Alenka was a very independent girl. By the age of eight, she could do far more than some adults. Her grandmother had taught her how to light the gas stove, make scrambled eggs, and fry cutlets. She could also tidy the house and handwash her small clothes. The girl was kind-hearted, always helping otherscheering the sad, comforting the sick, calming the upset. Everyone adored her for her lively spirit and respect for elders. Shed walk to the edge of the village to help an elderly stranger carry groceries home, even though she was tiny and had to clutch the bag with both hands to keep it from dragging.
Alenka lived mostly with her grandmother, only going to her parents in the city during winter for school. She disliked the city. She loved her mother dearlya slender, beautiful woman with a gentle voice. Her father was tolerable when sober, but that was rare. Drunk, hed yell at her mother, sometimes hitting her. He never touched Alenka, but watching it broke her heart. Grandma scolded Mom to divorce him, but Mom just cried, saying she didnt want her daughter growing up fatherless.
During spring break, Alenka was back at Grandmas. Snow melted, streams ran, and birds chirped. She decided to ride her bike.
“Grandma, Ill go biking.”
“Too earlystill icy.”
“But Ill stick to the thawed parts.”
“Fine, youll sneak off anyway.”
She headed for the train station, planning to ride on the paved square, which thawed first. The road was long, so she tried a shortcut across a vacant lotbut hit ice. Spotting dark water ahead, she braked too late. One leg and the bike plunged in; the other kept her on the ice. Struggling, she dragged the bike toward the path.
A man rushed from a nearby house after seeing her fall through the window.
“Dont come closeryou might fall too! Ill manage!” she called.
He stayed put, watching her inch forward.
“Youre soaked! Come inside,” he said, scooping her up and carrying her home, then fetching the bike.
“Ill warm up a bit, then go. Grandmas used to this.”
“Whats your name, sweetheart? Im Uncle Sasha. This is my son, Yegorka.” A boy on crutches, about seven, peeked out.
“Nice to meet you! Im Alenka. What happened to you, Yegorka?”
“Hes as stubborn as you. I told him not to go to the lake, but he slipped on the slide and broke his leg,” said Uncle Sasha. “Now, take off those pantswell dry them by the stove.”
Wrapped in a blanket, Alenka sipped tea at the table.
“Got any cranberries? They keep colds away.”
“Who taught you that?” Uncle Sasha laughed, setting out cranberry jam.
“Mom. Shes smart and pretty. But Dad hits her, and she cries.”
Uncle Sasha changed the subject, putting on cartoons while her clothes dried. Later, Alenka prepared to leaveGrandma would worry.
The man walked her home as dusk fell. Yegor asked her to visit again, lonely when his dad was at work.
Outside Grandmas house, Uncle Sasha paused.
“Youre Tanyas girl?”
“Yes, my moms Tatyana Sergeevna.”
“I know. We were classmates. Tell her Sasha Ryabinin says hello.”
Grandma scolded her, of coursethis stunt went too far. The next morning, Mom arrived in tears. Two nights prior, Dad got drunk, was hit by a car, and died in the hospital.
“Oh, my girl, now youre an orphan!” Mom wailed.
“He never loved me anyway. Still, its sad,” said Alenka.
“Of course notyou werent his,” Grandma cut in.
“Mom, she doesnt need to know yet!” Mom snapped, but the words were out.
Alenka understood. If that man wasnt her real father, then somewhere out there was one who didnt want them. Maybe he wasnt worth having.
She finished the school year at Grandmas. The school was close, with familiar facesshed spent summers here and had friends. She visited Yegor often; they were classmates now, though he couldnt attend yet. She brought homework, helped him, and returned it for grading. Uncle Sasha was thrilled his son kept up and even improved. By years end, Yegor could walk again, passed his exams, and moved up.
Grandma didnt love their friendship but didnt stop it. Mom visited rarely, then suddenly moved back for good. Papas relatives had reclaimed his brothers apartment. In the village, Mom seemed happier, even younger, spending more time with Alenka.
One summer day, Yegor burst in crying, “Aunt Tanya, hurry! Alenkas drowning!”
Tatyana ran out, meeting Alexander carrying a soaked Alenka.
“Easy, Tanyashe swallowed some water. Got tangled in roots,” he said, laying her on the grass.
Alenka coughed, sitting up. Tatyana, pale and shaking, wept silently.
“Tanya, she looks just like you,” said Sasha.
“She looks like *you*! Shes *your* daughter!” Tanya shouted. “I was already pregnant then, but I didnt tell you. I wanted city life, left with Vasyabut he counted the months, realized she wasnt his, and drank himself to death. He wouldnt divorce me!”
“Tanya! Ive only ever loved you! After you left, I married Lena out of spite. She had Yegor and ran off. I raised him alone.”
Alenka and Yegor stared, bewildered.
“So were brother and sister?” Alenka said. “If our parents marry, well be a real family. How do you feel about that?”
“Youve always been like a sister,” Yegor said. “Will your mom scold us?”
“Nah, Grandma wont let her.”
