Chapter 23: A Pair of Rings

September 29, 1984, McKinley, Ohio

"Yes!" Elizaveta squealed.

Everyone clapped, and the grandmothers put the choker and bracelet on Elizaveta, who was impatiently waiting to come to me. Just before she did, Gennady hurried over, winked, and we exchanged a Russian greeting, causing everyone but Elizaveta to laugh while she simply rolled her eyes. Once Gennady moved away, Elizaveta quickly came to me and we hugged tightly, then Elizaveta turned to her maternal grandmother.

"Grandmother, may I have a proper kiss?"

"You aren't betrothed!" Yekaterina replied with a twinkle in her eye.

"«Бабушка» (babushka)!" Elizaveta protested in a voice which was very close to whining. ("Grandma")

"Tomorrow, when the rings are on your fingers, you may have what you call a 'proper' kiss!"

Elizaveta frowned and glowered but accepted a chaste kiss.

"You're a good sport," Gennady said. "I hope you don't mind if I remove this get-up and put on some normal clothes!"

"What, no pictures to send back to Harvard?" I teased.

"My friends would love it, but I think they'd post them all over campus!"

"Mine sure would," I chuckled. "Please change. And you, too, «Зайчик» (zaychyk)," I said. "Save the white dress for tomorrow so you don't spill on it at lunch." ("Bunny Rabbit")

"Yes, husband," she said with a wink.

"Not yet!" Yekaterina commanded firmly.

Elizaveta rolled her eyes, winked again, and then followed her brother upstairs to change.

"Do you have the rings, Mikhail?" Yekaterina asked.

I shook my head, "They're paid for, but they need to measure Elizaveta's finger. I'll take her to the jewelry store after lunch, then bring the rings back here for you to give to Father to put on the altar tonight at Vespers."

"Vitya tells me you have a wedding date and an ordination date approved by Vladyka ARKADY," Yekaterina said.

I nodded, "Yes. Please make whatever arrangements you feel appropriate. Vladyka will attend our wedding."

"Good," Yekaterina replied. "I know it's some time until it happens, but where do you plan to spend your wedding night?"

"In the cottage," I replied.

"OK. I will make all the arrangements."

"Thank you."

"Mischa," Viktor said, "let's go to my study and have a glass of vodka with Elizaveta's grandfathers."

"Of course," I agreed.

Viktor, Elizaveta's grandfathers — Nikolay and Valentin — and I went into his study, where he removed a bottle of vodka from a small refrigerator and poured five glasses. I really would have preferred only half the amount he poured, but asking for that, given the day, would have been «некультурный» (nekulturny) in the extreme. As soon as Gennady joined us, Viktor gave the toast. ("rude")

"«Ваше здоровье» (Vashe zdorovye)!" Viktor exclaimed. "«Многая лета» (Mnogaya leta)!"

We raised our glasses, and my soon-to-be grandfathers and brother repeated the toast to my health, and wished me 'many years', and then we all drank our glasses.

"Out of deference for my soon-to-be doctor son, we'll leave it at one glass rather than the traditional three!" Viktor said. "Not to mention he needs to take my daughter to get the rings."

"Thank you," I replied. "Though I'll be a son long before I'll be a doctor!"

"Congratulations, Mikhail Petrovich," Nikolay said.

"I agree," Valentin added. "Congratulations and welcome to the family!"

"Thank you both."

"Do you prefer to be addressed in the American or Russian way?" Nikolay, who was Viktor's father, asked.

"The usual way for my generation is in the American way, and I believe the bishop will ordain me as Deacon Michael."

"Then Mike or Michael it will be, at least until I should call you Father Deacon."

"In private, as your grandson by marriage, informal address is proper. You can be sure MY grandfather will do that!"

Both men laughed.

"Will Mikhail Ivanovich be at the church tomorrow?"

"Yes," I said. "I spoke to him on Thursday evening after I asked my future father-in-law for his blessing to marry your granddaughter."

"And your parents?"

"I invited them, as well as my sister and her boyfriend," I said.

