Page 43 - Images Literary Magazine 2016 - 2017.pdf

Now, he stares blankly at her picture, puzzled. Alexei will never know his parents, he?ll never get to
experience a mother?s love, or his father?s sacrifice to ensure a bright future. Lex lost the most, an
innocent fish in a sea full of sharks.
?KATKA! Stop standing there, and do your chores, or you?ll be out on the street!? Sister Tatiana
bellowed.

?Yes Ma?am,? I quietly replied.
I couldn?t argue with Sister Tatiana and go back to the little comfort I had in the crowded bedroom.
Usually, sixteen-year-old women like me aren?t considered children anymore. But there was no way
that I would be separated from my family. I begged and pleaded with the Reds to let me stay with my
family.

?Please, Sir! They are little children! They need their big sister! My parents are dead and they have
no one!? I remember crying out to General Putinov, the bulky and intimidating Soviet general. His thick
eyebrows hid his eyes, and his heavy Russian accent was evident in his rusty Polish.

?Your family will survive without you. Women of your age and physique are more useful working
than watching over their filthy Polish kin.? Putinov retorted at me.
When the words hit, they stung deeply. A worker? How could someone be so cruel? I tried to not to
react, because if I did, I knew all hope would?ve been lost.

?General Putinov, please. I will do anything to be with them. Whatever it takes,? I begged.

The Russian looked at me with despise, and his goons were laughing at me behind them, probably
thinking of things that shouldn?t be thought of in a Catholic church.

?You filthy Poles never give up, do you? I will allow you to stay with your family if you work all day at
this garbage excuse of an orphanage. You will listen to Sister Tatiana and if you do not, there will be a
train going to Siberia with your name on it?s first ticket.? Putinov snarled. His goons looked surprised at
their general?s mercy. If I ever get out of this place, those fools are the first on my list to spit on.
So, I can?t escape Sister
Tatiana, one mess up with her,
I?m on a one-way trip to Siberia
to become frozen meat.
?Sweep the floors. Wash the
pots. But first, take this and go
buy new rags for you and those
filthy Poles upstairs.? Sister
Tatiana snorted.

Did I forget to mention that
she?s Russian too? She handed
me ten z?oty.

My surprised look of
disbelief was noticed by Sister
Tatiana who meanly said, ?Oh
yes I forgot, you Poles have
never seen money before,
NOW GO!? Art by Allison Levenduski, Grade 8