Chapter 57: Domino Theory

January 1, 1984, McKinley, Ohio

Chloe melted into my arms and molded her body against mine, and we began swaying to All Out of Love. I very much enjoyed the full-body contact, but something just felt different. I realized that I, too, had been enthralled by our duet, but it had worn off. I wondered if that was true for Chloe as well. If it had, then she wouldn't ask; if it hadn't, and she did, I'd promised to say 'yes'. Truth be told, I knew I wanted to feel the body which was currently pressed against mine, pressed against mine without the layers of clothes which now separated us.

As we danced, her movements told me she was still interested, but I wouldn't know for sure until she asked. But I was also thinking about the advice I was getting from the women closest to me whom I wasn't likely to marry — Jocelyn, Tasha, Milena, and Liz, not to mention, in their own ways, Clarissa and Sophia. All of them were pointing me away from Kimiko, and each of them had, again, in their own way, identified the hurdles and obstacles that would need to be overcome.

I kept telling myself I felt Kimiko was the right girl, but I simply couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was that made me think that way. There was quite a bit of uncertainty there, which was what had me thinking about Maggie or Sophia, but there were obstacles with them as well, though nothing like the ones with Kimiko. I suppressed a chuckle that perhaps Tasha's matchmaking was spot-on, based on her status as a «бабушка» (babushka) in training.

"Do you still want to go somewhere?" Chloe asked in a hushed voice.

"I don't go back on promises!" I replied.

"Me either," she said.

It was suddenly clear that she was no longer enthralled and felt she HAD to follow through! In my mind, that was a recipe for disaster.

"Chloe, if you've changed your mind, I'm not going to be upset. I promise."

"But I asked you..." she protested.

"You did, but the spell wore off, didn't it?"

"You mean from singing?"

"Yes. I've seen it before. I promise I'm not upset. You're a pretty, desirable girl, but don't do this because you think you owe it to me. You don't."

"Thanks," she said. "I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologize," I said.

We finished our dance, she kissed me on the cheek, and I went back over to where Clarissa and Tasha were standing.

"The spell wore off," I said.

"You don't seem disappointed, Mishka," Tasha said.

"I'm not. I wasn't entirely sure it was a good idea, and I kind of hoped that the spell HAD worn off."

"Will you walk me to the Sokolovs'? I want to get some sleep before church tomorrow morning."

"Of course!"

We got our coats, hats, and gloves and walked out into the light snow which was falling. I took Tasha's hand in mine and we walked along the sidewalk, leaving footprints in the dusting of snow which covered it.

"How do you feel about me being interested in Nikolas Dmitriyevich? I mean, really?"

"Tasha, I want you to be happy just as you want me to be happy. He's a nice guy, and I think he can provide what you want and need. If I had chosen a different career and had a different calling, then perhaps things would have worked out for us the way we once dreamed, but there were never any guarantees."

"You could never be anything other than a doctor, Mishka. I want you to be a doctor. But that means I couldn't, being practical, have children for six to eight years. And as much as I love you, I need more attention than you would be able to give me."

"It's a good thing we figured that out now," I replied.

"It is."

"You really think Oksana is right for me?"

"I'm sure of it, though as I said, I think Elizaveta is the perfect choice, but she's too young unless you plan to wait at least three-and-a-half years."

"Why her?" I asked.

"First of all, I know she is very interested in you. Second, she comes from a traditional family, similar to mine, though not quite so old-fashioned. Third, her dad is a very successful businessman and could easily pay for medical school for you."

"And that's a good reason?" I asked.

"She's also easily the most beautiful girl at Saint Michael the Archangel!"

"Again, that's a good enough reason?"

"Mishka, are you in love with Clarissa? Or Jocelyn? Or me?"

"Not the way you mean."

"And yet, under the right circumstances, you would marry us, would you not?"

"You sound more and more like a «бабушка» (babushka) every day!"

"What else would you expect?!"

"OK, Miss Matchmaker, you're certain?"

"Mishka, the bishop is going to want to make you a deacon, and that means you need to find a wife who will be a good deacon's wife, a good doctor's wife, and with whom you can make a life. It's not about being in love! It's about loving the person you are matched with!"

"Who suggested Nikolas?" I asked.

Tasha smiled, "Mrs. Sokolova. She won't say anything to my mom. She doesn't know you and I are sleeping together, and she knows my concerns about a marriage to you."

"And she suggested those two girls?"

"She thought Katy was the right girl for you, but you didn't have a shared vision of the future. I pointed out that Elizaveta was too young, but she said in the Old Country, nobody would object."

"I think she's too young," I said. "And I'm not going to budge on that one. She's still a Freshman!"

"Oksana is a Senior, like me, and would be a very good choice for many of the same reasons; her dad is an executive at an insurance company in Columbus."

"You really don't think I should be with Kimiko?"

"I simply don't see that working. Maybe it will, but I think Maggie might be a better choice if you are thinking of a non-Orthodox girl besides Clarissa."

"You know if she weren't lesbian, we'd already be engaged, right?"

"I do. There was one other girl I thought might be the one for you."

"Angie?"

