Life Goes On - 41. A New Russian Friend

November 9, 1989

A month after Ji’s funeral Vlad sat mesmerized in front of his television. He felt an emptiness resulting from the loss of this courageous woman he had hosted weekly at his apartment while she underwent treatment. He admired the love David, her husband, had demonstrated. David at age 25 was playing roles that were overwhelming yet enjoyable: husband and tender caretaker to Ji, lover of PT, farmer and most important, father to three youngsters who would have become orphans without the love and care of David and PT. While his friends had been on his mind constantly since Ji’s death what he was seeing on television brought his thoughts to international concerns What he was seeing was epic and historic. As a political science professor he was not surprised at the event taking place in Berlin. That the fall of the Berlin Wall was happening so fast without any confrontation by the Soviet Union did surprise him. While he knew the USSR’s influence was weakening he did not expect its loss of control over Central Europe would happen so fast. Soviet domination of various countries was eroding during the 1980s. Within a month, Poland, the largest country under Soviet authority that was not part of the USSR, would became a free country. Vlad speculated that soon the Soviet Union would break up making his home country, Russia, an independent nation. He prayed for the cold war to end as he had not be able to visit his home in Moscow or even communicate by letter since he had defected in 1947 when he went AWOL from the Soviet army. At the time he was stationed in Berlin immediately after the end of World War II. Being fluent in German and English as well as his native Russian he interpreted for the Soviets meeting with top officials of the Americans, then allies of the Soviet Union. When he had an official visit to the office of an American officer to review military material his visit resulted in far and beyond more than just picking up military information. While their first encounter was a fantastic sexual experience eventually the friendship of the American, Major Alan Walters became more than great sex while a true bond developed. This resulted in his having a better understanding of American policy. He was surprised that the Americans were there to help the Germans survive the aftermath of the destruction while the Soviet attitude was to take anything possible. Rape by Soviet forces was overlooked while the Americans punished bad behavior by their troops, if caught. Vlad became disillusioned by the Soviets and agreed to spy for the Americans. Nearly caught in the act he escaped to the American sector of Berlin and was flown to Washington where he worked for the US government.

As he watched the wall crumble on TV he decided to call his old friend Major Walters at his home in Pennsylvania. The two had a long discussion about world happenings.

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December 26, 1991

Two years following the fall of the Berlin Wall Vlad watched on TV as his home, the Soviet Union, dissolved. The Soviet Union had been created in 1922, two years after Vlad’s birth. Fifteen separate countries were merged to form the USSR or Soviet Union. These countries with different cultures, ethnicities, religions and languages were forced together. Since Russia was the largest country merged into the USSR the term Russia and USSR were frequently synonymous.

For the first two years of his life Vlad lived in Russia, then it became part of the USSR. For the next 25 years he lived in and eventually fought in the army of the USSR until his defection to the USA. Two complications made it impossible to contact his family. First, the cold war resulted in virtually no contact between ordinary Soviet citizens and the free world. Secondly, since he had deserted from the Soviet army and escaped from the USSR his family might be at risk if they communicated with a deserter. It was assumed telephone calls and mail was monitored so he did not write and could not call since they did not have a phone when he deserted and did not know their number if they now had a phone.

AT 71 years of age Vlad did not want to delay a visit. As soon as the collapse was finalized he began making plans for a visit to the new Russian Federation. His lover, 49 year old Aiden, insisted on traveling with him. Vlad soon discovered that obtaining a Russian visa would be challenging. It would be difficult because the rules were not only complicated but seemed to be fluid, constantly changing. He could not find a travel agent in Ohio who could help him so he decided to travel to Washington DC during spring break to visit the Russian Embassy. Since Vlad had retired from his professorship they planned a trip to Washington during Aiden’s spring break. They departed by car after Aiden’s last class on Friday morning and were at the home of their friends, Jacob (Jake) and Rob in Washington by early evening. These two lovers had inherited the brownstone home of their mentor, Reg, who had died five years earlier.

