My Soviet Russian Dentist II

Thirteen years ago, unknown to me, my former Soviet  Russian dentist, a fine looking woman, blonde and Jewish, brought her Russian mother and stepfather to live in America. The stepfather is now in his 90's. He served in two wars. I sort of 'met' them in the waiting room just the other day. He dropped his cane while signing in. Later, when I was in the chair my dentist narrated a bit of her 'father's' history; she wanted me to know that there was history behind his insistence he go first. Wasn't necessary: I assumed he was simply scheduled first, and besides, I didn't immediately know he was a relative. I DID spot the mother though! Hey, when it comes to women I LOOK! and to heck with their age. Some things never die, in women too!

Thirteen years ago the elderly couple still had nothing. Life in Russia has always, I guess, been mighty tough. As Norman Mailer said when he returned from a research visit to see the Assassin of JFK's widow, Marina, "Why have we been persecuting a third world country?!??!"

I can't mention the name of my dentist because of the disgusting trolls AOL now gives free reign to write and post whatever they like, and, in fact AOL enables them!!

While doing high science in my mouth the good (well-trained!!) doctor told me that thirteen years ago when her parents first came to America she took them to dinner in Santa Monica. The latter is a nice place, but hardly exotic or overly expensive, and definitely not exclusive. Jane Fonda may still live there, but she's not into glitz. The doctor reminded me her 'father' had been in two wars, was given nothing, and was escaping a life antithetical to an old warrior tired and spent.

When the food arrived, in relays, the old warrior began to weep.

Can you understand how thrilled I was to be able to glimpse this small but significant piece of American history? After all, the Soviets had been out precious ally in WW2. I never, and will never, tire ot recounting that the Supreme commander of allied troops in Europe, general of the Army Dwight Eisenhower acceded to the Soviet's dearest wish to be the first to enter Berlin after their own version of the blitzkrieg across German from the East.  The British and the Americans bombed what was in the way: East German cities such as Dresden.

I pray this anecdote is not too ponderous.

Thanks for listening.

Barry       http://journals.aol.com/bbartle3/Vengeance/