"Yes. You thought so, too until she had her breakdown. And even after, before she had her second breakdown."

"I did, but now I can't even contact her. I hear from Father Nicholas that she's being treated, but that's all he can say."

"That's so sad, really. She seemed like a very nice girl, and she was very faithful."

"She was."

We arrived at the Sokolovs', Tasha used her key to unlock the front door, and we exchanged a soft kiss.

"Good night, Mishka! I'm sorry you have to sleep alone!"

"I'll live!" I chuckled. "See you in the morning for church?"

"Yes. I'll come back to the house at 7:00am because I know you need to set up."

"Good night," I said.

We exchanged another soft kiss, and once she had gone inside and shut the door, I made my way back to Doctor Blahnik's house, retracing our steps. When I arrived, a number of people had left, but there were still a good twenty people in the great room or music room.

"Mike!" Joel called out.

I walked over to where he, Milena, and a pretty blonde girl were standing.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Would you do me a huge favor?"

"Sure. What?"

"Walk my little sister to the McKinley Motel? My parents left immediately after midnight, and I really don't want her walking alone."

"Sure!"

"Cassandra, Mike. Mike, Cassandra."

"Ready?" I asked.

"Yes. My brother wants to start his wedding night in the worst possible way!"

Joel rolled his eyes while Milena and I both laughed.

She put on her coat, hat, and gloves, and we left the house, heading in the general direction of the Taft campus.

"I didn't know Joel had a sister," I said.

"Shocking," she said sarcastically.

"The way you teased him, I felt you guys were close."

"We are, but he likes to forget he has a 'bratty little sister' at times."

"You're what? Twenty-one? Twenty-two? That's hardly in the 'bratty little sister' age group!"

"I like you!" she laughed. "I wish I was twenty-one! I'm seventeen. I was the 'Oops, how did that happen?' baby! Nine years after Joel, when they thought they couldn't have another kid, nature decided to prove them wrong!"

"OK then," I grinned, "you ARE in the 'bratty little sister' age group! My little sister is seventeen, and I love her to pieces, but she can be a real brat!"

"Me, too!" she laughed. "You heard me tease my brother. I know those two had sex when they were fourteen, so it's not like they haven't done it before!"

"But you have to admit a wedding night is different, even if you have done it before."

"Given I've never been married, how would I know?" she asked playfully.

"I think I can see why he thinks you're a brat!" I chuckled.

"You're planning to be a doctor?" she asked.

"Yes. But I'm still working on my undergraduate degree. I'm a Junior."

"I bet you know how to PLAY doctor, even if you don't know how to BE a doctor!"

I chuckled, "Even little kids know that!"

"Yeah, but it's not nearly as much fun before puberty!"

"You're quite the smart aleck!"

"Milena said you were totally cool, and so far, I have to say she's right."

"I don't think she thought that when she first met me two years ago."

"Most boys are idiots when you first meet them! It's like their brains lock up when they see a pretty girl! All the blood flows somewhere else!"

"I've been known to be tongue-tied around certain girls in the past."

"I seriously don't understand that! We want the same things you do!"

"You want to have sex with pretty girls?" I teased.

Cassandra laughed, "Speaking of being a smart aleck!"

"You started it!"

"You wouldn't want to move to California, would you?"

"Why?"

"I think you would be a LOT of fun to be around!"

"Thanks," I replied with a grin. "I suspect you would be fun to be around, too!"

"You know, I might be convinced to offer a free sample of just how fun I am!"

"You've known me less than five minutes!"

"How long does it take YOU to decide you want to have sex with a girl?"

"A not unreasonable point," I chuckled. "And I'm flattered. And tempted. But if you talked to your brother and Milena at all about me, you'd know I'm not really into one-night-stands."

"Now you sound like my brother."

"He's a great guy, though I totally understand how big brothers can be annoying!"

"An understatement if there ever was one!"

"I'm curious, though, how would one convince you?"

She laughed softly, "If you have no intention of following through, there's no point in trying now, is there? And part of the fun is the guy discovering what it would take to convince me!"

"And in different circumstances, I'd be VERY tempted to find out."

We arrived at the motel, and I walked her to the door of her room.

"Thanks for walking with me," Cassandra said.

"You're welcome. I enjoyed the banter!"

"Me, too!"

She winked, kissed my cheek, then went into her room. Once the door was closed, I returned to Doctor Blahnik's house, where I found most people had left. Clarissa had waited so she could say 'good night,' and once we'd done that, she and Glenda left, and I went to the guest room, brushed my teeth, got into bed, set the alarm on the clock radio, and quickly fell asleep.

Five hours later, the alarm jarred me awake. I quickly showered and dressed for church, packed my bag, and carried it out to the car. As I was walking back to the house, I saw Tasha coming up the street. I waved and waited for her, and we went inside to wait for Clarissa, who arrived a few minutes later. Nobody else was up, so the three of us simply walked out to my car for the drive to church.

