«Are you searching for someone?» Vlad’s deep calm voice startled Vera.
«No.» She sighed, pushing her cart again. «Sorry, what did you ask? I just didn’t get enough sleep. We went to bed at 5 a.m.»
«Cool.» Nina laughed. «No, I can’t stay awake for so long. I barely waited till twelve. I’m an early bird.»
«Yeah,» Vlad gently teased his wife. «But it doesn’t mean you have to wake me the same time you wake up.»
Still good-naturedly bantering, the Lapins walked to the cashier, and the displeased Vera followed them, losing hope of meeting Jeff.
* * * * *
Jeff carefully peeped out and gasped, seeing Vera had gone. He hastily walked around the shop and saw her on the point of leaving. He left his cart where it was and went out also. Jeff understood that this was his last chance to talk to her today, and he did not want to miss the opportunity.
Seeing that Vera was putting her shopping bags into her car, Jeff increased the speed of his steps. He saw Vera look around for a few seconds.
«She’s looking for me!» Jeff tried to get into her view, but he had to wait as a van passed by, and Vera did not notice him. Sighing, she drove away, and, frustrated, Jeff only followed her car with his eyes.
Whirling, Jeff saw the Lapins walking out of the grocery store and he scolded himself. «Why didn’t I come to them when they talked with Vera? They are friends, I’m sure they wouldn’t make fun of her or set a gossip going.»
* * * * *
Deeply upset, he drove home, but this time Jeff changed his route.
«What if her car fails?» he thought, cherishing some absurd hope.
Passing her house, Jeff saw Oleg’s car parked next to hers, and painful flaming envy struck the man like the discharge of a police electro-shocker. He barely maintained control of either the vehicle or himself.
«You asked for it, you got it!» his inner voice mocked. «You knew she was married. What did you expect? Her hubby would disappear because of your stupid feelings for his wifey? You are a fool, Jeff Menard. You’re such a fool.»
* * * * *
At home his thoughts still ran to Vera, and, feeling melancholy, Jeff changed a few channels, found a New Year comedy program, and started to watch.
Soon, cheered up, he was laughing with jokes that a young black stand-up comedian was telling.
However, when the comic started mocking whites, for the first time in his life Jeff felt uncomfortable with it. As this guy took on white women as a subject, thinking about Vera, Jeff changed the channel.