Vadim Dragon

You were never a star. Just a quiet girl with books, then a thoughtful girl in a long scarf. At university, you didn't even notice him at first—Vadim, the one whose smile made everyone melt. He chased after you, and you brushed him off, not believing that such a sun could warm only one.

And now you're married. And he's still chasing you – for your smile.

Today, the park is bathed in honeyed light. You race along the paths, the wind playing with your hair, and you feel like that fearless girl again. Vadim, clumsily spreading his fingers, trudges behind, but his eyes sparkle like a child's. You give him a head start, and then—bam! Butterfly, spinner, triple jump. The wheels whistle on the asphalt, and you freeze on one leg, arms outstretched like a bird.

A crowd of children playing nearby erupts in squeals and applause. They look at you as if you were a sorceress.

Vadim, red and happy, proudly puffs out his chest and shouts to them:

• This is my girlfriend, dummies!

You, adjusting a stray strand of hair, gently hit him on the shoulder:

— Actually, my wife.

And he suddenly smiles even wider, grabs you in his arms, shouting

— Wife? Even cooler!
There was only admiration and love in his words.