At the church, I donned my cassock, we went inside, and I went to the nave to begin setting up. When Father Nicholas arrived, he asked me if I would go with him to visit Deacon Grigory at home after the Divine Liturgy. I let him know that Tasha and Clarissa were with me, but that I would be happy to go. He said he was sure it wouldn't be an issue if they came to the deacon's house with us, so I went to let them know and then returned to the altar.

Attendance was light, which was common for New Year's Day when it fell on a Sunday, and as such, there was no Sunday school and only coffee and sweet rolls for the fellowship time after the services. Once we'd each had coffee and a roll, the girls and I went out to my car for the drive to Deacon Grigory's house. Ten minutes later, I pulled into the driveway behind Father Nicholas, and we got out to walk with him to the door.

The door opened, Matushka Anastasia let us into the house, then led Father Nicholas and me to the study, which they'd converted into a temporary bedroom for Deacon Grigory. He looked very tired and weak, and I wondered if he'd even be able to return to church in six months, let alone ever resume his duties. Father Nicholas anointed him, served him reserved Eucharist, and after a brief conversation, we left so Deacon Grigory could get some rest.

"He doesn't look good at all," I said after we left the house.

"No, he doesn't. He can't do much in the way of rehab until his chest heals, and it's healing slower than they had hoped."

"What are the doctors saying?" I asked.

"Not much to me, really. But Matushka says they're concerned about how slowly he's healing. They're blaming the cigarettes and alcohol. Not to mention the lack of exercise. Pray for him, Subdeacon."

"Every day, Father. I guess I'll see you on Thursday evening in Columbus?"

"Yes."

I received his blessing, as did Tasha, we said 'goodbye', and then got into my car for the drive back to West Monroe.

January 2, 1984, Circleville, Ohio

"Hi, Mike!" Mr. Malenkov said when he opened the door. "Happy New Year!"

"Thanks! Happy New Year!"

"Come on in. Just leave your shoes by the door, please. Katy's in the kitchen. You can go straight in."

"Thank you."

I took my shoes off and walked through the great room and the dining room and into the kitchen where Katy and her mom were preparing dinner.

"Hi!" I said.

"Hi, Mike!" Katy exclaimed.

We exchanged a hug and a quick kiss.

"Hi, Mike," Mrs. Malenkov said. "How are you?"

"Good. How are you?"

"Very good. Happy to have Katy home for break. I'm glad you could join us for dinner."

"Thanks. I'm glad to be here. Can I help with anything?"

"We're almost done. Just have a seat, and we'll call you in a few minutes."

I nodded and went to sit in the great room with Katy's dad, near a crackling fire. He handed me a glass of sherry, and I sipped as we talked.

"How is school going, Mike?"

"Straight A's in the Honors program," I replied.

"Excellent. And your family?"

"Everything is good at home," I said. "My sister graduates from High School in May."

"Is she going to college?"

"Probably Rutherford Junior College for accounting," I replied.

He nodded, "That would give her quite a few options, including being a bank teller if she was interested. We have a branch in Rutherford."

"I'll keep that in mind for when she graduates," I said. "Thank you."

"You're not working for Mr. Sokolov, are you?"

"Not during the school year," I replied. "I will during the Summer. During the school year, I'm an RA, which covers my room and board and pays a small stipend. I also RA over the Summer, which pays a stipend and gets me a free room."

"Have you decided on which medical school you want to attend?"

"I'm probably going to go to McKinley Medical School," I said. "I want to stay in the area, so that makes sense."

"Have you considered Stanford? I have some contacts there."

I nodded, "I have. It's one of the schools my small group discussed applying to, along with Emory in Atlanta."

"Let me know if you decide to apply; I'd be happy to contact some people there to make sure your application is on the top of the stack."

"Thanks."

"Dinner is ready!" Katy said, coming into the great room.

Mr. Malenkov and I went to the dining room for a wonderful dinner. When we finished, Katy and I volunteered to do the dishes, an offer which was gratefully accepted. Her parents went to the great room, and we began clearing the table.

"Are you having a good break?" Katy asked.

"I am. I was skiing in Michigan with three friends, and my friend Milena got married last night."

"On New Year's Eve?"

"Yes. They should be in Aruba by now."

"Nice and warm! I bet they don't have four inches of new snow on the ground there!"

"I suspect not," I agreed. "You told me it doesn't get too cold or too warm at Stanford, so I guess this is a bit of a change."

"It was around 45°F when I left, so it's not terrible. Any big changes since we last talked?"

"Not really. You know about Deacon Grigory, and otherwise, it's pretty much been normal. I take it you had straight A's?"

"Of course. You?"

"Of course."

"When we finish, would you like to use the sauna? Mom and Dad will be cool about it."

"Sure. I enjoy the sauna."

"The sauna?" she teased. "Or what happened in the sauna?"

"Both!" I grinned.

"Are you steady with anyone?"

I shook my head, "No. You?"

"No."

"Naked sauna?" she asked with a smirk.

"Don't mind if I do," I chuckled. "You're sure your parents won't be upset?"

"They won't bother us."

We finished cleaning up, and Katy let her parents know we were going to use the sauna. We went downstairs and Katy turned on the sauna, and we went into the bathroom to disrobe and wrap towels around ourselves.