✔ A Minute in Heaven || Wattys 2017

Chapter Three - Kasha and Family History

I was right.

...

I woke up feeling unusually warm.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a large, brown something draped over my side. I rolled over to see Alfred laying there, shivering slightly. It took me a second to realize that the big brown something was his jacket.

I wasn't sure why, but I felt strange seeing Alfred in my bed. My sisters and I sometimes huddled together in this fashion when it got very cold, so this should've been no different. I just assumed that it was because it was another man.

I didn't want to disturb Alfred, so I cautiously slid out of bed and moved to the closet to get changed. I didn't have the biggest wardrobe, but that was fine by me.

When I turned around, I saw that Alfred had stirred slightly, but as soon as I noticed him, he pulled his jacket over his face and stayed perfectly still. I watched for a minute, confused, then put on my jacket. As I left the room, I smiled and shook my head before closing the door.

Downstairs, Katyushka was doling out portions of that morning's breakfast, kasha, while Natalia was finishing up with the dishes. I began preparing some coffee, as I needed the energy. I was sure to make a little more than usual, for I didn't know how Alfred might react to vodka.

Alfred still hadn't come downstairs by the time breakfast was prepared, so I went upstairs to wake him. I was about halfway to my bedroom when Alfred came out, looking disheveled and pale.

"Good morning, Alfred," I said with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"You were right," Alfred said. "It got cold."

"This is Russia," I said. "And winter, no less. What did you expect?"

Alfred gave a weak laugh and yawned widely.

"Come," I said. "Breakfast is ready."

At the mention of food, Alfred seemed to perk up a little more. He moved with a renewed vigor as I guided him to the dining room.

When we got to the dining room, I got the coffee and poured it into each glass, giving Alfred a bit extra, since he seemed the most tired. He didn't eat just yet, like he was waiting for a signal.

I started eating, and Katyushka and Natalia soon joined in. Alfred watched us in turn, like he wanted to see how to properly eat kasha. Then, he started eating as well. I subconsciously hoped that he liked it, and it certainly seemed that he did, judging by how fast he was eating.

"So, how did you get here?" Katyushka asked. "It's such a great distance to go."

Alfred looked up from eating and said, "I started in Delaware, my home state, and flew to California for my first stop. After California, I landed in Tokyo, which I think is how Liberty Belle - that's my plane - got so worn out. I was supposed to go from Tokyo to Beijing to Poland, but Belle started to shut down, so I landed here."

"If I may," I began, "why exactly are you flying so far?"

Alfred's smile became wistful, like he was suddenly overcome with nostalgia.

"Dad," he said. "Dad always had a thing for exploring. When he was younger, he'd go by ship all over the world, trying to hit as many countries as possible."

Alfred's smile dimmed, however, when he said, "He fell in love with this woman in Virginia, Elizabeth, and soon, she was pregnant with me. Not long after she gave birth, she left both me and Dad behind. Dad... well, he stopped exploring after that. He couldn't do it. He wanted me to have a good life. He settled down in Delaware, and I grew up listening to his stories of how he'd travelled the world and such."

The entire table was quiet as Alfred spoke. Even Natalia seemed to soften up.

"So," Alfred went on, "I promised him that I'd finish what he began. Of course, Mattie didn't think I'd be able to do it, so we made a bet. If I flew all around the world, then he'd have to try and sail all around the world like Dad. If I failed, then I'd have to try sailing the world."

"Who is Mattie?" Natalia asked.

"He's my brother," Alfred replied.

"I thought Elizabeth only had you," Katyushka said.

"She did," Alfred said. "I guess I should explain. Dad met this French guy on his voyage, a guy called Francis. They hated each other at first, but then, they were able to tolerate each other. Francis had a wife, Jeanne, but she died in childbirth. Dad offered to help take care of the kid, and Francis agreed. After Dad moved to Delaware, Francis came with him. I grew up thinking that the kid, Matthew, was my real brother, and even though we aren't, I still consider him a brother. Heck, I started calling Francis Pops because he felt like another Dad."

Katyushka let out a soft, "Aww," and I agreed with her. It was quite adorable, Alfred and Matthew's relationship.

"How'd you guys end up here?" Alfred suddenly asked, turning the question onto us. "I mean, you three seem to have a pretty good relationship."

I glanced warily over to Katyushka and Natalia. They looked back, unmoving, so I decided to speak up.

"We're all we have," I began. "This mansion was owned by our father, Peter, who was very rich, as he worked as a high up government official. After the Bolsheviks took control of Petrograd, our father was shot and killed. Our mother, Catherine, tried to take care of me and Katyushka, but since she was pregnant, Katyushka and I began working to support ourselves. Eventually, Natalia was born, but something went wrong with the birth, and our mother died. Katyushka took on several jobs. I quit mine so that I could care for Natalia. I fell very sick when Natalia was three, so Katyushka had to work twice as hard. But, I got better, and, as such, got back to work."

I paused to take a drink, but Alfred cut in, asking, "Why do you talk about that so naturally? All that crap you went through, that's bad for anyone!"

I turned to him, surprised by his question.

"It is a part of life," I simply stated. "Bad times always happen."

"But it doesn't have to be that way," Alfred insisted. "Life isn't all about bad things. Good things do happen! It's up to us to make the most of those things, Ivan!"

Alfred was on his feet with excitement, looking around wildly as he spoke.

"You've got to explore," Alfred said. "You've got to go beyond just working all day! You've got to be your own person! Be the hero!"

By the time he was finished, Alfred was smiling so widely that it looked like he was incapable of disappointment. His blue eyes shone with warmth and life and a desire to see all the beauty that the world could offer.

Alfred noticed that he was the only one speaking, so he quickly sat back down and finished his kasha, blushing to the roots of his hair.

"Sorry about that," he said softly.

"Don't be," I said. "Have some seconds if you want." Alfred obliged.

We continued eating and talking until it was well past 9:00. Alfred's outburst, though, stuck in my mind. I'd never seen anyone so young with that level of enthusiasm.

He decided to be his own person, and look how happy he is, I thought. Maybe I should try to reach beyond my comfort zone.

Maybe he's right.

* * * * *

So, yeah, this was really more of a backstory chapter than anything. I kinda like how it turned out.

As always, if there are any inaccuracies, especially with the Russian etiquette, let me know, and I'll be sure to get them fixed.

Amō vos!

~Hipster Cicero