She found a lost phone and returned it to its owner. Yet when he saw the pendant around his neck, he froze
Scanning the area quickly, she grabbed a hoodie, slipped it over her shoulders and sprinted out of the house toward the yard.
Ali, where are you going? her grandmothers faint voice called. Not long, Grandma!
At the doorway, two neighbors watched the girl with uneasy eyes. Is she causing trouble again?
Alisa simply returned the greeting without malice. Perhaps she could wait for her morning irritability to pass somewhere on the street.
She walked slowly along the sidewalk that led to the nearby shop, kicking small stones now and then. The same thought kept looping in her mind:
If Mom were still alive He wouldnt treat me like this.
Alisas mother, Anna, had died a year earlier. A drunk driver fell asleep at the wheel, and his car slammed into a publictransport stop at full speed. Anna and three others were killed instantly; several passengers were seriously injured. The driver only awoke when rescuers surrounded him.
After the funeral, the question arose: who would look after the girl? Her grandparents refused outright.
Were too old to raise a teenager the grandmother said. Kids these days are impossible, and our health isnt what it used to be Please, say something the woman pleaded to her husband. We cant do this. Let her stay with Dima; he already adopted her.
Dmitry, Annas husband, had formally adopted Alisa at birth, but never treated her as his own child. He didnt hurt her; he simply ignored her. At first she called him dad, until one day he sternly told her:
Im not your father. Call me Uncle Dima, understand?
Alisa wanted to ask her mother who her real father was, but Anna only joked about it. After Annas death, Dmitry began drinking more often.
When Alisa turned seven, school became inevitable.
More than half my salary goes to you the stepfather growled, tossing a new backpack stuffed with textbooks, notebooks and office supplies onto the bed. Now you have to help. Cook for yourself, clean too. Basically, the house is on you.
Sure, who else? Alisa thought, but she nodded silently to avoid a fight.
Dmitry then started sending her to the shop to buy food, after arranging with the cashier that she shouldnt ask many questions. At first Alisa felt embarrassed, but she grew accustomed to it. Occasionally the cashier would slip her a treat out of kindness.
Now, again, she walked the familiar route to the store, crossing the parking lot. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted something that looked like a mobile phone.
She turned back, approached, and picked it up from the ground.
Wow! she gasped. And its not even scratched!
She pressed the power button; miraculously the device lit up and the screen stayed unlocked. She sat on a bench near the shop and opened the contacts list. Most entries were company names ending in LLC or JSC, followed by surnames. Finally she saw Wife. She dialed it.
After a few rings, someone answered.
Hello, good afternoon! I found your husbands phone Alisa said calmly. How did you know who to call? It wasnt locked. Thats how I found it the girl explained. Okay, where are you now? Ill come get him. Sure, but dont look for anything else, okay? Alisa felt a sting of offense. Alright, alright. Im on my way.
She gave the address and hung up. As soon as the call ended, the phone vibrated. The screen displayed: Shnobel. Alisa laughed involuntarily, recalling a kindergarten boy with a huge nose whom her stepfather used to call Shnobel, the nosebug.
Hello she replied. Its my phone! Im calling through a friend. Oh, from Shnobel? Exactly! So you said your wife is coming? Shes almost here. Wait, whats your name? Alisa. Alright, Alisa. Dont give the phone away. Ill be there right away. Where can I find you?
Alisa began to explain, but was cut off.
I know where you are. I was there an hour ago; you probably dropped it when you got into the car. Wait!
The call ended. Alisa slipped the phone under her hoodie and waited. Soon a foreign red car pulled up and a beautiful woman stepped out. Alisa was momentarily paralyzed by admiration. The woman scanned the area and walked toward her.
Hi, are you the one who called me? No, she stepped aside, saying shed be back in a minute. How impatient! the woman muttered, irritated. Im in a hurry! A mocking male voice answered from behind them.
Turning, the woman saw a tall darkhaired man, his expression serious but with a playful glint.
Didnt you come for my card money? he continued. Are you sure you sprinted here because the phone wasnt locked? Well, well! he tried to joke, but it was clear hed hit a nerve.
He sat beside Alisa.
Hey! Thanks for finding my phone. Youre a decent girl. Tell your mother; she should be proud of you. I dont have a mother Alisa whispered, looking down.
She unzipped her hoodie, pulled the phone out. The man reached for it, then froze, his gaze fixed on the pendant around her neck: a small resincoated maple leaf with a ladybug at its base.
The womans face tightened as she saw his reaction. She closed her eyes as if trying to flee the memory, and when she opened them, every muscle seemed to protest what she saw.
Where did you get that pendant? she asked coldly, handling it delicately with two fingers. The touch caused her pain, and she quickly let the jewel go. Alisa jumped back, frightened.
My mother gave it to me when she was alive I have to go home.