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Background on Reg, Jake and Rob: These three men were introduced in the previous book of this series, Russia My Home. Soon after Vlad’s arrival in the USA following his escape from the Soviet Army in 1947 he met 50 year old Reginald Bagley (Reg) who took the young immigrant under his wing (and into his bed). Three years later the two friends, Vlad and Reg, drove across Pennsylvania to visit Vlad’s American Army friend, Major Walters. Reg suggested they drive on back roads to see the picturesque Amish countryside. When their car broke down an Amish family invited them to stay the night. The family had no telephone. They could not call a repair garage. The farmer offered to drive them to town and auto service garage the following day. Thirty year old Vlad and the son, eighteen year old Jacob (Jake), became instant friends (and bedmates). Within a year Jake left his Amish family and lifestyle and moved in with Reg and Vlad. With Reg’s guidance Jake received a high school diploma (Amish usually attended school only up to the state required age of 16) and financed his university education. Jake accepted a job with the Department of Agriculture following university graduation. A few years later Vlad left Reg’s home to attend graduate school at Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Upon completion of his PhD he accepted a teaching position at Western Reserve. Eight years after their travel through Amish country Vlad and Reg took a vacation road trip that took them throughout the Midwest and as far west as Cheyenne. In the Tennessee mountains they picked up a 18 year old hitchhiker, Rob, who was on his way from home in Frog Creek, Tennessee to the freedom to be who he was in San Francisco. Rob accepted the offer of Vlad and Reg to change his destination to Cleveland. With the financial support of Vlad and Reg he enrolled in college in Cleveland. Soon after his studies started he visited Reg at his home in Washington. There he met Jake. They bonded emotionally, sexually and every way two men can get together. The following semester he changed universities and moved in with Reg and Jake. The two lovers, Rob and Jake, recently celebrated twenty years together.

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Following a weekend of relaxation, sightseeing and conversation with their friends (but no sex as Rob and Jake were in a totally monogamous relationship) Vlad and Aiden began their quest for a Russian visa. Tuesday morning they dropped off the completed application forms that they had pick up at the Russian Embassy the previous day. Later Tuesday afternoon while relaxing at the house Vlad answered the phone assuming either Jake or Rob were calling with a suggestion for dinner out that evening. He was surprised when he discovered he was speaking to an official at the Russian Embassy who requested an interview with both of them Wednesday afternoon.

As soon as Vlad had decided to return to his home, Russia, he became apprehensive as to what kind of reception he might receive by the Russian government. He feared that he might be arrested for deserting the army the Soviet army forty-four years earlier. However, he believed this was extremely unlikely. While the Soviets along with their Allies, the USA and others had won the war, their military was in shambles by the end of the war. Maintaining accurate hand written records of millions of Soviet troops would have been an impossible task. Also, it was unlikely that his commander would have reported his desertion as this would have looked bad on his record. On the day that Vlad had deserted in 1947 there were thousands of Soviet troops in Berlin. There were shortages of everything the Soviet army needed including food, clothing and equipment of any kind including office supplies such as typewriters, paper and even pens. Even if his absence had been recorded the document would be buried and lost in army archives. Or at least that is what Vlad hoped.

Vlad and Aiden were seated in the office of Fedor Kuznetsov, a nervous appearing man of about forty. The windowless office had cheap furniture. Fedor’s desk had piles of files as did a table against the wall. The only decoration in the office was a calendar on the wall behind the Russian. Vlad noticed the American calendar with a picture of a New England village was opened to February, a month earlier. A faded area on the sides of the calendar indicated it was covering a spot where a larger picture had been hung. Vlad realized the obligatory photo of Stalin in every office and classroom in the Soviet Union had been removed and replaced with the calendar. A year earlier this had been an office of the Soviet Union Embassy which was now the Embassy of the Russian Federation as well as most of the other countries that had been reinstated following the fall of the USSR.

As Vlad sat there he realized he had not been this nervous since he defected from the USSR. He wanted to reach for the hand of Aiden who was sitting next to him. Obtaining comfort from a man would have indicated weakness in the Soviet Union (and at that time the USA as well). He just sat there willing himself to be calm. He easily answered Fedor’s questions about the reason he wanted to visit Russia. Then came the question he had been dreading. He was asked to explain his reason for leaving the Soviet Union.

Vlad had anticipated this question and had a ready reply that while being basically untrue was believable. He explained that he had been stationed in Berlin after the end of fighting because of his fluency in both German and English. He told Fedor that he had been the translator at meetings between Soviet officials and American business men who were hoping to establish business partners in the Soviet Union. He then stated that when his Army obligation ended he was asked by an American businessman to go to the USA to assist in the development of a Soviet / American business. Within a year of arrival in the USA it became apparent a joint-venture or any business relationship with the Soviet Union could not be established. He then got a job as a translator and enrolled in a university. Upon obtaining his bachelor’s degree he continued his education and eventually completed a PhD program at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He had accepted a teaching position there and was still a member of the faculty 35 years later. Fedor showed no emotion as he made some notes.

