One Day You'll Find Me

Chapter Three

It had always been me and Ros playing in each other’s shadows. But after that night, the three of us went everywhere together. Did everything together. At lunch and recess, we were always seen together. We turned to the others to cheer us up, and when we needed a shoulder to cry on, we had each other. Like now. I angrily wiped my tears away. As much in shock and as angry as I was at his words, I was furious that I’d let him see that he’d got to me.

“At least he didn’t say he’d do it anytime soon. There’s that at least.”

A fresh wave of tears welled up at my friend’s attempt to comfort me.

“I know, but...”

“But nothing. He might not even go through with it. We don’t know.”

“That’s just it! It’s the not knowing that makes it worse. If I knew I had three months, or... I could... I could...” I broke off into sobs.

“Oh, Maria. I wish I could do something more. I wish I could help.” Ros pulled me into a hug, and rubbed my back in soothing circles.

“I wish I could, too,” I sobbed. “I wish I could. It just makes me angry knowing it’s beyond my control. That she’s... that she’s... ”

“Hey now. She’s still yours. You still have her.”

“I know. He just makes me so mad.”

“Like that’s a first. Maria, he’s just all words. I doubt he’ll do it.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, who am I kidding? Of course he’ll sell your horse, but he won’t stop there. No, he’ll beat you, and kidnap your Mum, and sell the house, and adopt you out to evil people, and blow up the school.... although I have no objections to the last one. He can blow up as many schools as he likes, as far as I’m concerned.”

I snorted.

Ros sighed. “Why believe the worst, when you can hope for the best? I know it’s not easy, it’s not nice and you’re scared, but what else can you do but hope? Crawl through your dad’s screwed up head? I don’t think so. So live every day with her like always, just make sure you thoroughly enjoy yourself and no dwelling on horrible things, ok? Ok?”

I nodded. She pulled me closer. “Good girl. Now, can I come stay?”

“What?”

“The parents are taking a trip to Russia, and won’t take me. Again.”

“Ah, I see. Sure. When?”

“Next Thursday. It’ll be six weeks this time- the Maslenitsa festival starts while they’re there.”

“The what festival?”

“Maslenitsa.”

“Dare I ask what that is?”

“Oh, it’s basically pancake week, celebrating the passing of winter and welcoming of spring and all that. Before you ask, the pancake represents the sun, get it? Anyway, I really wanted to go this time.”

“What? Really? More than the other times you’ve said that?” I smirked.

“Yeah, yeah. But I mean it this time. Every hostess has her own distinct pancake, and apparently they’re so good! I love pancakes... but they said no. Of course. What do they even do there? They never tell me! They’re just vague and airy-fairy. Ooo, maybe I’ll hide in their suitcase! I could fit, you know. That’d be a surprise and a half! Imagine their faces when they open up to get something and find me all curled up instead!” She started laughing.