The Able Archers by Brian J. Morra

Author:Brian J. Morra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Koehler Books
Published: 2022-01-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

HOMECOMING

Colonel Ivan Levchenko, GRU, Soviet Air Defense Forces

Kiev, Ukraine, USSR

Sunday, 11 September 1983

Finally, I’m on an Aeroflot flight to Kiev. I settle into my seat and contemplate the state of my marriage during the ninety-minute flight. After days of trying, I reached Boyka on the phone last night. It was a short conversation. She was in no mood to talk. I’m trying to keep a positive state of mind about Boyka and our relationship.

My brother-in-law, Oleksander, collects me at the airport outside of Kiev. He’s a trim guy with an angular face—not handsome but interesting-looking. He’s a born politician who never shuts up and has an opinion on every topic under the sun. Lack of knowledge is no impediment to his pontifications. He serves on the city council of Kiev, and he believes in Ukrainian autonomy, if not outright independence. He’s strongly anti-Soviet, but the foundation of his political outlook is a hatred of all things Russian. Moscow is the enemy, whether the rulers are tsars or Bolsheviks.

Did I mention that he never shuts up?

“So, Ivanko, did you watch your General Staff chief’s press conference on Friday? What an idiot Ogarkov is! Is he the best the Kremlin has to offer? Ogarkov? The Americans must be quaking in their cowboy boots!”

“Well, I think the press conference went as well as could be expected. Ogarkov has a tough job.”

Oleksander smirks. “Really, Ivanko, how tough can it be to shoot down an unarmed passenger plane? I guess the USSR is safe if the Americans invade us using United Airlines or Pan Am! God forbid they should send their bombers to attack us!”

Even I have to laugh a bit at this comment.

“Ah, see, Ivanko, you still have some sense of humor. The barbaric Muscovites haven’t ridden you of all your humanity!”

“Tell me, brother, how is Boyka? I’ve barely spoken to her since she left this past summer.”

He sighs. “God, Ivanko, I don’t know. I’ll tell you something. You and I made a big mistake in marrying these sisters. Men are cursed when they marry truly beautiful women, don’t you think? You always are worried about other men. You always are worried you aren’t good enough, no?”

I consider the implications of that statement. I admire his candor and his willingness to share what most men would hide. However, I fear where this conversation may be headed, so I shut it down.

When we arrive at Oleksandr’s house, I see Boyka’s face in silhouette at the front window as we park in front on the street. Is she waiting for me?

My brother-in-law and I enter the front door. Boyka walks toward me and kisses me on both cheeks. It’s a formal and polite greeting. What does it mean? It’s easy to forget how beautiful Boyka is when one doesn’t see her in the flesh for a few months. She can be rather intimidating.

Oxana has tea and snacks waiting on a table in the small parlor. I’m touched by her solicitude. Oxana says, “Welcome the conquering hero, home from the wars.

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