Chapter Ten:

I was already dreading my flight back to the United States, and I haven’t been on Russian soil for a full hour yet. I hate airports, especially International airports. They give me anxiety. Armed with all my documentation, I passed each security check point and felt overjoyed to not be asked any questions. As I walked toward baggage claim, I peered out the many glass windows with a strange feeling. Tyumen Oblast was my home, and I’ve returned. The clouds were dark, the sky snowy. The sight made me tighten the belt around my thick, black coat. I haven’t missed the weather out here and knew I wasn’t prepared for the gust of windchill once it was time to leave Roshchino International.

“Moya Vasilisochka! Ya zdes’!” I heard dad's unmistakenable voice call my name emotionally from the left, and whipped my head around to find him rushing forward. He hugged me warmly and I reciprocated. His cologne brought all the good memories along with it and I blinked back tears. After I moved to the United States, I got used to almost every major change except for not having my father nearby. Although I've gone most of my life without him, we had a very close relationship and I missed him terribly.

“Ya rad tebya videt’." I muttered how happy I was to see him when we let go of each other, and he gestured toward the baggage carousel as we started walking side by side. I immediately spotted three of my suitcases and grabbed them all. Two rounds later, the others arrived. My dad rubbed his chin and gave a shake of the head while he helped me load everything onto a sturdy luggage cart. "I understand you brought your entire closet with you for this trip?" He chuckled and I shrugged with an innocent smile.

"And how else will I stay fashionable?"

"It's two weeks, Vasilisa."

"Yes, but you're not a woman. Therefore you'd only need two suitcases in my place." I waited for him to try and argue, but my humble father knows when he's met his match.

"You win the argument. Would you like to go eat now? You must be hungry. Food on the flight is always very unpleasant." He motioned for me to hold the door open so he could wheel out the cart and I obliged, taking a sharp breath in as soon as the wind hit my face. Why is Russia so damn cold?

"Something hot. Hot tea, hot soup with potatoes. Warm bread." I offered the suggestion with chattering teeth, and my dad agreed. We managed to get everything loaded into his Black BMW and began the drive to Tobolsk. In fifteen minutes we stopped at a quaint little restaurant and ordered tea at once. My soul warmed the second I lifted the pot to pour some into my china cup.

"Do you have enough honey?" My dad asked, taking the teapot from me to serve himself. I spooned three heaping amounts into my cup and stirred with a half smile. I loved this sticky sweet goop.

"It's plenty." I nodded, taking a cautious sip. There's nothing like good, fresh Russian tea. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find any nearly as comforting in America yet.

"Good." Dad smiled and squeezed half a lemon into his tea. I studied him deep in thought. My father was a handsome man, although not proud or arrogant. He seemed much younger to everyone who knew him despite his demanding line of business. When I was born, he gave me his striking green eyes and dirty blonde hair. We shared the same smile, and laughed in a similar way. I thought if Evgeniya hadn't separated me from him, I would have surely grown up with everyone commenting on our likeness. "Vasha, you were right. Your mother still lives in Tobolsk. While you were still on the plane, she messaged me on VK and gave me her address."

I set my cup down carefully and cocked my head to the side. So she can write to my father while I was coming back to Russia, but not before? Convenient. "What did you say?" I asked quietly.

"I thanked her, nothing more." Dad waved our waitress over and put in two orders for Mushroom and potato soup with a side of bread. After she walked away he took another slow sip of tea and continued. "I think she got the dates confused, so I corrected her-"

"I did that on purpose! I didn't want her to know how long I'd be here." I groaned, crossing my arms in dismay. "Now she'll pester me until I go see her. This trip is about more than meeting Evgeniya. I wanted to spend some time with you while you're not working, and there are a few friends I wanted to see too." I wasn't angry with him, he didn't know. I just wish he would have asked me about the confusion first.

"My apologies, Vasilisa. There will be time to do everything you want while you're visiting Tobolsk." His eyes were smiling, and I relaxed. Before I could get too comfortable, I remembered Francine and pat the pockets of my jacket until I found my phone.

"Excuse me a moment." I asked politely, and my father nodded. Standing up, I ventured to the far corner of the restaurant to call my girlfriend. International calling to the United States costs three dollars per minute, but until I got my hands on a calling card I didn't care. I had to let my Bunny know I was safe. The phone rang and rang, finally picking up her voicemail.

"Hey! It's Francine. Leave your message after the BEEP!" It ended with her childlike laughter, which made me grin.

Beep

"Detka, I hope you're not too angry at me. I've arrived in Tobolsk. I'll call and Skype you as often as possible. I love you, I miss you." I left the message in English because it made me feel better. Here, I'm back in the closet for the time being. Just as I hung up, I noticed a blonde woman enter the restaurant. A blonde woman with big ears and bright blue eyes who was heading straight for my father. He rose uncomfortably to greet her and I stood up straight.

What the hell was Evgeniya doing here?