tatiana comes to america

8/14/2019 Tatiana Comes to America

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BY: PAUL REVISJuly 2, 2006

TATIANA COMES TO AMERICA A CONTINUATION

The shining Aeroflot TU-214 Tupolev airliner sat on the tarmac, it engineswhining, idling, waiting, it seemed, for the air-traffic controller to finish his coffee break.There had been precious little conversation between the pilot and the tower and the pilotbegan to wonder if his radio was even working. It would hardly be considered unusual tohave something like that go wrong. Money for preventative maintenance was not yetconsidered to be cash well spent. The occasional piece of aircraft that fell off during flightwas usually seen as an annoyance rather than a problem to be concerned with.Fortunately, this plane was quite new, and parts werent in the habit of falling off of thiscraft, yet.

Aeroflot six one niner, you are cleared for takeoff... droned the controller in themost bored voice the pilot could ever remember hearing.After replying, and bidding the bored controller a good day, the pilot rammed the throttlesto their stops and the huge American built Pratt and Whitney engines screamed theirdelight as they sucked in the jet fuel and crisp Russian air.

Several rows behind the pilots cabin a beautiful platinum blond girl sat, her biggreen eyes wide with trepidation as the craft rocketed down the long runway, creaking andgroaning, its airframe pounded, fighting for sky, rumbling over the unkempt concrete itstruggled to escape. The girls fingers gripped the thin armrests leaving pronounced dentsin the poor excuse for leather that covered them.

As suddenly as the collusion of noises started, they stopped. The planes nosepointing proudly into the atmosphere as if thumbing its nose at the gravity that had held it

to earth, leaving a trail of exhaust as its revenge.

Finally! said the older woman next to the pretty blond. I was beginning to thinkwe were going to take root. Is this your first time flying, dear? I only ask because with alittle more work on that armrest, you will be taking it with you as a souvenir. I hope youspeak English, honey, because my grasp of Ukrainian is limited to about six words, andtwo of them are inappropriate for a young girl.

Tatiana turned to her seatmate, blushing, and smiling.I speak English, she said, and yes, this is my first time in an airplane. I do not

know what will come, so I am a little afraid. Do they always shake so hard?Not always, it depends on the runway. You can let go of the armrest now; were

in the air. My name is Dorothy, Dorothy Appleberry, Dot to my friends, from SaintLouis. she said, extending her hand to the girl. Isnt that a silly name, Appleberry? Anapple isnt a berry its a fruit. Fits the fruitcakes it comes from though, and thats thetruth. Whats your name dear, since we seem to be sort of stuck together here for a fewhours?

I am Tatiana. Tatiana Collier, she said proudly, blushing again.Collier? Thats not a typical Russian name now is it? How did you get a name

like that?


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I married an American man a short time ago. I am going to America to be withmy husband.

Oh god, a handsome young thing Ill wager, and I suppose he told you he wassome sort of wealthy businessman from Dallas. Owns half of the town I bet, eh?

Nyet! No, this is not what he is, Tatiana replied sharply, suddenly very angry atthe woman for demeaning her husband without ever knowing him. He is good man.Seeing the look of anger in the girls eyes, the woman knew she had gone further than sheshould.

Im sorry, sugar. That wasnt fair of me. I apologize. I tend to get a little cattywhen Ive had a drink or two, and I have to tell you, that Russian vodka is some wickedstuff when you drink the homegrown variety. Im not used to it. Not one bit. Goes downlike water and then kicks your ass. Not good for an old woman to be drinking that stuff.Please tell me about your handsome American husband. How did you meet him? Whatmade you fall in love with him?

Tatiana explained the gathering, and how she saw him from across the room.So, this is a mail-order bride thing, like in the old west? the older woman asked,

her eyes drooping a little as the effects of the strong Russian vodka began to wear off.Was this a common thing in America, to go to another country for wife?Well, not to other countries, at least not too often. But men would order a wife

from the eastern cities to come west and live on homestead ranches on the prairie. It wasa hard life for all of them, but it beat starving in the cities if a woman had no education andcouldnt find work in some sweatshop. It sounds to me like a modern adaptation of thesame thing. Just without the hard life part. Still, what drove you to this young man? Ishe handsome?

