Crossroads

by Blake Haugen

  Persephone sighed in relief when she saw Kirill talking to a group of men jovially. To her astonishment, he made eye contact with her and waved. At first, she thought he might be gesturing to someone behind her, but sure enough, his attention was on her. She gave a half smile and awkwardly waved back. “I think your dad just tried to smile at me.”

  “Weird. Weird, but good,” Vanya smirked and rubbed her back. Thankfully, Kirill and Lina made it to the table after a few minutes. Servers placed platters containing all sorts of food from the menu on each table, allowing each guest to taste all of the delicacies. Lina inspected each one for peanuts before fixing Austin’s plate. Smells of cocoanut curries, cilantro, and oranges filled the room. The colorful food was truly the centerpiece of the whole experience. That was saying something given the gorgeous architecture of the building.

  Everyone ate and enjoyed their meal. They talked about work and school and Kirill was pleasant. That was, if he had the chance. Men and women alike were coming up to him all night to take pictures, give sycophantic comments, or to promise to see him next week. After a short performance by a jazz singer, Lev Fedorovich gave a speech thanking all his guests. The old man had trotted up all seventeen of his grandchildren, from ages thirty-two to thirteen, and announced that no matter what the outcome of the business was, they were his real legacy.

  Persephone found that she was struck by his words. Vanya reached over to squeeze her hand as she sat, mesmerized by the large family. Looking at Vanya, she fought the urge to blush and tried to imagine what a child of theirs would look like. There was a time when she thought that type of future was impossible. If the way the night had gone thus far was any indication, family with Vanya could be a reality. When Fedorovich’s speech ended the servers walked out again, this time with different coffees, desserts, and more cocktails.

  “So, when will you two be working on my legacy, hmm? I’m getting older. You’ve been married a year now,” Kirill asked turning on Lina and Austin.

  “Papa! I don’t know, geez,” Lina said in an irritated tone. Persephone suddenly felt very uncomfortable. She’d never seen Lina act this way before. Her cool composure had given way to a harassed and anxious woman, not unlike an exasperated teenager.

  “We’re not quite ready for kids, yet, Kirill,” Austin spoke up. “When we’re ready we’ll let you know.”

  His voice was firm. Persephone was surprised. Given Lina’s take-charge attitude, she’d half expected Austin to be a submissive ninny. However, she could see why he and Lina made such a good match. Lina was tough, but Austin seemed tougher; he only brought the claws out when necessary. Few people could be straight up with their in-laws that way, let alone one like Kirill Pravdin. Persephone tried to keep a nervous smile off her face. How could she turn this subject around?

  “Austin, do you think your peanut allergy is hereditary?” she asked suddenly.

  Vanya just covered his mouth with a napkin and tried to muffle his laugh. He was unsuccessful and grinned while filling his mouth with molten chocolate cake topped with coffee liqueur whipped cream. Kirill and Lina looked at Persephone blankly as Austin actually thought her question over.

  “I mean, do you think your kids would get it? Aren’t kids not supposed to eat peanut butter their first year or something? Or is it that they should?” Persephone added for emphasis.

  “Umm, I actually hadn’t thought about it. Neither of my parents is allergic to peanuts. I don’t have any siblings to serve as examples.”

  “I’m an only child, too, but I don’t have any allergies. My mom did though. She was allergic to shellfish.”

  “I know you’re not supposed to give babies raw honey,” Lina shrugged.

  “All these only children,” Kirill commented carefully. “You’d think one of you would be in a rush to start a family. It’s my understanding you don’t have very much family left, Miss Peterson, is that correct?”

  Vanya’s fork clanked down on his plate. He wasn’t smiling anymore. His eyes narrowed at his father, but before he could intervene, Persephone answered Kirill’s question.

  “In some sense, Mr. Pravdin. There’s one cousin, somewhere in China. My godparents are alive and we’re close.”

  “Yes, but that’s the problem with legacy, isn’t it? You can’t just pass it down to anyone. These people have their own children, but you, you are all that’s left in this world of your parents.”

  “Papa –” Vanya spoke gravely again, but Persephone halted his words with a raised hand.

  “No,” Persephone said, maintaining eye contact with Kirill. “In some sense that’s true. What I’m failing to understand is the point.”

  “The point is simply that you are somewhat alone in this world. It would be good for you to have a family, protection, and a position of strength. We could offer you that.”

  “Is that so?” Persephone sneered. “In exchange for what, exactly?”

  By this time, it was clear to everyone that this was not a friendly invitation into the family. Lina and Austin were agape and looked between Persephone and Kirill. Vanya looked as if he wanted to plunge the butter knife in his hand straight into his father’s heart.

  “Your legacy, of course, Miss Peterson. It would be a shame to let all that your mother and father gave you go to waste. With it and the name of this family, there’s little you couldn’t do. That is what you want, isn’t it? To be Persephone Pravdina one day? I know my son wants it. Sooner than you do, I suspect, but just as much as you do. You should think it over Miss Peterson, it and the blessing it will give you.”

  Persephone stared at Kirill as he resumed eating his dessert. She was speechless. The anger running through her was potent. Her ears were hot with blood and she thought she might just throw her plate at him. Was that what this whole dinner was about? Kirill getting what she’d known he wanted from her?

