Authors: Elizabeth Moynihan
“Whose idea was this?” Aleksei’s voice boomed again.
What happened next would become an issue that would be debated for years to come. Without missing a beat; Sergei looked at Chloe and together, as a pair, they both pointed at Dani and stated, “Hers.”
Dani’s scream of outrage and denial should have by all rights brought the roof down that minute. With a look that should have melted both her brother and her best friend right on the spot, she skated across the ice to the exit that entered the locker rooms and with a final fiery glance left the ice.
Whittaker watched the scene silently, a small smile lifting the corners of his mouth.
Aleksei watched his daughter huff off the ice in a fit of fury, cast a dubious look at his coach and friend and raised his eyebrows in question at Whittaker’s expression. “What are you smiling about?” Aleksei asked with a growl.
Nodding toward the two making their way slowly toward the edge of the ice, he answered his long-time protégé, “Mark this day down on your calendar, those two made a decision as a pair and they didn’t have to speak a word to each other to do it!”
Aleksei looked at Sergei and Chloe. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ll bet you a thousand dollars Dani had nothing to do with getting Chloe out on the ice. You saw her reaction when the two of them ganged up on her.”
“Dani’s always dramatic; sometimes overly so. Besides, why would Chloe take Sergei’s side if Dani really had nothing to do with it?”
“Because they’re starting to think like a
pair
. Jeez, Rocmanov, do I have to draw you a damn picture?” Whittaker asked in exasperation.
Aleksei started to say something then thought better of it. He, himself, had already been witness to evidence of Sergei and Chloe’s
connection
to one another. Was this simply another example of their
oneness
displaying itself? As he watched his son carefully lift Chloe out of the chair without effort, he again pondered the wisdom of this pairing. He softly groaned as if in pain when he watched Chloe’s face light up as she looked into Sergei’s face and groaned again at Sergei’s answering smile.
“Damn!” Aleksei mumbled and ran both hands through his hair. This was not going to make things any easier. In fact, it was getting more complicated by the second. Casting a fiery glance toward Whit-taker, he growled, “You couldn’t leave well enough alone, could you? You had to go and make things complicated by suggesting Sergei skate pairs!”
Whittaker wrapped an arm around Aleksei’s shoulders in camaraderie and offered what he hoped would comfort his friend. “When fate decrees who will find whom, it doesn’t really matter where you are, what you’re doing or how you feel about it. If it’s meant to be, it will be and there’s not a God damn thing you can do about it, unless, of course, you like beating your head against stone walls!”
Aleksei cast a sidelong glance at Whittaker, “Is that supposed to make me feel any better?”
“Beats the hell out of me–I just felt like expounding a bit. I do it every now and again just to be sure I still can.” Whittaker stated with a shrug and a smile.
Aleksei couldn’t help himself, the deep laugh and wide smile escaped before he even thought of stopping them and he shook his head in amusement. “Whittaker, you have truly gone around the proverbial bend this time.”
“Snapped you out of your snarky mood didn’t I?”
Aleksei could only look at his long-time coach, smile broadly and nod in agreement.
“Good.” Whittaker agreed and the two of them looked back at the pair seated on the bench, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Chloe sat silently beside Sergei as he removed his skates, dried his blades and carefully covered them with guards before slipping them into his bag. Unable to hear them, they watched as Sergei said something, Chloe nodded in agreement, raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck as he reached down and scooped her back into his arms and made his way toward the exit. Chloe’s unheard comment had Sergei turning around and retracing his steps. Reaching down, she grabbed up both the blanket and his skating bag, her indistinguishable comment eliciting a deep laugh from Sergei.
Aleksei shook his head in commiseration, “He’s got it bad,” he stated simply.
“For the last ten years that boy’s slept with his skates within arms reach and now he forgets them? I don’t think ‘bad’ even begins to describe how deep he’s into it!” Whittaker offered, frowning at Aleksei’s scowl. “Your mood’s not turning snarky again is it?”
