Christina couldn't stand the devilish look on her aunt's face. "I know," Christina explained, "I got up early to cook something for lunch." She looked pleadingly towards Misha in the hopes she would let the subject drop.

"Who are you cooking lunch for my dear?"

Christina's shoulders sank. Her aunt was going to make her say it aloud. Letting out a heavy sigh, she turned her head away as she muttered, "Richard."

Misha patted the seat next to her, and Christina, resigned herself to her fate, sat down.

Christina had reached an entirely new stage of embarrassment; she could feel heat pulsating throughout her entire body. "Aunt Misha, I know what you're thinking, but it's not like that at all," Christina protested.

Being Christina Chase
Chapter 29 - Pyrrhic Victories
by Admiral Krunch

 

        As she did every morning, Misha woke when the first ray of sunlight shone through her bedroom window. Rotating her feet over the side of the bed, she held the small of her back as she sat up. Alek was still sleeping next to her, snoring loudly. After so many years of marriage, the noise no longer had any effect on her. She looked back at her husband and sighed. They had been fighting for months. Despite knowing just how serious their situation was, Misha let Alek make all the money decisions, even though she knew the decisions were wrong. It was the way things had been since she had taken her wedding vows. Still, she'd always been able to reason with him in the past. Not this time, she thought. How could it be that a man could be so prideful as to lose everything he'd worked for, she wondered.

        Misha knew there'd been bad times in the past. This too, was just another problem that would eventually be overcome. Lately though, Misha had become angry with her husband for another reason. Alek had been positively cruel to their niece. Misha thought of Christina as her own daughter, but she knew that she was different from her other children. Nina and Andrei had grown up in a house where yelling and fighting was as a regular occurrence. When the Levchenkos had a problem, they shouted it out. It was a good system; you made it clear exactly how you felt and you had a shouting match until it was worked out. The point was, it got the anger out of your system, and after the yelling was done, everyone could go back to normal.

        Christina, though, hadn't grown up in her house. Her new daughter wasn't used to the little signs of affection that filled every day. Nor did she understand how their family fought. Every harsh word her husband spat at Christina left a stain; a hurt that wasn't easily mended. She knew that Alek was just as trapped as her niece. He didn't have a sparring partner, only a target. Without anyone to push back, he just pushed harder. She knew he'd already said things he didn't mean, but as much as Christina didn't know to fight back, Alek didn't know how to stop.

        It broke Misha's heart. She couldn't love Christina any more if she'd given birth to her. She realized that her family needed Christina too. She could see it in Nina and Andrei's faces. Misha always carried the burden of keeping her family afloat, but Christina was the one who had actually brought her children together.

        Misha didn't know much about Christina's life away from home, but she saw how drained her niece looked every time she returned. Christina needed a real home, she decided.

        What was most evident to Misha was just how much Christina needed a father. Staring at her husband, Misha did not say or think a word. Through all the years they had been together, through all the fights and the hard times, she had never felt resentment towards the man until now. She could see the sadness in her niece's eyes and the frown that lurked behind each half-hearted smile. She feared that if things did not change, she would never see Christina again.

        Pushing herself out of bed, Misha threw on a battered old bathrobe and shuffled groggily into the kitchen. She heard the clatter of pots and pans as she turned on the light.

        Christina, who was already dressed for the day and apparently cooking a large meal, spun around in surprise to see her aunt standing in the doorway. "Good morning," Christina croaked, as though she'd just been caught committing a felony.

        "Tina?" Misha asked in astonishment, "What are you doing up so early?"

        Christina blushed furiously and stammered, "I ... uh ... just had to get some cooking done ..."

        With sleepy eyes, Misha stepped over to inspect her niece's work and smiled approvingly. "A little odd, yes?" she said coyly.

        "I dunno what you mean ," Christina mumbled as she looked away, "I'm just cooking ..."

        "Ah yes," the older woman continued, "Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, peas ..." She took a peek in the oven and gave her niece a scandalous look, "And you are baking bread too."

        "Let me put some fresh coffee on for you," Christina said as If trying to distract her aunt.

        Misha sat down at the kitchen table and watched her niece stumble nervously with the coffee pot.

        "Tina," Misha called brightly.

        Christina didn't turn around. Instead, she focused harder on the task of making coffee as though the act would provide enough camouflage for her to disappear.

        "Tina," Misha called again.

        Christina put down the pot in defeat and turned around with her hands folded neatly in front of her. "Yes?" she answered in a tiny voice.