He is handsome to me, replied Tatiana, her face softer as she remembered the

look in her beloveds eyes.Young and strong?Not so young. Older, like him, she said, pointing to a middle-aged man in his

early fifties across the aisle.My god, child! exclaimed Dorothy, He must be old enough to be your father!

What would possess you to hook up with an old coot like that, a beautiful young womanlike you?

Yes, maybe old enough to be my father, but the look in his eyes drew me to him,as did his voice when we spoke together, but it was his kiss that told me I must be withhim.

It doesnt take much effort to be a good kisser, dearie. Thats hardly what Id goand base a life altering decision on. There had to be something more to it than that. He iswealthy then, I suspect.

No, he lives in a modest home, or so he says, but I have seen photographs of itwhich he sent me by computer. It is a lovely house, very tidy, with vast field, and woodsbehind which can be easily seen.

Are there children that you will have to look after? Dorothy could see the poorgirl becoming an unpaid nanny for half dozen unruly urchins, begging, disillusioned, toreturn home to Mother Russia within the year. It was something she had heard of, maybeon some television report during Sweeps Week, but she couldnt quite remember.


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He, that is we, have a son. He is older than I. A very handsome man, and on hisway to becoming quite successful in his work.

Hmmm, said Dorothy, pensively. There had to be something else, there just hadto be. Why would such a stunning young woman hook up with some old codger? Theolder men she knew were positive bores. Hardly the thing to stimulate the mind, or body,for that matter, of an obviously intelligent, vibrant young girl.

I beg you not to become angry, began Tatiana, her hand touching the womansarm, but I must ask why you find it so difficult to understand that I am in love with myhusband? Have you not been in love yourself, and not been able to explain why such athing was possible? What is it that makes a woman say to herself; this is the one I wish tobe with and make happy? What causes a man to feel the same? I ask you as a woman ofthe world, as I can see you are, for I am not able to make my own mind understand it. AllI can know is that when he kisses me, and we are close together, there is a love betweenus that I have never known before, a love that I wish never to be apart from. This I knowin my heart.

Well, Mrs. Collier, said Dorothy, quietly, It seems as though you have it bad forthis man of yours, yes, a bad case of love. Since Mr. Appleberry died ten years ago, it

seems as though I had forgotten what a bad case of love can do to a woman. Makes yourhead all gushy inside. I miss that feeling, Tatiana, and I hope it stays with you for as longas you both live. I however am going to take this opportunity to fall into a slightly tipsysleep for a while. Be a dear and give an old lady a nudge before we land if I dont wakeup in time.Tatiana promised to do just that, and within seconds, Dorothy was quietly asleep, her headon the young brides shoulder. With little else to do, Tatiana drifted off as well, the twowomen dreaming of loves known and past, and loves to come. An hour before the planelanded, Dotty awoke, refreshed and mostly sober, stroked the young girls hair until sheawoke, slightly embarrassed.

Just before the plane landed Dorothy handed Tatiana a business card with her

home phone number and address on it.If you should ever run into any problems, my dear, feel free to call me. Any time.

Youre a sweet girl, and I dont want you to have to go through troubles without someoneto help. I have a little influence, and I wont hesitate to use it in your behalf if it becomesnecessary.

Tatiana read the card to herself: State Representative Dorothy Appleberry, it said,and gave the state the lady represented.

Thank you, Dot, Tatiana said, gratefully. I will talk to my husband, we willinvite you to dinner. Make for you traditional Ukrainian dinner.

I think I could make time for that without ever missing a beat. Call me soon,Tatiana Collier.

After they landed in England, the first leg of her journey to America, Tatianahugged the older woman, promising to call on her when she got settled in to her newhome.