She leapt from the bench and ran, but the man called after her:
Wait! Im Roman Maksimovich. How can I thank you? No need for anything. Goodbye.
Alisa walked away thinking, Why did he react so oddly to my pendant?
She recalled how her mother had placed it on her neck when she was five:
Foxling, may it bring you the same happiness it gave me. What kind of happiness? You, fool! Youre my happiness!
Anna had spun her daughter around the room, laughing and kissing her cheeks.
Alisa kept walking, unaware that Roman was trailing her at a respectful distance. He had sent his wife home and now felt an inexplicable pull toward the girl.
When Alisa passed a pair of elderly women sitting on a bench and entered the building, Roman approached them:
Good evening, excuse me. Could you tell me which apartment the girl who just entered lives in?
Who are you? one asked warily. I just wanted to return some money. A thousand slipped in the store and I couldnt give it back right away. Heres the receipt.
Ah, so its something else! the old women softened. Poor Aliska, with a stepfather like that He probably bothered her again today. Go up and give her the money.
They told him everything they knew about the girls family. Suddenly, the sound of broken dishes and a drunks scream rose from upstairs
Aliska, brat! Where are you hiding? the stepfathers hoarse, angry voice roared from the hallway. Ill break your ears!
Roman sprinted down the correct floor in seconds and began knocking. The door opened by itself. Dmitry stood in the doorway: gaunt, redeyed, smelling of alcohol.
Who are you? What do you want? he growled, eyeing Roman.
Roman said nothing, simply pushed the man aside and entered. Inside, he saw Alisa curled up in the corner of the sofa. She looked up and met his gaze, which was filled with tenderness. Without a word, he stood, took her hand, and headed for the exit.
Dmitry blocked them at the doorway.
Where are you going?! he tried to bark, but his voice cracked into a cough.
Roman calmly placed his palm on Dmitrys forehead, pressing lightly. Dmitry lost his balance and slid slowly to the floor.
Did you kill him? Alisa whispered, frightened, glancing at the motionless stepfather. What are you talking about? You cant kill a man that easily Roman smiled gently. Hell sleep and wake up. Did he hurt you?
Alisa shook her head. Dmitry wasnt a villain; he was a man unable to bear his own pain. Larisa, her mothers best friend, used to ask the same question.
Alisa, my girl she had said after the funeral. Heres my number. If he ever harasses you, call me immediately. Dont stay home a minute longer than necessary!
Later, Larisa herself visited often until one night Dmitry, drunk, caught her:
Trying to rent an apartment here? Well take care of it! Get out!
From then on, the woman waited for Alisa only outside.
Romans house and his wifes home impressed Alisa. It wasnt huge, but it had everything: light, comfort, a magazinemodel beauty. She had never seen anything like it.
Irina greeted them in casual clothes, yet even she seemed unattainably beautiful. Her voice was sweet, but her eyes lacked warmth.
Hello again she said, escorting Alisa to a room. This will be your temporary home.
The word temporary pierced Alisas heart. What next? An orphanage? she wondered, but she resolved to run at the first chance.
The room was larger than her previous apartment. It had a bed, a wardrobe, a dresser, a computer, a TV, and a fulllength mirror. Alisa sat on the windowsill looking out when someone knocked gently.
May I come in? Roman asked. Of course.
He entered, closed the door, and looked at her seriously.
I need to know more about your mother. What was her name? What did she do? Did she have friends? Anyone who remembers her well?
His face was focused, almost reverent. Alisa told him everything she knew and gave Larisas phone number. Roman listened, nodding occasionally. At one point she thought his eyes sparkled, but she dismissed it.
Thank you he said, ruffling her hair. Make yourself comfortable. Ill call when dinner is ready. Everything here is yours.
Alisa watched TV, explored the room, then wandered toward the kitchen, where she overheard a conversation between Roman and Irina. Irina was visibly upset.
Why did you bring her here? Do you think youre saving everyone? What if the stepfather calls the police? Come on! Were just helping a girl. You should see where she lives. No one can live there. The stepfather isnt her father. Are you sure you want to get involved? I dont want to, but Im already involved. I cant turn my back. Then make him pay for the phone and leave. Nothing else! Sometimes I wonder why I married you. Because Im smart, pretty, and practical. Someone has to think for both of us Irina replied coldly.
Roman simply shook his head and changed the subject to food.
Ill go feed Alisa.
Hearing her name, the girl rushed back to the room and sat in front of the TV, pretending shed been there all along. One thing was clear: Irina was not a friend. Alisa had to stay on guard.
After dinner, Alisa returned to her room and reflected. At home, she always knew what to expect from her stepfather. Here she felt like a stranger.
Meanwhile, Roman texted Larisa:
Larisa, its about Alisa and her mother. I need to talk. Half an hour at the café?
She replied quickly; they arranged to meet.
At the café, Roman recognized Larisa instantly: she sat by the window, her gaze calm and interested, not hostile.