Then Fedor asked Vlad how long he had lived at his present address. When he asked Aiden the same question Vlad became concerned. Fedor had discovered they had lived together almost thirty years.

Then Fedor stopped asking questions and began writing. Vlad felt a sickness as he assumed he was writing about their probable incestuous relationship. Finally Fedor stopped writing. He then handed a paper to Vlad.

‘Warning, say nothing, the walls have ears. I would like to discuss privately with both of you about your lives. I have lived with my friend in Moscow for years. If you two can meet me at 6:00 at O’Briens Pub two blocks down Wisconsin Avenue nod YES. If not nod NO.’

With relief Vlad nodded YES with a smile. Fedor smiled back. “That ends the interview.” Fedor stood and held out his hand. He shook Vlad’s hand holding it longer than necessary. He then did the same to Aiden.

As Fedor entered the bar he looked around with the sign of disappointment on his face until he saw Vlad and Aiden sitting at a table in the back of the dark bar. The disappointment turned into a smile as he approached the table. “I am very happy that you accepted my invitation. I have been in the USA two months and you are the first people, American or Russian, I feel comfortable with since arriving.” Sliding into a chair he continued, “When I reviewed your visa applications and noted that you lived together I thought, ‘maybe they are in the same kind of relationship as I am with my Dimitri who is in Moscow’. I miss him very much. When you told me you have lived together for almost thirty years I thought you might have a close relationship. Maybe I am wrong in my assumption?”

Vlad spoke, “You are correct in assuming Aiden and I have a close relationship.” Vlad then told how they had met through a mutual friend when Aiden was a college student exploring graduate studies. Vlad continued, “We are staying with friends here in Washington. When I called Jake this afternoon telling him the details of our interview with you at the Embassy and planned meeting he suggested we invite you to have dinner with us. Our friends, Jake and Rob, have been together for more than thirty years. Their stories are fascinating. Can you join us?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

Over dinner Fedor was fascinated by the stories of all. Jake told about his life on an Amish farm, meeting Vlad and Reg, living with Reg and attending college and now working at the Department of Agriculture. Rob then explained how he was picked up hitchhiking by Reg and Vlad when he had left his home in the mountains to find happiness in San Francisco but changed his mind when encouraged by his new friends to move to Cleveland and attend college. He related how the day he met Jake when visiting Washington he knew he had found the man he wanted to be with the rest of his life. Aiden told about growing up in Georgia and meeting Vlad. Vlad summarized his life adventure from school in Moscow to Soviet army experiences to moving to the USA. However, he did not tell Fedor he was a deserter.

Fedor, the youngest of all at the age of thirty-five had grown up in a small city in Siberia. His story: My parents were both factory managers and were able to send me to high school and then university in Moscow, a three day journey by train from home. At university I majored in linguistics with a specialty in English. Then for ten years I had worked for The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union collapsed my office continued its operations as a Ministry of the Russian Federation. I never dreamed that I might be given an assignment at an Embassy since those positions were given to family and friends of government officials and politicians. One day as I was sitting at his desk translating some USA documents I was summoned to the director’s office. One of the top officers of the Ministry was in the office screaming in rage. There had been another incident at the Embassy in Washington when a drunken staff member, the son of a prominent member of the Russian Duma (parliament), had destroyed a hotel room while having an affair (fucking good time) with the daughter of US Senator from a conservative Christian Southern State. This was the fourth embarrassing incident caused by an Embassy employee in less than six months. As the officer calmed down my boss spoke. ‘Fedor, We need a clean, level headed person to work at the Embassy in Washington. I have asked around and all your colleagues agree that you are one of the hardest working men in our division. The lady secretaries tell me you have never harassed or been vulgar with them. It is also rumored that you have never been seen drunk or come to work with a hangover. We need a straightforward, calm man who is proficient in both written and spoken English. You seem to be the one person who fits all these requirements’. Within a week I was in Washington. Saying goodbye to my friend and roommate, Dimitri, was the saddest day of my life. I write him letters and call him at least once a week. We assume all our correspondence and conversations are monitored so our telephone calls and letters are very matter of fact with no emotion. Prior to leaving we agreed on code words such as bread meaning kiss, automobile meaning penis and so forth. In his last letter he told me about a new bakery in his neighbor with delicious bread. Then he asked if I had learned to drive an automatic shift automobile or if I was still pulling on the stick shift.”

