𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒗

Chapter 13 - Sisterly Antics

(Photo above -left to right- Maria and Anastasia performing a play between 1911-1914. the years are just my guess)

On their last full day on the ship, the sisters anxiously gobbled their dinner, asked to be excused, and ran into the storage room to prepare for their show.

"I'm so glad Valentin is probably coming." Maria gushed as she moved the suitcases from out of the middle of the room.

"He's coming!?" Anastasia sputtered.

"Didn't I tell you?" Maria scratched her head and tried to not smile.

"Maria! Why would you invite him!? I don't want him to see me acting like a fool!" Anastasia whined.

"What has gotten into you, Shvibzik? You are a fool! You always love performing in front of people."

"Not strangers!"

"Nastasia, we have performed in front of many strangers. Don't you remember!? At the infirmaries during the war or for the sailors on the Standart. They are strangers." Maria stated as she opened her suitcases.

"The sailors and soldiers are different! They are like family, close friends. Not some random man off this old stinking boat!" Anastasia huffed as she pulled an old coat of her father's out of her suitcase.

"Fine." Maria sighed. "You do make a good point but I'm pretty sure he is coming, so please don't make a fuss."

The girls prepared the room, pulling out two chairs from a closet and setting them in front of their "stage."

Maria wore one of Tatiana's old flushed-out yellow dresses with a cream-colored sash as she played the part of the wife. She also wore one of Olga's old feather embroidered hats.

Anastasia, who was playing the husband, drew a mustache with ink, making two curls reach her nose's sides. She wore one of her father's old coats over her dress and held his gold embedded cane.

Grandmama sat in her assigned chair in the storage room while the girls waited for Valentin in their cabin which connected to the room.

"What if he isn't coming? He said he may have had work." Maria said.

"Come on, Maria! It is fine if he doesn't come!" Anastasia huffed as she slowly turned the doorknob.

"Anastasia Nikolaevna, don't you dare touch that door!" Maria hassled, pulling her away.

"Oh, Maria Nikolaevna! Don't go now taking over the role of the governess!" Anastasia protested.

As the sisters all grew up together, Tatiana had earned the name 'the governess' due to her harsh discipline when one of the sisters did something wrong.

"I'm going out! You can't stop me!" Anastasia marched out into the storage room, leaving Maria behind.

"Lady-" Anastasia started as she saw Valentin open the door.

"Ah, yes. Lady and gentleman." she continued. "I am here now to welcome you to the play we are performing. It is called 'The Greedy Millionaire.' Enjoy the show!" she announced before going back into the cabin.

"Is he here?" Maria's eyes lit up.

Anastasia took her sister by the arm.

"Yes! Now come on! We've got a show to perform!"

-

An hour passed and the show was over. As the sisters took their bows, Grandmama sat elegantly, clapping in her seat while Valentin stood up, whistling and shouting.