01-22-2019, 08:13 PM
“At least I won,” said Ivan, flashing a quick grin as he sat on a bench and finished texting.
Sara didn’t reply. She stared at Ivan. Then Nox.
Nox looked funny. There was a funny look on his face. Sara sat on the bench opposite Nox in a heap of her folded skirts, deflated. The pack of smokes lay beside her. Funny looks didn’t agree with Sara. Besides, she had things to do. Urgent things. She had smokes to enjoy. And there was half a bottle of vodka back in the lounge that won’t just drink itself.
Then a new expression crossed her face as Nox moved next to Ivan. Since the start of their conversation, she’d shown little more than concern. Now she wore an expression of shock.
Nox asked gently about the Almaz and turned to look at Ivan. Ivan liked Nox, he treated him with affection and concern. Better from Nox.
The two men sat back, side by side, on the new, polished bench, and talked.
The Almaz. Sara couldn’t imagine it. She had tears in her eyes. She sniffed hard and rubbed her eyes. It was very hard to stay professional… and calm.
She needed guidance. She decided she’d go to the balcony and reflect. The calm view of the city would soothe her, and allow her mind to rally. The night was nearly done. The first grey stains of the day had begun to soak into the sky... a translucent morning fog hung upon the silent cold city like the breath of winter.
Sara, excused herself to go smoke
