Chapter 10 Section ten

I saw my mother carefully packing our belongings into a small wooden box. "Anka, good morning, honey." Mom hugged me, "Did you sleep well last night?" "Fine, Mom, thanks." I didn't sleep well, but I knew there was no point in telling the truth. "Where's Nicholas?" This time I could be more frank, and chatty: "He slept very well, Mom. He just woke up and is still dressing for the trip he's looking forward to. He's so excited, Mom! Really, you should see Look how happy he is smiling!" The mother's face is also blooming.

"What about you, Mom? I'm sure you slept well too? You seem to be in a good mood this morning." I didn't tell her that I saw her sad last night, but I hoped she would reveal something so that I could take advantage of the situation. Ask what happened.However, I failed to do so. "Anka, we've spent enough time remembering the past. Now we have to embrace the future. That's what I'm doing, as you can see." She deliberately laughed out loud, and pointed to the half-full box: "I'm afraid there's nothing to help here, child." I glanced at the box and knew Mom was right.Almost all of our stuff is packed and ready to go.

"Besides," Mom said again, "I have a task for you." "Ok?" "You take Nicholas for a walk in the morning." "A walk?" It was an unexpected request.I knew we didn't have any money left, and the local peddlers had long since stopped giving us credit. "Walk around town, Anka. Say goodbye to your friends...and this place where you were born." Mom's smile faded and her voice choked. She took my hand: "Maybe it's the last time, let's go to Dad's cemetery again? Anka, please understand, no matter what, we will never go back to Mejdia. At least, in this evil You can't come back until the war is over."

She pointed to the box again: "All our things will be packed into this little box and taken away, Anka. What is more important than them are our memories, about those good old memories, nothing , anyone can take it away. Please, Anka, do as I say. Take Nikolai and take one last look at your hometown." I saw a tear fall down my mother's face, and I knew it was useless to say anything. Of course I will go to my father's grave to say my last goodbye.But I couldn't follow my mother's advice and go to my old friends, they all turned their backs on me, except one.I thought about Raisa and realized that Mom was right.If even that friendship has gone sour during this period, it's something that the two of us can't help ourselves and can't do anything about.I shouldn't blame Raisa for what her parents think.

"Of course you're with us too, aren't you?" This wasn't really a problem, because it was impossible for Mom not to say goodbye to Dad.That's why her answer surprised me all the more. "No, Anka. I must stay here." "But mother, why?" She hesitated for a while, as if she wasn't even sure herself, "Our passage documents will be delivered this morning." I showed a surprised expression, hoping to get further explanation from her. "An officer came last night," said Ma, "and he said he'd bring the papers this morning."

"Last night? But..." My voice draws out.I don't remember anyone coming, and if anyone came I couldn't possibly not have known. "You came after you went to bed, very late." Mom's voice trembled, and she tried to restrain herself. "You were asleep then." I meet her eyes and she avoids them.I can only infer that no one visited last night, but why would Mom tell such a lie? I was confused, maybe mixed with feeling betrayed, but I didn't expose my mother's lies.It will all work out in the end, and I'm sure Mom has her reasons for doing what she does.