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The direct flight to her new home sate proved uneventful for the increasinglynervous young bride. The flight was not full, and she was able to sit by herself andobserve the other passengers. It gave her time to think as well, not that she hadnt spentalmost every waking hour doing just that from the time the government official showed upat her door one afternoon. He informed her that she must pack what she needed quicklyfor her trip to America, jammed tickets into her hand and left as though she had a bad caseof leprosy. Daniels e-mail only a few hours earlier had given her the news that she hadbeen allowed to emigrate. She just didnt know how fast the process could be when theright people became involved, and now, here she was about to land in a new country withher new husband, new son, new home... It was all so quick. Finally, the fear had begun toset in. Maybe not so much fear, as apprehension. Would her new son accept her, orhate her? How about her neighbors? Americans were supposed to hate the old SovietBloc people. Thats what she had always been told by the old ones of her city. Thereseemed to be no end to the reasons why she should have stayed where she was, and onlyone that kept her going.

The captain came over the intercom informing the passengers that they were now

crossing the shoreline of New York and would be reaching their destination in less thanthree hours. Tatiana reached into the overhead storage compartment and removed asmall, elegant bag, and with it tucked tightly under her arm, made her way to the lavatory.Cramped though it was, she changed clothes, repaired the slight damage to her facebrought on by the many hours of flight and transformed herself from the comfortable, butweary, traveler into the sensuous woman that had enthralled her husband Daniel, so manymonths ago. Returning to her assigned seat near the center of the plane, Tatiana could feelthe eyes of the other passengers follow her. The handsome young man across the aisle,who had slept steadily for the entire flight, suddenly awoke as the stunning blond took herseat. He chided himself for not noticing her before, wasting the time sleeping that hecould have spent coaxing her into a date, or ... He flashed his brightest little boy grin at

her and was rewarded with the kind of withering smile usually reserved for doormen, andbusboys. The man nodded and leaned back in his seat, the look had been unmistakable.

By now, Tatiana was as weary as she had ever felt in her life. The final three hours of

flight seemed to have taken the last of her reserve. Maybe it was the anticipation of finallyseeing her Daniel again, or maybe it was the far too many hours in flight, breathing therecycled, refined, re-filtered and reconstituted air. She didnt know, and didnt care. Allshe knew was that she was bone tired, and that she couldnt sleep on an airplane no matterhow hard she tried. This is not the way she wanted to greet her new country or her newhusband, and she fought hard to regain some semblance of her normal self.

For only the second time on her long journey, she felt the huge aircraft gently kissthe face of the earth, and roll to an agonizingly slow stop at the terminal. Tatiana hadcraned her neck to look out the tiny window at the bit of landscape she could see as the jettaxied in. Several brief patches of snow that had managed to elude the rays of the sunwere visible in the distance, a far cry from the mounds of whiteness that had all butcovered the trees close to her home in the Ukraine. Maybe this wouldnt be so bad afterall, she thought. The land was flat and rapidly turning green, the sky bright with theafternoon sun. She could hear the huge Rolls Royce turbofan engines wind down,producing an eerie quiet that Tatiana hadnt heard for what seemed like days. Wearily, she


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climbed out of her seat and grabbed her small carry-on case from the overhead bin as theplanes door opened, and smiled grimly at the perpetually pleasant flight attendant whothanked each passenger for flying with BOAC. She was mildly surprised at the customspeople and their level of helpful understanding, one lady in particular welcoming thetraveler to the United States, wishing her a happy life, when Tatiana explained hersituation in an almost monotone voice.

Are all of these people happy here? Where is the brusqueness of the officials, theexpression of suspicion I have seen all my life? Are these people actually happy?

Now, she was alone, as far away from everything she had ever known as one couldget, and she was tired. She blindly followed the throng of people, dragging luggage,pushing tattered boxes in front of them, a few sputtering words into cell phones as theymade their way toward the open area where friends and family would be waiting...

Tatiana! Tatiana Selikovitch Collier!Her exhausted mind barely caught the name being called over the volume of voices

around her, but the voice...the voice she remembered. The same voice she had fallen inlove with, from the lips of the man she yearned for.

