The_AT Train_NN1 of_IO Their_APPGE Departure_NN1 In_II the_AT spring_NN1 of_IO 1976_MC ,_, before_CS the_AT start_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE affair_NN1 ,_, before_CS he_PPHS1 became_VVD her_APPGE husband_NN1 ,_, before_CS she_PPHS1 knew_VVD anything_PN1 about_II him_PPHO1 ,_, Polina_NP1 had_VHD noticed_VVN Alec_NP1 in_II one_MC1 or_CC another_DD1 of_IO the_AT V.E.F._NP1 buildings_NN2 ,_, always_RR looking_VVG vaguely_RR ,_, childishly_RR amused_JJ ._. 
"_" If_CS my_APPGE Papatchka_NP1 ran_VVD the_AT factory_NN1 ,_, maybe_RR I_PPIS1 'd_VM also_RR go_VVI around_RP grinning_VVG like_II a_AT1 defective_JJ ,_, "_" Marina_NP1 Kirilovna_NP1 had_VHD said_VVN to_II Polina_NP1 when_RRQ Alec_NP1 appeared_VVD in_II the_AT technology_NN1 department_NN1 ._. 
Marina_NP1 Kirilovna_NP1 occupied_VVD the_AT desk_NN1 beside_II Polina_NP1 's_VBZ at_II the_AT radio_NN1 factory_NN1 ._. 
In_II her_APPGE mid-forties_MC2 and_CC a_AT1 widow_NN1 twice_RR over_RP ,_, Marina_NP1 Kirilovna_NP1 treated_VVD men_NN2 only_RR with_IW varying_JJ degrees_NN2 of_IO contempt_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR sluggards_NN2 ,_, buffoons_NN2 ,_, dimwits_NN2 ,_, liars_NN2 ,_, brutes_NN2 ,_, and_CC --_NN1 without_IW exception_NN1 --_NN1 drunks_NN2 ._. 
The_AT tragedy_NN1 was_VBDZ that_CST women_NN2 were_VBDR saddled_VVN with_IW them_PPHO2 and_CC ,_, for_RR41 the_RR42 most_RR43 part_RR44 ,_, accepted_VVD this_DD1 state_NN1 of_IO affairs_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ as_CS21 though_CS22 they_PPHS2 had_VHD ingested_VVN the_AT Russian_JJ saying_NN1 "_" If_CS he_PPHS1 does_VDZ n't_XX beat_VVI you_PPY ,_, he_PPHS1 does_VDZ n't_XX love_VVI you_PPY "_" with_IW their_APPGE mothers_NN2 '_GE milk_NN1 ._. 
As_II21 for_II22 her_APPGE own_DA departed_JJ husbands_NN2 ,_, Marina_NP1 Kirilovna_NP1 liked_VVD to_TO say_VVI that_CST the_AT only_JJ joy_NN1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD got_VVN out_II21 of_II22 living_VVG with_IW them_PPHO2 had_VHD been_VBN outliving_VVG them_PPHO2 ._. 
Later_RRR ,_, when_CS Marina_NP1 Kirilovna_NP1 began_VVD to_TO suspect_VVI Polina_NP1 's_GE involvement_NN1 with_IW Alec_NP1 ,_, she_PPHS1 admonished_VVD her_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Not_XX that_CST it_PPH1 's_VBZ my_APPGE business_NN1 ,_, but_CCB even_CS21 if_CS22 your_APPGE husband_NN1 is_VBZ no_AT prize_NN1 at_RR21 least_RR22 he_PPHS1 's_VBZ a_AT1 man_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 is_VBZ n't_XX your_APPGE business_NN1 ,_, "_" Polina_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Just_RR know_VV0 that_CST no_AT good_JJ can_VM come_VVI of_IO it_PPH1 ._. 
Believe_VV0 me_PPIO1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM not_XX blind_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 see_VV0 him_PPHO1 skipping_VVG around_RP like_II a_AT1 boy_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 butterfly_NN1 net_NN1 ._. 
And_CC if_CS you_PPY think_VV0 that_CST this_DD1 business_NN1 will_VM lead_VVI to_II a_AT1 promotion_NN1 ,_, then_RT half_DB the_AT women_NN2 at_II the_AT factory_NN1 are_VBR eligible_JJ for_IF it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
At_II the_AT word_NN1 "_" promotion_NN1 ,_, "_" Polina_NP1 almost_RR laughed_VVD ._. 
