Chapter 13

“I like your lilt. It’s musical. It’s better than my accent. Russian is a hard-edged language. Yet it is the language of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. We are a dark people. But, I am half French-American. The Americans and the French are not so dark, I think. I am a dichotomy.”

“Dichotomy?”

“Light and dark, two opposing forces…”

Donal’s hand trembled. He carefully lowered his fork. “I’m getting anxious. Is that part of the withdrawal? Maybe the candy would work.”

“I sent Vasily out to the corner store.” Alexei dug in his pockets and produced a Milky Way. “Do you like these?”

“Oh yes, they used to be my favorite when I was a kid. Can I have half?”

“Take the whole thing after you finish your supper.” Alexei had to thank Vasily for picking the right candy.