Belonging

"Anastasiya." My grandfather says, drawing my attention from Aleksander, who keeps a hand on my shoulder, to him. I look up at him and with a gentle tone he adds, "you are on bed rest, remember?"

"Oh." I whisper. "Sorry."

"It's okay. It's just important that you don't strain your back." He tells me. "Your brother can take you back to your room, and I'll go get you some breakfast."

"Come on, sweetheart." Aleksander urges, beginning to move me in the direction of my bedroom. His hand is heavy on my shoulder as he directs me to the sanctity of the small space. He guides me to sit on the bed and I do, pulling my knees to my chest.

"I thought you weren't coming back until next week." I say, leaning my chin on my knees.

"I ended it early so that I could come see you." He tells me.

I pause for a moment. Then I say, "really?"

He ended a whole business trip to come see me? He doesn't even know me that well. Did he feel obligated to because my grandfather told him what happened with my back? He shouldn't. It isn't his fault. I don't want to become some pitiful little kid that he feels like he has to check on. I've made it through thirteen years of life taking care of myself, I can stretch that skill out for another five.

I can't wait until I'm eighteen. I can do whatever I want and nobody can stop me. I'll be able to live out my dreams and remain completely alone, which is just the way I like it. Maybe if things continue to go well with my grandfather and Aleksander and maybe even Maxim then I'll come back and visit, but I think they're only being so nice to me right now because it's the beginning. I haven't been here that long, and since Aleksander has been on trips and I only met my grandfather a few days ago, they don't know me that well. They could begin to hate me soon, just like everyone else.

"Of course." He responds easily. "I had to make sure you were okay."

"I am." I whisper.

"Are you sure?" He asks.

I nod. "It's not that bad, really."

He tilts his head. "It's bad enough for grandad to put you on bed rest. One time when I was younger I broke my ankle and he still had me up."

"Really?" I ask.

"Yeah." He says with a small laugh. "He'd never do that to you, though. You're his внучка."
(Translation: Granddaughter.)

"What does that mean?" I inquire.

"Granddaughter." He explains.

"Oh." I say. "Is that Ukrainian?"

He nods. "Why don't you try lying down for a little bit until your breakfast is done?"

I sit up a little at the change in subject. Nevertheless I nod. "Okay." I say quietly as I turn to lay down on my stomach.

"I need to go home, and since you're gonna be staying here for a bit is there anything you want me to bring back with me?"

Since you're staying here for a bit.

Relief fills me to the brim and I find myself smiling, holding back a grin. A few moments pass before I realise he asked me a question. "Oh, uh.. I don't know."

"I'll grab some clothes for you." He tells me.

"Thank you." I whisper.

He smiles and pats my shoulder. He leaves the room, closing the door gently behind him, and I turn to stare at the wall. In the far distance I can hear the front door opening and closing. I'm unsure of how much time passes before my grandfather is walking in again. He smiles at me, holding a tray topped with a plate of food and a cup of tea.