Denial and Acceptance

Easter day (Chapter 19)

"So Yuri, Easter is tomorrow. How are you feeling?" I ask pouring two glasses of wine

"Wine?"

"I'm out of vodka, besides this is better for a new drinker," I explain, handing him the second glass,

"Hmm.." Yuri took a sip. "It's like a weird tasting grape juice.."

"Wine is just fermented grapes, so I'm not too surprised you think that. Yuri, you didn't answer my question."

"Eh, it's Easter as long as the feast is good. I don't care either way.."

"But Easter is the holiday you'd always insist on flying back to Moscow to see your Dedushka. Are you sure that how you feel?"

"Yes, now Stop prying old man, I wasn't even thinking about that till you brought it up."

"Ok, Yuri... I'm sorry." I say as Yuri gulped down the last of what's in his cup

"I'm heading to bed, don't drink to much old man, leave some wine for the other adults."

Yuri and I had been having a nightly conversation ever since we made our deal. Part of me hoped Yuri would tell me what was on his mind, but he hasn't budged a single inch.

*******

As I woke, I looked at the time; it's 1 am. why am I awake at this hour I rolled over and realized Yuri was missing, had he gotten up for a snack or something I crept downstairs and a vision of two Russians filled my sight, I watched with my own eyes as Victor handed Yuri a glass of wine. As I watched, I hid,

"Hmm.." Yuri took a sip. "It's like a weird tasting Grape juice.."

"Wine is just fermented grapes, so i'm not too surprised you think that. Yuri, you didn't answer my question." Victor replied

"Eh, it's Easter as long as the feast is good. I don't care either way.."

Was Yuri drinking? How long has this been a thing, I considered confronting them, but then I saw that Yuri was heading my way, so I headed back upstairs and sat on the bed and waited. Soon enough Yuri walked in the room and was shocked to see me awake

"Beka?! Why are you up so late."

"I could ask you the same thing, Yura. Instead, I want to know how long you and Victor have been drinking together."

"I don't know what you're talking about; You're clearly sleep-deprived."

"I know what I saw and heard, and you're gonna answer my question."

"Or what?"

"I'll tell Yuuri."

" We've only been doing it a week, calm down."

"But why? You used to tell about how drinking is dumb and that you'd never do it."

"It's like I told Victor, I was just curious, and I happened to like it."

"That's a lie, You're Lying Yura, and we both know it."

"Drop it! Why does it matter?"

"Because I don't want to see you drink your life away, it's too convenient! You're Dedushka in the Hospital, and you suddenly decide you're curious about drinking! You can't lie to me, Yura. I know you!"

"So.. then it's as I thought, this is about your Dedushka." We hear a voice say we turn around and see Victor standing in the doorway."

"No, it isn't! Beka made that up all on his own; I'm not like that. Why don't you guys believe me! That's it! Beka get out of my room; you can sleep on the couch."