“To borrow your phrase, ‘I don’t think
snarky
even begins to describe my mood!’”
Whittaker’s loud laughter echoed through the cold air.
F
or three days, Dani refused to speak to either Chloe or Sergei, despite their initial attempts to apologize and the air grew decidedly chilled whenever the three of them were in the same room together. Consequently, meals at the Rocmanov’s became something to avoid whenever possible. Aleksei did his best to ignore the tension swirling between the three
children
and spent a lot of his time trying to pacify Jordan as she endeavored to solve the dilemma that now pitched two against three. Not so many years ago it had always been Dani and Chloe against Sergei, it seemed quite ironic to now be faced with the team of Sergei and Chloe against Dani. To say it was making Jordan crazy was a gross understatement and Aleksei’s patience was worn thin as any attempt at civility between Dani and Sergei rapidly disappeared.
After an especially tense breakfast, filled with glares meant to kill, cutting remarks and sly innuendoes, Aleksei announced the cold war over and stated that anyone unable to conduct themselves in a friendly, or at the very least civil, manner, would no longer be welcomed at the table.
Within mere seconds of Aleksei’s terse statement, Sergei and Dani were both on their feet, silent but casting furious glances at each other and then stomping off in opposite directions. The front door loudly banged shut as Sergei made his exit and headed, presumably, for the gym; Dani banged through the kitchen door and out into the gardens on her way toward the ice rink. Jordan and Aleksei looked expectantly at Chloe, wondering if she would follow suit and make her own tempestuous exit.
Getting carefully to her feet, and grabbing up a piece of toast, she stated with a small shrug, “At least it will be quiet for lunch,” and limped slowly away, her lopsided gait disappearing up the stairs.
“How long do you think this will go on?” Jordan asked softly, enjoying the peace and quiet that finally surrounded them.
“The fighting or the quiet?” Aleksei sighed, passing his wife his glass at her offer for more orange juice.
“Either.”
“Well, as far as I’m concerned, as long as it’s quiet, they can keep up this ridiculous feud.”
“It’s rather ironic, but, they’re fighting over the same girl!” Jordan stated in sudden realization.
Aleksei shook his head in amusement, “I never would have guessed we’d be faced with our kids fighting over property rights on a person. Last time I looked, it was against the law to own someone.”
“Well, Dani did get first
dibs
on her; they’ve been friends forever,” Jordan stated teasingly, waving a piece of bacon in the air as she made her point.
“Yes, and now Chloe’s agreed to be Sergei’s partner and that allows him certain
visitation
rights, so Dani can’t expect her to spend every waking moment with her,” Aleksei allowed.
“Of course, you’re right, but Dani sees it as Chloe jumping ship, or turning traitor as it were, and after so many years of it being the two girls against Sergei, Dani doesn’t like the change of venue. It’s not so much fun when you’re odd man out!”
“Why does it have to be Dani and Chloe versus Sergei, or Chloe and Sergei versus Dani? Why can’t it just be Dani and Chloe and Sergei–period?”
“Because three’s a crowd!” Jordan stated softly.
“It didn’t used to be,” Aleksei countered.
“Yeah, well, those days are over. These days we’re dealing with hurt feelings, raging hormones and sheer lunacy.”
“I don’t want to think about raging hormones,” Aleksei growled, swallowing the last of his coffee and grimacing at the coldness of it.
“You can’t ignore them,” Jordan stated.
“I can try!” He stated with a smile, gathering up their breakfast dishes and carrying them to the sink.
“Aleksei, be realistic. Pretending everything is status quo isn’t going to make it true. Something’s brewing between Sergei and Chloe,” Jordan held up her hand to stop Aleksei’s comment, “and to be honest, I don’t know if I like the idea even a little bit! Our children are acting as if Chloe’s a bone and they’re animals arguing over it!” Jordan complained, following after her husband.
“Chloe doesn’t have enough meat on her to classify as a bone,” Aleksei quipped.
