THE BEAUTIFUL ONE~Volume One

DAY FIVE (cont.)

"Yes." I replied to Michael's exclamation. "Most show movies in Russian but we have one that shows movies in English."

"It's only open at night." Michael commented, a tinge of disappointment in his voice, as he continued looking through the other pages of the paper, as I replied "We can still see movies if you'd like, Michael...This is your vacation...I don't mind going places at night." I continued reassuringly, to which Michael replied "I would like to see a movie, but I wouldn't mind doing some sight seeing...Ahhh, excuse me." He continued, while once again attempting to stifle a yawn while simultaneously refolding the paper, and placing it to one side. "I've always been a fan of art museums...Any museums for that matter...and I wouldn't mind seeing the Kremlin today either...I doubt that crowd that was there the other day will be there today." Michael concluded, leading me to utter a curious "Oh?" with regard to his comment about the crowd we'd seen in front of the Kremlin the day before last. "You are certain of this?" I heard myself ask, as Michael gently pushed his chair away from the table, while complimenting my cooking by saying "That breakfast was delicious...thank you." To which I replied "You are welcome, Michael...You can have seconds if you'd like." To which he replied pleasantly "Oh, thank you Ana...I'm full.", as he rose to his feet, and gently slid his chair back up to and under the dining table, as I simultaneously replied "Alright', and proceeded to remove the breakfast plates, glasses, cups and utensils from the table and carry them over to my kitchen counter, as I suggested the feasibility of visiting all three places of interest, each of which (the Kremlin, the art gallery and museum) were within a few blocks of each other-easily reached by tram, and a short walk. "Then, depending on the time, we can have a meal somewhere before the start of the first movie." I continued, a suggestion to which Michael replied enthusiastically "Yes, I'd like that.", before catching a glimpse of himself , and commenting "I think I should shower and dress first...The art gallery and museum people wouldn't like me coming in looking like this.", he continued with a grin while crossing the room, and entering the bathroom. "You're probably right, Michael." I replied also with a grin, as I finished my current kitchen task, crossed the room also, and entered the bathroom behind my beautiful visitor-intent on removing the dry load of clothes presently in the dryer, and replacing it with the load of clothes from the washer which had just finished running a few short minutes ago-just a few brief seconds behind the dryer.

"It's warm in here." Michael observed (having carried the package of shaving supplies I'd purchased for him in with him), as he removed the can of shaving cream and one razor from the package (which he set on the counter in the bathroom before removing the cap and dispensing small amounts of the cream which he then applied to his cheeks, chin, and upper lip, thus covering his at least two days growth of beard which he proceeded to remove with the razor, as I continued the much needed task of washing clothes, putting clean wet ones in the dryer, and clean dry ones in a basket for hanging and folding and proper storage in my closet and drawers.

"That is heat from washer/dryer." I explained, as I finished putting the clothing items from the last dryer load into my laundry basket, before adding detergent to the next washer load, and a fabric softener ball to the load in the dryer, and manipulating the knobs and dials on both machines, enabling each machine to perform its designated function. "Sometimes if I don't feel like warming the rest of the house-or my heaters aren't working-I just find something that needs washing, and do some loads of laundry." I concluded with a grin, as I picked up the laundry basket with the clothing items still warm from the dryer, politely excused myself, and encouraged Michael to "Let me know if you need anything', before exiting the bathroom, and closing the door behind me, in order to give the beautiful one his privacy. "Is nice to have a man around again." I thought to myself with a smile and a contented sigh, as I fondly remembered my late husband Perry Lancaster performing the same grooming ritual in front of the same mirror Michael now stood in front of. "It's been a long time, Father God.", my thoughts continued "A long time...Would not mind belonging to someone and doing for someone again." I thought inwardly, as I set the full laundry basket down on the dining table at my place (on an area that had recently been cleared of the plates, cups, platters, and other items used during the service and consumption of the morning meal), and proceeded to remove from the basket individual clothing items, which I either folded neatly, and set beside the laundry basket on the table, or returned to the basket to either be bundled together with a like item as in a pair of socks, or draped around a wooden or plastic hanger for storage in one of my two closets at a later time.