Daniel stood with his arms open, a huge smile that seemed to spread over his

entire his face beamed at her. He was dressed in his finest casual clothes. Beside himstood a young man, perhaps the most handsome young man she had ever seen, one handon his fathers shoulder, and a smile on his face as well. The son was taller than his fatherby several inches, his hair a shock of black curls, piercing blue eyes, strong, wideshoulders. Her son now. Beside the younger man, a tall, well dressed, stunning blond,obviously the girlfriend. Tatiana slowed her approach ever so slightly, taking in thewelcoming party, suddenly very proud of her new family. There wasnt the slightest hintof the animosity she had expected to see in the boys eyes. He seemed truly pleased withhis fathers new bride.

Daniel lurched toward his bride, grasping her in his arms, picking her off of thefloor in an embrace fueled by the love they shared

Ive missed you so very much, he whispered into her ear.And I you, she replied as their lips met again after so long.Youre home now, youre finally home my love.Yes, my beloved one, I am home, she breathed, the tears welling in her eyes.

She covered his face in kisses, reveling in the feel of his warmth.

Im Glen, and this is Melissa, said the young man when his father finally releasedhis death-grip on his new mom. We just got engaged two days ago. I told dad I wasntgoing to say anything until later, but I just cant help it. Welcome home, mom. He threwhis arms around Tatiana and gave her a very son-like kiss on the cheek, passed her toMelissa, who did the same. Whether from the fatigue, the relief of arriving, the pure joy,or maybe a combination of all of it, she couldnt know, but Tatiana began to sob in herfuture daughter-in -laws arms. The young girl, looking stunned, her expression beggingfor help, gave her over to Daniel who took her in his arms again with pleasure.

Tatiana apologized for the tears. Not a proper thing to show such emotion in apublic place unless one was mourning the death of a loved, one or a political figure.

It must be from the tiredness that I weep like an old woman, she said. When Ihave rested, I shall be happy with you. Of that I am sure.

Everyone agreed that the exhausting trip would make anyone emotional beyondnormal. She had a lot to learn about life in America, and they would be there to teach her.


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The group retrieved her luggage, and made their way to the family car. Glen andMelissa rode in front, while Daniel and his new bride snuggled in the back like two highschool kids on a prom night date.

Would you like to make a quick trip through the big city, or would you rather justgo straight home? asked Glen as they left the airports parking garage.

Tatianas pleading eyes told Daniel that striking for home would be preferable toyet another round of traveling.

Home, James, he said with a smile.Right ho, sir! replied his son, and the big Buick made a hard right onto the

freeway, heading toward the tiny suburban town that was their home. In less than threeminutes the world around Tatiana closed in on her, and she slept, her head held tightly tohis chest while he stroked her hair and face. The hour-long drive would do her good.

I hate to wake her, said Daniel, when the car came to a stop in the driveway ofthe neat suburban ranch house. The poor thing is really exhausted, and I wish I could justlet her sleep.

How about if I go and unlock the door and you just carry her in? suggested Glen

with a wry grin. She cant weigh more than a hundred pounds. Besides, arent yousupposed to carry the new bride over the threshold?

I might have gotten away with that when I was your age, boy, but now Im not sosure. It certainly is worth a try though. Very romantic, assuming she wakes up at theright time, Daniel replied with a wink.

His future daughter-in-law opened the rear door to the big car as Glen unlockedthe house. Daniel extricated his arm from around Tatiana. That, and the cold wind hittingher face once more, was enough to awaken her, breaking up the romantic threshold-carrying option. Tatiana stared at the house, and the large, well-manicured lawn.

Your house is so beautiful, Daniel! The photographs did not do it justice. Soneat and tidy, and so large!

Our house, Tatiana. Your house my love. Welcome home.She stepped from the car and Daniel immediately scooped her into his arms,

carrying her into the house while she giggled like a schoolgirl, her arms wrapped tightlyaround his neck, kissing his cheek. Entering the house he eased her to her feet, kissed herone more time and bid her search to her hearts content. With Melissa in tow, she ranfrom room to room inspecting her new home. Daniel and Glen remained in the livingroom, smiling at each other while the women could be heard commenting on the decor ofthe house. Both seemed to have plans for change that didnt seem to include moremasculine items of decoration. Daniel merely shook his head. He knew changes wouldcome but he knew it would be worth it to keep her happy.

