Submissive

I told her I did not want to leave the United States. She told me I didn’t have to; but that I had to leave Brighton Beach at once. I was eighteen years old, when I was placed on a train; I had one suitcase of clothes, a new passport, and a new name. I never questioned why. To this day I don’t know what my mother did or what her fate was once she returned to Russia. I thank her every day for the sacrifices she must have made so I could live my life in freedom.”

They ate their meal in relative silence. Rick watched as she ate half of her burrito, then unwrapped the second half and ate the chicken, rice and beans, leaving the wrap.

“I try to watch my carbs. I don’t have to worry about calories or putting on weight. I do at least six hours of Pilate’s exercises every day. My body craves protein. Some night’s before I go home, I stop at Costco, buy a rotisserie chicken for dinner; or two deli sandwiches, throw away the bread from one and chow down. But that’s enough about me, tell me abou