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I am Russian, but for the last five years, I’ve lived in Kansas. What brought me to this country was my American husband, John. I work in a department store, where my coworkers pronounce my Russian name so _____. Every time I hear it, I feel as though my mom is hugging me.

In my native country, people believe that Americans always keep big smiles on their faces _____ they don’t have a real reason to do so. The American smile, the Russians decided, is not genuine.

Last year, John encouraged me to go to see my mom back in Russia. My _____ even gave me a month off for the trip. (When you live an ocean apart from your family, you need at least a month to visit them.) I bought a plane ticket and packed my suitcase. Then _____ COVID-19. My mood became gray as I realized I couldn’t go to see my mom.

A couple of weeks later, my sweet coworker, Miss Donna, asked me, “So what’s happening with your trip to Russia?” I told her that I had to cancel it and that I wouldn’t be able to see my mom this year.

Miss Donna didn’t say anything at first. Then she put on a big American smile and said, “Well, you can come over and see my _____!”

Oh, my Lord! (That’s what my husband always says when he’s at a loss for words.) Imagine, a mom for loan! I honestly don’t know whether I would offer the same to someone in need of a mother’s _____, but my new people surely would do it for me. I know that because of the virus you shouldn’t hug friends, but you can still embrace someone’s heart. That’s how my heart felt at that moment: hugged. So, yes, believe me, the American smile is genuine.