“Don’t be a smart-ass! You know what I’m talking about.”
“I know you’ve never complained about the girls Sergei’s shown an interest in before, with maybe an exception or two,” he qualified. “Why is Chloe any different from the others who’ve gone before her?”
“Because for all intents and purposes, Chloe may as well be family and it seems strange to think of there being anything romantic between she and Sergei. They’ve basically detested each other all these years and simply tolerated each other for the sake of Dani. What happened to change all that?”
“Those
raging hormones
you keep wanting to discuss!” Aleksei growled.
“Aleksei, I’m floundering in uncharted waters, here. Help me.” Jordan pleaded in exasperation.
“I have no idea whether or not anything more than a curious attraction exists between Sergei and Chloe. I do know there is something different between them and I know that Dani’s got her own questions as to why her best friend seems to be happy in what she considers the
enemy camp
. Whether or not Dani approves of the time they’re spending together is neither here nor there because now that Sergei and Chloe are skating partners they will be spending most of their time together.”
“If Dani’s having this much trouble now, what happens when Chloe’s cast comes off and Chloe’s on the ice with Sergei six or seven hours a day, plus their off-ice time together?” Jordan questioned.
“Dani’s going to have to deal with it. She was all for it when the whole possibility of Sergei and Chloe pairing up was brought up, in fact, she was their biggest supporter.”
“That was before.”
“And this is now.”
“Aleksei….”
“Dani’s going to have to get used to the fact she’s going to have limited time with Chloe. If Sergei and Chloe even hope to compete at an international level within the next year, they’re going to be on the ice more than they’re off.”
Jordan nodded in acknowledgment, still trying to come up with a way everyone could live together peacefully.
If there even was such a way.
The following days passed at a snail’s pace; riddled with arguments, objections and general complaints; dissension in the ranks seemed to be the order of the day.
After six weeks of thinking she should be wearing nothing but black and white striped shirts and sport a whistle around her neck, Jordan actually relished the idea of the ninety-minute drive to the doctor’s office in which Chloe’s doctor practiced. Ninety minutes of peace and quiet was a welcome break from the constant strain of wondering who was going to fire the first volley and start the next argument. Things got even better when Chloe’s doctor advised her that the breaks in her foot had healed to the point she could wear a removable cast for the remaining two weeks, and Chloe’s wide smile and oft-repeated statements of gratitude, simply made the day a little brighter.
With a handful of instructions in her fist, Chloe limped her way out of the doctor’s office, agreeing to follow his instructions to the letter. She was still off the ice, but at least she could take this cast on and off and if nothing else wonderful happened today, she at least planned to soak in a bathtub full of scented bubbles for a good hour!
Jordan laughed at Chloe’s wish for such a simple pleasure and remembered her own similar wish when she’d been faced with living with her leg in a cast. Sometimes, it was the simplest things that meant the most!
The ride home was quiet; simple, comfortable conversation back-dropped by music meant to soothe. Thirty minutes from home, Jordan looked over to find Chloe sleeping peacefully, a gentle smile curving her lips. “I hope your dreams are sweet,” Jordan whispered, her gaze taking in the glowing beauty of the young woman beside her. Pictures from her memory of Chloe as a child assailed her and she smiled wistfully for the little girl who had once been so full of internal strength and, energy and a boldness unusual in a child, let alone a little girl. In those days, she’d been unwilling to let anyone get away with anything and Jordan smiled as she remembered Sergei’s shock when Chloe had quite succinctly told him to
go fuck himself
over some silly statement he’d made over girls not being able to do this or that. Somewhere locked inside her, that same strong little girl still resided and Jordan hoped that in time Chloe would find the courage to let those qualities live again.
With a gentle touch, she brushed Chloe’s hair from her cheek, smiling as she heard her contented sigh and then caught her breath as she heard her son’s name slip from the sleeping beauty’s soft, pink lips.
