The Luckiest Girl at Monarch
EVIE
WAITING IS HORRIBLE, I DECLARE TO ANNIE AS WE MAKE OUR WAY TO CLASS DURING ANOTHER January blizzard.
I bop the pompom on her knit cap. Where’s your empathy?
Also, it’s only been three days. I’m sure you’re going to hear something soon. Since Annie overheard most of my conversation with Viktor, I told her about Marko being missing. It warmed her to Viktor, which I’m happy about. I want my best friend and my boyfriend to get along.
But I can’t help but worry. He is in a war zone after all. Anything could go wrong. Marko is proof of that.
Did I tell you that the Crafty Club has a problem? Well, it’s not really a problem. We’ve been making money from our repairs. Annie demonstrated how to invisibly mend sweaters at one session. We’re up to twenty members now, and we had to move to a bigger venue.
Have we been charging to fix sweaters?
Annie makes a face. It started with Vanessa from our floor.
She’s such a bitch. The first time she deigned to speak to me was about the hole in her cashmere cardigan.
So I told her we could do it, but it would cost fifty bucks.
I thought that would scare her off, but she sent me the money on the spot.
Annie makes a face. I should have charged her more.
Anyway, it mushroomed from there. Strangers started bringing me repairs and offering to pay.
Not just sweaters, but torn jeans and even just loose buttons.
Who can’t sew on a button? I had to enlist help from other club members because you were too busy having sex.
I blush.
She goes on, Anyway, I just socked the money away and earmarked it to pay for treats during our meetings, but now we have over a thousand bucks.
Wow, Annie. That’s incredible.
She nods, snow flying off her cap. More than enough for cupcakes and even a group dinner. Maybe we can donate the rest.
You know, I might have a good cause. Let me get back to you.
We make it to the Student Union Building, stomping off all the excess snow. Annie goes one way and I go the other. I decide to get a coffee to warm up. As I’m leaving the coffee shop, someone calls out to me. I turn and see Mia.
Evie, how was your Christmas? she asks, and we get caught up.
She clears her throat. I just wanted to apologize for everything that happened with Vik. I know that he found out about the Revenge Squad and he was really upset. Her eyes glisten. I heard that you guys broke up, and I’m so sorry. It was my fault for asking you not to say anything.
She lets out a little sob and covers her face with her hand.
Oh Mia, don’t cry. I hug her. Everything is okay with Viktor now. We made up.
She blinks, like she can’t believe me. Really? He was so awful the last time I saw him. Dylan told me everything Vik has been going through. I guess you knew, but it made me feel even guiltier that we tried to hurt him.
I know, and that’s why I gave him grace. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you earlier, but you know how private Viktor is.
She nods. I was shocked that he told the whole team about his brother.
I think he’s trying to be more open. It’s nice to talk to someone who knows Viktor as a person and not the icon that most people on campus believe him to be.
Do you want to know what happened to Angelica? Mia asks.
I nod. Although I figured out she was the one who told, she was really trying to hurt Viktor, and I was only collateral damage. I’m more angry about the way she broke his trust in women when they dated.
Des was furious and rushed off to show the signed confidentiality agreement to the sorority executive and complain about Angelica.
Des never thinks ahead, and we all got disciplined.
But not as harshly as Angelica—she got kicked out of Alpha Z and banned from all Greek activities for the remainder of her senior year.
Oh my gosh, that’s really going to hurt her, I reply. Angelica’s entire identity was integrated with the sorority. I don’t think she has any friends outside of Alpha Z. In fact, I’m not sure she has that many inside either. Despite all the things she’s done and said, I feel sorry for her now.
But my mom was right: placing value in bigger things has helped me to weather the various crises in my life here. The kind of volunteer work I really enjoy is not fundraising but helping people directly, and I’ve been able to do that by working with foreign students and struggling essay writers.
I’m not sorry for her at all, says Mia. She’s not a good person.
I have to get to class, so I part from Mia with promises to get together soon for a shopping excursion since I have Christmas money to spend.
It’s not until I get out of my last lecture that I check my phone. There’s a message from Viktor. Well, actually a photo.
It’s Viktor with his arm around another man.
The man has the same prominent cheekbones and round eyes, but instead of stylish layered hair, his head is completely shaved.
And he’s very thin, his jacket hanging loose on his body.
Both of them are smiling widely. If you couldn’t tell they were brothers, they’re showing off the fact that they’re both missing a front tooth.
I didn’t even realize that Viktor had a false tooth.
But now that flaw is something he shares with Marko.
I stare at the photo for long minutes, taking in all the details.
The Ukrainian flag wrapped around Marko’s shoulders.
People celebrating in the background. Banners of welcome.
It’s a scene of joy, but from my research I know that some people journey to each prisoner release and go home without their missing family member. So there is elation and sadness mixed.
I run my finger over Viktor’s face as if I could touch him. Truly he looks happier and more worry-free than I’ve ever seen him before. Now he can finally relax and enjoy his senior year and his hockey team.
WEDNESDAY IS THE DAY THAT VIKTOR WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO COME BACK, AND I FIND myself looking around campus and checking my phone much too often.
I’ve been doing all the normal things like homework, Crafty Club, volunteering, and even attending the hockey game.
(They lost 3–1 to Essex College without their captain.) But life is not the same without Viktor or even just the possibility of seeing him.
Rationally, I understand that he could be delayed for many reasons: his brother’s health, getting his grandmother organized to move, government paperwork, logistical roadblocks.
It’s too easy for me to imagine the worst-case scenarios. I miss him so much.
So after dinner, when I check my phone yet again, I’m delighted to finally see a message from Viktor.
Hey, just got back. Kinda beat, but is it too late to get together?