The_AT suggestion_NN1 of_IO some_DD ulterior_JJ motive_NN1 for_IF the_AT affair_NN1 ,_, particularly_RR ambition_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ risible_JJ in_II a_AT1 way_NN1 that_CST the_AT widow_NN1 could_VM not_XX have_VHI imagined_VVN ._. 
First_MD ,_, the_AT mere_JJ idea_NN1 of_IO ambition_NN1 in_II the_AT factory_NN1 was_VBDZ ludicrous_JJ ._. 
Thousands_NNO2 of_IO people_NN worked_VVD there_RL ,_, and_CC --_NN1 with_IW the_AT exception_NN1 of_IO the_AT Party_NN1 members_NN2 --_NN1 none_PN of_IO them_PPHO2 had_VHD a_AT1 salary_NN1 worth_II envying_VVG ._. 
But_CCB ,_, beyond_II that_DD1 ,_, if_CS anything_PN1 had_VHD led_VVN her_PPHO1 to_TO consider_VVI Alec_NP1 's_GE overtures_NN2 it_PPH1 was_VBDZ her_APPGE husband_NN1 's_GE ambition_NN1 --_JJ insistent_JJ ,_, petty_JJ ,_, and_CC bureaucratic_JJ ._. 
In_II the_AT evenings_NNT2 she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ oppressed_VVN by_II his_APPGE plots_NN2 and_CC machinations_NN2 for_IF advancement_NN1 ,_, and_CC on_II the_AT weekends_NNT2 she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ bored_JJ and_CC embarrassed_JJ by_II his_APPGE behavior_NN1 at_II dinners_NN2 with_IW those_DD2 whom_PNQO he_PPHS1 described_VVD as_II "_" men_NN2 of_IO influence_NN1 ._. "_" 
By_II comparison_NN1 ,_, Alec_NP1 was_VBDZ the_AT least_RGT ambitious_JJ man_NN1 she_PPHS1 had_VHD ever_RR met_VVN ._. 
Much_RR later_RRR ,_, when_CS Polina_NP1 looked_VVD back_RP on_II her_APPGE younger_JJR self_NN1 ,_, the_AT girl_NN1 who_PNQS at_II twenty-one_MC had_VHD allowed_VVN Maxim_NN1 to_TO dictate_VVI the_AT terms_NN2 of_IO her_APPGE life_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 understood_VVD that_CST she_PPHS1 had_VHD made_VVN a_AT1 mistake_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB she_PPHS1 also_RR understood_VVD that_CST ,_, at_II the_AT time_NNT1 ,_, she_PPHS1 had_VHD been_VBN incapable_JJ of_IO acting_VVG differently_RR ._. 
In_II her_APPGE life_NN1 she_PPHS1 had_VHD never_RR had_VHN a_AT1 great_JJ love_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE friends_NN2 had_VHD descended_VVN into_II infatuations_NN2 ;_; she_PPHS1 never_RR did_VDD ._. 
Some_DD people_NN 's_GE conceptions_NN2 of_IO what_DDQ was_VBDZ available_JJ to_II them_PPHO2 coincided_VVD with_IW what_DDQ was_VBDZ actually_RR available_JJ to_II them_PPHO2 ;_; other_JJ people_NN 's_GE conceptions_NN2 did_VDD not_XX ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR men_NN2 whom_PNQO she_PPHS1 found_VVD more_RGR engaging_JJ than_CSN Maxim_NN1 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 tended_VVD not_XX to_TO pursue_VVI her_PPHO1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 found_VVD her_PPHO1 too_RG serious_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 knew_VVD that_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ pretty_RG enough_RR to_TO attract_VVI them_PPHO2 ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 also_RR knew_VVD that_CST there_EX were_VBDR many_DA2 pretty_JJ girls_NN2 who_PNQS fawned_VVD and_CC laughed_VVD more_RGR easily_RR ._. 
What_DDQ put_VV0 those_DD2 men_NN2 off_RP drew_VVD Maxim_NN1 to_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 went_VVD home_RL that_DD1 night_NNT1 ,_, but_CCB Alec_NP1 perceived_VVD an_AT1 opening_NN1 ._. 