Aleksei had warned her of this very thing and yet Jordan hadn’t wanted to believe it. There was, of course, the episode on the stairs that first day home, but after watching them she’d concluded that was nothing more than an unusual occurrence, not to be repeated. However, the way Sergei’s name had whispered from Chloe’s lips, filled with desire and need, had Jordan rethinking her previous conclusion.
The thought that peace wasn’t about to return to the Rocmanov household anytime soon loomed ominously and she wondered if maybe now wouldn’t be such a bad time to run away from home after all!
Jordan arrived home to find Sergei and Dani engaged in a full-fledged screaming match out on the front lawn. Jordan shuddered as she wondered how far away their loud, angry voices were carrying, probably all the way to the next county.
With nothing more than a furious look that should have melted her children on the spot, she silently walked up the long brick path, entered the house and five minutes later retraced her path back to the car, a small overnight bag in her hand. Passing Chloe, as she limped her way up the walkway, she calmly stated, “If anyone asks, I’ve run away from home!” Climbing into the jeep, she turned the key, shifted the vehicle into drive and without a backward glance, left her children still standing in the middle of their front yard, their eyes filled with disbelief and their mouths hanging open; finally speechless.
“Where’s Mom going?” Dani called to Chloe as she limped up the stairs to the porch.
“She said she’s running away from home!” Chloe answered over her shoulder, and made her way into the house.
Dani and Sergei exchanged baffled looks and for the moment there was nothing but peaceful silence. Until Dani’s high-pitched question restarted the war, “Now look what you’ve done! You’ve actually made Mom run away from home!”
“Don’t go blaming me for your crappy behavior. I’m not the one who’s been acting like a whiny two year old for the last month!” Sergei growled back, casting a final scowl at his sister before turning and making his way toward the house.
“I’ve been whining? At least I haven’t been wandering around in a constant state of heat! Christ, Sergei, every time you see Chloe you practically start drooling!” Dani screamed at Sergei’s back as the door closed solidly behind him. Dani’s scream of frustration echoed in the still air and seemed to carry on the gentle breeze for several seconds.
Plopping down into the soft grass, Dani sat with her arms wrapped around her up-drawn knees, her chin resting on her forearms and surveyed the beauty around her. She lifted her face toward the sun; the warmth of its rays still cast a gentle heat against her skin. Butterflies still fluttered in the gardens and birds were busy hopping through the thick grass in search of enough food to get them through the night. She laughed softly as she wondered if birds ever woke up wishing they could make a midnight refrigerator run to satisfy an attack of the munchies.
Thinking of food, her stomach rumbled in protest and she remembered the small, rushed lunch she’d eaten hours earlier. Obviously it had long since worn off. With a small sigh, she climbed back to her feet, felt her first pang of guilt at the behavior that had aided in her mother’s getaway, and began a slow path to the house.
With heavy feet, she didn’t look forward to the ritual nightly call from her father whenever he was out of town traveling. She could hear the conversation now,
“Hi Dad, everything’s fine, except Mom’s run away from home. Nope, don’t have any idea where she’s gone. Sleep well.”
Oh, yeah, that would go over like a ton of bricks. Maybe she’d just pretend she didn’t hear the phone ringing, that way, Sergei would answer it and he’d have to explain the situation. Sergei was always more diplomatic about explaining a situation. And how often had Jordan bragged that Sergei was so diplomatic he could convince a vacuum cleaner salesman he needed a new vacuum himself? If the phone rang tonight, either Sergei would answer it or it would go unanswered–plain and simple!
With a final nod of approval at her decision, she entered the house and closed the door behind her. And sent a silent request heavenward for a thunderstorm that might accidentally knock out the phone lines.
Chloe sat on the edge of the huge tub and turned the faucets on high, sighing in rapturous anticipation as she watched the steam drift off the rising water. A generous squirt of Honeysuckle scented bath wash had a mountain of bubbles forming and she scooped a handful up and blew them into the air, smiling as they drifted lazily in the air.