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Soft Russian music plays on the radio, and I sigh lightly, leaning back into my seat. It’s easy to pretend this is a special visit, something new for me to see and experience, but I know that whatever experience Father wants me to have isn’t one I’ll want.
I see a sign for Rostov-on-Don, feeling a flush of warmth at being able to read the new words, different from any of the books my brothers taught me to read with. A moment later, we take a left away from the city. I turn to Father whose eyes are fixed on the road ahead.
“Alek lives outside the city, down this road a bit,” he tells me without turning. “I expect you to be on your best behavior, and listen to what he tells you to do, understand?”
Even though the words are light, the warning in his voice is clear. I give a nod and realize he won’t see it without looking at me.
“Yes, Daddy,” I reply, and he chuckles, leaning over to pat my thigh.
“Good girl.”
We pull up to an old gate a few minutes later, then Father gets out to push it aside so we can pass. The road up to the concrete house is dirt, and though it's obvious that it's well used, I see no other houses. It reminds me a lot of home, and a shiver runs up my spine.
Father gets out of the car and instructs me to stay put. I watch as he goes up to a man who looks to be about the same age as he is, standing at the door, wearing white. He smiles at Father, then they embrace, kissing cheeks as they chat. I narrow my eyes and try to figure out what they’re saying, but it’s no use. They look back to me in the car a few times before Father beckons me over with a hand.
With shaking limbs, I exit the car and approach the two men, a watery smile on my lips.
“Well, say hello to your Uncle Alek then,” Father bites at me as I turn to the man.
“Hello, sir,” I greet with a curtsey, as I’ve been taught. A hand smacks the back of my head.
“Didn’t I just say he was your uncle?”
I swallow. “Sorry, Uncle Alek.”
Father gives a nod, darkness in his eyes, but Alek’s eyes are soft as they take me in. He reaches out a hand to pull a lock of my hair free from behind my ear, a smile playing on his lips.
“It’s no problem,” he replies. “Such a pretty girl.”
Although my body wants to turn and run, I look down and don’t move.
“It won’t take more than twenty minutes or so,” Alek tells my father, his gaze still on me.
Father nods.
“Fine then. Go on, Galina. Remember what I told you.”
I nod at father then follow Alek into the house.
I’m surprised to see it's actually quite nice inside despite the decrepit concrete blocks that comprise the outside. It’s rather dark with no natural lighting, just the soft glow of a lamp in one corner giving a soft feel to what looks like some kind of sitting room.
The door closes behind me, and I jump a bit, turning to the man behind me who still has a gentle expression on his face. His hand comes up to touch my cheek again.
“So big day for you,” he tells me. “Are you excited?”
“I, umm, I’m not sure, sir,” I respond nervously.
He laughs. “No sir. Please, just call me Alek.”
I nod but don’t say anything else. Alek raises an eyebrow at me.
“Come, your father doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
I nod and follow behind him, wondering what this place is and what will take twenty minutes.
I don’t have to wonder for long since Alek leads me through the house, stopping briefly to push open a door at the very back. I feel my body freeze as I take in the room. I’ve seen rooms like this in movies and on television a few times, but I’ve never been in one.
“Come on,” Alek says as he steps in, pulling on a white coat of some kind.