Weathering_VVG the_AT glares_NN2 of_IO Marina_NP1 Kirilovna_NP1 ,_, he_PPHS1 made_VVD a_AT1 habit_NN1 of_IO stopping_VVG in_RP at_II the_AT technology_NN1 department_NN1 to_TO say_VVI hello_UH ._. 
And_CC not_XX long_RR after_II the_AT evening_NNT1 with_IW Karl_NP1 ,_, on_II the_AT day_NNT1 of_IO the_AT annual_JJ Readiness_NN1 for_IF Labor_NN1 and_CC Defense_NN1 Exercises_NN2 ,_, Alec_NP1 finagled_VVD his_APPGE way_NN1 into_II Polina_NP1 's_GE group_NN1 ._. 
The_AT testing_NN1 was_VBDZ done_VDN according_II21 to_II22 department_NN1 ,_, but_CCB Alec_NP1 ,_, in_RR21 part_RR22 because_II21 of_II22 his_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE position_NN1 but_CCB mainly_RR on_II31 account_II32 of_II33 his_APPGE own_DA gregariousness_NN1 ,_, moved_VVD fluidly_RR throughout_II the_AT plant_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 raised_VVD no_AT eyebrows_NN2 when_CS his_APPGE name_NN1 was_VBDZ included_VVN with_IW those_DD2 of_IO the_AT technology_NN1 department_NN1 ._. 
Broadly_RR speaking_VVG ,_, nobody_PN1 cared_VVD about_II any_DD of_IO the_AT official_NN1 and_CC procedural_JJ events_NN2 ._. 
At_II meetings_NN2 ,_, people_NN sat_VVD ,_, stood_VVD ,_, and_CC spoke_VVD at_II the_AT requisite_JJ times_NNT2 ,_, for_IF the_AT requisite_JJ lengths_NN2 ,_, employing_VVG the_AT requisite_JJ phrases_NN2 ._. 
Celebrate_VV0 the_AT Workers_NN2 on_II the_AT anniversary_NN1 of_IO the_AT Revolution_NN1 ?_? 
Why_RRQ not_XX ?_? 
Honor_VV0 the_AT Red_JJ Army_NN1 on_II Red_JJ Army_NN1 Day_NNT1 ?_? 
Who_PNQS could_VM object_VVI ?_? 
Either_DD1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 good_JJ excuse_NN1 to_TO avoid_VVI work_NN1 ._. 
Lenin_NP1 's_GE birthday_NN1 ?_? 
Stalin_NP1 's_GE first_MD tooth_NN1 ?_? 
Brezhnev_NP1 's_GE colonoscopy_NN1 ?_? 
Each_DD1 merited_VVD a_AT1 drink_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 few_DA2 snacks_NN2 ,_, and_CC maybe_RR a_AT1 slice_NN1 of_IO cake_NN1 ._. 
So_RR ,_, too_RR ,_, the_AT Labor_NN1 and_CC Defense_NN1 Exercises_NN2 --_NN1 only_RR with_IW less_DAR drinking_NN1 and_CC without_IW the_AT cake_NN1 ._. 
The_AT morning_NNT1 of_IO the_AT exercises_NN2 ,_, Alec_NP1 took_VVD his_APPGE place_NN1 among_II the_AT young_JJ workers_NN2 of_IO the_AT technology_NN1 and_CC departments_NN2 ._. 
Dressed_VVN in_II tracksuits_NN2 and_CC running_JJ shoes_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 crossed_VVD the_AT street_NN1 from_II the_AT plant_NN1 proper_JJ to_II the_AT site_NN1 of_IO the_AT V.E.F._NP1 sports_NN2 stadium_NN1 and_CC target_NN1 range_NN1 ._. 
At_II the_AT range_NN1 ,_, .22-calibre_JJ rifles_NN2 awaited_VVD them_PPHO2 ,_, having_VHG been_VBN retrieved_VVN from_II the_AT armory_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT stadium_NN1 ,_, members_NN2 of_IO V.E.F._NP1 's_GE athletic_JJ department_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT trainers_NN2 and_CC coaches_NN2 of_IO the_AT factory_NN1 's_GE various_JJ sports_NN2 teams_NN2 --_NN1 had_VHD already_RR prepared_VVN the_AT field_NN1 for_IF the_AT shot_NN1 put_VVD ,_, the_AT long_JJ jump_NN1 ,_, the_AT high_JJ jump_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT short-distance_JJ footraces_NN2 ._. 