"Very good."

Yekaterina came into the study and announced lunch was ready, so we all went to the dining room to eat. Elizaveta was dressed in a nice grey skirt and light blue blouse, and made a point of showing me her wrist around which the tennis bracelet was wrapped, then fingered the choker as well. It looked very sexy, and I regretted that it would be eight months before I could see it the way Clarissa had teased me.

When we finished the wonderful meal, Elizaveta was allowed to leave without helping clean up so we could go to the jewelry store. We excused ourselves and walked out to my car. I opened the passenger door so Elizaveta could get in and closed the door after she did. I walked around to the driver's side, got in, started the car, and pulled out of the driveway.

"When did they tell you?" I asked.

"About fifteen minutes before you arrived, when they brought me the dress and veil. They had to pull that dumb stunt with my brother, or I would have heard it from you!"

"It's good to let them have their fun, even if it spoiled the surprise a bit."

"Did you know they were going to do that?"

"I guessed they might do it after I talked to your dad. Are you upset?"

"No! I got what I wanted!"

"Not yet, you haven't!" I teased. "At least according to your grandmother!"

"You're supposed to be on my side, now!" she protested.

"I believe it's in our best interest to listen to your grandmothers. Your dad told me that you could spend as much time with me as you wanted and that I was welcome at the house any time."

"Really?" she asked excitedly.

"Really. He did say we both have to maintain our good grades, which means I have to keep my study habits, which I would anyway and which I've told you about. We can go out on Friday nights. I'll continue coming to lunch on Saturdays, and then on Sundays, we'll probably start spending the afternoon with Tasha and Nik."

"I'd like that! When is the wedding? My grandmothers didn't know."

"May 26th. We absolutely have to wait until after your birthday, and your dad's lawyers will need to file a petition with the State so we can marry before you turn eighteen. And the 26th is the day after my graduation, which means I'll have nothing else to worry about, and we can spend all our time together."

"And why is that good?" she asked with a smirk.

"So you can collect all those kisses," I chuckled. "Also, I have a trip to Europe planned with my friends in June, and I confirmed with your dad that it's OK to take you with me."

"You'll be my husband! He doesn't get a say in the matter!"

I nodded, "And yet, I asked him out of respect. It's like with your grandmothers — keeping them happy will make our lives MUCH easier. I suspect you agree."

"I do, though they can't run our lives!"

"Of course not, which is why I'm allowing your grandmothers to plan the wedding and everything beforehand. That will keep them happy, AND will make it less likely that they'll interfere."

"How so? You're letting them control things, and they'll want to control everything!"

I shook my head, "Not at all. I'm ceding control over immaterial things which they feel are theirs to control. When it comes to you and me, then you and I will be in control. It'll be like when we have kids — we'll let the grandparents and great-grandparents dote on them, but we'll decide how to care for them."

"When did you want to have kids?"

"I figure it's best for you to graduate from High School first. I know how difficult it was for a girl I knew back home named April and how difficult it is for Sasha Antonova. May I make a suggestion?"

"Of course, husband!" she said lightly.

"You're going to tease your grandmothers about that, aren't you?"

"Of course! What's your suggestion?"

"When you have your annual gynecological checkup around your sixteenth birthday, ask for a prescription for birth control pills. That will make things much easier and much safer."

"OK. Tell me more about going to Europe. Would that be our honeymoon?"

"I was thinking the two weeks between the wedding and the trip would serve as a honeymoon because the Europe trip is going to include my friends Clarissa, Abby, Sandy, and Pete."

"I've met Clarissa, and she's sweet. Who are the others? Friends from school?"

At some point, I'd have to reveal Clarissa's 'secret', but I didn't feel this was the time to do that.

"Yes. We plan to go to Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Athens, Vienna, Geneva, Munich, Copenhagen, and London. Mostly, we'll stay at youth hostels, though a friend has offered four nights in a luxury hotel in Paris."

"What's a 'hostel'?"

