Pyotr Ilyich by Adin Dalton

Author:Adin Dalton [Dalton, Adin]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2013-06-09T00:00:00+00:00

Inside Pyotr’s room, Modeste greeted Aleksei with kisses on both cheeks and exclaimed, “Alyosha, you are more handsome each time I see you. Pyotr Ilyich has been treating you well, I hope?”

Aleksei smiled in embarrassment. He liked Modeste Ilyich. Whenever they were together, Modeste always showed him great kindness.

Pyotr looked around and made a quick assessment of the room. Too ornate, as usual. While small compared to the suite in Paris it was almost as fine, adorned with Italian hardwood furniture and upholstered in rich, sapphire fabrics trimmed with fringe. Merely one room and a bath, it was more than adequate in size for him and Aleksei and would have been perfect had it been more simply adorned. It did however have two windows overlooking a lush crag of the Borghese Gardens. “Quite a hotel you have chosen, Modya. It shall cost me dearly.”

“Kolya’s father was insistent we stay here. But surely you can afford it now.”

He shook his head. “I must be more cautious with my money, not less. When it is depleted I have no method in which to make more, other than wait for another installment of my yearly stipend.”

“What about your published music?”

“It does bring some income, but not enough to live like this.”

“But if you change hotels we will be separated.”

“It will be fine for awhile,” he replied as he watched Kolya assist Aleksei with their unpacking. “Kolya, you have grown so.”

Modeste signed something to Kolya, causing the boy to come running over to them.

“Have you been enjoying Rome?” Pyotr asked him.

Kolya nodded and signed, “Da.”

“It has been a long time since we were all together,” said Modeste. “I have missed you, Petya.”

“You have no idea how timely your letter was. For some reason, I had had quite enough of Paris and was in great need of Italian sunshine.”

“Now that you are arrived, Kolya and I shall enjoy Rome even more. It is a remarkable city.”

“How long have you been here?”

“About a week,” replied Modeste. “I had just noticed Kondratyev when you came in. Is he not the one you have told me about— something about an inebriated servant causing a problem with his marriage?”

“Da,” he replied quietly. “I wonder what happened there. He will undoubtedly tell us about it tomorrow night.”

“What did you think of Aleksandr?” asked Modeste.

Pyotr lowered his voice and said. “Can you not guess?”

* * * *

As the Christmas holiday approached, Rome became a flurry of social activity. Pyotr, Modeste, Kolya and Aleksei spent their days together exploring the streets of the great city. Compared to Paris, the air was almost warm and the bright sunlight worked its magic, beseeching them to remain outside as much as possible. They strolled towards Piazza Venezia nearly every day and enjoyed the celebration of life around them. They dodged the hundreds of carriages which crowded via del Corso, and every so often stopped to watch the gypsy dancers or street musicians performing the spirited styles of their regions.

When given the chance, Aleksei and Kolya

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