Chapter 19

“As I told you before, I spent three years in the gulag,” Alexei said in a matter-of-fact voice.

“I thought I dreamed that.”

“No, little mouse. That is the truth.” 4

Alexei’s townhouse, master suite

Monday afternoon

“What would you like to do?” Sean asked.

“What would you be doing if you weren’t stuck with me?” They were in the master suite where Donal quickly put on socks after the nurse changed his dressings.

“I’m certainly not stuckwith you and neither is Kane. We are here because we want to be. Normally, after our lunches, I go to the studio. I’m a potter. I made that vase with the coiled clay sides.”

“That’s beautiful. I wish I had your talent.” Sean brought over the vase so Donal could examine it.

“What do you do, Kane?”

“Colin writes and Ian paints, but I only…”