Dining Together

KIRA’S FATHER, ALEXANDER ALESKSANDROVICH, had requested Roman stay for dinner, at the insistence of his daughter. The stuffy protocol caused Roman to fidget in his seat. But he was willing to suffer for the opportunity of sitting next to Kira.

Elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen sat around a long dining table. Lit candelabras stretched down the center of the table. Multiple rows of tableware and wine goblets graced each place setting. White-clad servants served the first course, borscht with a creamed dill dressing.

“That was a heroic feat you performed, Lieutenant.” One of the guests spoke out. “I don’t know what we are going to do with these emboldened kulaks.”

“Maybe we could feed them,” Roman said. The room fell quiet and all heads turned.

Someone at the end of the table piped up, “What if we take our plates out into the streets and stoke their bellies.” Everyone laughed, except Roman and Kira who glanced at her father.

Roman used the excuse of reaching for his glass of wine to touch Kira’s bare arm. He felt his pulse race and was pleased when she did not pull back. A woman across the table gave them a stern look that caused Kira to blush.

A guest cleared his throat and said, “Alexander, when do you plan to leave for Moscow?”

“In a few days.”

Roman thought he heard a sigh escape Kira’s lips. Her green eyes held a sadness that crept over him.      

“Maybe you should take the young lieutenant for protection,” another said.  

Roman looked at Alexander who said, “We shall see.”

Kira squeezed Roman’s forearm under the table. He remained poised. Took his other hand rested in on top of hers then interlaced his fingers with hers.   

ROMAN ENTERED HIS ROOM and found Uri lying on his bed. He looked up from his book. “I heard you ran into a little scuffle.”

Roman grinned and plopped down in an overstuffed chair. “It was nothing.” He swung his leg over the armrest and started to hum.

“I also heard that you were invited for supper.”

Roman widened his impish grin.  

Uri sat upright. “No!” He leapt to his feet and placed his hands on his hips. “What are you doing? She is engaged.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “But she’s not married, not yet anyway.” Roman rose, grabbed his valet bag off the highboy, and headed down the hall.

Uri yelled after him, “You know you’re crazy.”