Will you send me back to the orphanage?
Will you send me back to the orphanage? Auntie said you rushed and took me because you didnt know a baby was on the way. Im not yours
Marina stood by the stove, flipping pancakes. Her husband would soon return from work and the whole family would sit down to dinner.
It was odd that Slávko was so quiet in his room today. Usually, when Marina cooked his favorite pancakes, the little boy would spin around, look straight into her eyes and ask,
Mom, can I have another pancake?
Shed hand him one, and although he seemed full, he would soon come back, eyes bright, and ask again, stretching each syllable,
Mamama, may I have another?
Marina realized that Slávko wasnt actually hungry; he just wanted to hear that warm, wonderful wordmommyover and over. Earlier, she would set aside the ladle and the pancakes, pick the fiveyearold up in her armshe wasnt heavy yetand say,
Come on, son, shall we go meet dad when he gets home?
He would joyfully repeat,
Yes, Mommy, lets welcome dad!his eyes sparkling with excitement. He had never known parents before; now he finally did.
Slávko now had his own room, his own bed, and a little sports wall with swingsa gift from his father. He also owned toy cars, a robot, building blocks, and a slew of other toys, all his alone. In the evenings, his mother read to him, stroked his head, and whispered that she loved him. Slávko was already soaked in that love, almost forgetting the past.
Marina tried to call her son, but the toddler suddenly nudged her belly. She placed a hand on him, and the little girl pushed again.
Lord, Marina prays every day for this unexpected gift, hoping everything will be alright for them. They had already chosen a name for the girlMykola suggested Katruś, after his own grandmother Kateryna.
People had told Marina she could never have her own children and that she and Mykola had taken Slávko from the orphanage; now, a year later, a daughter was about to arrive.
Lost in thought, Marina almost forgot to flip the pancake. She called,
Slávko, sweetheart, why are you so quiet today?
Silence answered. Did he not hear?
She turned off the stove and headed toward the nursery. Even with the lights off, the room seemed emptywhere was Slávko?
A rustle broke the quiet. Marina switched the light on and saw Slávko sitting on the couch in a jacket and hat, a backpack full of his beloved toy cars clutched in his hands.
Why are you sitting in the dark? Marina asked, smiling, Come on, get up, get dressed. Planning a trip? Lets eat your pancakes with sour cream and condensed milk. Come on, Slávko, whats wrong?
He didnt smile; he stared at a point far away with an adults gaze, then suddenly asked,
Can I take these toys with me? I dont need the cars?
What are you saying, Slávko? Whats happening, son? Where are you going? Marinas words fell flat, her hands dropping. Was she a bad mother? Did Slávko not feel her love? Maybe he was jealous of the baby on the wayodd, because just yesterday he had been elated.
Will you send me back to the orphanage? Auntie said you rushed and took me because you didnt know a child would be born. Im not yours
Slávkos eyes were watery; he struggled to stay upright, glancing aside.
Slávko, what are you talking about? Which aunt? Marina suddenly recalled meeting a neighbor a few days earlier and, laughing, had said thank God the baby would arrive soon, then pointed at Slávko with a grin. You both rushed, didnt you, Marina?
She was sure the little boy didnt understand anything yet. She quickly said goodbye to the tactless neighbor, avoiding an argument, unaware that Slávko had actually grasped everything.
Then he thought, perhaps he was a stranger, all alone.
Marina pulled him into a hug; at first he pushed her away, then collapsed into tears.
Son, you didnt hear right. That aunt knows nothing. Your father and I love you so much; well never give you away!
She took off his hat and jacket, and they sat together on the couch, silent, long after the embrace.
When Katruś was born, Slávko and his father stayed home alone for a while, then they all traveled to see mother and the new sister.
Slávko worried that his sister might not like him. But when he saw how tiny she was, he laughed gently. Mom, how will she manage without an older brother? Ill teach her to play with the cars; well have fun together!
Now Slávko never leaves his sisters side, waiting for her to grow, while their parents plan to move Katruś into his room. For now, he remains his mothers righthand helper.
That evening, Mom called, Son, Slávko, Ive got Katruś ready; lets hurry to meet dad after work.
Already dressed, Slávko stood in the hallway, ready, Mom, Ill hold the door, you can bring the cradle out!
They rode the elevator down, stepped out, and the same woman from before entered the hallway.
Slávko tightened his grip on Marinas hand, as if bracing for something.
Son, youre a man now; help the aunt, call the elevator; her bags are heavy.
Okay, Mom! Slávko proudly looked at the woman with the luggage, summoned the elevator, and ran after his mother.
Tomorrow was a day off, and the whole family planned a trip to the park. It was a pity Katruś was still tiny, but she would soon grow, and they would ride the rides together. As the older brother, Slávko would hold his sister tightly if she got scared. After all, they were brother and sister forever.
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