Page 43 of Notes About Vodka

At one point, I start bouncing Laura on my knee to keep the mood light, and my mom nearly dies of laughter. I'm sure it’s awkward for Laura, but I can hear the joy in my mom's voice at my silliness, a sound that I haven’t heard in far too long. Laura giggles, looking a little embarrassed but clearly happy. It’s the kind of laughter that fills every corner of the room, the kind that makes everything else fade away.

“She’s a keeper, Val,” my mom says through her tears. I translate for Laura, and she blushes, tucking her hair behind her ear. My dad nods in agreement, giving Laura a warm smile and saying something in Russian that makes my mom laugh even harder.

I translate again: “He says you must have the patience of a saint to put up with me.”

Laura chuckles, her eyes meeting mine, and there’s something soft and tender there—something that makes my heart feel like it might burst.

When we finally end the call, it’s way into the early morning in NYC. It may still be dark, but the sun is finally rising. The first light is starting to peek through the curtains, a soft, golden glow that makes everything feel surreal. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I hadn’t realized how much I missed my parents until now. Seeing their faces, hearing their voices—it’s like a part of me has been made whole again.

Laura looks at me, her eyes filled with understanding. She reaches up, brushing a tear from my cheek with her thumb.

“You okay?” she asks, her voice gentle, barely above a whisper.

I nod, unable to find the right words. Instead, I lean in, pressing my forehead against hers. “Thank you,” I manage to say, my voice cracking. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

She smiles, her fingers still resting against my cheek. “I think I do,” she says softly, and there’s something in her voice that tells me she really does understand. More than I ever expected anyone to.

How did I get so lucky to meet Laura?It feels like fate brought us together, and I can't believe how much she means to me.

We sit there in silence for a moment, the weight of everything settling in. I pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her and burying my face in her hair. She smells like lavender and something uniquely her—something comforting, like toasted caramel. I hold her tight, not wanting to let go, not wanting this moment to end.

Eventually, she shifts, looking up at me with a sleepy smile. “You should try to sleep, Val. It’s been a long night.”

I shake my head, smiling back at her. “I don’t think I could even if I tried. Not after that. Not after seeing them again.”

Laura laughs softly. “Well, at least lie down for a bit. I’ll stay for a while longer if you want.”

I nod, taking her hand and leading her to the bed. We lie down, fully clothed, just holding each other. The room is filled with the soft glow of the rising sun, and it feels like the world outside doesn’t exist—just me, Laura, and this quiet moment we’ve carved out for ourselves.

As I drift off, I can’t help but think about everything that’s happened tonight—how one small gesture from Laura turned into something so monumental. How she’s brought me closer to my family, how she’s made me feel like I belong again. And as I hold her in my arms, her head resting on my chest, I know one thing for sure,she’s mine and I’m keeping her forever.

How did I get so lucky?Laura, you’re my everything. You’ve given me back a piece of myself I didn’t even know I was missing, and I will spend every day making sure you know just how much you mean to me.

And with that thought, I finally let my eyes close, the warmth of Laura beside me and the sound of her steady breathing lulling me into sleep. The sun is rising, and for the first time in a long time, everything feels right. Everything feels like it’s exactly where it’s supposed to be and that maybe, I’m supposed to be here, too.

Chapter Fourteen

VAL

“In some cultures, heavy vodka consumption is normalized or even encouraged, making it difficult to address the related health and social issues. This cultural acceptance can hinder public health efforts to reduce alcohol abuse.”

I still can’t believe I talked to my parents last night.

Laura’s idea came out of nowhere.

After months of avoiding them, I can’t believe I finally got the guts to call them up and tell them how things were going. It felt surreal, like I was suddenly facing a part of my past I’d been running from. But having Laura there gave me courage I didn’t know I had.

They didn’t ask too many questions about my stuck-in-America situation—thankfully—but it felt good to reconnect. It felt like I was getting a piece of my life back, a piece I hadn’t even realized how much I missed.

And Laura was right there beside me when I hung up, smiling at me like I’d just won a gold medal.

That smile is something else. It’s like a shot of warmth straight to my chest, a reminder that maybe, just maybe, its okay that I am here and not there.

We ended up crashing on my couch.

Cuddling, talking, but mostly just...being close.

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