The_AT trainers_NN2 and_CC coaches_NN2 roamed_VVD about_RP with_IW their_APPGE stopwatches_NN2 ,_, measuring_VVG tapes_NN2 ,_, and_CC lists_NN2 of_IO the_AT norms_NN2 that_CST had_VHD to_TO be_VBI met_VVN ._. 
Somewhere_RL ,_, presumably_RR in_II the_AT Kremlin_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 physical-culture_JJ expert_NN1 had_VHD determined_VVN the_AT basal_JJ fitness_NN1 level_JJ young_JJ Soviet_JJ workers_NN2 needed_VVN to_TO possess_VVI in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO establish_VVI their_APPGE superiority_NN1 over_II the_AT Americans_NN2 and_CC the_AT Red_JJ Chinese_JJ ._. 
Should_VM these_DD2 foes_NN2 come_VVI spilling_VVG across_II the_AT borders_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 would_VM encounter_VVI a_AT1 daunting_JJ column_NN1 ,_, ready_JJ to_TO repulse_VVI them_PPHO2 with_IW heroic_JJ displays_NN2 of_IO running_NN1 ,_, jumping_VVG ,_, shot-putting_NN1 ,_, and_CC small-arms_NN2 fire_NN1 ._. 
Before_CS the_AT start_NN1 of_IO the_AT events_NN2 ,_, Alec_NP1 sought_VVD Polina_NP1 out_RP and_CC tried_VVD to_TO strike_VVI a_AT1 bargain_NN1 with_IW her_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 told_VVD her_PPHO1 that_CST he_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO see_VVI her_PPHO1 again_RT ._. 
"_" You_PPY 're_VBR seeing_VVG me_PPIO1 now_RT ,_, "_" Polina_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" One_MC1 more_DAR evening_NNT1 ,_, "_" Alec_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" All_DB I_PPIS1 ask_VV0 ._. 
In_II the_AT scheme_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 life_NN1 ,_, what_DDQ 's_VBZ one_MC1 evening_NNT1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Depends_VVZ who_PNQS you_PPY spend_VV0 it_PPH1 with_IW ._. "_" 
"_" A_AT1 valid_JJ point_NN1 ,_, "_" Alec_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
To_TO reach_VVI the_AT decision_NN1 ,_, Alec_NP1 proposed_VVD a_AT1 contest_NN1 ._. 
If_CS he_PPHS1 scored_VVD better_RRR at_II the_AT rifle_NN1 range_NN1 ,_, Polina_NP1 would_VM grant_VVI him_PPHO1 another_DD1 evening_NNT1 ;_; if_CS she_PPHS1 scored_VVD better_RRR ,_, he_PPHS1 would_VM leave_VVI her_PPHO1 in_II peace_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 should_VM warn_VVI you_PPY in_II advance_NN1 ,_, "_" Alec_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Last_MD summer_NNT1 ,_, in_II the_AT officers'-training_JJ rotation_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 placed_VVD eighth_MD in_II marksmanship_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Out_II21 of_II22 how_RGQ many_DA2 ?_? "_" 
Polina_NP1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" Sixteen_MC ,_, "_" Alec_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" That_DD1 does_VDZ n't_XX sound_VVI very_RG good_JJ ,_, "_" Polina_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" No_UH ,_, it_PPH1 does_VDZ n't_XX ,_, "_" Alec_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ the_AT idea_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX understand_VVI ,_, "_" Polina_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Well_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ specifically_RR trying_VVG for_IF eighth_MD place_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Why_RRQ is_VBZ that_DD1 ?_? "_" 
"_" In_II the_AT Army_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ best_JJT to_TO be_VBI somewhere_RL in_II the_AT middle_NN1 ._. 
