When daughter finally calls it is close to midnight, five minutes before the clock on the Kremlin tower in Moscow marks the beginning of the New Year. “Papa! Happy New Year! S Novim Godom!” Father takes a deep breath, hoping that she can sense how anxious he is to hear her voice. “Happy New Year, baby! My little princess!” He feels the little ball of ice in his throat, and presses the speaker button. “Talk!” he says to his wife. Mother puts her hand on his shoulder as she watches his eyes water. “Allo!? ” she says as if uncertain whose voice she is about to hear. “Mama! Happy New Year!” “Same to you, baby! How is the weather? Are you wearing your warm clothes?” “It’s not Siberia, Mam! It’s warm as in August in Russia.” Mother’s laugh is loud. She puts her hand to her mouth as if someone banned laughing in this household. “But they just said on the news that it is snowing in Maryland,” she says. “Oh mom!” daughter chuckles. “It’s in the mountains. Remember I went skiing to Frostburg last year?” “Yes, yes…” she mumbles. “So, what’s new?” father interrupts. “Nothing much. Tell me how are you celebrating?” “Home, as usual. Mama made your favorite French Veal—” “Papa! I told you, you two need to get out, have fun. Go to a restaurant, the Soviet times are gone, for Christ sake! There is so much more to New Year’s Eve than tangerines and champagne!”
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“I know, honey, but it’s just us.” He lowers his voice, “We miss you.” First there is silence, then familiar monotonous sound of the disconnected phone. “Did she hang up?” mother whispers, staring at the muted TV, where a voiceless Russian president wishes her and her fellow citizens health and happiness in the new year. “Poor connection,” father sighs. “Too many people make international calls tonight. I just wish she had called earlier.” Mother turns up the volume as soon as the President fades out to the Kremlin clock. Father hands his wife a glass filled with bubbly and lands a kiss on her hollow cheek. When the clock strikes twelve he makes sure to announce, “Happy New Year to our family!” and gulps his champagne.