Chapter 75

It was strange to walk through the silent environments of the Bratsk house and have no one waiting for me, except my mother. Ami had sent me a dozen emails asking me to give her details, and I had several messages from Mirko: one telling me that he had already found what I asked him to look for, others asking what time I would be home. He also sent me many kisses from him and Sasha.

That was it. I was willing to plop down anywhere and sleep for a day. My hair was standing on end, but the security of knowing that I was close to the children again helped me relax a little. I left my travel bag in the hall of the Bratsk house and took only the bag where I had the children’s gifts and my coat. I went to the kitchen when I heard her calm voice calling me. Mom was sitting next to the sturdy rustic wooden table, in pajamas and a bathrobe, crocheting something that still had no shape. The kitchen television was turned on at the minimum volume limit and the air smelled of meat, coffee,