Mark, resolute, headed toward the kitchen, or rather, what appeared to be a makeshift kitchen set up in the hallway. With slow grace, Bertha wiped her hands and showed no sign of surprise as she accepted the bouquet.
«Thank you,» she said, but couldn't resist asking, «How did you find me?»
«It's a military secret,» he replied with a playful twinkle in his eye.
«I can imagine…» her teasing smirk reappeared.
Oh, that look! Mockery again.
«You know what military secrets are? Then, we'll understand each other without words!»
«Let's have some tea. Berta, Anna, stop teasing us with those enticing aromas! Vladimir, help set the table!» the wise patriarch of the family decided to defuse the situation.
«Yes, yes,» Mark said gratefully, «the aroma of your pies wafts all over the entryway. Is it cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla?»
«Do you know anything about cooking?» Anna, experienced in the tricks of potential suitors, wondered if Mark was simply being polite.
«No, I'm not. I'm just a gourmand. And my mom was an exceptional cook.»
«Was? What happened?» she asked, sensing there was more to the story.
«She passed away two years ago,» he said with a touch of sadness.
The woman offered a comforting pat on his shoulder. «Well, you're in for a treat. Let's go to the room.»
As it turned out, Berta's older brothers, Boris and his wife, Mikhail, along with her sister Julia, her husband, and their daughter Rose – a whole community, as Mark thought – resided in the three-room apartment. In the past, the Galper couple had raised eight children under one roof, but most of them had already flown the nest. Once, they had an eight-room apartment. In the twenties, they had to sacrifice part of the apartment, including the kitchen, although they managed to keep the gas stove – a rarity for those times.
At the table, only a tall, young man in his thirties with fine facial features was present (the others had gone to the movies):
«Mikhail,» he introduced himself briefly, noticing the two bouquets adorning the room. He couldn't hide his irony, «This is the first time you've come to us, and you want to get married right away!»
The brave cadet felt a bit embarrassed, but there was no turning back now.
«You know, I'm ready right now, but I think we should get to know each other first,» Mark replied.
The parents nodded approvingly, and Vladimir shouted enthusiastically, «I agree to such a son-in-law!» Berta seemed about to respond with a retort, but then she changed her mind and burst into laughter. In that moment, she saw him in a different light, realizing he was more than the self-assertive guy she initially perceived. And he has such a beautiful smile.
Her laughter was pure and ringing, and it caught Mark off guard, leaving him thinking, «What a nice girl… So different… Yet somewhat similar to Anna!»
Mikhail, clearly enjoying the interaction, added teasingly, «Berta is a girl with a temper. You still have time to change your mind.»
With determination, Mark quickly composed himself and responded, «I appreciate the advice. I undertake to study this temper thoroughly,» casting an expressive glance at Bertha.
And thus, began the exchange of questions and stories, as it always happens between kindred spirits who have overcome the initial awkwardness of a new acquaintance.
Alexander, originally named Isaac, was a tailor, but not an ordinary one; he specialized in crafting military uniforms. The workshop was situated right in their home, and all the children, to varying degrees, had acquired the skills of this profession. After graduating, Berta became her father's right-hand woman and was now the «official» employee of the family atelier, which had now shifted to civilian orders.
The help of the older children was particularly crucial during times of war when the workshop was inundated with orders.
«If it weren't for the boys, I would have never made it through. But then, things got so tough – we feared we wouldn't survive. The repairs, alterations… It cost a fortune! You couldn't find good fabric anywhere, day or night, except on the Sennoy market, and even then, it was exorbitantly expensive!» The elderly tailor sighed, recalling the times of hunger, market raids, goods requisitioning, and constant fear for his family.
«Almost everything valuable in the house had to be exchanged for food and fabrics,» his wife echoed.
«But the NEP somewhat improved the situation,» added Alexander.
«Yes, you know, the new bosses surprisingly had a taste for finer things,» his wife chimed in.
«And one must thank their wives, especially the 'exes',» Mikhail contributed.
«Well, Mikhail knows better; he's a renowned movie fan,» Berta said with a touch of humor, but it was evident that she spoke about her brother with great admiration.
Mikhail worked at the Soyuzkino Leningrad factory and was credited as a cameraman for several famous films that Mark had already seen. Among them were not only the serious Strange Shore, which dealt with the re-education of a sailor who had lost his vigilance, but also the lighthearted domestic comedy, The Grandmothers' Revolt. Mark had seen it with Sacha, and they had a delightful time.
This film presented a humorous tale of «forbidden» love between a Jewish girl and a Russian guy. Interestingly, it was the grandmothers, with the assistance of the Komsomol cell, who understood the situation and came forward to help the young lovers.
«Oh, the Grandmothers' Revolt? That was something!»
«Did you enjoy it?» asked Berta.
«There were some truly funny moments! The old ladies were excellent,» Mark replied.
Mark listened with keen interest and observed the furnishings: elegant furniture, tasteful curtains adorning the windows, and framed photographs capturing the Galper family during their younger days. It was evident how diligently they endeavored to preserve the warmth and harmonious family atmosphere. Anna, too, aspired for such comfort, although her circumstances were more limited. Upon learning that the young man hailed from Third Meshchanskaya Street, the occupants of Third Sovetskaya Street found much amusement.
The ambiance in the apartment was welcoming and congenial, extending a friendly embrace to the guest. The Galpers were genuinely well-disposed, and Anna empathized with the hardships faced by the Maretsky family. Having experienced the tumultuous years of 1905, the revolutions of 1917, and the famine during the Civil War in St. Petersburg-Petrograd, they could understand the trials that had befallen the amiable young man.
«Yes, these days we have pies aplenty. But in the spring of 18, I remember, a mere ounce of bread was a rarity… around 30 grams per person. We endured it all,» Anna's eyes welled up with tears.
«Come now, Anna, don't,» Isaac's voice quivered with emotion. «You know, during those times, Petrograd was reeking of dried fish. That's all we could get. I'll never eat vobla again in my life!»
«Fish saved us in Henichesk too,» Mark recalled those years vividly, reminiscing on the hunger that gripped the nation. He recounted how he had to seek refuge in the cellar during the pogroms.
In essence, these two families, having weathered the storms of change, found a profound connection and shared experiences.
Tragic memories were abruptly interrupted by the scent of burnt pastries.
«Oh!» Berta suddenly leaped from the table, «the pies!»
«How could we forget?» Mom lamented.
«It's all because of the cadet, my girls,» Alexander teased good-naturedly.
«I'll help!» Mark eagerly offered, hurrying after the young mistress.
He was unnecessary in the cramped kitchen, Berta was more than