by Terri Dixon
Part XXXXVI
We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. They do not exist.
-Queen Victoria
I wanted to punch President Yuri Kostov right in the face, but that wasn’t an option. I was thrilled to finally be out of the middle of the controversy and away from politics. I was ready to go home, but I didn’t want to leave Peter. Thank God he was all right. I would never have forgiven myself had he been hanged over a stupid ring.
I sat in the Zil next to Tania watching Moscow go by on our way to the American Consulate. Ambassador Van Zandt sat opposite us. I could finally go home. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I wanted my life back. I wanted my stomach to calm down. I wanted to do so many things at once that I didn’t know what to do. I sat and looked out the car window.
As promised, Peter and Steve were allowed to say good-bye. I was happy about that. They were in the car behind us with Tish and Boris. I saw the American Consulate for the first time. It reminded me of the Soviet buildings that I'd seen in my grandma's books and online. Things had been tense between the U.S. and Russia for a while, evidenced by the guards around the building and the many kinds of barriers and gates. We pulled up to the main gate and were approached by an entourage of security. They talked to Ambassador Van Zandt for a moment and then they asked us all to get out of the car.
"It was an honor to meet you," Grigory said to me.
"Likewise," I replied.
We got out of the car and started to walk to the gate. The American Consulate would not allow a Russian vehicle driven by a Russian military man on the property. We were about to walk into the official property of the United States. We would be safe for the first time in a long time.
Peter ran to me and hugged me. “I cannot believe that I will never see you again,” Peter said, once he finally stopped hugging me.
I wanted to cry. I didn’t want to leave him. “All good things must come to an end.”
“Why?”
“If for no other reason, because we all die sometime. I’m just glad that your time wasn’t today.”
“I have too much to do.”
I laughed at his eternal enthusiasm for the impossible. “Be careful, you’ll give your grandmother a heart attack.”
“That old broad will outlive us all.”
Tish walked up behind him and slapped the back of his head. “I heard that.” She walked over to the men who were unloading the luggage from the cars.
I wanted to laugh. “You could be right.”
“Promise me you will be safe,” Peter said. "Stay safe and stay beautiful."
“Me? I’m always all right. Will you promise not to get hung by Yuri Kostov?”
“I am sorry, I cannot promise such a thing. I will try.”
“I guess that’s all I can ask.”
I looked over to Tania and Steve having a tender moment of their own. They were both teary eyed, and were oblivious to the rest of the world. I was sorry that I had ruined their chance for romance with my problems. There was nothing that I could do about it. The adventure was over and we had to leave the boys behind. We would have to live with it.
I looked up at Peter. “How will I ever adjust to life in rural Indiana after all of this?”
“You wanted to learn about the Tsars. You got what you came for. I am sorry that it worked out this way. I know how much the ring meant to you. Maybe you should ask how you will get along without your grandmother’s ring?”
I smiled. “I can’t believe you didn’t think of that.”
“What?”
“I won’t have to get along without it. I have you to thank for that.”
His eyes grew wide. He giggled. “You did not!”
“The bastards don’t deserve it.”
“The bastards are too stupid to know the difference. You are amazing. You did not shake or even blink. You were brave like Catherin the Great.”
He grabbed me with another hug. Then he pulled away from me, looked in my eyes and gave me the most passionate kiss I’d ever experienced. I would never forget him. If only I could see him again.
“I’ll try to keep in touch.” I told him.
“I will try as well.”
The guards were motioning us to come inside the gate. It was time to go. I felt a tear on my cheek.
