20
The grove that sheltered Creighton and Olga was of the sort that Ukrainians call hai, a sparse oak forest with dense undergrowth and tall grass. After the hustle and bustle of the base, the silent grove was a place of refuge. As soon as the two were alone together, the lieutenant embraced the interpreter. They stood quite still, all words unnecessary. In any event, they could neither of them have spoken, such were their surging emotions.
Creighton eventually found his voice. “You were all I thought about all those days!” he confessed. “I couldn’t wait to fly back here.”
“I was worried sick. It was terrible! Thinking about you, up there in the sky…”
“Were you waiting for me to come back?”
“It was unbearable!”
“I’m happy to hear it.”
“I never thought it would be so hard to wait.”