        "These are not breakfast foods," Misha stated plainly.

        Christina couldn't stand the devilish look on her aunt's face. "I know," Christina explained, "I got up early to cook something for lunch." She looked pleadingly towards Misha in the hopes she would let the subject drop.

        "Who are you cooking lunch for my dear?"

        Christina's shoulders sank. Her aunt was going to make her say it aloud. Letting out a heavy sigh, she turned her head away as she muttered, "Richard."

        Misha patted the seat next to her, and Christina, resigned herself to her fate, sat down.

        Christina had reached an entirely new stage of embarrassment; she could feel heat pulsating throughout her entire body. "Aunt Misha, I know what you're thinking, but it's not like that at all," Christina protested.

        "So, you and Richard are having lunch today?"

        "Look," Christina said in an exasperated tone, "It's just lunch. It's not a big deal."

        "Ah. Not a big deal. If it is not a big deal, then why were you with Richard all day yesterday?"

        "It's wasn't all day!" Christina whined. "Wait," she added nervously, "How did you know that?"

        "Tina," Misha explained, "I know my son. You did not take him shopping all day. It is a miracle you got Andrei into a suit at all."

        "Yeah okay, but why would you think I was with Richard?" Christina asked indignantly.

        Misha merely cocked her head and raised her eyebrow in coy accusation.

        Christina sucked in a deep breath, and her eyes grew wide. "It's not like that at all! He's just helping me with something."

        Misha did not answer. Her grin simply grew exponentially.

        "Oh my God!" Christina shouted in frustration as she stood up and stormed back to her cooking. "It's one hundred percent business! He bought me lunch yesterday, and I'm just making it even! That's all! He's just helping me with a project!"

        Misha asked, "And what kind of project would that be?"

        "What kinda project?" Christina sputtered as she racked her brain for a good excuse.

        "Yes," Misha repeated, "For what projects does a young girl need a lawyer?"

        "Well ..." Christina said in a shrill voice. "You see ..." She couldn't exactly tell Misha what she was doing nor could she think of any other explanation. "Okay, you got me," Christina muttered through gritted teeth and tightly closed eyes. "I really like spending time with Richard. He just does something to me. Can't get enough of him." She opened one eye to see whether Misha had bought her lie. Of course, the older woman was already sold.

        Misha walked over to her niece and helped her pack her lunch into a large wicker basket. "You know child," Misha said sweetly, "I could tell from the beginning that the two of you were right for each other."

        "I dunno about that," Christina complained.

        "And I know what it is like to be young and in love."

        Christina winced as though the word "love" was a slap in face. "Love is an awful strong word. I'd say 'like' ... or 'tolerate' maybe ..."

        "And when you are in love with a man," Misha continued in spite of Christina, "You may feel like you are ready for more than just dating. The man may try to convince you to go further than you want to go."

        Christina couldn't believe she was getting the same conversation that about Richard that she'd given to Nina about dating David. "Aunt Misha," Christina dismissed, "Trust me. There is NO WAY that anything could happen."

        "Tina," Misha advised, "Just be careful. And do not spend all your time with a man. Men do not need much encouragement, and it may give him the wrong idea."

        "You know," Christina said seriously, "Richard really surprised me. He's not the person I thought he was. I used to think he was some arrogant jerk that thought he could get any girl he wanted."

        "And you do not believe this now?"

        "Well ... no ... actually, I still think he's an arrogant jerk. But you know, it's like he's a decent guy, too. He goes out of his way to help people, but it's not like he makes a big deal out of it."

        "And he does not pressure you dear?"

        "Oh, all the time! He's like a steamroller!" Christina exclaimed. "But, I guess the thing is, when I ask him to stop, you know, he does." Christina looked up at her aunt as though she'd just pieced together a jigsaw puzzle. "Aunt Misha, why does he keep chasing me when he knows I'm not going to let him do anything?"

        "Tell me dear," Misha grinned, "Why do you think that is?"

        Christina thought that over. She was about to speak, but was interrupted by sounds coming from the downstairs bathroom. Anxiously opening the oven, Christina took out the bread she was baking and asked in a shaky voice, "Is Uncle Alek awake already?"

        "Tina," Misha consoled, "You do not have to hide from your uncle."

        Christina pulled out her bread and let it sit on top of the oven to cool. She stared askance with hurt eyes and countered, "I'm not avoiding him. It's just, I have somewhere to be ..."

