you wanted it!» sounded in her mind. Marina flinched, as if someone had said it aloud.
«No, I didn’t…» protested Marina sniffing to hold back sobs. «Oh, I just didn’t want to be alone anymore…»
«You wanted it, you got it!» There was no stopping the voice of her conscience, and, shaken, Marina sat on a stool. Hugging herself, she cringed with horror and shame. She did not want to go outside, but she had to.
She put on her bathrobe, slowly went into the room, and gazed at Joe. He was smoking, and he looked at her with an exhilarated smile, «That was the best night in my entire life.»
Her legs did not hold her, and Marina sat on her office chair.
«Give me one,» she murmured. He got up, not hiding his nudity, walked to her, and when she took a cigarette he lit it and kissed her hair.
Marina stiffened, thinking he would like to continue their night’s ’opus’, but he just squeezed her shoulders for a second and went to the bathroom.
«Can I use your shaver?» he asked from there.
«Be my guest,» Marina mumbled, going to the kitchen. «I’ll cook breakfast.»
* * * * *
«Fried potatoes?» Joe wondered, as he sat at the table. «Mmmmmm, steak. Is it your usual breakfast?»
«I’m a vegetarian.» Marina tried not to look at him. «But I always have some meat in case a guest comes here.»
«Guest?» He gave her a wink. «A lot of guests are coming here?»
She spun to him, and stared at his face. «No,» she voiced with challenge. «Not so many. But my friend Nina Lapina likes meat. I always cook it when she comes here. If you mean males, don’t think if I slept with you after the fist date, I’m doing this with everybody!»
«Just with professors, eh?» He narrowed his eyes, and Marina blushed and turned to the window.
«You’re an idiot!» Joe damned himself. «How could you say such things!»
He dropped his fork and quickly went to her.
«I’m sorry,» he murmured, as he carefully hugged her. «I’m jealous. Could you try to break up with him? He has a family. It’s no good, honey.»
«We are not lovers,» Marina retorted tiredly. «You might not believe me. Nobody does.»
Happiness brimmed over his heart.
«I do believe you,» he pronounced sincerely. «I will believe any of your words. I’ll do anything for you.»
Marina glanced at him, then back at the window. She was thinking.
«I have to go soon,» she said. «The weather is great. Can you go with me?»
«To the edge of the world!» he exclaimed.
«Not so far.» She showed a ghostly smile. «To the city park. I promised my friend to help her with her daughter… Would you come with me?»