Trouble_VV0 usually_RR finds_VVZ those_DD2 at_II the_AT bottom_NN1 or_CC at_II the_AT top_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" So_CS you_PPY mean_VV0 to_TO say_VVI that_CST you_PPY 're_VBR a_AT1 good_JJ shot_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Eighth_MD place_NN1 ,_, "_" Alec_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" In_II that_DD1 case_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 should_VM tell_VVI you_PPY that_CST two_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA at_II Readiness_NN1 for_IF Labor_NN1 and_CC Defense_NN1 I_PPIS1 finished_VVD second_MD in_II my_APPGE department_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 awarded_VVD me_PPIO1 a_AT1 ribbon_NN1 and_CC printed_VVD my_APPGE name_NN1 in_II the_AT factory_NN1 newspaper_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE husband_NN1 pasted_VVD a_AT1 copy_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 into_II an_AT1 album_NN1 ._. "_" 
Alec_NP1 noticed_VVD that_CST Polina_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX brandish_VVI the_AT word_NN1 "_" husband_NN1 "_" like_II a_AT1 cudgel_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 seemed_VVD to_TO place_VVI the_AT same_DA emphasis_NN1 on_II "_" husband_NN1 "_" as_CSA she_PPHS1 did_VDD on_II "_" ribbon_NN1 "_" and_CC "_" album_NN1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB Alec_NP1 was_VBDZ n't_XX fool_VV0 enough_RR to_TO believe_VVI that_CST she_PPHS1 'd_VHD included_VVN the_AT word_NN1 innocently_RR ._. 
In_II a_AT1 sense_NN1 ,_, since_CS she_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX unequivocally_RR rebuffed_VVN him_PPHO1 ,_, anything_PN1 she_PPHS1 said_VVD about_II her_APPGE husband_NN1 bordered_VVN on_II betrayal_NN1 ._. 
Any_DD information_NN1 Alec_NP1 had_VHD about_II him_PPHO1 was_VBDZ information_NN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 could_VM use_VVI against_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
For_REX21 instance_REX22 ,_, the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ the_AT kind_NN1 of_IO man_NN1 who_PNQS would_VM save_VVI something_PN1 printed_VVN in_II the_AT factory_NN1 's_GE idiotic_JJ newspaper_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT again_RT it_PPH1 was_VBDZ possible_JJ that_CST Polina_NP1 found_VVD such_DA a_AT1 gesture_NN1 endearing_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 might_VM have_VHI been_VBN implying_VVG that_CST this_DD1 was_VBDZ precisely_RR the_AT kind_NN1 of_IO man_NN1 she_PPHS1 wanted_VVD ._. 
A_AT1 man_NN1 unlike_II Alec_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS ,_, in_II his_APPGE ironical_JJ sophistication_NN1 ,_, could_VM n't_XX hope_VVI to_TO access_VVI or_CC appreciate_VVI such_DA pure_JJ ,_, sentimental_JJ feeling_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB ,_, whatever_DDQV she_PPHS1 meant_VVD ,_, she_PPHS1 had_VHD tacitly_RR agreed_VVN to_II the_AT contest_NN1 ._. 
Refereeing_VVG the_AT shooting_NN1 range_NN1 was_VBDZ Volodya_NP1 Zobodkin_NP1 ,_, one_MC1 of_IO the_AT circle_NN1 of_IO young_JJ Jews_NN2 with_IW whom_PNQO Alec_NP1 and_CC Karl_NP1 played_VVD soccer_NN1 on_II the_AT beach_NN1 at_II Majori_NP1 ._. 
When_CS Volodya_NP1 distributed_VVD the_AT rifles_NN2 ,_, Alec_NP1 asked_VVD if_CS he_PPHS1 could_VM have_VHI one_PN1 with_IW a_AT1 reliable_JJ sight_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX answer_VVI immediately_RR ,_, but_CCB seemed_VVD to_TO carefully_RR consider_VVI ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 might_VM ._. "_" 
Gently_RR ,_, Alec_NP1 tried_VVD to_TO enumerate_VVI the_AT options_NN2 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD hashed_VVN out_RP with_IW Karl_NP1 ._. 
"_" Would_VM you_PPY be_VBI happy_JJ having_VHG the_AT child_NN1 with_IW Maxim_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" If_CS this_DD1 is_VBZ where_RRQ you_PPY begin_VV0 ,_, "_" Polina_NP1 said_VVD ,_, "_" you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX need_VVI to_TO say_VVI anything_PN1 else_RR ._. 
