The Pandora's Box, Part 2

[svetlanacat6]

 

“Mama...?”

 

“Yes, Sacha?”

 

“I ... would like.... Yesterday.... You remember, mum, the box?”

 

 

“Yes, dear, I do. But your daddy opened it for you, and he showed you its contents. And... I think you talked a little late, both of you, didn't you? Sasha? What are you worrying about?”

 

'I think... I shouldn't have asked, mama.'

 

“Sasha? What's the matter? Dear, come here. Tell me, what happens?”

 

“I ... I wanted to know, mum. There were plenty of things in the box. But it made him sad, really sad. I saw him... and I heard his voice.”

 

“Memories, Sasha... Just memories... Listen to me. Last month, you had a wonderful day at the Museum...”

 

“Oh, yes, mum, it was extraordinary!”

 

“And it's a very pleasant memory.”

 

“Of course, mama...”

 

“And you kept your billet, with the Solar System... didn't you?”

 

“Yes...”

 

“And when you look at it, you remember the wonderful day, you remember your pleasure, but however, you heart misses a beat, because that's all in the past.”

 

“Yes...”

 

“That's what memories are made of, Sasha. The remembrance of the good times, and the feeling of their loss. Oh, boy, it's a little difficult, for you.”

 

“No, mum, no, I understand that. But I also know that I 'll go back to the Museum! I'll show all the planets to Tonya, and it will be great, mama ! It won't be the same, of course, but it will be great... So...”

 

“Yes, Sasha?”

 

“Papa misses a friend... Mum, there is a photo, in the box, and it made him really sad. So, why doesn't he look for him?”

 

“Sasha...”

 

“Mama... have you seen the photo? Do... Did you know this man?”

 

“Yes, Sasha. Yes, I have seen the photo, and yes, I knew this man. I want to tell you something, dear. I hope you'll have a friend like him, one day. You smile?”

 

“Yes. Papa told me the same, and also that Tonya was named from him...Who is he?”

 

“Sasha...”

 

“Please, mama...”

 

“He was your father's best friend, Sasha. No, he was more than a friend. A brother. A sibling. Family... Your dad came here from Russia to work in an ... official organisation...”

 

“It sounds like ... James Bond, mum.”

 

“Not really, Sasha.”

 

“I am not sure that I really understand this story, mama... What sort of organisation? Why did a Russian come to work here? And what was their job?”

 

“Sasha... It's complicated.”

 

“And it doesn't really matter... where is... what's his name, mum? Anthony? Why are you laughing?”

 

“Napoleon, Sasha.”

 

“Napol... eon ? That's his name?”

 

“Yes, Sasha. Napoleon Anthony S... I.. we don't know anything about him. Where he lives...”

 

“Why, mama ? If Tonya and I were to be parted, I would look for her!”

 

“Some things are simple for young boys. Some others aren't for grown-up men, Sasha. Illya... your father had to leave his job. ..”

 

“And that's all ? Just because daddy didn't work anymore with Napoleon, they couldn't be friends any longer? That's... stupid, mama.”

 

“Sasha...”

 

“You know what? I'll look for Napoleon, mama. Will you help me? You... laugh? Are you mocking at me?”

 

“No, dear, no, Sasha. It's just... you know, you're undoubtedly Illya's son. I'll share a secret with you: Napoleon often called your father “Stubborn Russian”...”

 

“It's not very kind...”

 

“In Napoleon's mouth, it was. And, young man, I've never told you that.”

 

“You didn't answer, mama: will you help me?”

***

 

“Illya, love...”

 

“Yes, Ell?”

 

“Your son...”

 

“My son? Oh, when he is my son, I fear the worst...”

 

“Your son loves his father. Your son is worrying about you, Illya. You have to know that he decided to... look for Napoleon. And to find him, of course... And I am afraid that he's as stubborn as his father...”

 

“He told me that, yesterday, Ell. He... fancies that Napoleon could have a little girl, as Tonya, a boy, like him. Oh, he also expects that they might have... cats. He has his mother's ... imagination, love.”

 

“And?”

 

“And what?”

 

“About Napoleon?”

 

“Sasha is a little boy... He'll forget...”