Chapter 25: Surprises
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The first week in June was as lonely and Sasha-less as I could possibly have imagined in my worst nightmare. Before he left, he gave me a card which I was not to open until he had been gone at least a day. I kept the envelope in my pocket figuring it was a love letter. When I finally opened it, I was surprised. It was not. The note read:
My Dearest,
Please go to the nearest Fleet Bank location and sign a signature card for the account which I have set up. Consider yourself sponsored. I have discussed this with your mother and she has acquiesced to the plan. I have deposited the advance from my summer contract into the account. Try not to spend it all in one place.
If you go to Chicago, please take the money for your skating. If you choose to go to college, that's fine too. Either way, it's a good investment.
I won't see you much this summer. I don't want to leave the tour. I want to soak it in. There is much I can learn from the likes of Hamilton and all. Don't forget me where ever you go, for you are always in my thoughts and in my heart.
Your devoted lover, Sasha
My surprises were not over for the day. When I returned from the bank there was a message on the recorder that I should call Alexi Stanachev. I figured that he just wanted to talk again. I really had little desire to talk to him. I ignored the message. I was studying for exams in my room while Mama made dinner that night when the phone rang.
"Elayne! Telephone!"
"I've got it up here, Mama!" I shouted. "Hello" I said more quietly into the phone.
"Yes, Hello." the voice said. "Is this Yelena Smith?" The voice now spoke in Russian.
"The one and only."
"Yes, thank you, This is Alexi Stanachev's skating coach. You remember me?"
"Of course. What can I do for you today?" My heart did a double bunny hop. There was only one reason that Alexi's coach would call.
"Alexi called and when you did not return the call he asked me to try. Alexi and I would like you to come to Chicago."
"I've been to Chicago once already. I am doing final exams in school and I really cannot do another tryout."
"No, you misunderstand. We would be honored if you would come to Chicago as Alexi's skating partner. You were at the very top of our list, both Alexi's and mine."
"I don't know what to say. That's great! Thank you. I'd be happy to. When do you want me to come?"
"As soon as arrangements can be made. Normally, we would be off for the summer, but if you are willing, we will put in June and July and take August off when the ice closes. Your pairs elements are starting from the beginning and any extra time would be helpful."
"I see. I graduate on the 7th. So the earliest that I could come is the 8th."
"That will be fine."
"I guess I need to get with Alexi, or is there someone in the club who can help me with living arrangements?"
"You will be living with Alexi's family, will you not?"
"Absolutely not. No offense to them, but I need my own space."
"Alexi will call and see if he can help with any arrangements. In fact, I suspect that he will call anyway. He is extremely excited about having you."
"Uh... okay."
"We'll see you in Chicago around the 8th."
I went down stairs to the kitchen, the picture of nonchalance.
"Who was that on the phone dear?"
"Alexi Stanachev's skating coach."
"And what did he say?"
"Mama, you are looking at Alexi Stanachev's new skating partner."
"You've decided just like that?"
"Actually I decided when I was in Chicago. Alexi is my best chance for success. He's got some character flaws, but his skating is first rate."
"Are you sure that you'll be all right?"
"Yes, Mama. I can take care of myself." I sighed. Mama would never change. To her, I'd never be older than 12.
"How will you handle living with the Stanachevs?
"Very simple. I'm not going to... No, Mama." I stopped her with one hand. "I am 18 years old. This is 1998, not 1898. I am capable of managing my own affairs. I will be far safer and far better kept in my own place."
"There's not much I can say to change your mind, is there?"
"No, there isn't. You raised an independent, headstrong daughter and that's what you've got. Are you going to be with me this time?"
Mama sat in a kitchen chair and was quiet for a time.
"Elayne, you make choices that I would never make. You go from indecision to decision faster than the blink of an eye, sometimes without a shred of hard evidence. I was so sure that Sasha Klukov was a mistake, I'm still not completely convinced, but I can live with it. But I'm desperately afraid of this Alexi Stanachev, not just for your career, but for your physical well being. You'll be so far from home. What if he hurts you? He nearly killed Yelena Perenskya! What if something should go wrong?"
"Mama, that was an accident. It could have happened to anyone." I soothed as I put a hand on her shoulder, "What if the sky should fall?" I paused. "If it does we'll all just hold it up as best as we can and go from there. I don't know what's going to happen but I'll burn my bridges when I get there and not before."
Text Copyright © 1998-2003 Mary E. Tyler
