Two days later, I sat in a bar with Anton having a drink. He seemed to be in a good mood, and I was curious if something good had happened to him. I had missed Irina so much that I just wallowed in self-pity as my pride wouldn't let me call her or text her. I was so relieved when Anton called me over and I welcomed the distraction.

“Share the good news, Anton,” I encouraged him as we clinked our ...