CHAPTER 2

Jana Petroff walked nervously along the school corridors. In fact, that was not her real name. She was called Yana, but here in the United States it was far easier to pose as Jana and saved her the explanations. After the fall of the Iron Curtain her parents had moved to the US in search of a new life, fleeing the misery and transition from communism in a small Eastern European country. At first it was difficult, and they did not know the language well, but over time things started to fall into place. Her parents had a stable income that allowed her to go to college and get integrated quickly into society with the more common name of Jana.

Then came university, science and... falling in love. Then came the child… and the problems. Little Valentina was a beautiful child but there was one drawback – she suffered from something incurable, namely an autoimmune disease. Her immune system was attacking her body and, without treatment, the fatal outcome was inevitable. The little girl’s life turned into an endless series of treatments, medications, prophylactics. She spent her childhood in hospitals and medical centers. But she was brave, albeit in her own childish way. She did not complain, knowing that it is what it is. She understood the harsh truth from an early age – for her there was no treatment. And she did her best to turn even the blood transfusion procedures into a game – her game! The doctors admired Val’s spirit and her endless little jokes that she made during treatment. Jana, however, could not accept that life could be so cruel to a child. She kept crying secretly at night, refusing to fight anymore. Jana wanted to look strong in front of the child, but the truth was that she was weak. She gave up years ago when she realized that there was no treatment. Jana recalled how many times she had been on the brink of madness and despair. Her life was put on hold, she lived only for Val, her anchor, the only one holding here. She had to hold herself together for Val’s sake.

The young woman was yanked from her reverie.

“Mrs. Petroff, I’m glad you could come so quickly.”

The headmistress stretched out her hand. But her face did not exude friendliness in the slightest.

“You know this cannot go on anymore, this is the third time this month! You do realize that it bothers both the teachers and the other children?”

“Yes, ma’am, I understand. But I must say that she does her procedures regularly and takes the prescribed medication. Doctors say that her condition is stabilized and such incidents should become rare.”

“Look, don’t think me heartless! Valentina is a wonderful and smart child, but this is unacceptable. If this continues, I will have no choice but to ask you to move her to a specialized school where she will be under medical supervision!”

“Please, you do not realize what she has gone through from a very early age! She will lose all her friends, her whole world! She was just starting to have a normal life!”

The headmistress dared not look at the mother’s eyes because she knew she would not have the courage to let an ’odd’ child stay at her school.

“I’m sorry! You have one month to prove that the situation is improving, that’s all I can do for you!”

Next Chapter: Chapter 3