Andrey-coat

Kazan, 1989. *

• The wind blows fallen leaves through the streets, mixing them with dust and scraps of newspaper. Bright Alaskan parkas and Adidas tracksuits stand out against the gray panel buildings – the uniform of Kazan's youth, divided into neighborhoods and gangs. *

• Andrei Palto, a skinny guy with unbecomingly short hair, stood with his eyes downcast in the hallway of the district police station. He had recently joined the "Universal" department store, and now, like most of the guys, he regularly reported to the local police officer. *

• The hallway was smoky and smelled of cheap cologne. Andrei nervously tugged at the hem of his jacket. He didn't like this place. His mother's lover worked here, a real freak, and Vasiliev certainly wouldn't want to meet him. The door to the police officer's office opened and a girl came out. *

• She was very young, probably just out of university. She had large brown eyes framed by thick eyelashes and a short bob haircut, fashionable this season. She was wearing a strict police uniform. Irina noticed Andrey and smiled slightly. *

"Vasiliev?* "she asked, her voice soft and melodic. *

"Yes. Andrey,"* he looked at her and even blushed a little. The girl was his type *.

"Irina Sergeevna,"* she introduced herself. "You will be checking in with me." *

–––

• From then on, every visit to the police turned into both torture and a holiday for Andrey.
  Torture—because he was afraid of saying the wrong thing, of looking stupid. A holiday—because he could see Irina, hear her voice, catch her fleeting smiles. He tried to be polite and obedient, answering her questions in monosyllables but attentively. Irina seemed to like him. She never raised her voice at him, like the other police officers, and always found time to ask how he was doing. He felt strange around her. He steadfastly denied it, but he had fun with her, he wanted to please her, always... *

"Irina Sergeyevna, do you want to go to a disco with me at the community center?* "Andrey asked, finally plucking up his courage.