'Would you like more coffee?' Jill asked, reaching towards the pot Joe had laid on the table moments earlier. Jill looked curiously at her husband. It was unlike Joe to leave the coffee on the table and not offer to pour, usually she had to tell him to slow down with his hospitality. Good manners were important to him and it was doubly unusual when they had a guest.
'Thank you', that would be lovely, Dr. Massetto replied, sitting forward on the couch opposite, holding her cup out for Jill to fill it. 'Joe, you want some?', she asked. She turned when he didn't respond. 'Joe. Honey', she said, laying her hand on his knee. He visibly shook himself and sat forward eagerly. He looked at her blankly, 'hmm', he said. She frowned, part laughed, 'I asked if you would like some coffee', she repeated, looking at him questioningly. His eyes narrowed as he looked past her in the vicinity of their guest. A tiny smile played across his lips. He turned his full attention to his wife. 'Yes please baby', he replied leaning in, catching her unawares with his kiss, the coffee pot still in her hand.
A moment later Jill returned the almost empty pot back to the table and Joe reached out and placed his freshly filled cup carefully beside it. Jill looked towards him in surprise as he stood and navigated his way from their sofa to the one directly opposite. To her astonishment her husband sat beside the genealogist, leaned across and took the woman's hands in his. He leaned his face towards her and spoke quietly.
'I'm right, it's Solovyova isn't it?' he asked, his voice a mixture of wonder and curiosity. The woman's face was transformed as she smiled broadly. 'Yes Joe, you're correct', she said as Joe leaned in and touched his forehead to hers. He stayed there a moment as if taking in the revelation.
'It took you long enough', the woman quipped when they parted and Joe's laughter rang out through the villa. 'It's been awhile', he laughed in his own defense. 'How's Yuri?' he asked. The woman's smile faded. 'Dead. Killed by the Russians' she replied matter of factly. He was killed in the battle of Kiev. He fought with our glorious men, our heroes, but he paid the ultimate price', she said, trying to be brave but the crack in her voice was evident. 'I'm truly sorry to hear that', Joe replied, his voice low. 'God rest his soul', he said, making the sign of the cross on his chest. 'He was a good man', he said quietly, before leaning in again and kissing the woman on the cheek. He held her hand a moment before retaking his seat beside his wife.
Returning to his own seat he ran his hand across Jill's back, gently, possessively, lovingly, the news of the death of an old friend underlying once again the fragility of life, the preciousness of their relationship and all that came with it. He turned to Jill and explained. 'Baby, Solovyova is an old acquaintance', he told her, taking her hands in his and settling them in his lap. He turned his eyes again to their guest. 'I can't pretend to understand quite exactly why or how you are here but nonetheless I must admit I am intrigued', he said.
He settled back in his seat, gesturing for both women to do the same. He addressed the former Dr. Massetto, 'start wherever you wish, I'll fill in the blanks for my wife' he said waving his hand in invitation. Solovyova took a deep breath, 'as you wish Joe', she said. She looked towards Jill, 'firstly please allow me to introduce myself properly to you, and I apologize for the deceit', she said seriously. 'My name is Solovyova Bondarenko and I am a proud Ukrainian. I am also known as Solo which you may prefer to use', she said looking at Jill who nodded in acknowledgement of this first revelation. The first of many Jill assumed. Solovyova continued, warming to her subject now.
'Your husband is a good man', she began 'which obviously you know but you may not know that his greatness is revered in my country. He stood up for us when others did not. Was not afraid to speak the truth, our truth. I can see from his actions as well as words that he's still the same man. Even if he's the President now I doubt his new job has diminished his thirst for justice. Probably he sees it as more of his mission now, not less', she said her eyes fixed on Jill.
