SERENA

At the embassy, Radic introduced Lenny to his niece, Serena.  She had long, dark wavy hair and hazel green eyes that were languorous and jaded as was her disposition.  She was polite enough.  They were seated together at the table.  It was a long table that was set for thirteen.  The first course was soup.  It was lamb ragout.  Lenny did not eat lamb because he couldn’t stand the smell of it and the sour aftertaste.

“How do you like the soup, Lenny?” asked Radic’s wife Zelia.

“It’s delicious. Thank you.” he replied trying to conceal his distaste.  He had no choice but to eat it. The soup couldn’t mask the gaminess of the lamb.  It brought out the flavor instead.  He did not want to offend his host so he held his breath and closed his eyes with every sip.

“I know you hate it,” Serena whispered to him. “I hate it too.”

Lenny was relieved when they took it away. The servants brought out several dishes,  There was roast goat, lamb intestines, auk quiche, and Serbian sausage.  There was no way Lenny was going to make it through this dinner without having to excuse himself to throw up. Goat, really? he thought.  Where in the world would you get goat in Alaska?  It’s bad enough, but the entire goat was splayed out on a platter. Lenny was only used to seeing roasted pig.  He had been to several pig roasts in his lifetime. The sight of this goat with his fuzzy ears charred and standing straight up was grotesque.  He couldn’t bring himself to look at it.  It had golden crisp skin and all kinds of greens were sticking out of its rear end.  He recognized lemongrass and parsley and maybe basil but who knew what those were.

Apparently the server took it out to display it to the diners before carving it up.  He got the haunch.  And since he was the guest of honor, they gave him the tongue.  Just the sight of it on his plate was making him so nauseous his eyes started watering.  They were all watching him as he sliced a sliver of it.  He held his breath and put it in his mouth.  He tried to eat it in two bites and swallow it right away before his palate got the full experience of it.  The texture did not escape him.  Everyone was looking at him expectantly.  He nodded his head and pursed his lips to approximate a smile.  He stuffed his mouth with relish to remove the taste, but even their relish was pungent.  

“Oh, Lenny.  Haven’t you ever had tongue before?” Serena asked him. “In Serbia we have tongue chips.  My favorite is sour cream and chives.”

Could this get any worse? The servant then put a ladle full of lamb intestine on his plate.  He couldn’t stand this anymore.  His mouth was watering but not out of hunger but out of vomit on the verge of coming up.  The sight of it made him gag.  He hoped no one noticed him getting violently ill.  Everyone was digging into it.  He could barely watch them put intestine into their mouth and eat it of their own free will and accord.  By this time he was heaving.  Luckily the people were absorbed in their food.  This should be a torture technique in Guantanamo Bay.  Death is better than this.  What reason could he give to leave the table?

“Uncle, I think this is too much food for our guest.  I am going to take him out to the terrace.” Serena said.

“Did you enjoy Serbian cuisine, Lenny?” Radic asked.

“Very much, thank you.” Lenny replied.

“Serena why don’t you show him our view of the Northern Lights?  Be back for coffee.”

“Yes, Uncle” she said.

As they entered the hall, Serena said, “The bathroom is down the hall, third door on your left.” She said, smirking.

Lenny did not reply.  He just ran toward the hall.  As he turned the corner he tripped on a calico cat and fell. The cat screeched and ran off. “Are you okay, Lenny? Did  Bugoy hurt you?”

“I’m okay,” he said but he hurt his ankle.  He couldn’t get up so he had no choice but to drag himself with his arms to the bathroom.  He was in there for a half hour before he could get himself together and be able to walk out of there.  He limped back to the drawing room where Serena was lounging on a divan and smoking a clove cigarette, the cat at her feet.

“You feel better now, Lenny?”

“I’m just fine.”

“You still look green.”

Lenny did not respond.  He was humiliated.

“How’s your ankle? We never know where little Bugoy will pop up.  Please have a seat.” She said pointing to a lounge chair adjacent to the divan.  “I made you a drink.  It’s honey brandy.  Have some.  You’ll feel much better.  Trust me.” she said.

He took the drink that was on the side table and took a sip.  First it burned but then the sweet followed through slowly then goes down warm.  It was pleasant. It did take that sour out of his mouth.  “Thank you, Serena,” he said.

“Lenny, I need get out of here. Will you help me? I will pay you handsomely.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“My aunt and uncle will be going to the opera with the Johnsons Tuesday night.  I want you to pick me up and take me to Babic’s embassy  There will be guards will be all over the place..”

“Why would you want to go there?”

“I am secretly engaged to Babic’s son, Kovic. We are going to run  away together.”

“Where will you go?”

“We are going to Dubai.” Serena replied.

“Your uncle has been real nice to me.”

“Forget about that.  He’ll know I put you up to it.”

“Alright then.”

“Good. Pick me up on Tuesday at ten.  I will be coming out of my window which is the third window from the left on the north side of the building. I’ll put a sheet over the lampshade so you know which one it is.”