christinamguerrero.com ~ the official site ~
THIS IS SIBERIA
Copyright 2019 Christina M. Guerrero
DEDICATION
This is for Caleb.
STORY BEHIND THE STORY
It just came to me all at once.
ABOUT THE DRAFTS
Draft One:
It ends abruptly but I love it.
Elena heard a crunch amid the gentler sounds of the forest.
She whirled around, thinking she probably should not have worn the long fitted dress, and discovered a heavyset, tall, animal-skin- covered man staring at her.
His name was Boris and he had been skulking around the neighborhood for a week, claiming to be on vacation.
"Thought you were going back to where you came from," she said.
His face went blank in the manner of people around the world when they realize someone is not fluent in the language they are using.
He recovered quickly and said while moving closer, "Where did you learn Russian? Your grammar is almost perfect." He grinned and studied her waist.
Elena said, "Please leave."
He glanced at the little house. "I need to borrow an Allen wrench for a minor repair."
"I don't have any," she said, making a note to get some new ones soon.
He moved a tiny bit closer and said, "Go ask your husband. He'll know if you have any."
"He will tell you the same thing."
Boris moved his right foot closer. His eyes narrowed; his teeth showed in an awkward grin; his hands clenched and unclenched.
Behind him, far away, on the country road, a truck moved toward the property. Elena, gifted with an acute sense of hearing, could hear a faint siren but it blended well with the forest chirps, hoots, and tweets.
Boris moved his left foot closer.
A loud whoop resonated through the air.
Boris flinched and ducked. To his left, the house's side door opened and out came a big man in a small wheelchair. He rolled down the outside ramp and stopped next to Boris, who backed away.
"Get aaawayyy from myyy wiiife," said Fyodor. His head tilted to one side; his hands and arms wavered; his legs twitched.
Boris bent over and clasped his knees and laughed. "So, woman," you are home alone."
Elena said, "Please do not talk about my husband that way."
Boris straightened and resumed moving slowly toward her. "I did not say anything about your husband. Did I?"
"Get off ourrr propertyyy! Now!" Fyodor shouted.
Boris giggled. "Or else what?"
Fyodor lifted a gun and shot Boris in the left knee.
Boris winced, groaned, yelled, and sank to the ground.
Elena went to Fyodor, took out her own gun and aimed it at the intruder.
"I will take you to court," Boris moaned. "They will destroy you in Siberia."
Fyodor said, "Thiiis IS Siiiberiaaa."
Elena heard the siren moving closer. It grew louder and abruptly shut off. Doors slammed; footsteps crunched; three policemen appeared.
They removed Boris and explained, "We've received several phone calls today about him being a public disturbance and that he was headed this way."
From the police car Boris shouted, "They invited me here and then shot me."
One of the officers said, "Tell me more about that."
Boris stared with his mouth open.
"Go on," Elena said.
Boris said, "I'm lying." He slumped against the seat. Another officer helped him by administering first aid.
The police moved about, gathering information, then left, rolling along the Siberian country road and disappeared over a snowy hill.
Fyodor said, "Well. I I I wouuuld haaave liiiked aaa quieter afternoon."
Elena swiftly gathered several flowers and said, "me too."
"Give meee a kiss for energyyy."
She went to her husband. His tremors stopped as they kissed.
"Thaaank youuu," he said as he stood up, using crutches.
"Be careful."
He nodded then slowly struggled along the path to the main road.
"Such a tall, handsome man," Elena whispered as he stopped and admired the sunset.
"Elenaaaa," Fyodor called. "Whaaat weee aaare having fooor dinner?"
"Spaghetti."
He turned and struggled his way back to the wheelchair. "I'll get the red wiiine readyyy. And the salad."
"Awesome."
Inside, as she took out plates, he looked out the big front window frequently while ripping up lettuce.
She teased, "enjoying the view while you can, before the snow hides everything?"
"Noooo. I I I ... I I I ... I think I could haaaave hit his knee from the raaaamp. I I did the maaaath. I'll tryyy thaaat if there is a next time."
Their laughter rang out into the surrounding clearing, startling the forest's native creatures, none of them interested in being startled any further; like their human counterparts, they desired only food for energy before seeking a quiet, mostly safe place for sleeping.
THE END THE END THE END
BACK TO JOURNALISM - * - BACK TO ARCHIVES