I_PPIS1 have_VH0 my_APPGE answer_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 think_VV0 you_PPY 're_VBR wrong_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" Do_VD0 you_PPY want_VVI me_PPIO1 to_TO have_VHI the_AT child_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" No_UH ,_, "_" Alec_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" So_CS I_PPIS1 'm_VBM not_XX wrong_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" If_CS that_DD1 's_VBZ the_AT only_JJ question_NN1 ,_, then_RT ,_, no_UH ,_, you_PPY 're_VBR not_XX wrong_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ the_AT only_JJ question_NN1 that_CST matters_NN2 ,_, "_" Polina_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" And_CC about_II what_DDQ happens_VVZ to_II the_AT child_NN1 and_CC to_II you_PPY ?_? "_" 
"_" We_PPIS2 'll_VM find_VVI our_APPGE way_NN1 somehow_RR ._. 
We_PPIS2 wo_VM n't_XX be_VBI the_AT first_MD ._. "_" 
"_" Here_RL in_II Riga_NP1 ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 imagine_VV0 ._. 
Where_RRQ else_RR ?_? "_" 
"_" Living_VVG with_IW Maxim_NN1 or_CC on_II your_APPGE own_DA ?_? "_" 
"_" Or_CC ,_, in_II time_NNT1 ,_, with_IW someone_PN1 else_RR ._. "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, there_EX 's_VBZ that_CST ,_, too_RR ._. 
Raising_VVG my_APPGE child_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Biologically_RR ._. "_" 
"_" That_DD1 is_VBZ n't_XX insignificant_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" To_II whom_PNQO ?_? "_" 
"_" To_II me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM afraid_JJ you_PPY ca_VM n't_XX have_VHI it_PPH1 both_DB2 ways_NN2 ._. "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 may_VM also_RR not_XX be_VBI insignificant_JJ to_II the_AT child_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Alec_NP1 ,_, that_DD1 is_VBZ also_RR having_VHG it_PPH1 both_DB2 ways_NN2 ._. 
You_PPY ca_VM n't_XX claim_VVI to_TO care_VVI for_IF the_AT feelings_NN2 of_IO the_AT child_NN1 you_PPY want_VV0 to_TO abort_VVI ._. "_" 
There_EX was_VBDZ logic_NN1 in_II what_DDQ she_PPHS1 'd_VHD said_VVN ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 did_VDD n't_XX change_VVI the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST Alec_NP1 felt_VVD quite_RG certain_JJ that_CST he_PPHS1 could_VM care_VVI for_IF the_AT feelings_NN2 of_IO the_AT child_NN1 he_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO abort_VVI ._. 
That_REX21 is_REX22 ,_, once_CS the_AT child_NN1 was_VBDZ born_VVN ._. 
"_" Polina_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 understand_VV0 what_DDQ the_AT child_NN1 means_VVZ to_II you_PPY ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 understand_VV0 how_RRQ you_PPY feel_VV0 about_II giving_VVG it_PPH1 up_RP ._. 
Do_VD0 you_PPY believe_VVI me_PPIO1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Does_VDZ it_PPH1 matter_VVI ?_? "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 matters_VVZ to_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
If_CS I_PPIS1 could_VM agree_VVI to_II having_VHG the_AT child_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 would_VM ._. 
If_CS I_PPIS1 could_VM be_VBI a_AT1 father_NN1 to_II it_PPH1 ,_, I_PPIS1 would_VM ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 never_RR asked_VVD you_PPY to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 father_NN1 to_II it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
"_" So_RR what_DDQ did_VDD you_PPY hope_VVI I_PPIS1 would_VM say_VVI ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI ._. 
Or_CC ,_, rather_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 do_VD0 ,_, "_" Polina_NP1 said_VVD ,_, and_CC laughed_VVD dryly_RR ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX what_DDQ I_PPIS1 hoped_VVD you_PPY 'd_VM say_VVI but_CCB what_DDQ I_PPIS1 hoped_VVD you_PPY would_VM n't_XX say_VVI ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ all_DB ._. "_" 
A_AT1 stillness_NN1 of_IO denouement_NN1 settled_VVN upon_II her_PPHO1 ,_, or_CC she_PPHS1 summoned_VVD it_PPH1 from_II within_RL ._. 
It_PPH1 looked_VVD to_II Alec_NP1 as_CS21 if_CS22 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD composed_VVN her_APPGE parting_NN1 face_NN1 ._. 