Tomorrow we should go shopping together, said Melissa as the two returned tothe living room. There is so much we could at least look at. That way we can get an ideaof what it is you want to do. Itll be so much fun!

I think this is going to be expensive, dad! said Glen. I know Melissas taste inhome furnishings, especially with other peoples money. This is going to cost you big-time.

You never know, I may have to go along in order to protect my interests.Oh! And clothes too! Melissa shot back.Now Im definitely going. Im not going to have Melissa dressing my wife unless

I approve!


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Victorias Secret good enough, dad? asked Melissa, with a sly grin.Yup, definitely going.Who is this Victoria, and what is her secret? asked Tatiana, innocently.Youll see when we get there, Tatiana. Its a store for womens clothes designed

to make their men very happy, replied Melissa.Then we must go there as soon as possible, for I wish to make my Daniel happy.You did that when your plane landed, sweetie. If I get too much happier my heart

might stop. Anyway, I think its time for dinner. Im sure Tatiana hasnt had a decentmeal in at least two days. How about le Grande?

le Grande was the local pseudo-French restaurant a few short miles away, theplace where one dined on a grander scale than the local high-end chain eatery. Daniel dida quick mental check of his finances and decided it didnt matter that he may have to putthis one on his credit card for now. A celebration of this magnitude required a littlesacrifice. The amount would be covered by the time the credit card bill arrived, as was hishabit.

Some minor unpacking needed to be done so that she could get to her toiletarticles, and a decent outfit to wear for this auspicious occasion. Glen and Melissa

suddenly remembered some important business that required immediate attention,mentioning that they should be back in about two hours, maybe a little more. Glen gavehis father a sly wink as they slipped out the front door, both of them giggling like littlekids.

For a short time, my husband, we are alone, cooed Tatiana, wrapping her armsprovocatively around his neck.

That was the idea. Shall we shower?

Do you drive, Tatiana? asked Glen, after they had all piled back into the bigBuick, almost three hours later.

Oh yes, but never a car so big!

I guess Ill have to consider another car for you, said Daniel. Well go lookingnext week. When we find what you want, well get it and get you a license.

You should not have to change your car for me. I will learn to drive this one.Im not changing anything. The other car will be yours.My own car? Such a thing is for the rich in my country. I know of no one who

has two cars.Ive had as many as four at one time. Its not unusual in America.Tatiana shook her head in wonder. The stories she had heard were true, though

she had not dared to believe them as a young girl. Having slept almost from the time shehad left the airport, Tatiana had no chance to see the traffic jams that they had encounteredon their trip home. Later, of course, they would amaze her.

The dinner at le Grande was as they expected, fine food and wine, with the levelof excellent service the family had come to expect. Tatiana was duly impressed. Thencame a quick trip to the giant mall, just to look around for a minute.

There is so much of everything, how does one choose what to buy? she asked.Who knows? laughed Melissa. You choose what you like by price or by

designer, or by style, or by quality. Take your pick! Crazy, isnt it?I shall never learn this! Tatiana exclaimed.


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Nonsense, youll be shopping like a pro in two weeks. I think its part of thefemale genetic makeup, sighed Daniel.

Glen nodded his agreement to that statement; while Melissa shot him a look thatleft no doubt in his mind that she did not.

By the time they returned home, Tatiana was once again asleep on Danielsshoulder.

The poor thing is totally exhausted, he whispered. I wouldnt be surprised if ittook her a week to recover. Would you be offended if I dont invite you in for anightcap?

Of course not, dad. Get her to bed and dont disturb her!Thanks for the advice, son, Daniel replied, sarcastically. Now, go away. He

hugged his son and future daughter-in-law, once again carried his bride into the house andhelped her to bed.

The following week was a whirlwind of introductions to the rest of his family, andthe neighborhood, at least the ones he knew. The rest could wonder. He found that she

liked taking long walks, observing closely whatever there was to see. That week theydiscovered a lot about each other. True to her word, Tatiana was an excellent cook, ameticulous housekeeper, and an attentive wife.

