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“Yes, I truly understand,” said Volodya-Paul sliding to the edge of his seat. “I feel that way too,” he went on, oblivious to the puzzled look from Misha. “We are cramped, confined here. There is no freedom to do the things closest to our hearts. I play piano—I love jazz music but if I play in public I must play patriotic tunes or folk songs.”
After this announcement, the couple turned to stare at Volodya. Jennifer also stared—in horror. He appeared seized by a moment of mercurial passion—the same passion she had come to love—that would jeopardize his own escape.
“Sorry for startling you,” Paul-Volodya said. “Let me introduce myself again. I’m not Paul Mercier. I’m Volodya Mikhailovich and I come from Leningrad. This beautiful, amazing woman is helping me leave the country by finding me a Canadian passport.”
“God…Volodya, what are you doing?” The room swirled around Jennifer. She darted a glance at Misha who was registering amazement. As Volodya continued to tell his story in some detail, both Marta and Misha appeared frozen, the same questioning expression on their faces. Just as Jennifer thought she must jump in, say something, anything, to explain this madness, the front door opened noisily and little Nadya ran into the room, dropping her schoolbooks on the floor.
“Auntie Zhen, Auntie Zhen!” she cried in pleasure, throwing herself at Jennifer and hugging her. The tension eased.
Marta hugged Nadya next. “Pick up your books and wash your hands for dinner,” she told the girl. Volodya halted in his story and everyone smiled. “Go on now!” Marta called out.
But when she turned back to Jennifer and Volodya, side by side on the sofa, the bantering in her voice changed. “This is a very serious risk,” she intoned. “You’ll certainly be discovered. You might be thrown in jail, both of you. The KGB will investigate you, your friends, your family; they might even investigate us.” She glanced at Misha whose expression had become increasingly distraught.
He nodded agreement. “You’ve brought us into danger as well,” he told Jennifer. “If you are caught, this might hinder our chances of getting out of the country legally.” There was a slight emphasis on the word legally.
It was Jennifer’s turn for stunned silence. “I’m sorry,” she faltered. “I didn’t know…”
Misha turned to Volodya: “But you knew, didn’t you? How dangerous it is?” He leaned forward. The two men glared eye to eye.
Libros Libertad 