THE BEAUTIFUL ONE~Volume One

DAY THREE (cont.)

The same could be said of the tram ride to the Kremlin, as Michael

and I sat together-holding hands- and playing 'teacher and student' as Michael

(after we boarded the tram, paid our fares, and found seats facing the opposite

side of the street-a choice I suggested, knowing this particular tram car would

turn the corner as soon as the Kremlin was in plain sight) became interested in

learning Russian, and would point to random pictures of products from

advertisers, and ask me the translation of each Russian label, and utter an

enthusiastic "Right...I thought that's what it was" to more than half of the

pictures-each of which was a poster of an American product Michael was familiar

with.

"You are good with languages, Michael." I remarked, impressed. "But you see what

I mean about the vowels." I continued in a low voice as I pointed to one of the

posters-the label of which seemed to be made up primarily of consonants.

"Yes," replied Michael with a nod.

"Can you keep secret, Michael?" I asked, only to make certain-having already

discerned Michael's ability to keep a confidence.

"Yes." Replied Michael

"Russian is not my mother-tongue...I am not native of Russia." I continued, as I

caught sight of the Kremlin in the distance, and reached for and pulled the cord

to signal the tram driver of my desire to get off at the next stop. "I was born

in Berlin, and my parents migrated here shortly after..." I continued as the tram

turned the corner, stopped, and the doors of the tram slid open allowing Michael

and me to disembark at the stop directly across from the Russian State Library,

and kitty corner to the Kremlin. "The sisters who raised me in the orphanage

taught me to speak German to honor my parents' wishes, and another of the

sisters secretly taught me to speak English...I learned Russian because the state

assumed I was Russian, and insisted I..." I continued, only to have my

explanation interrupted by the sound of cheering coming from across the street

near the Kremlin. I also seemed to sense in Michael a change of heart about

visiting the famous structure.

"Hey, Ana...Do you mind if we don't go to the Kremlin?" Michael asked, confirming

my suspicion. "I don't really like crowds.'

"I don't blame you, Michael ...Neither do I." I replied "State library is just

across the street.." I continued, indicating the structure just to the right of

us on the opposite side. "We can go there instead...If you like?" I offered.

'They have section of rare American books...I sometimes visit to read and practice