Swimming Electric Blue Water. Samantha Holmes

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СКАЧАТЬ with arms like anchor rope. He wasn’t listening as he tried to get the attention of the woman a few tables over. After a moment, he noticed they were all looking at him.

      “What?”

      “Take the shit out of your ears! I said, do you still want in?” Micki growled.

      “I want a part of Konikov, if that’s what you mean. I wouldn’t back out now,” Biskovich quickly answered.

      He understood that to disagree now could make him trash in the bar’s alley.

      “I’m glad we are in agreement.”

      Micki rooted around in his pocket, pulled out some grimy currency, and handed out portions to the Downtowners. They counted the bills carefully and placed them into their pockets, satisfied.

      “Do we kill the child?” The man who spoke had stringy, dark hair falling halfway down his back. He leaned back in his chair with his pointed, steel-toed boots propped up on the table. Tattooed on his wrist was a childish scribbling of the word Dog, which was not just his name but also his fashion statement. He had unfortunately stocky legs and arms with a thick trunk that offered no narrowing at the waist. Tightly fastened around his neck, he wore a spiked dog collar. But his nose was the crowning achievement of his dog motif. It had been flattened either by fighting or intent then tattooed black to make him look like an extra from a cheap werewolf movie.

      “No, that would draw too much attention.” Micki said. “Yuri’s death will be a tragic loss to the sport and then quickly forgotten.”

      “Besides, when she’s thirteen, I think I’ll fuck her,” Saviar said with a smirk. “In memory of her dead brother.”

      The group laughed as if it was the funniest thing ever said. The excitement of the plan and the buzz from cheap alcohol made Saviar want to top it off with something else. He looked over at the woman Biskovich was making eyes at all night. She was dressed provocatively in a small skirt and tight t-shirt. Her blond hair was teased and wild, and it bounced back when touched. Thick eye makeup accentuated her watery, blue eyes that weren’t focused on anything in particular. With a wink at Biskovich, Saviar rose with a flourish and half staggered to the woman. Biskovich let out a string of profanities as Saviar grabbed the woman’s wrist and dragged her to the restroom.

      • • •

      Holding hands, Ingra and Yuri stood in the line at the Happily Ever After Chapel. They had already gotten the required tests, including genetics and physical. For the last ten years, every person who wanted to get married had to be healthy enough in order to do so, something Yuri and most everyone he knew thought was ridiculous. You could still have children out of wedlock; so adding this hurdle seemed unnecessary to ensure healthy children. Grigori, who married before the requirement, cursed loudly that it was only necessary because the Russian Alliance made the medical tests. Greed, that is what happens when corporations rule the world!

      Knowing a little history, Yuri doubted “country rule” was any better. Yes, it was an extra cost, but he never doubted they would be approved. Besides, it was his wedding day, and who cared about the past obstacles? They had made it here today.

      Anna and Grigori stood beside them. Anna pulled at the fancy lacing on her dress that scratched her neck. Grigori was in his only dark suit, the same one he wore for weddings, funerals, and other special occasions, with a huge grin plastered on his face that he couldn’t seem to let down, even when he spoke.

      “I’m so proud, so proud,” Grigori said earnestly to Yuri.

      Yuri smiled back. This was the fourth time Grigori had said those words. He alternated between saying that and how beautiful Ingra was.

      “I am glad you are here.” Yuri smiled back at him.

      “Beautiful, amazing! You look like an angel in white, Ingra!”

      “Thank you, Grigori, but don’t forget Anna. Isn’t she the perfect flower girl?”

      Anna was distracted and didn’t acknowledge Grigori’s gushing agreement. She was fidgeting in earnest now.

      “What is the matter?” Yuri asked, leaning down to talk with his little sister.

      “I have to go to the bathroom,” she whined desperately.

      Yuri looked at the line ahead, consisting of only one other couple.

      “Okay Anna, I’ll take you,” Ingra said, taking Anna by the hand and leading her away.

      “Hurry back!” Yuri called after them.

      The two men exchanged glances. Grigori’s smile broadened even more.

      “I’m so happy for you two, and proud. I feel like an expectant father, all the joy and none of the pain. Sorry my wife couldn’t make it. She was not feeling well. You know how she catches every little cold.”

      “I understand. I hope she feels better soon. Will she be well enough to meet us at church on Sunday?”

      “Yes, I think so,” Grigori said.

      The couple ahead of them was kissing as the music started up, the cue to march out and begin the rest of their lives.

      “Do you have the ring?” Yuri asked nervously.

      “Of course I have it.” He patted down all his pockets. “Somewhere, I’m sure.”

      “Don’t joke with me.” Yuri words came out sterner than he meant. He shook his head and clapped Grigori on the shoulder. “Sorry.”

      “You’re nervous, I understand. The day I married Helena, your father had to hit me to say I do.”

      “He told me. Said you had almost passed out afterwards!”

      “Take deep breaths. That was my problem. I stopped breathing. But here, see, nothing to worry about.” Grigori brought the ring out of his pocket to reassure Yuri.

      “Thank you for your help. Ingra will be so happy to see the ring.”

      He looked around for Ingra and Anna. “Where did they go? They are going to call us next.”

      “Are you going to practice tonight?”

      “Yes, I plan to.”

      “Why? You are already faster than any unaltered man has ever been. It’s your wedding night.”

      “I have to win. I’m going to have a family after today. I have to win for them. That is, if they ever return.”

      “Shh, here they come.”

      Grigori resumed his position. Ingra looked at the two of them.

      “Maybe we should adopt you, Grigori, to keep you out of trouble,” she teased.

      “Konikov, are you ready?” a squat woman asked.

      Ingra and Yuri grabbed hands and followed the woman to the small podium where the minister waited. The chapel was like a film set, with plastic stained-glass windows and a podium made of thin white plywood painted with gold trim.

      The СКАЧАТЬ