“I haven’t forgotten anything,” said Anastasia defensively.
“You’ve been running to the hospital every day to visit your sister with bags full of things,” Andrew grumbled to his wife Anastasia as she returned from yet another hospital visit. They sat down for dinner.
“What’s bothering you so much about it?” Anastasia wondered aloud.
“It’s not that it annoys me. I get it; she’s your sister. But Katie’s not in critical condition, and she has others who can visit her – husband, daughter, son, and daughter-in-law. Why do you go every day? Is there a charming doctor there you’re interested in?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Andrew!” Anastasia retorted sharply. “What a wild idea. And for your information, Katie’s doctor is a woman, so your theory is way off.”
“Really, Anastasia, explain to me. Why the need to rush to the hospital every day after work? You’re waking up at six in the morning, making broths and juices, then rushing home after work just to gather your things and head to the hospital again. This is self-inflicted stress. You’re exhausted and not even sleeping well. Just look at the bags under your eyes.”
“Alright, I’ll tell you since I see you won’t give it a rest,” Anastasia sighed as she cleared the table. “Let me just brew some tea and we can talk.”
“Sure,” her husband agreed eagerly. “I really don’t understand any of this…”
***
At seventeen, Anastasia Westfield left her small town after high school to pursue further education in a big city. There weren’t any opportunities for advanced schooling or professional development in her village, and she was determined to earn a degree and become a lawyer.
Anastasia didn’t pass her university entrance exams, but she was still thrilled to get into a law college. Going back to her village, with its limited options, wasn’t an option for her. She had no interest in becoming a shopkeeper like her mother.
Anastasia resolved to make the city her home, pursue her studies, find a job, and eventually help her parents once she got on her feet. Her plans were far-reaching, and she was confident of their success.
In school, she dated Victor Green, a classmate. But unlike Anastasia, Victor had no interest in city life and planned to stay in their small town, work on the farm with his parents, go to the army, and return to farm life. That was his dream life.
Anastasia couldn’t imagine such a future and easily ended things with Victor, recognizing he wasn’t the person for her. Victor, unfazed, found himself married to Alana just six months later, who had been pining for him for ages, and finally, he noticed her.
Once at college, Anastasia moved into a dormitory and adjusted to her new life. She aimed to study hard and secure a scholarship. Her parents sent her money monthly, and while she wasn’t living in luxury, she certainly wasn’t starving.
Anastasia recalls that autumn day clearly… She was on a bus returning from the library, having prepared for a seminar on civil law. She had stayed late, and the rush hour crowd packed the bus.
She squeezed into the bus, full of passengers, but no way was she waiting for another hope-for-it-to-be-less-full bus… after all, she was tired and just wanted to get home.
When Anastasia finally got off, relieved to be out of that crush of people, she noticed with horror that her bag was slashed… Her pulse quickened as she realized her wallet had been stolen…
Such thefts were all too common, with pickpockets taking advantage of crowded public transport and distracted commuters. Finding the thief was practically impossible.
The worst part was that Anastasia had collected her scholarship today and her parents had just sent her money yesterday, all of which was in her wallet. She hadn’t tucked it away under her mattress as she typically would. Now, the wallet was gone, along with every penny she had…
Her parents were battling financially too, as her dad’s salary was delayed, and they relied on her mom’s earnings from the shop to get by.
Anastasia was shattered. Tears rolled down her face; she chided herself for not being more cautious. She’d heard of such incidents; a classmate of hers had the same trouble not long ago. Now she was the victim…
Reporting to the police felt futile. What could she say? She hadn’t noted anyone on the bus. Finding the thief was as elusive as finding a needle in a haystack.
Her old, worn wallet was probably discarded somewhere, while the thief pocketed all her money. She was left penniless… What was she supposed to do? Her remaining groceries were meager: a block of margarine, a couple of onions, some tea, a bit of buckwheat, and pasta. Certainly not enough to last a month.
“Why the tears?” asked Julia, her dorm roommate, upon seeing Anastasia.
Anastasia recounted her tale of woe.
“That’s tough luck,” Julia said slowly. “But totally your fault. Who carries all their money around like that? You should’ve clutched your bag tight in that bus. Or better, tucked the cash into your bra or underwear. Nowadays, you have to be on your toes, aware of everything… You’re too naïve, Annie. Top grades in class, but outside of it, clueless, like a total fool…”
Anastasia knew Julia was right, but it didn’t ease her burden… Calling her parents wasn’t an option. They had their battles; she couldn’t add to them. Her father’s pay was held up; her mother’s earnings barely scraped by, especially with young Katie at home.
She considered finding a job. But who pays right away? She’d need to work weeks to see an advance… Perhaps not even that soon… What on earth was she to do? It seemed hopeless…
“Want me to introduce you to someone?” Julia proposed suddenly.
“Introduce me to whom?” Anastasia asked, puzzled.
“You know, a sugar daddy. Rich bloke who’ll look after you… in return for… you know what I mean.”
“No need to explain. I get it.”
“Good. You’re a catch, plenty would be interested… You’d be living in comfort.”
The prospect didn’t sit well with Anastasia. Just thinking of being some rich old guy’s mistress, compromising herself for cash, made her uneasy… Julia was fine with it and prosperous because of it; Anastasia found the idea appalling…
“So should I set it up?” Julia pressed.
“No,” Anastasia shook her head and, after a pause, asked, “Julia, could you lend me some money until the next scholarship comes in? I’ve got nothing left.”
“Sorry, can’t help. I spent most of mine on clothes and makeup, just enough for meals now. But my offer’s open if you change your mind. For what it’s worth, when you’re truly broke, those high morals are the last thing you cling to.”
Anastasia made no reply, turning away to the wall and crying again. Eventually, she drifted into an exhausted sleep…