  She decided she was fed up when Kirill turned to address another hanger-on that approached him. He talked to the man as if he hadn’t just dropped a bomb on the table. She got out of her seat, shook Vanya’s hand from her arm, and ignored his pleading tone.

  “Persephone, wait!”

  “Just stay here, I’m going to the bathroom.”

  Persephone stalked toward the large, marble filled restroom. She was disappointed when she arrived. There was an attendant, so she couldn’t even express her anger the way she wanted to. She exchanged pleasantries with the woman and pretended to fix her hair in the mirror. Not long after, Lina stepped through the door.

  “Persephone,” Lina said softly, “I’m sorry. My dad is a straightforward man and he looks at everything like a possession or a transaction. He was worse than this when I first told him about Austin. It’ll pass. I don’t know what it is that you two were talking about –”

  “Are you sure?” Persephone cut in. “I thought this was just a family gathering?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. Who the hell knows what you two were talking about? Vanya didn’t, that’s for sure. He was blindsided and he’s at the table trying to figure it out right now. Maybe you should fill him in.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  “What?”

  “Look, Lina, I appreciate you coming in here, but I’ll be fine. I just – I just need a few minutes. I’ll be back after that.”

  “Alright, I can respect that.” Lina walked out without protest. Persephone was glad for it. She had to get out of here. Driving was out; Vanya had the valet keys. She’d have to walk to a nearby busy street and catch a cab. She laughed out loud at the thought. Being with Vanya had spoiled her. When was the last time she’d taken a cab? There’d been a time when she balked at a taxi, opting for public transportation instead.

  Tonight was a sign, an awful, blinding sign. Taking a deep breath, she exited the restroom and looked for a back door. The layout was confusing; the tinted partitions made things seem like a maze and she wondered how they kept everything smudge free. She rounded a corner after eyeing the exit she was searching for. Unfortuna
tely, Vanya came swiftly through a hallway and blocked her path.

  “Going somewhere?” he asked testily. Vanya frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “I thought you were sitting at the table.”

  “Glass walls and whatnot. I saw you on the move.”

  “I want to leave. Now.”

  “Okay.”

  The ride home was silent. Persephone spoke as little as possible when they got back to Vanya’s apartment. She didn’t want to say anything mean spirited. She lied on one side of the bed curled away from Vanya’s touch. It was his apartment, and she thought there was something especially absurd about anyone sleeping on the couch in their own home. So, she settled for sleeping on opposite sides of the bed rather than wrapped in one another’s limbs.

  Persephone remained quiet the next morning. Her frustrations hadn’t subsided and she knew Vanya could tell. He’d taken the time to get up and prepare Irish oatmeal with buttermilk, a pinch of sea salt, and raisins, a breakfast meal she loved, but rarely had the time to make. Vanya broke the silence as she chomped down on the porridge, avoiding his eyes.

  “So, we have to talk about this sometime. We have to talk, period.”

  “Really, Vanya, I’m not sure you want to hear what I have to say right now.”

  “Try me.”

  “Okay, how about what the fuck was last night? You tell me that it’s some family gathering your dad wants me to go to? I can’t believe you would collude with your dad to try to get something from me!” Persephone pushed away from the table and walked through the dining room to the den.

  “Wait, what?” Vanya’s eyebrows shot to a comical height. He got up quickly and followed her to the den. Before she could take a seat on the sectional, he grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. “You’re trying to put this on me? I had no idea what my father was going to say last night. Fuck, I don’t even know what you two were talking about!”

  “You had no idea your dad was going to proposition me?”

  “Persephone, I can’t believe you!” Vanya nearly shouted. “How dare you!”

  “How dare I? Get real!”

  “No! No, don’t try to spin this like that. I’m straight with you. You… you’re accusing me of trying to get secrets from you just as it’s revealed there are secrets you keep! You need to respect me enough to tell me about whatever it is my father wants from you. We have this unspoken agreement about what we do and don’t reveal to one another and I’ve kept my side of the bargain for the last two and a half years. I’ve told you everything. Everything I possibly could within reason. It’s time for you to come clean and tell me the truth about everything. Ryan Trask, what my father wants, all of it. It’s weighing us down.”

  Persephone looked away from him. He had let go of her arm and stood unmovable before her. Vanya was demanding, furious, and worst of all – right. He was right. That’s probably why she was so damn mad.

  “Come clean, huh?”

  “Yes, Percy. Come clean, or this isn’t going to work out.”

  “What do you mean it’s not going to work out?”

  “Us.”

  Persephone swallowed. Realizing she’d reached the end of the line, she prepared to tell a story she’d never told aloud. “Come on then. I’ll tell you in the shower.”

  Read the conclusion of Vanya and Persephone’s journey together in Full Circle: Here and Now.

  If you enjoyed Full Circle: Crossroads, please be sure to read the first and third books in the series: Full Circle, and Full Circle: Here and Now. This book has been enabled for lending, so please share it with friends and others that might enjoy a good read. Be sure to recommend or review the stories at the site where you purchased it. Reviews are especially appreciated; if you write one, be sure to tell me at blahaugen@gmail.com. I’ll be sure to write a personal e-mail of thanks in return.

  For information on new releases, updates, and more, please visit Blake Haugen’s Amazon.com author’s page.