"It's an inexpensive place for young people to stay, but with almost no services except showers and perhaps access to a washer and dryer. Usually, there aren't private rooms, just larger communal ones."

"So we couldn't have a room to ourselves?"

"Not every night, but some of the hostels do have private rooms. I'll make the arrangements so we have some time together that way, plus we'll have those four nights in Paris. Does that sound OK?"

"It sounds like it'll be fun! Do you think we could go away for a few days right after the wedding?"

"If you wanted to do that, yes. Where would you like to go?"

"What about Niagara Falls? I think it's less than a day's drive."

"How many nights?"

"Maybe three or four? And leave the day after the wedding?"

"If that's what you want, that's what we'll do!"

"You learn fast!" Elizaveta teased.

"We'll see if you ALWAYS think so, «Зайчик» (zaychyk)!"

"Why did you switch from 'Kitten' to 'Bunny Rabbit'?"

"No reason; do you prefer one over the other?"

"I like 'Kitten' better."

"OK, «Зайчик» (zaychyk)!" replied with a smirk.

"You did that on purpose! That's TEN kisses!"

I chuckled, "I think you can have all the kisses you want after tomorrow, «Зайчик» (zaychyk)!"

"Hmph!" she replied, crossing her arms.

"Sorry, «Котёнок» (katyonak)," I grinned. "You know I was teasing." ("Kitten")

"I know," she replied, sticking her tongue out at me.

"Very mature," I chuckled.

"Says the man who is acting like a five-year-old boy!"

"Guilty as charged!"

We arrived at the mall and walked to the jewelry store, where the same clerk used the sizing rings to determine what size ring Elizaveta needed, then brought out two ring boxes. I signed the receipt, and we walked back out into the mall. I decided I wanted to buy something for Elizaveta, so we walked to the toy store, and I found an appropriate white, long-haired stuffed cat, which I bought and gave to her right away. I received a quick kiss in return. I took her hand, and we headed for the car.

"I guess I can't do that once you're ordained."

"Actually, chaste kisses in public are OK, just not in the church building. You'll be my wife, after all!"

"I'm curious — will you wear your wedding ring after you're ordained? Father Nicholas doesn't."

"Priests don't, by tradition. The theology says it's because they serve God first, before anything, but practically, when handling the Eucharist you don't want jewelry which might trap particles. Matushka wears Father's ring on a necklace, which is also traditional. Father Deacon Grigory wore his wedding ring."

When we got to the car, I helped Elizaveta in the passenger side, then walked around and got into the driver's seat. I started the car, backed out of the parking spot, and headed back towards Elizaveta's house.

"Will you wear your cassock full-time?" she asked.

"That's something I'll discuss with the bishop. I don't believe Deacon Vasily wears his when he's working in the pharmacy; I believe he wears a dress shirt, tie, and his white lab coat. I'll also have to take into account what the school says with regard to that or what any hospital I might work in thinks about it. Father Herman doesn't usually wear his cassock when he's doing home inspections, but he does on occasion. The bishop would prefer priests to wear their cassocks at all times, but some people might be bothered by it, so it gives them some freedom. Deacons get more freedom."

"Did you hear from the medical school yet?"

"No. I don't expect to hear until towards the end of October, and it could be longer. I'm still waiting to hear about an interview in Pittsburgh."

"But you're going here in McKinley, right?"

"That's the plan, and with my grades and test score, I should get in. Clarissa and Sandy should get in as well, and they'll be part of my core study group, just as they are now."

"You seem to have lots of female friends," she said carefully.

"I do. I guess you could blame Jocelyn for asking me to be her friend in kindergarten. I just got used to being around girls because she's been my friend basically forever. I do have friends who are guys — Robby, Lee, José, Pete, Jason, Clark, and others. But none of them plan to be doctors. Clarissa asked me to be her study partner back during Freshman year, so that was kind of like Jocelyn asking me in kindergarten."

"You weren't interested in Clarissa?"

Now was the time to reveal the secret because I didn't want any of my comments about Clarissa or any of my interactions with her to send the wrong message to Elizaveta.