        Holding her niece by the arm, Misha pleaded, "Tina, why not stay and have breakfast with us."

        Christina shivered slightly as she twisted out of her aunt's grip. "No," she insisted, "I really should go." Rushing out of the kitchen, Christina went up the stairs. She looked over her shoulder to see whether her uncle was out of the bathroom yet, but it appeared that he was still taking his shower. Feeling a familiar sickness grow in her stomach, she knocked on Andrei's door.

        Andrei opened the door sleepily. Standing in his boxer shorts and a tank top, he looked at his cousin through half open eyes.

        "I thought I was the one who got up early," he yawned, stretching his arms.

        "Andrei, can you take me to Richard's office?"

        Andrei blinked his eyes and squinted at his alarm clock. He yawned, "You know, I don't think he's going to be there for a couple of hours ..." Andrei wiped his eyes and took a closer look at his cousin, who looked as though she was on the verge of tears. She was clenching her jaw as though she was in pain.

        Christina insisted, "I kinda need to go now, if that's okay."

        "Yeah," Andrei said in a tender tone. "I'll just be a minute." He pulled Christina into his dark room and sat her down on the edge of his bed. Sifting through a pile of clothes on the floor, he pulled out a dirty pair of jeans and a flannel shirt and pulled them on with his back to his cousin. Andrei stepped into a pair of boots, and led Christina back downstairs and into the kitchen.

        Christina grabbed the wicker basket into which Misha had just finished putting Richard's lunch.

        "Where are you two off to so early?" Misha asked.

        "Oh you know," Andrei shrugged as he pulled his parka over his shoulders, "Just going out for a drive." He took Christina's long coat off the coat rack in the hallway and held it out for her. Christina let Andrei help her with her coat, all the time making sure not to make eye contact with anyone.

        Taking Christina's basket, Andrei escorted his cousin to the truck. The sun had just risen over the mountain, and it lent a yellow glow to the long icicles that hung off the roof of the barn. The sting of winter was in the air, so Christina pulled her fur-lined hood over her blowing hair.

        She did not say a word on the way into town. Andrei parked the old green truck in front of Richard's office and left the engine running.

        "Thanks," Christina mumbled as she pulled the lever on the door.

        "Hey," Andrei protested, pulling his cousin back inside. "Where do you think you're going?"

        "I'm just gonna wait for Richard."

        "Christina!" Andrei said in a worried voice, "It's seven in the morning! And it's below freezing out there!"

        Christina scratched the back of her head and shrugged. "It's okay."

        Andrei pleaded, "What is going on with you?"

        "Nothing," Christina dismissed.

        "It's NOT nothing. Why are you acting like this?"

        "I'm sorry," Christina sighed. "I just feel like when I was still living with my step-dad."

        "What do you mean?"

        "When I was still in high school, and living with Danny, I used to get up as early as I could and sneak out of the house before he got up. And we had this great big tree in the back yard. Sometimes if I didn't have anywhere else to go after school, I'd just sit up in the tree and wait."

        "Wait for what?"

        Christina shrugged. "Wait for him to go to bed. Or go out bowling. Or wait until I could sneak in my bedroom window with no one noticing. Anything so I didn't have to deal with him."

        "I don't see why that means you have to wait outside in the snow."

        "It's not a big deal," Christina deflected, looking out the window.

        "Christina, this has to stop. When you get home tonight, we're going to talk to Dad and work this out."

        "We can't do that," Christina muttered, with her hand on her forehead.

        "And why not?"

        "Because I broke the rules, Andrei!" Christina exploded. "I'm breaking them right now! It's your father's house, and it's his rules, and I'm breaking them! And I can't ..." Christina exhaled in desperation. "Look, I don't want to talk about this anymore."

        "Okay," Andrei conceded, "But we're going to wait here together until Richard shows up." Andrei waited a few moments for his cousin to acknowledge him. "Okay?" he insisted.

        "Okay," Christina said in a tiny voice. She looked over at Andrei and saw the distraught look on his face. She slid next to him and clung to his large arm. Leaning against him, she said, "I'm sorry. I'm just moody today."

        The sun had only been up a few hours, and she already felt drained. Intending only to rest her eyes, Christina fell asleep on her cousin's broad shoulder. She awoke some time later when Andrei shook her gently. He pointed to Richard's Lexus pulling into the driveway. Christina shook off her sleepiness and rearranged the rear view mirror to face her. Doing a makeup check, she asked her cousin, "Do I look okay?"

