Mark Spaid - Falcon Down

“The coffee’s not bad,” Belinda remarked.

“Yes, the Russians are known for their coffee,” Tatiana said.

“I thought this was The Crimea,” Belinda said. “But you know me I’m so scatter brained that we might be in some entirely different country and I wouldn’t even know it.”

“You’re fine, honey, but The Crimea is so close to Russia that most people speak Russian and nearly everyone here understands some Russian and they have Russian ways and customs, like their food, dress and particularly their coffee.”

“Well, whoever it belongs to I like it,” Belinda said.

“That’s a relief, I’d hate to think of the international ramifications if Lind didn’t like the coffee,” Jozette quipped and they chuckled except Belinda who gave a look to her friend.

“Alright, girls let’s not start something, okay,” Tatiana said. Belinda and Jozette, even as best of friends could get into some nasty arguments with unpleasant remarks, hateful expressions and looks, etc. and though they always made up in the end, Tatiana didn’t want to be in the middle of another verbal scuffle.

“Look at that,” Ariel said and they all turned to see three young men, boys actually, about seventeen, surrounding a girl at the end of the street. They were laughing and pushing her around. She tried to get away but they held her in the circle and she began to cry.

“No,” Jozette said as she and Tatiana got up and began walking to the group followed by Julieta.

“Nyet!” Tatiana shouted as she arrived first. The boys turned to look and laughed at a woman intervening. They said something in Russian. Tatiana ignored them and talked to the girl who also spoke in Russian and though Jozette and Julieta couldn’t understand it was clear from her facial expressions and hand gestures that she was fearful and wanted help. “She’d never seen them before and they want her to come into the alley so they can make love to her… rape her.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Jozette said.

“No,” Tatiana said. The three boys each turned and picked a woman to approach, figuring they could intimidate them into leaving. One stared nose to nose with Julieta expecting her to flinch but she didn’t move. He said something that Julieta did not understand as he smiled a sickening expression. Julieta grinned then poked fingers into both of his eyes, ala the Three Stooges. The kid grabbed his face and doubled over. Julieta didn’t wait and kneed him in the balls as hard as she could. He lay on the sidewalk moaning in agony. Another kid took a swing at Jozette but she ducked and grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back as he cried in pain. She threw him on the ground and put her foot on his throat. Tatiana’s kid drew a knife and she smiled. He raised it to stab and she jammed her three fingers in his throat and he gasped for air. She grabbed the knife and leveled it at his crotch without stabbing him. He was trying to breathe as he watched in horror while his knife was millimeters away from his manhood. She said something in Russian and he nodded frantically. She looked at the other two and they managed to get out the same agreement. The girl thanked the women who had saved her and went on her way. Down the block she hailed a cab and as she got in, she waved at her protectors.

“Get lost,” Tatiana said then repeated it in Russian. Jozette’s shook his arm and rubbed his neck, Julieta’s stood up still holding his crotch and trying to get his eyes working again. Finally, he could see and stand up straight. Tatiana released hers and he asked for his knife which she refused and made a motion with her head for the three to get lost. They didn’t argue and took off down the sidewalk.

“Well, that got my blood pumping,” Julieta said as they returned to Belinda and Ariel.

“Me too, Jozette said and they sat down.

“How do you do those things?” Ariel asked.

“You just react,” Jozette said.

“But you three, look like ninjas,” Ariel added.

“We’re not ninjas, Ariel,” Tatiana said. “We don’t like women being assaulted and we’ll act against the aggressor when we can. I was assaulted many times when I was growing up and I decided I’d never be raped. I took care of things and I killed one of them. I was fifteen then. No one messed with me after that.”

“These were punks and they were terrorizing that young girl. That I will not allow,” Jozette said.

“They could’ve been armed with guns,” Belinda said.

“They could have and then we would’ve had to deal with that,” Tatiana said.

“You could have been shot,” Ariel said.

“Perhaps but I can’t and won’t stand by and watch a woman being assaulted,” Tatiana said.

“And you, Julieta, you just jumped in there and took that kid down,” Ariel said. ‘How did you learn that?”

“Little Wolf taught me to fight dirty. He’s always worried about me being attacked.”

“Well, he shouldn’t be worried now,” Ariel said.

“Not every situation is the same, Miss Ariel. Today it worked but the next time I or anyone else could be in trouble if they jump into a fray.”

“So, if you do it again you could be hurt,” Ariel said.

“Yes, I could but like Miss Tatiana and Miss Jozette said, I won’t stand by and let a woman or a girl be attacked.” Ariel nodded understanding.

“I was raped as you know but I was helpless to stop it. I didn’t know any methods to help myself like you three do. I’d like to learn how to defend myself if it happens again,” Ariel said. Tatiana and Jozette exchanged looks.

“It’s not like learning to play the guitar or juggling,” Jozette said.

“I know that, Jo,” Ariel said.

“Sorry, Ariel I didn’t mean to sound flippant,” Jozette said.

“I didn’t take it that way, Jo, but I want to learn to do what you three girls do. Will you teach me when we get back to the states?” Tatiana took a deep breath.

“We can show you some things,” Tatiana said.

“Thank you,” Ariel said.

“I guess I couldn’t learn to do those things,” Belinda said.

“No, Lind, you couldn’t but you could just talk non-stop and bore them to death or they might even kill themselves so they didn’t have to listen to you anymore,” Jozette said.

“Ha, ha,” Belinda said. “You’re so funny, Jo.”

“Alright, let’s behave, girls,” Tatiana said.

“Lind, I couldn’t resist,” Jozette said.

“Actually, you’re right, I could never do what you three did and my best bet might be to bore them to death,” Belinda said.

“Look, Lind and Ariel, you two and Lexi are just not cut out for our kind of life,” Jozette said. I’ve killed and so has Tatiana. We know what to do if we’re forced to and you two don’t.”

“Can we change the subject?” Julieta asked and it was agreed.

“Yes, a good idea,” Ariel said.

“I wonder how Justin is doing,” Jozette asked.

“Probably boring the President with his college stories,” Belinda posed.

“I have to say, Mr. Weaver, that your college stories are refreshing and funny, your wife must live to hear you talk about your college days,” Ellen said.

“Oh yes, she craves them,” Justin said. Ellen grinned knowing Justin was being facetious. Ellen liked to get to know her interviewers and spent a long time just talking about herself and expected other people to do the same.

“It’s nice to see someone who is laid back and comfortable with themselves. You don’t get that in Washington very often.”

“And, if I may, I have to say that you’re more down to Earth than I expected,” Justin said.

“It’s the Xavier Corners thing.”

“So, you told us.”