“I haven’t forgotten anything.”
“You’ve been visiting your sister in the hospital every day, loaded with bags. What’s with that?” grumbled Andrew to his wife, Anna, as she returned once again from the hospital and they sat down for dinner.
“Why does it bother you so much?” Anna asked, surprised.
“It’s not that it bothers me. I get it, she’s your sister. But Kate’s not in a critical condition, and there are others who can visit her—her husband, daughter, son, and daughter-in-law. Why do you feel the need to go there daily? Or is there a charming doctor you’re keen on seeing?”
“What nonsense are you talking about, Andrew?” Anna snapped at her husband. “What a ridiculous thought. And by the way, Kate’s doctor is a woman, so your theory is way off.”
“No, really, Anna, explain to me. Why the need to visit your sister every day after work? You wake up at six in the morning, prepare soups and broths, rush home after work, pack a bag, and head out to her. What is this, some kind of self-inflicted hardship? You’re exhausted, it’s clear. Look at the dark circles under your eyes.”
“Fine, I’ll tell you, since you won’t let it go,” Anna sighed, clearing away their dinner plates. “I’ll make some tea and we can talk.”
“Sure,” her husband replied eagerly, “because I honestly don’t understand any of this…”
***
Seventeen-year-old Anna Weston, after finishing school, moved to the big city hoping to get into college or a technical school. She was born and raised in a small village without opportunities for higher education or professional growth. But Anna was intent on obtaining a degree and becoming a lawyer.
She failed the university entrance exams, but managed to get into a law technical college, which thrilled her. She was determined not to return to the village where there were no prospects. Anna didn’t want to work in a shop like her mother, nor did she want to live in the village.
Anna set her mind on making it in the city. Study, find work, and start a personal life. She planned to visit her hometown occasionally and support her parents once she was on her feet. She had ambitious goals and was sure of achieving them.
In school, Anna dated Victor Stone, a classmate. Unlike Anna, Victor wasn’t eager to leave the village and was content with his life there. He found a job at the local farm where his parents worked and planned to join the army before returning to farm work. A simple, provincial life suited him.
Anna was appalled by this prospect and broke up with Victor, knowing that he wasn’t the one for her. Victor didn’t take long to move on and married Alina, who’d been pining for him, as soon as he turned eighteen.
Starting at the college, Anna moved into a dorm and adjusted to her new life. She worked hard to earn a higher scholarship, and her parents sent her money every month, so she wasn’t struggling. She wasn’t living in luxury, but she managed.
Anna vividly remembers that autumn day… She was on a bus, coming back from the library where she’d been preparing for a seminar on civil law. Staying late, she caught the rush hour. The bus was packed with people returning from work.
Only by sheer luck did Anna manage to squeeze into the crowded bus, not wanting to wait for another one that would likely be full too. Upon exiting, feeling like a sardine in a can, she was relieved until she discovered her bag had been slashed open… Her wallet was gone.
It was a common occurrence; pickpockets often exploited the crowded public transport and the passengers’ inattention. Finding the thief was nearly impossible.
The worst part was that Anna had just received her scholarship and a money transfer from her parents—all of it was in the wallet. She hadn’t yet stowed it under her mattress as she usually did. Now, it was all stolen, and she was broke.
To make matters worse, during a recent call, her mother mentioned that her father’s paycheck was delayed and urged her to save her money since they didn’t know when they could send more.
Anna was devastated, tears streamed down her face. She berated herself for being careless, recalling similar stories, like the one that happened to a classmate recently. Now, here she was, a victim of a pickpocket herself…
Reporting it to the police seemed pointless. What could she say? She didn’t remember any faces from the bus. It was like searching for a needle in a haystack to find who had stolen her wallet.
Her cheap wallet was probably already discarded, its contents taken, leaving Anna penniless… How would she survive? What would she eat? Only a packet of margarine, two onions, some tea, a bit of buckwheat, and pasta remained in her food stash—far from enough for a month.
“Why are you crying?” asked Julie, her roommate, noticing Anna’s tears.
Anna explained the unfortunate event.
“Wow,” Julie sighed. “Tough break. But it’s your own fault. Who carries all their money around like that? You should’ve kept your bag close or stuffed the cash in your underwear or bra. Times are hard, you have to stay sharp… You’re book smart, Anna, but a bit of a birdbrain otherwise, aren’t you?”
Anna understood well and Julie’s words didn’t make her feel any better. She wasn’t even offended when her roommate called her a birdbrain. She felt exactly that way… But she couldn’t go back in time, couldn’t fix it. The money was gone, and she still had to live.
Calling her parents for help? Anna couldn’t face the shame. They had their problems, with her dad’s delayed paychecks and surviving on her mom’s modest shop salary. Besides her, they had her younger sister Kate to worry about too…
Finding a job seemed like the only solution, Anna thought. But who would pay her immediately? She’d have to work two weeks, if not a month, before receiving any pay… And new hires might not get an advance… What could she do? It felt hopeless…
“Would you like me to introduce you to a ‘sugar daddy’?” Julie suddenly offered.
“A what?” Anna didn’t understand at first.
“Come on, are you living under a rock? A wealthy man, a benefactor, you know what I mean, right? Or do I need to explain more?”
“No need, I get it…”
“Good that you do. I mean, you’ve got the looks, so there’d be no shortage of interested gentlemen… You’d be living the good life.”
Julie’s offer didn’t sit well with Anna. The idea of becoming someone’s mistress, selling herself, made her stomach turn… She knew Julie didn’t mind this lifestyle and thus never struggled financially, but Anna found the thought revolting…
“So, what do you say, should I introduce you?” Julie asked again.
“No,” Anna shook her head, and after a moment’s thought, asked, “Julie, could you lend me some money? Just until my scholarship comes in. I really have nothing.”
“Sorry, I can’t lend you any. I spent it on clothes and makeup, just have enough left for food. But my offer stands if you change your mind. Think about it. When you have nothing to eat, your ideals become less important.”
Anna didn’t reply, turning away to cry quietly until she eventually drifted off to sleep…