        "Christina, you are beautiful," Andrei smirked.

        Christina kissed Andrei on the cheek and said, "Thanks for staying with me."

        "Always," he replied as Christina exited the truck with her large wicker basket.

        Richard was waiting in the walkway for Christina with the same pleased expression he'd had yesterday. He offered to carry Christina's basket, and after putting up a mild protest, Christina allowed him to take it. He escorted Christina into the office and carried the basket into the kitchen.

        "That's an awful lot of food, Princess," he said.

        Christina winced at being called "Princess" yet again but, forced herself to be civil. "Well, I owe you from yesterday," she explained.

        "Christina, You really didn't have to make lunch," Richard said. "It looks like you spent hours over a stove."

        "We're not discussing this," she dismissed. "I've got to do something for all your hard work."

        "Fair enough," Richard conceded in a grin.

        "Do you need me this morning?" Christina asked.

        "Every morning, Princess."

        Christina laughed a frustrated, half-crazy laugh and clarified, "Do you need me to answer any questions?"

        "Not just yet."

        "In that case," Christina said, picking up some paper towels she'd left on the front desk yesterday, "I'm going to start on the windows."

        "Christina ..." Richard objected playfully.

        "Eh!" she chirped, "Remember the part where we don't discuss this?"

        "Ah, that's right." Richard's eyes lingered on the younger girl's backside as she walked into the study and sprayed Windex on the windows. He eventually tore himself away and retired to his office.

        Christina made sure she spent the entire morning in different rooms than Richard. The less contact she had with the older man, the better, she reasoned. She'd cleaned every inch on the sitting room and was well on her way with the kitchen when she realized it was time for lunch.

        As before, Christina, following Misha's training, set the up the front desk as a makeshift table and called Richard in for lunch. After serving Richard the food she'd made, she sat across from him, unable to shake the feeling that she was a lamb that had wandered into a lion's den.

        "Christina, I can say without reservation that this is the best chicken I have ever had in my life," Richard commented as he dug into a third helping.

        Between her upset stomach from this morning and her new girlish appetite, Christina had hardly eaten a thing. "Richard," she started candidly, "I think I need to get something straight with you."

        "Of course, Princess," he grinned confidently.

        "See? That's what I'm talking about," she said, wagging her finger at the older man. Her admonition only amused the man. "I really appreciate everything you're doing for me," she continued.

        "I know," Richard dismissed.

        "No, I mean I really do. The fact that you would do anything that nice for me after the way I've treated you is just so wonderful. And that's why I feel like I have to be straight with you."

        Richard wiped his mouth with his napkin and paid serious attention to the girl that sat on the other side of the desk.

        "I ... like you," Christina admitted. "It turns out, you're a good man. You really are. when you're not being a complete ass, anyway. And I'm not going to mislead you, so I want to tell you up front, I'm not going to sleep with you." Christina managed to maintain eye contact with the man during her entire speech.

        "Christina," Richard responded seriously, "I never meant to imply that I expected that."

        "No, that's not what I mean," Christina explained, "What I mean is ..." Christina brushed her hair back behind her left ear nervously and continued, "What I mean is, I know you're interested in me, and you keep pushing ... and I'm telling you now, I'm not going to sleep with you. It's just not possible." Christina paused to offer Richard a chance to say something. Since he didn't, she kept filling in the blanks. "So ... I'm saying, all these little games ... the comments ... cornering me for kisses ... it's not going to work."

        "Princess," Richard said sincerely, "I don't want to sleep with you."

        "You don't?" Christina asked in genuine surprise.

        "Well," Richard joked, "Actually I do, but I haven't been trying to get you into bed."

        Christina scrunched her face as though she was trying to parse that last comment.

        "Christina," Richard said as he looked deeply into Christina's eyes. "Did you know that ever since I met you, I haven't been able to look at any other girl?" Christina opened her mouth to speak but Richard kept going. "When I'm in the same room with you, I feel like the rest of the world just isn't there anymore."

        Christina blushed in spite of herself, but she held strong. "Richard, I know what sort of reputation you have."

        "And how do you know that?" Richard asked coyly.

        "Well, two words," Christina smirked, holding up her fingers, "Abigail Rosenberg."

        Richard could help but let out a hearty laugh. "So you went to the source."

        "Yeah. And I know about your ... impressive ... history with the women of Oak Grove."