"«Котёнок» (katyonak)," I said gently, "Clarissa is a lesbian." ("Kitten")

"What?!" she gasped.

"It's something she's known since she was fourteen."

"But..." she protested.

"But what? Yes, fornication is a sin, but as I revealed to you, it's a sin I've committed. I'll point out Clarissa comes to church regularly, and she listens when I talk about the faith."

"But..."

"Remember, Jesus ate with sinners, and more importantly, everyone in the church is a sinner in some way."

"It's just that it's ... it's disgusting to think about!"

"Then please don't think about it," I replied gently. "I should tell you I have friends who are gay, too. And yes, Father Nicholas is aware of them as well. They've been to church."

"Those two cute guys?" she asked.

"Yes, but you didn't know until I told you, did you?"

"No."

"Which means they're behaving properly. If you can accept me as your husband despite me being a sinner and accept Sasha Antonova despite her obvious sin, I think you can accept my friends despite the fact they're sinners. After all, you did say Clarissa was sweet."

"But what about when we have kids?" Elizaveta asked.

"It's not contagious," I replied. "I certainly haven't caught it!"

Elizaveta laughed, which I took as a good sign.

"You can be very silly at times."

"I know," I grinned. "Are you OK?"

"I've never known anyone who was lesbian or gay, and it's sinful. But you made a good point about that," she said, then continued. "Why did you do it?"

"You mean what I confessed to you?"

"Yes."

"To be honest, I thought I was going to marry that person, and we'd be together forever. Some things happened, beyond both our control, that prevented it."

"You were engaged?"

"No, but we may as well have been. But that's in the past. I really can't say more without revealing a confidence which would be completely inappropriate."

She was quiet for a moment, and I was positive she thought it was Tasha, and while THAT was true, it wasn't Tasha I was referring to, but Jocelyn. I knew I had very little wiggle room in what I could say beyond what I'd already said, and I hoped Elizaveta would drop the issue.

"Did you like it?"

I nodded, "It's very enjoyable."

"I took health class, but they were really careful about talking about that."

"Same here. Health class was very light on details, really. It was mostly about how to get pregnant, which I think all of us knew beforehand!"

"Duh!" Elizaveta laughed. "The only thing I learned about, really, was birth control and diseases."

"Same as me, then."

"So, how did you learn?"

"A book. I promise to teach you!"

Elizaveta laughed, "So you ARE good at it!"

"Only you can judge, but that's not until May! Until then, you may have kisses! Do you have a concern?"

"Uhm, well, a girl I know said she did it, and it was bad, but she thinks it was because of the guy."

"If he didn't have experience and they didn't have anything other than health class to go by, that isn't too surprising. If it hadn't been for the book I told you about, we might have had that problem the first time. It said basically everyone figures it out eventually."

"How many kids do you want?" she asked.

"I always thought two was the right number, but I'm not against having more. What about you?"

"At least two, but I'm not sure."

"We have lots of time to think about that," I replied. "There is one thing I'd like to do, and that is get pre-marital counseling."

"From Father Nicholas?"

"Yes, of course, but also from a psychologist I know who I've been seeing. She's helping me prepare for medical school, and she's also helping my friend Angie. Do you remember her?"

"The pretty red-haired girl from a few years ago?"

"Yes. She has some significant mental health issues, which is why she moved home. She's going to Saint George in Loveland now."

"She was your girlfriend, right?"

"Sort of," I replied. "We never went steady, but we did a lot of things together. Her problems prevented it from becoming serious."

"I always wondered what happened to her. You dated Katy Malenkova for a bit, too."

"Yes, but she decided to go to Stanford, and she's going to stay in California when she graduates because there are a lot of good companies near where she's going to school."

We arrived back at Elizaveta's house, and I handed the ring boxes to Yekaterina, who would give them to Father Nicholas. Elizaveta and I went to the backyard and sat on the bench. When her grandmothers didn't follow us out, she scooted close so that our shoulders and hips were touching. I took her hand, and she smiled.