Jessy smiled as she watched the three practice swallowing each other.

It reminded her of so long ago, when she had been but a child. Her attempts had not gone much better, and she understood the position her daughter was in.

“Try leaning over,” she called as Cassidy started trying to cough Ivan up. She was startled and did as she was advised. Ivan fell out of her mouth a few moments later.

Covered in saliva, he got up and looked at Jessy. “Hello,” he said, raising a sticky hand. “You are Mrs. East, da?”

Jessy nodded, returning the smile. (That I am), she responded in Russian.

Ivan’s eyebrows went up. (You speak my native tongue?) he asked.

Jessy nodded. (Yup. You seem to like my daughter…) she replied, smiling.