Somehow_RR the_AT conversation_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD planned_VVN had_VHD escaped_VVN his_APPGE control_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX that_CST he_PPHS1 'd_VHD misled_VVN himself_PPX1 by_II thinking_VVG it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI easy_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD imagined_VVN a_AT1 thorny_JJ path_NN1 that_CST led_VVD ,_, in_II the_AT end_NN1 ,_, to_II a_AT1 favorable_JJ resolution_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD pictured_VVN Polina_NP1 's_GE happiness_NN1 --_NN1 gratitude_NN1 ,_, even_RR --_JJ at_II his_APPGE proposal_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB now_RT ,_, in_II actuality_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 feared_VVD that_CST she_PPHS1 would_VM leave_VVI before_CS he_PPHS1 could_VM even_RR make_VVI his_APPGE big_JJ redemptive_JJ offer_NN1 ._. 
The_AT offer_NN1 that_CST would_VM recast_VVI him_PPHO1 radically_RR and_CC heroically_RR ,_, not_XX only_RR in_II her_APPGE eyes_NN2 but_CCB in_II his_APPGE own_DA ._. 
Sensing_VVG that_CST his_APPGE time_NNT1 was_VBDZ short_JJ ,_, he_PPHS1 rushed_VVD ahead_RL and_CC told_VVD her_PPHO1 that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ leaving_VVG Riga_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 then_RT unfurled_VVD his_APPGE grand_JJ plan_NN1 ,_, like_II a_AT1 carpet_NN1 to_II a_AT1 bountiful_JJ future_NN1 ._. 
Polina_NN1 would_VM divorce_VVI Maxim_NN1 ._. 
The_AT two_MC of_IO them_PPHO2 would_VM marry_VVI ._. 
An_AT1 expert_NN1 doctor_NN1 would_VM perform_VVI the_AT operation_NN1 with_IW incomparable_JJ care_NN1 in_II an_AT1 atmosphere_NN1 of_IO total_JJ privacy_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI nothing_PN1 at_II all_DB like_II the_AT savagery_NN1 of_IO the_AT public_JJ abortion_NN1 clinic_NN1 ._. 
No_AT harm_NN1 would_VM come_VVI to_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 would_VM still_RR be_VBI able_JK to_TO conceive_VVI ._. 
Once_CS they_PPHS2 settled_VVD somewhere_RL ,_, they_PPHS2 could_VM try_VVI again_RT properly_RR ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ their_APPGE once-in-a-lifetime_JJ opportunity_NN1 to_TO slip_VVI the_AT shackles_NN2 of_IO the_AT Soviet_JJ Union_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ all_DB very_RG rosy_JJ ,_, "_" Polina_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 could_VM be_VBI ._. 
I_PPIS1 think_VV0 we_PPIS2 could_VM make_VVI a_AT1 good_JJ life_NN1 together_RL over_II there_RL ._. 
I_PPIS1 truly_RR believe_VV0 it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
"_" Do_VD0 n't_XX try_VVI so_RG hard_RR ,_, Alec_NP1 ,_, "_" Polina_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Next_MD you_PPY 'll_VM tell_VVI me_PPIO1 you_PPY love_VV0 me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
With_IW that_DD1 warning_NN1 she_PPHS1 bracketed_VVD a_AT1 great_JJ length_NN1 of_IO silence_NN1 ,_, long_RR enough_RR to_TO accommodate_VVI everything_PN1 that_CST had_VHD happened_VVN or_CC would_VM happen_VVI :_: the_AT abortion_NN1 clinic_NN1 ,_, Maxim_NN1 ,_, Alec_NP1 's_GE parents_NN2 ,_, the_AT private_JJ doctor_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE parents_NN2 ,_, their_APPGE spiteful_JJ co-workers_NN2 ,_, the_AT dreadful_JJ sunny_JJ day_NNT1 when_RRQ she_PPHS1 would_VM sit_VVI on_II a_AT1 park_NN1 bench_NN1 waiting_VVG to_TO say_VVI goodbye_NN1 to_II her_APPGE sister_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT gauntlet_NN1 of_IO stifling_VVG ,_, overcrowded_JJ train_NN1 compartments_NN2 that_CST would_VM ultimately_RR deliver_VVI them_PPHO2 from_II Riga_NP1 to_II the_AT West_ND1 ._. 
