Roots

Roots - Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

The Russian Truth

 

The next few days seemed to go by quickly.  My mother was back from her business trip and of course her first few words were, “How did the visit with your great grandmamma go on Thursday?”  She of course thought I was lying or was being sarcastic when I said that it went great.  In my mind it went more than just great, Nunna had told me a secret, she had told me who she was, who I was. For once in my life, we bonded.  To be honest I really just wanted to go by myself to go visit Nunna again on Thursday, but my mother insisted about going.  However, what seemed to go on forever was the car ride from school to the nursing home.

“Lisa, what’s going on? You seem different, like your hiding something.” My mother stated again, as we drove towards the nursing home.

“Mom, seriously nothing is going on.  I just wanted to go today by myself again.”  I said, for the fifth time this week.

“Yeah, but just last week you were dreading going to see your great grandmamma and now you’re wanting it to just be you and her. And plus, don’t tell me nothing is going on, you’re lying.  I know you are. You were never good at it, young lady.” My mom said as she turned into the parking lot.

“Mom, it’s nothing bad, Nunna and I just really had a good time talking on Thursday, that’s all.  Plus, this assignment is just getting to me.” I said honestly.  I begged in my mind for her to just drop the subject.  Until I got permission from Nunna to tell her, I had no choice but to keep my own mother in the dark of our family secret.

“Okay hunny, let’s just drop it for right now, we can talk about this later.  I don’t want to walk into the nursing home and even worse your great grandmamma’s room and us bickering.” My mom said as she got out of the car and started walking towards the doors of the nursing home.

“Oh it looks like Mrs. Vasilieva has another visitor today.” My mother said as we started to enter my great grandmamma’s room.

My eye shifted across the room towards the male figure sitting in the chair next to Nunna by the window, and I just froze where I was standing.

“Ah just on time, this is my great granddaughter Annalisa, and her mother.” Nunna turned to present us to the man sitting next to her.  Yet, when the man turned my jaw dropped.

“Hello Lisa, yes Mrs. Vasilieva, I believed your great granddaughter and I are well acquainted.” Mr. Poloski said with a formal thick Russian-American accent as he stood up to greet us.  My mom looked at me before taking his hand.

“Mr. Poloski, um, what are you doing here?” I asked with a shaky voice.

“Ah you’re the famous Mr. Poloski that I’m always hearing about.” My mother said as she shook his hand politely.

“Yes Ma’am.  I’m your daughter’s History teacher.” He said as he glanced at me.  I’m pretty sure I had the look of confusion, shock, and anger on my face.