excerpt
…at the hand, fascinated. “I promise not to say anything. The only thing I ask is that you keep quiet about my activities, too.”
“But,” he spluttered, “they’re hardly on the same level. I was duped into doing a favour. What you did was outright illegal.”
“Nonetheless, I’m asking you…I’m begging you.” This was no time to be clever; honesty was best. “They may be two different problems but neither of us wants to suffer for them. What I’m suggesting is sensible. You don’t tell and I don’t tell.”
Chopyk wrinkled his nose as if she were a bad odor. “But how are you ever going to explain a young Russian man at your elbow when we get home? Have you even thought about that?”
“There’s an easy answer to that one. He’s not coming home with me. He’ll probably leave us at Montreal.”
“Whaat? All this for someone you don’t even want to be with?”
“He doesn’t want to be with me. Do you understand?”
For the first time she thought she saw a flicker of humanity in the man’s eyes, and she was comforted. Then he quickly disabused her of that idea: “Aha! So I was right all along,” he retorted. “He only wanted to marry you to leave the country. Admit it!” She nodded and he leaned back in his seat, mollified. “Very well, Mrs. White. As distasteful as this bargaining is to me—we have a deal.”
★
About 21 hours later and a stopover in Montreal, Jennifer White, fatigued beyond belief, trailed the others into Vancouver Airport, to begin the last steps of the journey to the baggage claim area. Even though they were contained in a modern glass airport building, they could smell the fresh summer air seeping into the passageways, savour the aroma of popcorn and cinnamon buns, enjoy the colourful murals and advertising displays. After the drab grey of the Soviet Union, it was an assault to the senses.
“It is so-o-o good to be home,” David exclaimed in joy.
“Amen,” replied Ted, hoisting his backpack in the air. “It was a great trip but I will be so happy to get back to a Big Mac and my girlfriend—in that order.”
“You guys! I want to see my boyfriend first of all,” said Maria, “and then after that maybe a Big Mac…and I’m never eating a cucumber…
Libros Libertad 