This is beautiful. I love the irony in the last paragraph: the woman's got a life behind the portrait or something...
I've never been to Russia, but from the way you describe it, I'm sure it's beautiful

awesome story--I adore your tender and descriptive style. what is your link to russia? i notice that it is a theme in your writing. in any case, I think that this chapter foreshadows a great story.

Well...that was interesting. You write extremely well...i wish i could write like this. But yea, great story; i like it!

RoCk On*~