Better Left Unsaid

Chapter 7

It was August 4, 1985, also known as Helena Lebel's birthday. She was turning 13.

"Okay so what's the plan?" Olga asked.

"We are going to make a small surprise party for her." Ana answered.

"Wait a minute," Larisa cut off, raising her finger up like some professor. "How is it going to be a surprise with her staying here?" Larisa raised her eyebrow, suspiciously.

"Hmm," Ana placed a hand on her chin, and pulled a thinking face."You have a point."

"How about we keep her busy in her room?" Olga inserted.

"That's something," Larisa nodded. "But with what?"

"Well she's sleeping now, so when she wakes up, I could tell her that I'm cleaning the house." Anastasia suggested.

"And she should stay in her room because of that!" Larisa continued.

"Exactly." Ana said.

"Okay, then we shouldn't make any noise." Olga said, looking at Larisa who nodded.

"Okay, fellows, operation make a surprise party for Lena is now in action. Let's go." Larisa said in a heroic tone. Ana and Olga laughed and told her to keep it down.

"Sorry." She whispered, softly.

"I'll go check up on her," Ana said, getting upstairs. "Try not to make any noise." She chuckled, looking at Larisa.

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"So, mom and dad," Lena took a deep breath as she stood on the porch of her room, looking up at the sky. "Today, I am finally 13," She smiled to herself. "I'm a grown up now," She chuckled lightly. "Well, almost. I really wish you guys were here, that everything was the way it was before, peaceful," She sighed again, her eyes tearing up a little bit. "But I'm happy here. Everyone is like family, they're so sweet. I wish you were here to meet them. I'm sure you'd love them a lot. I miss you guys. I know you're always here, looking over me at all times, but I wish you were actually here, with me. I miss your touch, your smiles, your voices, your-" There was a knock on the door, followed by the sound of the door closing.

"Honey, are you okay?" Ana asked, placing a hand on Lena's shoulder.

Lena wiped her tears away, then turned to face Ana with a smile. "Yeah I'm fine. Just talking to my folks."

"Oh, sweetie," Ana hugged her tightly. Lena pulled back and held Ana's hand, smiling. "You haven't done that in a while."

"Well, yeah, but today is a kind of a special day for me." Lena smiled, sadly.

"Oh," Ana frowned, pretending she has no idea what was happening. "I hope it's a good day then."

"It will be," Lena smiled an assuring smile. "Well, I'm starving so I'm going down to get some food." She said getting back in her room and heading to the door, changing the subject.

"No," Ana cut her off almost instantly. Lena had a puzzled expression on her face. "Um, I mean I'll get the food for you because I'm cleaning the house and I don't want you to get down at all. Understood?"

"It's okay, I'll help you." Lena said, continuing to the door. Ana blocked her way.

"No, it's okay. Please. Besides, you hate work. Nikolay is helping me." She smiled, nervously.

"Okay, okay."Lena said, backing off and making her way to her bed.

"Great! I'll go get you breakfast. Do not, under any circumstances, ever, leave your room," Ana seriously spoke. "Okay?" Her expression immediately changed as she smiled widely at Lena.