        "What else did Abby say?" he asked playfully.

        "Well, 'smooth talker,' that was verbatim. Something about, 'more girls than a crocodile has teeth.' Her words, not mine." Christina couldn't help but laugh a little as she thought of the way Abby had told the story. "And 'love 'em and leave 'em'?" she finished.

        Richard nodded.

        "Look, I'm not going to tell you how to live your life," Christina said seriously, "But you have to know that I'm not going to be another notch on your bedpost. So stop trying."

        Richard reached across the table and held Christina's hand, his face taking on an air of sincerity that caught Christina off guard. "Christina," he began, "I know it may sound like some bad pickup line to say that you're different, but you are. I'm not sure what you've done to me, but it's for real. I just want to spend some time with you."

        Christina rolled her eyes and said, "You don't even know me."

        "But I do," Richard responded. "I know that you love this town, even though you're always in a rush to leave. I think it's adorable the way you wear a kerchief in your hair whenever you clean. You have a habit of toying with your necklace whenever you feel nervous."

        That last comment struck home. Had Christina still had her necklace, it would have already been in hand.

        "And I know you're just about the most courageous and selfless person I've ever met," Richard added.

        "I'm not really-"

        "But you are," Richard said earnestly. "Whenever I see you, you're always helping someone else; never thinking of yourself. You're here right now, and I know that asking me for help couldn't have been easy for you."

        Christina shook her head slightly, not taking her eyes off Richard's.

        "I know I haven't lived my life the way I probably should have, but I see you, and I don't quite want to be the person I used to be. And it makes me wonder if I could ever be good enough for you." Richard concluded, "I certainly plan to try."

        Christina was absolutely floored. Sitting there, she stared, dumbfounded, at the older man.

        "Christina?" Richard asked, breaking the girl out of her spell.

        She whispered, "No one's ever said anything like that to me before."

        Just then, the doorbell interrupted their conversation. Taking her opportunity to exit the awkward and confusing sitation, Christina got up and started cleaning.

        Richard shook his head and muttered, "I have to tear that thing out." He walked to the front door as Christina cleared off the front desk.

        As Richard opened the door, Christina saw an old man with thinning hair standing in the doorway wearing a snow dusted overcoat. He was smacking his hat with his hand to clean it off. Christina couldn't hear what the two men were saying. She watched the old man hang his coat on the stand by the front door then follow Richard back to his office. He took almost no notice of Christina, and she thought the old man looked somewhat annoyed.

        Richard led Saul through the hallway and into his office. Closing the heavy door behind them, Richard motioned for Saul to have a seat in the large leather chair in front of his massive desk.

        "Richie," Saul said, still standing, "What are you doing here? Jerry and I expected you days ago."

        "It's like I said on the phone, Saul," Richard explained casually, "An important situation came up."

        "Important, he says," Saul complained as though there someone else in the room he was addressing. "So important that you make me drive all the way from Dover."

        Richard motioned to the seat again, and Saul sat down. "I need you to look over some numbers for me. I've taken a look at things from a legal perspective, but I need an accountant to wrap this up."

        Saul still looked agitated. "This is what it takes to get you to show up for work?" he complained. "Fine, then let me see."

        Richard reached into a stack of papers and handed some key documents to the old man. Saul took the forms and squinted at them. Reaching into the breast pocket of his jacket, he pulled out a pair of round rimmed spectacles and slid them over his nose.

        "What is this?" Saul asked.

        "Just what I said on the phone. Local businessman in town; the IRS is giving him a hard time. Looks to me that he's been misfiling for the past seven years or so."

        "Misfiling? There's a description," Saul quipped. "Look at this. He should have been filing an itemized return." Saul flipped though some more forms and asked, "And you're telling me that everyone who works at the store are his children?"

        "Yes," Richard confirmed. "And his wife."

        "He missed that too," Saul said. "How many years has this been going on?" he asked himself as he sorted through year after year of returns. Looking at a thick folder, he remarked, "What, he can keep receipts like this but he can't take care of the rest? There's nothing to say. We have to do all of this over."

        Saul stood up and shooed Richard out from behind his own desk.

        "So you think you can help me out with this?" Richard asked.

        "Yes, yes," Saul said testily. "Give me a LOT of time, and I'll see what I can do. Do you have copies of the codes?"

        Richard nodded and motioned to a stack of binders. Each was contained the relevant tax regulations for the past few years.

        "And an adding machine?" Saul croaked.

