Page 6 of Blood & Snow
"Go start the water. I'll be there in a moment to help."
The children groan dramatically but gather their books and pencils.
Anya stops to kiss my cheek before following her younger brother down the hallway toward the bathroom.
Their voices fade as they argue about who gets to choose the bath bubbles.
"You're good with them," Irina says, settling into the armchair across from me.
"They adore you."
"They're easy to adore."
"Have you thought more about returning to university? You only have six classes left for your degree."
The conversation we've had dozens of times since our mother's funeral surfaces again.
Irina believes education will provide me security, that my unfinished degree represents opportunity abandoned rather than dreams deferred by necessity.
I loved forensics, but it lost its appeal somewhere in the middle ofMamochka'streatments.
"I've thought about it," I tell her honestly.
"But thinking doesn't pay rent or buy groceries."
I pick my fingernails and try to avoid eye contact, which I'm never very good at.
"You know, we all miss her… even the kids."
Irina's voice grows quiet.
"I think finishing your education would honor her memory. She was so proud when you enrolled in the program."
Our mother believed forensic science would give me stability, maybe a government position with steady income and reliable benefits.
She imagined me working in clean labs, using microscopes and chemical tests to solve crime cases.
Maybe she was living vicariously through me.
"Maybe next year," I say.
"Right now, I need work that pays immediately."
"Which reminds me." Irina straightens in her chair.
"How did the interview go this morning? The cleaning position?"
I'd forgotten about the lie.
This morning, I called three numbers from classified advertisements inMoskovsky Komsomolets, looking for employment that wouldn't require extensive background checks or references I can't provide.
Two positions required experience I lack.
The thirdrequested that I meet someone tonight at an address in Southern Moscow.
"The interview is actually tonight," I tell her.
"Overnight shift work. They want to meet candidates during actual working hours to see how we handle the environment."
