Beautiful Dreams

Today seemed like a cloudy day; I drove through the countryside for hours. I wanted to start over and forget what happened, like yesterday never existed. It all seemed too heavy a burden to bear. I had lost touch with reality. Touch with who I was. I had to take care of a child. I could not leave everything behind and run away, yet I was tempted to. How could I move on after what happened? How would I take care of a child in my current situation?

Before I could worry more, luckily, I was offered sponsorship by a new company, “Izvestia.”

“Are we there yet, Mama?”

“No, Victor. We’re not there yet.”

“When will we arrive, Mama?”

“We will arrive when you’re quiet, son.”

After some time passed, I finally got a view of Moscow. Also known as the crown jewel of Mother Russia. We were almost there. We were so close; the sound of thunder ruptured through the sky, and rain poured all over the city, almost as if God was spitting on the city. My gut was trying to tell me that this might just have been my worst decision to date.

“Oh, mama, is this Moscow? It looks like a giant village to me,” Victor said with wonderment.

I wish I had his innocence. Victor’s innocence was enough to smile us through tough times. We had finally entered the city. I witnessed a stream of water that was truly a sight for sore eyes. Moscow was a whole different place to be in. Swarms of people could be seen on the streets selling bare items.

We paused at the signal and waited for the signal light to turn green. We knew the rules, and I didn’t want to bend any while having a young boy in my company. Children learn from actions, and I wanted to teach the little one the right thing, even if that meant waiting anxiously.

I heard someone knock on the window, and much to my surprise, my eyes landed on a skinny boy wearing soiled clothes that needed changing. The little boy wore a sleeveless shirt and pants that seemed as if they had been unwashed for some time. Compelled, I opened my window.

“Excuse me, Miss, would you like to try a Pepsi?” said the skinny boy.

Before I could utter a word, Victor spoke.

“I would like to have one!” spoke Victor.

“Okay. That would be three Rubles,” replied the boy.

“No, we don’t want it,” I interrupted.

“But Miss. It’s already been bought for.”

“Well, if you give those to me, I won’t pay you a single Ruble. Do you understand?”

“Miss, please. My family is in immense need of money. I beg you. If you could just buy one, I would be very grateful. I am desperate,” pleaded the boy.