        Richard opened the lid of the expensive laptop computer on his desk.

        Saul shot Richard a disgusted look.

        Closing the computer, Richard laughed. "Some things never change," he mused. Pulling open one of the drawers of his massive desk, Richard took out an aged adding machine with a slightly yellowed paper tape and plugged it into the wall. Saul sat down and went to work.

        A few moments later, there was a knock on the heavy wooden door. "Come in," Richard called.

        Christina quietly opened the door and walked in carrying two cups of coffee. She handed one to Richard and placed the other down in front of Saul. Holding her hands behind her back, she told the old man, "I wasn't sure what you take in your coffee."

        "Black is fine," Saul smiled.

        Christina smiled back at him and then turned to Richard. "Is there anything I can get you?"

        "No thank you," he said warmly.

        "Okay," Christina said as she walked back towards the door. "I'm going to finish cleaning up the kitchen and bathroom."

        Richard nodded as the girl closed the door behind her.

        "It's about time you got some help around here." Saul said. He made a motion with his hand in front of his throat. "The first time I've been here in years that I don't feel like I'm choking on dust. This place needed a woman's touch."

        Richard laughed and explained, "She's not the help."

        Saul looked up from his calculations. His eyes demanded an explanation.

        Richard tapped the papers in front of Saul and said, "His niece."

        Saul took his glasses off his face and took a cloth out of his pocket. Sitting back in the large chair, he cleaned the lenses. "And finally it makes sense," he quipped. "You know, when your parents asked me to be your godfather; I knew you were going to be trouble. 'You have to watch this one, Saul', they said. Did I tell you the story about your fifth birthday?"

        "Yes," Richard nodded, "It's your favorite story. You tell it to anyone who'll listen."

        "On your fifth birthday," Saul continued as though Richard hadn't said a thing, "I said Richie, what do you want for your birthday? And you said, 'Josie'. I asked your parents 'What's a Josie?' And they said, 'The little girl next door!'"

        "Yes, I remember."

        "Always with the girls. That's what it always is," Saul said, holding his finger above his head as though he was a professor making a very important point during a lecture.

        "Shall we look at these numbers, or discuss my love life?" Richard joked before taking a sip of coffee.

        "I should set you straight about women, but the sooner I finish this, the sooner we can get to work with Jerry." Saul put his glasses on again and returned to his furious tapping on the ancient adding machine.

        Saul stopped tapping on the keys of the machine and asked, "Richie, is it right to play with this girl while you're involved with all this?"

        Richard looked seriously at the older man and said, "Saul, I don't think I'm playing with this one."

        Saul huffed to himself, "That will be the day!"

 

        When the sun was close to setting in the window behind Richard's desk, Saul pulled the spent tape from the back of the adding machine and checked his numbers against the forms he had prepared.

        "That looks great, Saul," Richard said, peering over his godfather's shoulder.

        "Don't be in a hurry Richie," Saul admonished. "It pays to double-check. You're always in such a rush." After checking each and every page to his satisfaction, Saul proclaimed, "That's it! Tell your little girl to come in."

        Looking over the forms, Richard patted Saul approvingly on the back. He jogged out the door and into the kitchen. Christina was nowhere to be found. "Christina?" he called as he went into the front room. Looking around, he saw that the girl sleeping on the floor of the sitting room, her back up against a wall. Richard bent his knees until his face was level with Christina's. Gently brushing her cheek with his hand, he whispered, "Christina ... wake up Princess."

        Christina slowly opened her eyes and yawned, "Richard?"

        "Hey there," the man beamed.

        Christina stretched and looked out the window, seeing that it was already getting dark. "I finished cleaning ... um ... everything I guess." She took Richard's hand, and he lifted her up to her feet. "I'm not sure what I'm going to work on tomorrow," she said as she eyed the office for anything out of place.

        "Come on," Richard said happily. He held Christina's hand and led her back into his office.

        "Ah, Miss Christina is it?" Saul said as he lifted his spectacles to look at the girl. "Come here please."

        Christina let go of Richard's hand and looked back at him as she walked behind his desk to stand next to Saul.

        "This is my godfather Saul," Richard explained. "You could say he's an expert when it comes to taxes."

        "Nice to meet you, young lady," Saul said as he shook the girl's hand. He was still in something of a hurry and did not miss a beat in explaining the situation. "Your Uncle needs to re-file these five years," Saul said pointing out five large stacks of paper. He flipped through pages upon pages pointing out the multitude of places that Alek needed to date and sign each form. "And send it with this letter that your lawyer friend drafted," he added as he piled one form on top of another.

