Page 94 of Nine Months to Love

No. That’s not fair. Olivia didn’t know any better. She saw a woman who claimed to be a victim of abuse and she believed her. Because that’s who Olivia is. She sees the best in people. She trusts. She hopes.

All the things I called her stupid for.

I pocket my phone and head outside. The night air is cool against my skin. I walk through the garden, letting the darkness wrap around me.

That’s when I see her.

Babushka sits on the stone bench near the fountain, the chessboard set up in front of her. She’s arranged the pieces for a new game, white on her side, black on mine.

“Couldn’t sleep?” I ask.

She looks up and pats the bench beside her. “I don’t do much of that anymore. Here, come, sit.”

I do. The stone is cold through my pants.

“You look troubled, Stefushka.”

I don’t even bother denying it, which goes to show just how fucked up my head is right now. “I said something I shouldn’t have. To Olivia.”

“Ah.” She moves a pawn forward. “What did you say?”

“Things I didn’t mean. Cruel things.”

“And have you apologized?”

“She won’t talk to me.”

Babushka nods. “Then you will have to try again tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that.”

I move my own pawn to meet hers. “What if she doesn’t forgive me?”

“Then you will have learned an important lesson about the consequences of your words.”

We play in silence for a few moves. The fountain burbles behind us, a constant, soothing sound.

“Do you remember the year you lived with me?” Babushka asks suddenly. “Before you left for Russia?”

“Of course.”

“You were so angry then. So lost.” She captures one of my pawns. “I worried about you constantly. That anger came so close to consuming you, so many times.”

“It nearly did.”

“But it didn’t. You found a way forward.” She meets my eyes. “You can do it again.”

I move my knight. “It’s different now.”

“Because of her?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” She smiles. “That means you’re finally learning.”

I look down at the board. “My father loved my mother. Look where that got him.”

“Your father loved the wrong woman.” Babushka moves her bishop. “There is a difference.”

“How do you know Olivia is the right woman?”