Crossing Boundaries
Chapter 5: Sisters
A few days after my talk with Jason Gideon and Dr. Spencer Reid, I was released from the hospital. At the desk, I was told that the BAU was going to pay for my hospital bill, as ordered by Gideon. My heart swelled with gratitude at this simple act of kindness. There was no way that I could have paid for it myself. Dressed in donated clothes, I walked out of the hospital onto the unforgiving streets that had ignored me only days before.
The other immigrant women I worked with at the hospital had somehow learned about what had happened to me. They all looked at me strangely, as though I was carrying some sort of disease. It was disconcerting to see their sideways glances as I walked past on my way to clean a room.
The only one who did not look at me strangely was my only friend: Nadya Czajkawski. We had traveled to America on the same ship, even though she came from Russia and I from Croatia. We had bonded immediately, becoming almost like sisters as we journeyed to a brand new place.
"Anika, you're back!" Her boisterous cry made me jump slightly. She came running towards me, wrapping me in a hug. "I can't believe you are alive."
I looked at her sharply.
Nadya gave me a shy look. "Some people from the government came asking about you. They told us what happened and asked us questions about you." She looked at me with huge chocolate eyes. "Oh Ani, I could not believe what I heard! But you are back, all safe."
The next couple of days were rough; my coworkers did not look at me as they once had. There was an increasing sense of alienation from them. But I did not mind so much. I had Nadya; that was enough for me. On my way to work, I had to take the long way because I could not stand to see that alley. I feared that if I walked down it, the same thing would happen again.
The only place where I did not feel hostility was in the tenement apartment that Nadya and I shared. It actually had quite a nice view of the nearby park. The apartment was simply furnished, given the meager wages that we received for working in the hotel. There were a few indications of our native lands; bright colors, traditional artwork and music filled our lonely life. Our wages were just enough to pay rent, buy food, and have a little extra for savings. We were not in a position to live extravagantly or make frivolous money decisions.
We were preparing our meager supper one night when there came a knock at the door. This was most unusual, for we never had anyone come visit.
"Who is there?" I call.
"Um… it's Dr. Spencer Reid"
I gave a cry of delight at hearing that name. I hurried towards the door, eager to see him again. Nadya looked skeptical. "Who?" she asked.
"The man who saved my life." Her face softened at hearing this description of Dr. Reid. I opened the door to reveal him standing there, a little awkwardly, pacing back and forth. "Please, come in."
When he walked in, his eyes widened at the sight of our apartment. I sensed in him a conflict of emotion. He seemed to not understand how such a place could look as it did, given the area in which we lived. His tall lanky form took up a great deal in the small space, giving him an even more awkward air.
I laughed a little to myself before speaking. "Dr. Reid, this is my najbolji prijatelj (best friend) Nadya Czajkawski. She and I were on the same ship to America."
Reid smiled kindly at Nadya and shook her hand in greeting. Turning back to me he said, "I just came by to see how you were doing. I didn't mean to intrude…"
I quickly eased his fears. "It is not a bother. I am slowly settling back into normal life. It has been difficult at work though." I hung my head, dark waves falling in front of my face.
"The women at work act as though she carries the plague. I say they are fools."
Nadya's profound loyalty was touching. I give her a weak smile in thanks. She merely pats me on the shoulder before speaking to Dr. Reid again. "We were just about to sit to supper, care to join us? We have some delicious food prepared."
"Um…" Reid shifted for a moment, trying to decide what to do. "Um…sure." His social awkwardness was endearing in a way. His awkwardness matched Nadya and me's cultural awkwardness. We led him to our simple table, which was laden with what little food we could afford. With hospitable efficiency, we sat him and set a third place setting before him.
Coming from backgrounds rich in folk traditions, both Nadya and I offered a blessing to the earth that provided the food for us. Then, we served up the thick savory stew and freshly baked bread. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, I turned my attention to Reid and posed a question to him.
"Dr. Reid, I find it unfair that you know so much about me yet I know nothing about you."
He looked at me, a confused look crossing his face. "Oh, well, um…where should I start?"
"Where ever you want. Any insight into your mysterious nature would be a blessing." Nadya sniggered at this, and I kicked her under the table.
Reid gawked at the both of us. "Mysterious? How can a socially awkward young genius with 3 Ph.D.'s, an IQ of 187, an eidetic memory, and the ability to read 20,000 words per minute be mysterious?" He waved a hand in the air, motioning to himself. "I stick out like a sore thumb! My sense of style is a few years behind current trends, and every other sentence I speak betrays my nature."
Nadya and I looked at each other, smiles widening across our faces. We could hold it in no longer; we burst forth with uncontrolled laughter at Dr. Reid's display. We had never encountered such a strange man in our native countries, and to see him so distressed was amusing. The rest of our conversation was quite leisurely. We all felt free to discuss things that we would not bring up in daily conversation. Through the course of conversation, I revealed that it was my greatest wish to someday open a ballet studio.
"Ballet," Nadya gasped. "I had no idea you danced! Oh, you must show us! Please?"
There was no possible way for me to deny Nadya. She looked at me with those huge chocolate eyes, and I knew that to not show her would break her heart. Sighing, and looking to Reid for support (of which I found none) I left the table and kicked off my shoes. I went though a simple little routine, just enough to whet Nadya's appetite for a show. Without meaning to, I lost myself within the music and allowed myself to be become the dance, maroon skirt making soft swooshing sounds every time I moved. When I finished, Nadya was nearly bouncing in her chair like a small child she was so pleased.
"You'll have to teach me, Ani. It looks so beautiful!"HeHelping
Reid clapped politely, showing his appreciation of my embarrassing display. He rose from his chair and spoke with a note of regret. "I'm terribly sorry, but I must be going. Gideon's probably pacing, waiting for my arrival at headquarters. Thanks for your wonderful hospitality and amazing meal."
He gathered his coat and constant companion of worn briefcase and headed for the door.
"Dr. Reid…"
He turned back to face us. With a companionable look he said, "Please, call me either Reid or Spencer. Doctor makes me feel pompous."
I was reminded of the day we had met in the hospital when we had a similar exchange of words. I smiled as I remembered that day, despite all of the pain I have been through. "Spencer," I continued, "could you please pass my gratitude to Gideon for taking care of my hospital bill?"
"Certainly, Anika. Have a good night ladies." Without another word, he was gone.
Nadya turned a playful face to mine. "That was the man who saved you?"
I gave her a hard look, trying to read her. "And?"
She merely laughed at me. "I'll leave that for you to discover." With a swish of skirt, she headed off to the kitchen to begin cleaning up, leaving me to ponder her cryptic words.
What was that infernal woman on about?