        Christina nodded and did her best to follow along. When Saul was finished, she shot Richard a perplexed look, then turned back to Saul. "What does this mean?" she asked in confusion.

        Saul held up three fingers and said, "Thirty-five hundred dollars," with a warm smile.

        "Thirty-five hundred?" Christina repeated in awe.

        "Thirty-five hundred dollars, and you're in the clear," Saul replied.

        An enormous grin spread across Christina's face and she threw her arms around the old man. "Oh my God!" she squealed happily.

        Saul's eyes went wide, and the old man blushed.

        Richard laughed so hard that he nearly choked when we saw the expression on his godfather's face.

        Christina let the man go, but she couldn't stop smiling. It was the happiest Richard had ever seen her. "I ... I don't know what to say," she gushed to both of the men. "I wish there was something I could do to make it up to you."

        Saul patted the girl on the back and said, "Just be glad you have a friend like Richie."

        Cocking her head, she shot Richard a scandalous look and chirped, "Richie?"

        Richard waived his hand dismissively as though she should disregard that name all together.

        Saul put his spectacles back into his breast pocket and handed Christina a business card. "Tell your uncle to call me next year; it will save both of us time," he said as he walked from behind Christina towards the office door. He raised an old wrinkled finger towards Richard and said, "I'll see you tomorrow, yes?"

        Richard nodded.

        Saul shot a look at the joyous girl, then back at Richard and winked. "No need to show me out," he dismissed with a wave of his hand as he exited the office.

        Christina glided across the room and sat in the large leather chair opposite Richard's. Slumping slightly in the chair, she relaxed for the first time since she learned of her uncle's tax problems.

        Richard stood by her side and draped his arm over the back of the chair.

        Looking up at Richard, Christina said, "I didn't think you could do it."

        "You underestimate me," he grinned.

        Christina laughed happily and replied, "Yeah, I guess I did. I guess, deep down, I didn't expect anything was going to work out."

        Richard walked back to the other side of his desk and started gathering papers. "Didn't I tell you we were going to take care of things?"

        "Yeah you did." Christina conceded gratefully.

        Richard smiled and stared into Christina's eyes for a bit longer that he should have, but Christina was too happy to notice. "Hey," Richard said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder at the window behind him. "It's starting to snow, and it's already dark. Why don't you let me take you home?" he asked hopefully.

        Christina shook her head, though she couldn't stop smiling. "No thanks, Andrei is waiting for me at the store."

        "Let me drive you to the store," Richard offered.

        "It's not that far," Christina countered absentmindedly.

        Richard arranged Christina's papers into a series of manila folders and slid them into a large envelope. Taking one last shot, he said, "At least let me walk you there."

        Christina started, "You really don't have to ..." but stopped when she saw the slightly dejected look on Richard's face. "Yeah. Okay," she acquiesced, "I would like that a lot."

        Richard did not have to be told twice. He led Christina back to the front room where she collected her wicker basket from lunch. Helping her with her coat, Richard led her to the door.

        The night air was crisp, and the moon was muffled by thick clouds. All around, the town was covered with a delicate powder, and the two of them left rows of side by side footsteps. There were almost no cars on the streets, and the only sound that could be heard was the whispers of the large snowflakes as they fell.

        Richard held out his hand to the younger girl.

        Christina let out a chuckle as though she couldn't believe Richard had not yet given up, but at no point did her smile leave her face. She held out her tiny hand, hesitated for a moment, then placed it in Richard's.

        "Well this is kind of nice, wouldn't you say?" Richard flirted.

        Christina rolled her eyes and purposefully bumped up against Richard's shoulder. "It never stops, does it," she observed in spite of her smile.

        "I guess I'm just an optimist," Richard mused.

        "Yeah, you have no idea," Christina joked sarcastically.

        Richard pressed, "You don't seem to mind so much."

        "I'm still reeling from your impressive display of lawyerly prowess."

        "Lawyerly prowess?" Richard repeated, laughing aloud.

        "If you don't like the way I talk, then I can walk the rest of the way myself," Christina said devilishly.

        "No, no," Richard clarified," I am in awe of your command of the English language. Never let it be said otherwise."

        Richard escorted Christina through town and to the door of her family's grocery store. They stood facing each other for an awkward moment.

