Misha
“You just don’t like him because he likes me,” Valentina retorted without pause, closing the medicine cabinet, then started working on her eyelashes in the mirror. I was lounging on the couch flipping through one of her books, not paying much attention, but faking it nicely. “That might be true, but there’s plenty of others,” I replied.
Her apartment in the metropolis was nice. I’d say close to luxurious, but not over the top. It was fitting for the young professional lawyer that she was. Though it was hard to notice with the layer of clothes, books, purses, and other accessories covering nearly every flat surface. Out the tall, slender windows the sun was starting to set on the far side of the park, many stories below. “I bet you can’t name four,” she said, heading from the bathroom to the bedroom and her walk-in closet.
Sitting up, I counted off on one hand, “One, he’s pretentious. Coming from old money he’ll never know what it took for you to get where you are, he’ll just expect you to stay there. Two, you’ve been out with him several times, which suggests you’ve had enough time to assess he’s not worth any more of your energy. Three, you’ve always been independent. Why compromise your growth with someone else’s concerns? And, four, I’m your brother and you’re my sister, which means I get the final word on things like this.” I tossed the book on the haphazard stack that was held up by the coffee table.
I could hear her laughing from the other room, pieces of the ensemble of her outfit were flying out onto the floor. This was her third change in the past hour. She really did like this guy. Gross.
“In the interest of the plaintiff, listen closely Умница. One, he values time with me more than money, something that he’s demonstrated on each of the occasions I’ve gone out with him. Two, each of those times I’ve only wanted to learn more about him and he about me, meaning that my ‘assessment’ is not finished. Three, I’ve always been independent and it’s refreshing to share the goals and dreams of someone else from time to time. Four, I’m your sister and you’re my brother which means the bias you have against anyone I choose to court will never cease. And five,” she stuck her head out of the closet while affixing a new set of earrings, “you’ve never even seen or met the man, so all of your critiques are mere speculation,” she disappeared again.
It was easy to tell why she made such a good lawyer, but it made arguing with her downright abysmal. “Weren’t you supposed to leave like ten minutes ago?” I threw back at her.
“So now you want to take the high ground?” she came back into the living room, dressed to fit the part. She snagged one of the half-dozen purses scattered about and began tossing things in. I stood and went to the window. The lights of the promenade were coming on and I could see people walking, heading to dinner and drinks like Valentina.
“No, I’m only a concerned younger brother, trying to do my part,” I said. She finally slowed down with a sigh, standing next to me. We both took in the view or a moment. She was about to say something else when my mobile beeped from my pocket. “What is it?” she asked concerned. She’d watched my face focus as I read the message.
“It’s Mom, she says Dad opened my mail. I got a letter from the Education Ministry. I’m going to an Academy.” Stunned, she hugged me and patted my head her demeanor entirely back to normal, “Congratulations! This is the first step on your next adventure, one where maybe you get your own place that I can come lay around in unannounced!” She put a book in my hands and headed to the door, pausing on the way out, “That one’s a good place to start.” She shut the door and was gone.
I put the mobile away, and traced my hands over the hardcover she’d given me, Around the World in Eighty Days. I read for hours that night, as if each new page had an answer for me.
My name is Misha Sredniy, and that was the day I heard the clock start ticking.