Youre Larisa? Roman introduced himself, sliding into the seat.
She measured him with a memoryfilled smile.
Hello. How can I help?
He sat, nervous, and began:
Did you know Anna well? We were very close. Then Ill tell you a story. Tell me if you recognize it.
Larisa settled in to listen.
Eight years ago I met a girl love at first sight. I met her in a field where locals were gathering hay. I worked in an epoxyresin workshop, and she stood among the grass: tall, flexible, long hair. Her name was Anya.
I saw her every day. We walked, talked I didnt rush. When she decided, it happened.
Then she vanished. No one knew where. Maybe her parents took her, or she entered a monastery nonsense. Before she left, I gave her a pendant: a maple leaf Id found, sealed in resin, with a ladybug attached, on a cord. She was as happy as a child.
Today I saw that same pendant on Alisas neck. I know her mother is dead. But could she have a real father? Might it be worth finding him?
Roman waited for her reaction. Larisas expression changed, as if a sudden revelation illuminated her thoughts.
Ill tell you she began, taking his hand. Anya and I became friends after she married Dmitry and began raising little Alisa. We grew close, perhaps because we both felt lonely. She had a husband; I didnt.
One day she didnt go to her mothers birthday. Family members called and blamed her. Anya turned off her phone and came to me, sitting in the kitchen, crying.
They want me to smile! she said. But I cant. Mom ruined my life. Dad always spoiled her. I loved another man, an older, gentle one who visited almost daily. He gave me a pendant a maple leaf Id found
He showed it to me. I understood instantly: it was unique, made with soul.
Later I checked if Alisa was sleeping and continued:
He wanted us together, but I was afraid. Mom strongly opposed, saying he wasnt from our circle, just a village craftsman, nothing. To me he meant everything
When I learned I was pregnant with his child, I was ecstatic, almost crazy, Larisa continued. But when I told Mom, she raged. Dad will be furious! Your lover is a disgrace! Now a child a disaster! She forced me to abort. I refused.
She then suggested I marry the son of a wealthy familys friend, so no one would suspect the child wasnt hers. I didnt know how to resist, but I tried. I said Id find a way to tell them about our daughter.
If you do that, youll never see her again her mother warned. And if you marry Dmitry, hell adopt the girl. No one will ever know she isnt his. Her father is influential; everything can be arranged.
Anya returned home already married, a child in her arms, never mentioning Alisas father. I know she loved him until the end. Its a tragedy how fate treated her.
Larisa looked at Roman, waiting. The room was tense. She stayed still, as if something inside her was collapsing and rebuilding.
Wait she whispered, voice shaking. So is Alisa my daughter?!
At that moment Romans phone rang. The screen read Wife. He sighed, processed, and answered quickly:
What? How did she disappear? I took her out when that guy was shouting and chasing her for vodka! We dined, she watched TV and now shes gone?
Roman leapt up.
Maybe she just left? he asked, trying not to panic. I dont know but if she didnt come back to you, perhaps shes here, in my house. Larisa stood, determined, and told Roman to follow.
They hurried out. Larisa glanced around the parking lot.
Do you have a car? Yes, but walking might be faster.
She pulled him along. Minutes later they entered her building. On the landing, perched on the windowsill with legs dangling, was Alisa.
My girl! Larisa exclaimed, hugging her.
Alisa burst into tears, burying her face in her stomach.
Aunt Larisa, I dont know what to do!
Larisa gently stroked her head, whispering that everything would be okay, then led her into her apartment, the silence heavy. Only after stepping inside did Alisa notice Roman.
She looked at Larisa, puzzled. The woman simply nodded.
The three entered the cozy, cool hallway. Roman immediately saw that the woman lived alone; the place smelled of femininity, order, no trace of a man.
Larisa stayed silent. Whether to speak or not was her choice; Roman would decide whether to tell the truth. She only knew one thing: the girl deserved a real father.
Alisa Roman finally said, I have something important to tell you. Something that will change both our lives.
Are you going to send me to an orphanage anyway? The girls lips quivered, tears filling her eyes.
God, no! Larisa exclaimed, barely holding back emotion.
Roman gathered courage and said:
I am your father. Your real father. I didnt know you existed until I saw the pendant I gave your mother years ago.
Alisa froze. Larisa turned away, hiding her tears. The room was thick with tension, pain, and hope.
The phone rang again. The screen displayed Wife.
Did you find her? Irinas angry voice demanded. If so, hurry and bring her back. How dare she behave like that!
Irina Roman replied firmly, Alisa is my daughter. Choose your words carefully.
What? What are you talking about? Are you crazy? Drop everything and come home now!
Either tone it down or well learn to communicate another way he said coolly andAnd as the sunrise painted the sky, Alisa finally felt the warmth of a true family surrounding her, knowing she was finally home.