        Christina was the one who broke the silence. "I really can't tell you what you've done for me," Christina said seriously.

        "Really," Richard responded humbly, "It was nothing."

        "It was so not nothing," Christina corrected. "I just wish I could make it up to you."

        Richard shook his head and replied, "I already told you, there were no strings attached."

        Standing there, Christina couldn't keep herself from smiling foolishly at the older man.

        Breaking the silence, Richard said, "I guess this is the part where we say goodnight."

        "Yeah," Christina said. She stood silently for a moment, considering if what she was about to do was a good idea. Richard started to leave, but Christina reached out and held his arm. "Hey," she said. "So, Nina and Andrei and I are going to the New Year's Eve dance tomorrow. And anyway-"

        "Are you asking me out on a date, Princess?"

        Christina shook her head and laughed. "Why do you think everything is a date?"

        He joked, "I suppose I get dances, dinner, and going to the movies confused with dates."

        "I'm just saying, I'll be there ... and if you happened to be there, I might be convinced to save you a dance."

        Richard smiled widely, but the grin quickly gave way to a disappointed expression. "Princess," he apologized, "I can't. I'm leaving for Dover tonight. I've pushed back some commitments to help you out this week. There's just no way ..."

        Christina looked somewhat disappointed and nodded in resignation.

        "Why don't we get together when I get back?" Richard offered hopefully.

        "I'm leaving the day after tomorrow."

        "How about the next time you're in town?"

        It dawned on Christina that she hadn't made the situation clear to Richard. She took the envelope full of paperwork and held them up. "Richard," she said candidly, "I did some things I shouldn't have done when I took all this stuff and brought it to you."

        Richard said, "I don't follow..."

        Christina frowned, "When my uncle finds out what I've been up to, I'm not going to be allowed back anymore."

        Tilting his head, Richard shot Christina a wry grin, but it faded from his face when he realized she wasn't kidding. "You can't be serious!" he balked.

        "I am very serious," Christina said bleakly. "He told me to stay out of his business, and I directly disobeyed him."

        "But ... he wouldn't really throw you out," Richard said incredulously.

        "Richard," Christina said with the same seriousness that had the man so unnerved, "The first thing I did before coming to see you was pack my bags."

        Richard paced back and forth in the snow angrily. He threw his finger towards the door and growled, "Is he in there? I'm going to have a word with him right now."

        Richard made a start for the door, but a gentle tug on his arm from Christina held him in place. "Please don't do that," Christina asked in a resigned voice. "You know, it's okay. I knew what I was doing."

        "But it's not right," Richard said sternly.

        Christina shrugged and said, "But that's how it is."

        "Well," Richard said searching Christina's eyes, "Maybe the next time I'm passing through the city, I could give you a call."

        Christina laughed melancholically. "Richard, that's like six-hundred miles from here. I don't think you'll be passing through."

        "You can show me the sights," he grinned.

        Knowing that she was the only thing in the city Richard had an interest in seeing, Christina shook her head and returned his grin. "Look, even if that weren't crazy, I'm not even sure where I'm going to be living."

        "What do you mean?" Richard asked, the concern returning to his voice.

        "I lost my job a couple of weeks ago. I don't think I can even afford to pay my rent next month."

        "Your uncle is throwing you out when you have nowhere else to go?"

        "No," Christina objected. "No one knows. Well, Nina figured it out, but my aunt and uncle have no idea. And I don't want them to know. It would just make them upset."

        "I have to do something. I could help you find a new job or give you some money ... there has to be something I can do."

        "That's sweet," Christina said through her weak smile as she held up the envelope, "But you already gave me everything I need." Her words did nothing to relieve the worried look on Richard's face. "I just need to know that they're going to be okay," Christina said. "It doesn't matter what happens to me."

        "It matters to me," Richard said tenderly.

        Smiling warmly at the older man, Christina said, "Goodnight, Richard," as she opened the door of the store and walked inside.

        Richard stood in the snowy night, staring through the grocery store's window. He saw Christina breaking the good news to her cousin Andrei. She jumped excitedly, and her older cousin hugged her, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. Shortly after, he watched her large uncle come out from the back room holding a broom. He laid it against the wall and flipped all the switches on the wall. The lights cut off, and all Richard could see was darkness.

 

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Edited into coherence by Holly H. Hart.
Thanks to Sephrena Miller for taking an early read.
Hope you enjoyed it. If you liked it or hated it, please leave a tasty comment.
Krunch Away!