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Ah, that's right. She dabbled in figure skating when she was younger. With that, I confirm that I will be on the ice with the kids. Galina heads over to the rental counter for a pair of skates while the rest of us lace up our personal skates. The kids hit the ice as soon as they are ready, but I hang back, waiting for Galina.
It's crazy how practically any ice rink can feel like a second home of sorts. My muscles relax the moment I see the gleam of the ice. My lungs breathe a little easier. Galina likely doesn't feel quite the same. I believe her skating was pushed on her by her parents.
The kids request my presence to participate in races, so I happily oblige. Galina keeps to herself, skating as if she’s been doing so regularly all these years. After a bit, the kids seem content to entertain theirselves and I skate over to Galina.
“It’s weird seeing you with kids.”
I glance over at her, curious. “In a good way or bad?”
“Good. It’s just something I didn’t really connect with you, but then, I still see seventeen-year-old Sergey most of the times.” She surprises me by reaching over and taking my hand. A flicker of a smile plays on her lips. “It’s startling to see that in my head and then look at you. Very different.”
“How so?” I ask.
“You’re definitely not a teenager anymore.” Her eyes give me a quick once-over.
I laugh. “Neither are you.” Pulling her snug against me, I kiss her quickly, mindful of the kids with us today. Being physical with her seems easy and natural. The rest? We’re still working on that aspect. “I’ll round the kids up and we’ll get ice cream before we take them home.”
“Sounds good.”
After getting ice cream and dropping the kids off, we return home. An idea has formed about our next date by that time. I’ll have to look into that later.
“Why did my mom ask for a grandchild if we weren’t together?” I ask, curious. After spending time with the kids today, children in general are on my mind and I’m trying to figure why my mother would push that on her. What’s the logic behind it?
Galina shrugs with a sigh. “I don’t know. She tried to tell me I was getting up in age and that now was the time to act if I ever wanted children. She said that I was holding you back from having kids by not being with you, and keeping her from grandchildren because I was neglecting our marriage. That’s the gist of it.” She cocks her head at me, tucking her legs underneath her on the couch as I take a seat next to her. “She really never mentioned us to you?”
“No. She never even asked if we spoke or what my plans were in regard to the marriage.”
She rolls her eyes and looks irritated. That’s not really the mood I want her to be in and I regret asking. On the other hand, I’m glad to know more about what she dealt with specifically with my parents. It also causes my anger to rise at my parents. They have no business talking to Galina like that.
“I’m sorry.” I feel like I’ve apologized a lot on their behalf lately.
Galina smiles. “It’s not your fault.”
The rest of the afternoon, I pepper her about the time we’ve spent apart, to learn more about her. We discuss what we currently see and want for our future. When she steps away to shower, I take time to plan our next date.
Six
Galina
For the firsttime in years, I receive a call from my mom. It startles me so much and causes my lungs to seize in panic so that all I can do is stare at the screen until it goes to voicemail.
The last time we spoke is so clear in my mind. She asked me if I had any intentions of ever having a life with Sergey. When I answered no, she lost her mind. She went on and on about what it took to apparently convince his parents to agree to the union, how much money went into the wedding, and that I was ruining lives. She told me she was officially done with me and I was no longer her daughter.
A few months after that is when the calls from Sergey’s mom started.
“Galina?”
I snap out of the memory and look over at Sergey. He’s taking me out for our next date.
“What’s wrong?”
“My mom just called. I don’t know what to do.”
“Do you want to talk to her?” he asks.
Do I? She’s my mother and I love her dearly, despite our issues. But those issues have caused an enormous strain on our relationship. Obviously, since we no longer talk. I wonder if she’s only calling now because Sergey’s mom told her I’m here with him. Does she plan to start pressuring me again?
Sensing my hesitation and uncertainty, Sergey reaches over to hold my hand. Comfort seems to emit from his body straight into mine. “Remember, I’m your ally. You don’t want to talk to her, don’t. You want me to talk to her, I will. You are not in this alone anymore.”