When asked, Fedor told how he had met Dimitri. “One Sunday afternoon I was walking in Alexander Garden near the Kremlin admiring the beautiful plots of spring flowers. I then noticed a handsome man standing opposite me also admiring the flowers from the other side of the plot. There was something about him. I cannot describe it but I was immediately attracted to him. As I stared at him he smiled. I smiled back. We then each started walking to the end of that plot. As we approached each other he said, ‘These flowers are beautiful.’ I don’t remember what I said but we started to talk to each other as we intently looked into the other’s eyes. I suggested we buy bottles of beer and drink them while sitting on a park bench. He replied that having a beer together would be pleasurable. Then he suggested we have it at his room. Even though I had only know this person for five minutes I knew I would enjoy being with him. It was about a thirty minute walk to his room. We could have taken a trolleybus but walking and talking seemed natural. We bought two beers at a kiosk near his building. He had a single room in an apartment he shared with two other families and another single man. His room had a table with three chairs, a sofa that I with great joy soon learned opened into a bed, a wardrobe, a cabinet and filled bookcases. There was a TV on a small table and a radio on the main table. We sat on the sofa. While we had not specifically stated to each other that we enjoyed the company of men we had discussed our lack of interest in women. We sat on the sofa, close but not touching. He stood and walked to the cabinet. He took out a box of cookies and put some on a plate. When he held the plate out to me our hands touched. Neither of us pulled back. I commented that he had the hands of a sportsman and he replied that I had the hands of an artist. We explored each other’s hands. Of course the fondling of hands caused my dick to get hard. He lowered our hands so that they touched my crotch. While caressing the dick that was straining in my pants with one hand he placed the other on the back of my head and pulled us together. Somehow with our lips still locked together we removed our clothes. I did not leave his room until 5:00 the next morning to go home and get dressed for work. After work I returned to his room. Within a week we decided to live together. With a position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs I was able to obtain an apartment. I have a two room plus kitchen flat. I feel like I have a life of luxury compared to most Muscovites. Dimitri moved in with me. We no longer share a bathroom with other families. Dimitri keeps his original room. Everyone in Moscow lives in a government owned room or flat. It is rumored that ownership of homes will be given to the occupants. At that time Dimitri will be able to sell his room, probably to a family in one of the other rooms.” (My friend in St Petersburg grew up in a five room – five family – apartment all sharing one kitchen and bathroom. Today he owns all the room where he and his partner live in a spacious apartment previously occupied by about twenty people).

“Prior to Dimitri I had never had a serious relationship with a man. While at the university I had a few experiences in a nearby park. One person I met was one of my professors. Luckily I was an excellent student so when sucking his dick and when he sucked me we did it for mutual enjoyment with no expectation or need of a reward of a better grade. In the military I was very careful. Since I am not a big person if it was suspected I enjoyed men I probably would have been raped. Jerking off was just something that guys did. A couple of times I was involved in a circle jerk where each put in a few kopecks and the soldier that shot first got one third of the pot and the one shooting the furthest got the balance. I never won but certainly did enjoy watching the others. That was just army fun, no touching or obvious checking out the dick of the others. Dimitri was the first and only man for which I have had passionate feelings. While being in the USA is a wonderful opportunity and experience, I really miss my man.”

The four hosts had been careful to not mention any specific sex acts like sucking or fucking. However, it was now obvious that Fedor would not be surprised or offended by talk of man love. Then Vlad made a suggestion. “Would you like to join us in the sauna we have upstairs. While it is nothing like a Russian banya we find it very relaxing.” Vlad almost did not make the suggestion as he feared such a proposition might be a put off to their Russian friend. To his surprise and pleasure Fedor enthusiastically accepted the offer.

Upstairs Vlad handed Fedor a towel and slippers. He ushered him into the guest bedroom and told him he could undress there and that they would meet him in the sauna down the hall. The other four stripped in the master bedroom. Vlad and Aiden then entered the sauna. They removed their towels and placed them around their necks. Rob and Jake decided to wait until a little later as the small sauna only held two men comfortably, three crowded and any additional participants would have to stand. Fedor entered with the towel around his waist. Since being naked in a Russian banya was the normal he removed his towel. Vlad and Rob moved apart from each other leaving a space between them. Their conversation was light as the two Russians told Aiden what to expect in a banya in Russia.