Too late? It’s only 8:30. I let him know I’ll be right over. And then I take a quick shower and dress up a little. After all, a returning hero deserves something special.
But when I get to his house, I’m surprised to find the whole team here.
Hey, Killer! Antoine welcomes me and ushers me into the crowded living room. Bergy, move over and let Zee sit next to his girlfriend.
Viktor rises when he sees me, breaking into a huge smile. He takes me into his arms and kisses me hard as his teammates hoot and cheer. So much for the guy who isn’t into public affection.
I missed you so much, he murmurs into my hair. I snuggle next to him on the couch, happy to feel his solid presence again.
I was just telling the guys what happened in Chernihiv, he says to me.
Sure, keep going, I urge.
This bus pulls up to the town square, and prisoners start to file out. They’re blinking like they just came out of the darkness—which I guess they had. The windows were blacked out, and nobody knew where they were going or what would happen next.
Viktor takes a deep breath, then continues.
People were cheering and welcoming each person who stepped from the bus. Some of them had family waiting, and those were the best reunions, but everyone was greeted like returning heroes. We waited and waited. Marko was one of the last guys off the bus, and my father was getting worried.
Viktor glances my way, reassuring me that he never had a doubt.
I can’t even describe the moment we saw him.
Honestly, I didn’t even recognize him—he’d lost so much weight and his hair was shaved off.
But Dad knew him right away. He ran over and grabbed him.
Then I followed. When I finally saw Marko there in front of me and got to hug him… it was the best, best time.
Viktor pauses, his eyes tender and glistening. I’m so proud of him for being vulnerable in front his teammates.
Marko was stunned to see us. He said later that he kept worrying that it was a dream and he was going to wake up in his cell.
Viktor sighs and continues, We took him to the doctor there.
He’d lost about ten kilos, and he had an infection in his foot and an intestinal issue, but he was cleared to come home to Edmonton.
The way that my mom has been cooking, he’ll gain that weight back in no time.
Everyone laughs. I’m sure he’s sanitizing things a little. Russian prison conditions are notoriously bad, but if Marko can recover mentally, then his physical health will follow.
What was it like there in general? Connor asks.
Pretty shitty. There’s been so much bombing. And constant power outages during one of their harshest winters. Ukraine looked much worse than last time I was there.
Viktor sounds emotionally exhausted now.
Mats speaks from the opposite side of the room, The team wanted to do something to support you and your brother, so we set up a donation site.
It’s called the Zelenko Brothers Fund, and you can use the money however you want.
If Marko needs special medical care, or for travel back to Ukraine, anything.
Viktor blinks in complete astonishment. Guys, that’s…you didn’t have to. Fuck, thank you. He wipes at his face. Is my big tough hockey player crying? My eyes well up too.
There’s already over $5,000 in it, and we haven’t even promoted it much, Bergy brags. And $800 of that came from the Crafty Club.
Amazing, amazing. I’ll consult with my brother first.
I’ve never seen Viktor like this, almost inarticulate with emotion. He rises and goes around the room, hugging and thanking all his teammates. There’s some discussion about the weekend’s games, and then everyone disperses.
I don’t have to stay, I say once we’re alone in his room. You probably just want to sleep.
He stares at me hungrily. My teammates are great, but you’re the person I most wanted to see. You know what I’d really like?
I shake my head, knowing I’ll do whatever he wants. Annie suggested that I make Viktor suffer a little for everything that he put me through, but why would I? He’s already been through hell, and all I want to do is support him.
I’d like you to sleep with me. He caresses my cheek, and I lean into him. Just sleep. I haven’t had a full night’s sleep since I left. I’d like to wake up and see your beautiful face beside me. That will bring me peace.
I wrap my arms around his waist. There’s nothing I’d like more. I missed you so much.
He goes off to take a quick shower. I undress and slip on the Property of Mustangs Hockey T-shirt that I’ve claimed as my own. Viktor’s bed smells like him, and I bury my face into his pillow and inhale.
Viktor comes back with only a towel wrapped around his waist. His naked upper body still has a few drops of moisture on it and I want to lick them off, but I restrain myself.
He slips into bed naked. We lie facing each other, and I can’t stop smiling.
What’s this? Viktor pulls at the T-shirt.
You said just sleep, I didn’t want to distract you.
Very disappointing. But you’re probably right. He snakes an arm under me and pulls me closer. I curl myself into his body.
Viktor seems halfway to unconsciousness, but I still hear him murmur, I love you, little Evie.
I love you too, I say, and close my eyes. He’s safe next to me, and that makes my whole world right.
I wake in the middle of the night. Even in the darkness, I can tell that he is watching me.
Are you okay? I whisper.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.
It’s okay. What’s bothering you? One of the many things Viktor is good at is sleeping. He always falls asleep quickly and deeply. So if his sleep has been restless, there must be a reason.
He turns onto his back. I can’t stop thinking about the pointlessness of it all. That beautiful country. And now: so much damage, so many lives disrupted, so many people dead.
That’s the nature of war. All that money and human capital expended over what? A piece of ground, or a leader’s ego. You know that aphorism about not learning from history? Sometimes I think we are doomed to repeat mistakes over and over. I sigh.
To my surprise, Viktor starts to laugh. I squint at him in the dim light. What is it?
He kisses me on the forehead. You wake up ready for a debate on the nature of war. Only you, Evie.
I groan. That’s because I’m the nerdiest girl at Monarch.
No, I like it. You’re multi-dimensional. Smart, challenging, well-read… His voice trails off as his hand moves up my thigh, pushing the T-shirt out of the way. His warm fingers still make my skin sizzle like the first time he touched me. Beautiful, sexy, and so hot.
He kisses me while caressing my hip, and I sigh with anticipation. I am about to be the luckiest girl at Monarch.