Chapter 19
Fresh Beginnings
Lisa. Vasilisa.
Holding her gave me such a feeling of elation.
I couldn’t believe this beautiful, incredible woman let me hold her in my arms. After we pulled apart, I noticed Harry wiping a tear that rolled down his cheek, but he didn’t say anything.
We walked into Lisa’s apartment. She sat down on the couch and invited me to sit next to her. I practically leaped next to her and reached for her hand. I couldn’t let her go. It was too good to be true, and I needed the reassurance that what had just happened with Lisa was real.
Harry remained in the corner, where he usually stood. Only now his face wasn’t bearing the expression of disdain directed at me. Instead, Harry looked on with approval.
“Lisa”—I turned to her—“I never should have subjected you to such danger. Back there, with the peacocks, I realized I was putting you at risk. It wasn’t fair.”
“But it worked out and we’re safe now,” she said, looking at me with such hope and kindness that I wondered whether I was in a beautiful dream.
“When the peacocks attacked us, all I could think about was you and whether you were safe.”
“And I was really worried about you. I’m glad we’re okay. And it’s all thanks to Harry!” Lisa turned to the little horse. I could have sworn I saw him blush. “So, what now?” Lisa faced me, her eyes full of worry.
“I think we need to take some time to plan this better. We shouldn’t have rushed into it.”
“Oh yeah.” She clenched her jaw.
“We should have waited until the full moon.” I opened my arms wide. “So, I was thinking, since we’ve got a few days before the full moon, how about we travel together to visit the Seven Birches? Like you suggested?’”
“Really?” The expression on Lisa’s face softened. “That would be fantastic. I would love that.” She rose from the couch and I also got up, just so I could be near her.
“Well, that’s settled then. We can try flying with Harry? All of us. What do you say, Harry?” I walked up to the pony and patted his back.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I could barely get off the ground with the two of you just now. And we only flew for a minute and my back really hurts,” Harry brayed.
“Please, Harry. This is really important,” Lisa said. I expected Harry to continue complaining, but to my surprise, he agreed.
“All right, all right. Only because of you, Lisa. I wouldn’t do it for anyone else.”
“Thank you, Harry. You’re the sweetest. And I’ll get you lots of treats. Lots of sugar and cookies and carrots. The freshest carrots I can find. And pomegranates. You hear me, Harry?” She kissed him on the cheek, and I could have sworn I saw him blush again.
“At least please give me a warning before you leap on me,” Harry murmured sweetly.
“Of course. This is so exciting! We get to fly together. I never thought I would ever get to do something like this. I’m going to get ready,” Lisa announced and disappeared into her bedroom.
“This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. The two of you together,” Harry said as soon as the door closed behind her.
“We’re together?” I stared at Harry in confusion.
“You’ve got a chance with Lisa, come on. Don’t you get it? Please don’t mess it up.”
“I do?” I gaped at the humpbacked horse. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, you do! This is what I’ve been trying to tell you this whole time. Lisa likes you.”
“There’s no way.” I stared at Harry, wide-eyed. “But I’m just a dimwit! And you even told her my nickname. How could she like me?”
“Lisa doesn’t care about that kind of stuff. She’s a great person. I’m sure of it now. And she’s really impressed by how you got her the Fabergé egg.”
“She is?”
“Oh, yes. You should have heard her raving about how brave and selfless you were.”
“But what about all this stuff, how she got mad at me? I don’t get why she was so upset earlier, before we went to capture the bird.”
“That’s because she’s scared you’ll hurt her. She doesn’t want you to leave because she’s afraid to lose you.”
“So that’s why she’s acting this way? Telling me I’ll die in Zorya?” I scratched my head. “If she doesn’t want me to leave, why doesn’t she just tell me she loves me?”
“What?” Harry laughed. “A woman would never do that. You’re the one who needs to tell her about your feelings first. And besides, you will still go back, right?”
“Yes, I can’t change that. I’ve got to go back. But if Lisa loves me and if I know that for sure, I will definitely come back here.”
Harry was about to react and even opened his mouth, but Lisa emerged from her bedroom, rolling a huge box behind her.
“Well, here we are.” She put it right next to Harry. “I’m all packed. Are you guys ready?”
“Oh, no!” Harry shifted on his hooves. “You can’t expect me to carry the two of you and this thing. How is that even going to work?”
“Oh.” Lisa blinked fast. “You can’t fit the suitcase, Harry?”
“I’ve only got two humps.”
“You’re right. I should have thought of this myself.” Lisa sighed as she stared at the box, which I now realized was called a suitcase. “Let me see.”
She opened it up and started taking out her things, folding them, then stuffing them into a backpack that she had dragged out of the closet.
She mumbled to herself as she did this. I could only catch bits of what she was saying, but it was something about minimalism and how she was too attached to things and needed to learn to let go.
By the time Lisa had finished repacking, we decided it would be too late to leave, so the trip to the Seven Birches got postponed until the following morning.
Harry returned to the stables for the night, and I went to bed on the couch, dreaming about being with Lisa.
Was it possible that Harry was right, and this beautiful, accomplished woman had feelings for me, a simpleton from Zorya?