Vlad was in a quandary. He did not want to offend his new friend nor did he want to disappoint him. Vlad and Aiden, while committed to each other, had never turned down an attractive three-some and also knew and accepted that the other strayed on occasion. This was totally different from the relationship of Rob and Jake. While the two were willing to talk sex and get naked with friends they were totally monogamous, never touching another man.

Finally Vlad said to Fedor while looking into his eyes. “I do not want to offend you and I do not want to disappoint you. If all you want to do is sit and talk that is fine with Aiden and I. If you want to have some man fun with us that would be welcomed by us.”

“What are you suggesting we do?”

Vlad spread his leg exposing his almost hard dick while placing his hand on Fedor’s knee. Then as he caressed the upper leg he stated, “Whatever gives you pleasure.” As Vlad had his hand on Fedor’s right leg Aiden caressed the left.

Fedor then said as he spread his leg releasing his hard dick that bounced up, “What you are doing now gives me pleasure.” He then reached for Aiden’s now hard dick. “My first touch of an American. Thank you for the opportunity.”

As Fedor fondled Aiden’s piece naked Jake and Rob entered the tiny sauna. Vlad whispered into Fedor’s ear telling him that while Jake and Rob had no inhibitions concerning sharing their bodies it was eyes only, no touching. Fedor made no attempt to hide his interest in the magnificent uncut dick of Jake that was near his face in the small room. Jake obliged his new friend by gently scratching his balls while pulling back his dick skin. While Fedor enjoyed viewing the masterpiece he reached for Vlad’s. Then with a smile Jake announced, “It’s kind of crowded in here. We’re going to leave and do what we want to do while you three do what you want to do.” Fedor’s already hard dick got harder as he admired the round sculptured ass of Jake as he departed.

Then Aiden leaned in and swallowed the Russian as Vlad attacked his mouth from the other side. With the lips of an American on his piece and the lips of a Russian pressed against his Fedor was having the first satisfying experience since arrival in the USA. Not wanting this to end he pushed both his new friends away. “Now it is my turn to explore.” Vlad and Aiden stood in front of their seated friend. Fedor totally enjoyed sucking one close to the end and then switching to the other. Then Vlad called out, “I’m close. Do you want it?” Fedor responded by grabbing his ass and pulling the dick tight into his willing mouth. When he finished swallowing the last drops of Vlad he turned to Aiden and soon had his first serving of American cream. Vlad then kneeled and within seconds of placing his lips on Fedor was swallowing his first serving of Russian cream since his arrival in the USA over forty years earlier.

The three then went to the large bathroom with mirrors and multiple shower heads off of the master bedroom. The door to the bedroom was open and as they walked through the bedroom they checked out the two uninhibited, entwined lovers in their bed.

Following showers they went to the guest bedroom where Fedor had left his clothes and Vlad and Aiden slept. They had another encounter of the best kind with the Russian again tasting both American and Russian cummings and being finished off again by his new friends.

Fedor then announced that he should return to his apartment at the embassy. While he did not have a curfew his comings and goings would be noticed. Vlad and Aiden drove him back dropping him off a block away so he would not be seen with Americans.

While they had originally been told it would take one or two weeks to have their visa processed Fedor told them they could pick it up at the visa cashier the following afternoon. Vlad chuckled to himself as he realized that being friendly to the visa official had its rewards, an
expedited visa approval as well as multiple mouthfuls of Russian cum.

For the rest of the week and on Saturday and Sunday Fedor met with his two new friends frequently. He and Vlad usually spoke in Russian to help Vlad retrieve his native language skills. They discussed everything that a visitor to Russian should know including: hotels, restaurants, ballet and theater, riding the metro (subway), the best banyas, how to use public transportation to get to the city from the airport without paying excessive taxi fees, where to exchange money and places to visit including the cruising toilets in the park next to the Kremlin. Fedor also gave them contact information for Dimitri. Before they departed he would send to them in Cleveland gifts and a letter for Dimitri.

The visa application required a Russian address. Fedor booked them a room in the Cosmos Hotel. This 25 story, 1,777 room hotel, the largest in Russia, opened in 1979 near the main stadium of the 1980 Olympics. (This Olympics was boycotted by 66 nations including the USA objecting to the Soviet invasion of Afganistan.) Thanks to their new friend, Fedor, they felt well prepared for their visit to the country of Czars, Stalin and now a land of mystery.