Could it be that this cruel woman, who looks like a hunted beast, is his mother? Her words, You are my youthful mistake, echoed in his ears.
All Alexei knew about himself was that he had been discovered, screaming from hunger and terror, on the doorstep of an infants home. The boys mother must have retained some scrap of conscience; she wrapped the child in a warm blanket, covered it with a goathair fur scarf, and placed the wailing bundle in a cardboard box, perhaps to spare him from freezing.
No record existed of the child’s name at birth, of his origins, or of his family. All that was found clutched in the infants tiny hand was a sizable silver pendant shaped like the letter A essentially a keepsake from his mother.
The pendant was unique, not a massproduced trinket but a handcrafted piece bearing the jewelers mark.
Investigators seized on this clue, hoping to track down the irresponsible motherbird and hold her accountable, but the trail ran cold. The artisan who forged the pendant had died in extreme old age, and his workshop logs contained no mention of the item.
Consequently, the child was entered into the orphanage as Alexei Unknown, becoming yet another stateraised child.
He spent his entire childhood in the orphanage, fully supported by social services, painfully lacking parental love and dreaming of one day finding both a mother and a father.
Something terrible must have happened for my mother to abandon me. She will surely appear and take me away, he thought, as did all his fellow misfortunates.
When he left the institution for the big world, his caretaker hung the pendant around his neck and narrated its backstory.
So my mother wanted me to be found later? the boy asked.
Perhaps! Or maybe you simply tugged the pendant off her neck by accident. Little kids love to grab things. After all, the pendant was squeezed in your fist without a chain! the caretaker guessed.
The state granted Alexei a modest flat small, but his own. He enrolled in a technical college, graduated, and took a job at an auto workshop.
***
He met Alina by chance: they literally collided headfirst on the street. First, they bumped into each other, sending the fashion magazines Alina was clutching scattering, and then Alexei rushed forward, apologizing and gathering the mess caused by his clumsiness.
The impact was so forceful that both youths had sparks in their eyes and tears streaming down. They stood amid the crowd, strangers moving around them, while they smiled through the tears. In that moment Alexei realized he had fallen in love forever.
I must make amends for my fault! May I invite you to coffee? he offered.
Alina was surprised at how easily she accepted. His endearing, bearlike awkwardness made him seem almost kin.
You know, Alexei, I feel like Ive known you my whole life! she said after just five minutes.
No way! I feel the same! he replied.
The two began dating, their affection so intense they never missed a call or a message. They seemed to sense each others moods. Whenever Alexei was hurt at work, Alina instantly called to check on him.
You are me, and I am you. I feel you are my destiny! Alexei told her one day. Its a shame I cant introduce you to my parents as my fiancéeI have no family.
But you have me, and Im sure my parents will like you, she assured.
***
Do you mean my boyfriend from the orphanage? Have you lost your mind? All those kids are wild, uncivilized! Lidia Vasilyevna, Alinas mother, clutched her chest and flopped into a leather armchair.
Mom, Alexei is a kind, cheerful boy! Not everyone is the same! Why are you like this? Alina pleaded.
Exactly, dear! Before judging a person, you must meet and talk with them. Bring him over; well see what your orphanboy breathes. Then well decide whether our hearts will be seized, intervened her husband, Ivan Romanovich, a personnel officer.
Vanya! You dont understand! We didnt raise our daughter to marry someone without lineage, without a clan! What if his parents are immoral? the woman shouted hysterically.
Well, well find out when we meet him, Ivan replied sternly.
Lidia stopped arguing, retreated to her room, and slammed the door loudly.
Ivan winked mischievously at Alina: Dont worry, dear, well get through this.
Thanks, dad! she beamed, kissing his cheek. So I should invite Alexei over on Saturday, right?
Of course! I must know who has captured my only daughters heart.
***
On the appointed day, a welldressed Alexei arrived at Alinas apartment, two bouquets in hand (one for Alina, one for his future motherinlaw) and a cake.
Radiant Alina led him to the kitchen.
Mom, dad, meet my Alexei! she announced.
Her father shook Alexeis hand, Lidia accepted the flowers, then suddenly turned ghostly pale, as if her speech had vanished.
