He wondered sometimes how the woman was settling in, as much of a culture shock as it was for him and Florence to find themselves in 2011, Svetlana had had to come out from behind the Iron Curtain and learn to live in a Western world, so changed by everything that had happened in the 30 years passed. She had to raise two Russian children who'd never had the benefit of a western life till now, but at least that was different. They'd grow up in America and they'd be grateful for everything the country could give them. And he found himself surprisingly willing to wait for the woman to figure her wording out, it wasn't her fault where she was born, she at least understood how bad it was to back the establishment there. Not like her ridiculous husband.
"Good to hear, they're good kids, well behaved and everything. And its gonna be hard for them. But they'll learn, we've got good education here, they'll speak two languages fluently cause they're young enough to pick up English and everything'll be fine. It will."
Oh Freddie knew she didn't trust him. Why would she? The brash American that had spent two years complaining at and insulting her husband at every turn. The one that had proposed to the woman that Svetlana had every right to hate. She probably hated him on some level but she was just polite enough that she'd never say it. Nah, she'd make small talk, it was all it would take.
"You know venting actually does help don't you. I understand if you don't wanna do it at me, we've got our history I guess. But just find someone, tell them everything that's bothering you and I swear you'll feel better." Freddie of course had tended to do his venting on the world stage, which in hindsight probably wasn't the healthiest. But it worked.