I dont know what I did to deserve this woman, but, thank you God! he said oneevening, after an especially good meal. She smiled happily to herself, and kissed the topof his head as she passed behind him, her soft hand stroking his cheek.

Daniels two-week vacation from work was over, and he had to return to work.She cried as she watched him leave. The loneliness returned to haunt her, though shepushed it aside knowing he would return soon to her arms. She tidied, and dusted, andcleaned, and still she felt that empty pit in her soul that could only be filled by his return.At work, Daniel was distracted, going about his duties rather like an automaton. There

was no joy in his job. To be fair, there was little joy before, but now, there was only theanxious watching of the clock. Only seven hours to be back with her. Only five hours.Only one hour. Four oclock! Daniel raced to the Buick, started it and put it in gearimmediately, something he never, ever did. The Buick was his baby, and he always let theoil flow through the engine before putting it in gear. Today, there was something evenmore important to him than the Buick. Tatiana was waiting. Waiting for him. He felt hisface flush at the thought of rushing home to her warm embrace.

Tatiana too, knew when he stopped his work. It was four oclock he had told her.A half hour before, she had already gotten cleaned up, her face glowing with the slightestamount of makeup, his favorite little black dress and the new high heels she had purchasedwith Melissa to guide her. The day had turned warm enough for her, so she left the newjacket hanging in the closet and walked outside to wait.

Good afternoon, Tatiana, called her new neighbor, Brenda. Are you lockedout, dear?

Oh, hello Brenda! she called back, surprised that anyone would actuallyremember her name, or that she remembered anyone elses. No, I wait for Daniel toreturn home from his work.

Are you going out to dinner? Not that its any of my business of course, but youlook fabulous. Im so jealous! Brenda strolled over to her new neighbor, admiring herbeautiful designer dress.


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No, we will be dining here, I have made a traditional meal from Russia for him.Dressed like that?Is it not good that I greet my beloved one and look as pretty as I can for him? He

has worked this whole day to provide for us. He has the right to expect for me to makehim happy, do you not think so?

Her neighbor looked a bit nervous, knowing that she rarely dressed up for thehusband that had provided so well for her and their family, suddenly ashamed of thefrumpy clothes she was wearing. The man worked hard, she thought, and deservedsomething nice to look at when he got home. Maybe that wasnt entirely true, but at themoment, it sounded good.

Of course he should expect you to, she said weakly. I love your dress, by theway.

Thank you, Brenda. Glens future wife, Melissa helped me pick it out, but Danielhad the final say about it.

He has approval over what you wear? How old world.I dress for him. Why should he not be pleased with what I wear?Hmmm, said Brenda, I think I see your point. Most women in America dress

for each other. We seem to care more how we look to other women than we do ourhusbands, and youre right, I suppose, we should be dressing for them.

Thats just the way I was raised, for a woman to dress and live for her husband. Idont mean that you should follow what I say or do.

Sometimes we American women need a good kick in the butt to remind us whereour loyalties should lie, said Brenda with a shake of her head.

Ah! Here comes Daniel now, exclaimed Tatiana with a happy smile.Brenda looked at her watch and decided she had enough time to change into

something nicer before picking her husband up from the train station. Maybe that pinkdress with the lace trim he liked seeing her in would do. Yes, she thought, that would dojust fine.

Lost in thought, she suddenly looked up to see Tatiana and Daniel locked in a loversembrace.

Ill see you two later, she said weakly, and ducked back into her house withoutwaiting for any kind of answer.

I have waited for the day to go by, waited for you to return to me.I could hardly get anything done at work. My only thought was to get home to

you, my beautiful one.Will it always be this way for us, Daniel?Of course it will, my love. It has to be.

XXXX

As usual, the meal was well prepared, tasty and frugal, the newlyweds giggling likechildren as they enjoyed each others company. The evenings television watching camenext, Tatiana and Daniel cuddling close to each other as the flickering light danced overtheir happy faces.


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