After gathering herself, she invited everyone to sit.
Im sorry, I just got a bit flustered, she explained.
During lunch she asked, Alexei, you wear an interesting pendant. It looks handmade.
Its the only memory of my mother. When they found me on the orphanage doorstep, I held that pendant in my fist, he replied.
Lidia remained silent for the rest of the evening, barely eating, merely pushing peas around her plate. Ivan, however, seemed to take a liking to his prospective soninlaw, finding common ground in football, skiing, and fishing.
What a wonderful young man! he said as Alexei left.
What a wonderful? No upbringing, no manners, insolent Lidia burst out, bitterly.
Lida, whats wrong? Have you gone mad? What did he do to you? Ivan asked, bewildered.
Lidia, relentless, turned to her daughter and declared, You must break off with himimmediately!
She withdrew to her room, refusing further explanation.
***
What now? How could these two meet under such a vast sky on this immense earth? panic and frantic thoughts raced through her mind. She lifted tearfilled eyes to an old photograph hidden behind the glass doors of a bookcase.
The blackandwhite picture showed a youthful version of herself, smugly smiling, wearing on a delicate chain a pendant identical to Alexeis.
So I didnt lose it then! That little scoundrel must have snatched it! she mused.
She slipped the photo into her pocket. I cant let Ivan and Alina see this now! I must devise something.
Lidia stayed awake all night. The only sensible plan she conceived was to ask Alexei to leave the city forever.
Alexei, my dear, forgive me for my mistake yesterday. Id like to apologize to him as well. Could you give me his phone number?
Alina, unaware of the plot, happily wrote down her boyfriends number and cheerfully left the house.
Left alone, Lidia immediately dialed Alexei.
Alexei, hello! Could you come over in about an hour? she asked.
Sure, Ill be there, he replied.
An hour later he stood at Alinas doorstep, a nervous bundle of nerves. Lidia, who opened the door, looked ill and tearful.
We need to talk, she said briefly, ushering him inside.
Alexei, you must break up with Alina. This is my secret. Swear now that neither my daughter nor my husband will find out.
Alright, I swear! Alexei, stunned, sat on the couch, his legs trembling with dread.
Alexei, Alina is your sister! Lidia declared, thrusting a photo of herself wearing the pendant onto him.
Mom? Alexei asked, eyes filling with tears. And my father?
Lidia shook her head. No, Ivan Romanovich isnt your father. I was with Vanya. He later entered a military school. I was young and foolish, and things got tangled with your father When I realized I was pregnant, he left me. I didnt tell Vanya. My belly grew, I moved to another city to my grandmother, told her the child was stillborn, and left you at the orphanage. Then I returned, married Ivan after he came back a few months later.
And me? What about me, Mom? Alexei could no longer hold back his tears.
Youre just my youthful mistake, understand? You have no right to ruin everything Ive built! You arrived uninvited, and now youre here unasked! Go away! Hide! Leave my family in peace!
Alexei stood, speechless.
Could this cruel, beastlike woman really be his mother? Her words, You are my youthful mistake, rang in his ears.
He sighed heavily, rose from the couch.
Goodbye, Lidia Vasilyevna! I wont reveal any secrets.
But Ill tell everything to my father! a voice shouted.
Startled, Alexei and Lidia froze as Alina, leaning against the doorway with hands clasped, stared at her mother with anger and hatred.
I always thought you were a good person, Momwhat a disgrace! Absolutely disgraceful!
***
Sorry, sister, Alexei whispered, dropping his gaze to the floor to hide his tears.
He fled, feeling like a burst bubble ready to shatter and vanish forever.
A few days later Alexei went to the military enlistment office and signed up for a hotpoint unit.
Ivan Romanovich and Alina came to see him off. Ivan gave Alexei a firm, brotherly hug.
Hold on, son! Know that we, with Alina, are your family. Were waiting for you, so come back!
Alina embraced her brother and whispered, Come back, brother, we love you.
Warmth filled Alexeis heart. Though motherless, he now had a father and a sister. He regretted, however, that he loved Alina more than his sister.
Lidia was left completely alone. Ivan left her, saying he could not tolerate such a terrible act.
She continued to blame Alexei for always appearing at the wrong time.
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