Page 121 of Notes About Vodka

From the corner of my eye, I scan the crowd, and there they are—Val, my parents, my grandparents. They all made it.

They stand out in the sea of faces, beaming with pride. Val waves, his smile so big it lights up his entire face, and I can’t help but smile back, my heart swelling with love and gratitude. My grandparents’ eyes are shining, and I see my dad and Leigha clapping enthusiastically.

I’m not just proud of myself, but I’m so grateful for all the people who believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself. It’s overwhelming to think of how many people have helped me reach this moment, and I know I couldn’t have done it alone.

As the ceremony draws to an end, I toss my cap into the air along with my classmates, a burst of pure joy rushing through me. I reflect on how far I’ve come—all the obstacles, the challenges, the heartbreaks that led me here. From Hurtsboro, Alabama, to New York City, from late-night shifts atPianissimoto the long hours at the lab, from getting divorce to remarried! I’ve grown, I’ve changed, and I’ve fought for this.

And now, as I stand here, I know this is just the beginning. There’s still so much further I want to go. This isn’t the end; it’s the beginning of something even more exciting. More infusing.

After the ceremony, I find Val waiting for me. His arms open, and I step into them, feeling the warmth of his embrace surround me. He kisses the top of my head. “I’m so proud of you, Mrs. Zaitseva,” he says softly, his voice full of affection.

I lean back to look at him, my eyes misty. “Shh… Remember my family still doesn’t know.”

We kept getting married a secret from them.

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” I whisper, and he smiles, shaking his head.

“You did this all on your own, Laura. I’m just the lucky guy who got to cheer you on.”

I chuckle, wiping my eyes. “Well, get ready to keep cheering,” I say. “Because I’m not done yet.”

Val nods, his eyes shining with pride. “I’m ready for whatever comes next.”

And there’s so much more to come. Val had to postpone his graduation until next Spring, and while part of me wishes we could have graduated together, I know it doesn’t really matter. We’re in this together, and that’s all that counts. I’ll be there, cheering him on just like he’s cheered for me. I’ve seen firsthand how much work he’s put in, juggling his studies and our life together, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. He’s given up so much to make our lives work, and his determination inspires me every day.

Not long after graduation, I receive a letter—an invitation to join a graduate program in Chicago for a year that will help pave my way into medical school. The program is focused on urban medicine practices and working with culturally diverse populations. It’s everything I could have hoped for, a chance to make a real difference, to learn and grow in ways I’ve always dreamed.

The catch? It’ll take five more years of my life before I’m done with medical school.

But the program is fully funded, and I know it’s an opportunity I can’t pass up. The thought of dedicating myself to something so meaningful is both thrilling and terrifying.

One evening before our wedding in Florida, I share the news with Val, my heart pounding as I wait for his reaction. “Chicago, huh?” he says, leaning back on the couch, his face tightening, the smile fading.

“Yeah,” I nod, biting my lip. “It’s a big opportunity, Val. I know it means more time, more distance, but it could be worth it. It’s specializing in urban medicine and working with diverse communities. It’s exactly what I want to do.”

His eyes narrow, and he looks at me for a long moment before shaking his head. “Laura, we’ve just gotten throughthis crazy year. We got married, we are getting married again, and then we have our honeymoon. Didn’t you get a similar offer from here at NYU. Are you sure you want us to move again? What about me? I still have two semesters left at NYU.”

I swallow, feeling a knot form in my stomach. “I know, Val. I know it’s a lot, but we could make it work. We always find a way.”

He lets out a frustrated sigh, standing up from the couch and pacing the room. “Do we really want to live apart again? We just got settled here. We just started building a life together. And now you’re talking about moving to Chicago? It feels like you’re always chasing something, and I’m the one left trying to catch up.”

His words hit me hard, and I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. “I’m not trying to leave you behind, Val. This is something I’ve worked so hard for. It’s my dream. And I thought you’d understand that.”

He stops pacing and looks at me, his expression softening, but there’s still a hint of frustration in his eyes. “I do understand, Laura. I just... I don’t want us to end up living separate lives. I love you, and I want to be with you. But this… This is hard for me to wrap my head around.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “I love you too, Val. More than anything. And I want us to be together. But I also need to follow my dreams. I can’t let this opportunity slip away.”

He runs a hand through his hair, looking torn. “And what about my dreams, Laura? What about us building something here? Together? My restaurant?”

I stand up, moving closer to him, reaching for his hand. “We can still build something, Val. It just might look different than what we planned. We’ve faced challenges before, andwe’ve come out stronger. I know this is a lot to ask, but I need you to believe in me. In us.”

He looks down at our joined hands, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. The tension in his shoulders slowly eases, and he lets out a sigh. “I do believe in you, Laura. I just... I’m scared of losing what we have.”

“You won’t lose me,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “I promise you, Val. We’ll figure this out. We always do.”

He pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly. “Okay,” he says softly, his voice full of emotion. “We’ll figure it out. Just... promise me we’ll take it one step at a time.”

I nod against his chest, the tears finally spilling over. “One step at a time,” I echo, holding onto him as if my life depends on it.

---