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I found Mama carefully packing our belongings into a small wooden trunk.
“Anca, good morning, dearest.” We embraced. “You slept well?”
“Thank you, Mama, yes.” I had not, but saw no value in relating this fact.
“And Nicolae?”
I could answer more truthfully this time, so was more liberal with my response. “He slept very well, Mama. He has just awoken and is even now dressing in anticipation of our journey. He is so excited, Mama! Really, you should see his smile!”
Mama’s face beamed.
“And you, Mama? You have rested, I trust? You seem so cheerful this morning.” I did not relate I had seen her upset the previous night, but hoped she might allude to it, that I might ask further. But in this I was to be disappointed.
“We have had time enough to dwell on the past, Anca. Now we must embrace the future. Thus am I engaged, as you see.”
“Permit me to help you, Mama.”
Mama forced a laugh, gesturing to the half-full case. “That is hardly necessary, my child.”
A single glance assured me she was correct in her assertion, for almost everything we owned was now packed in readiness for our departure.
“Besides,” I heard her continue, “I have a special task for you.”
“Mama?”
“I want you to take Nicolae and go for a walk this morning.”
“A walk?” This was an unexpected request. I knew we had no money to spare, and the local vendors had long since ceased to provide us with credit.
“Around the town, Anca. To say goodbye, to your friends. To the town in which you were born.” Mama’s smile faded and her voice became choked.
She took my hand. “Perhaps to Papa’s grave, a final time? Anca, please understand, in all probability we will never return to Medgidia. At the very least, not before this evil war is over.”
She gestured once more to the trunk. “All our worldly possessions will be with us in this one valise, Anca. But far more important are our memories, for nothing and no-one can take those from us. Please, Anca, do as I ask. Take Nicolae with you and savour your home town a final time.”
I watched a tear roll down her cheek and knew protest was pointless.
Of course I must pay a final visit to Papa’s grave. Yet I could not bring myself to seek out friends as Mama suggested, for they had, with one exception, all turned against me. But then I thought of Raisa, and knew Mama was right. If even that friendship had soured recently, it was through events beyond control of either of us. It was wrong of me to hold Raisa responsible for her parents’ judgements.
“You will join us, of course?” It was a rhetorical question, for it was inconceivable that Mama would not wish to visit Papa’s grave a final time herself. Her answer was therefore all the more surprising.
“No, Anca, I must remain here.”
“But Mama, why?”
She hesitated briefly, as if unsure herself, then, “Our travel documents are to be delivered this morning.”
My surprised expression demanded further explanation.
“An officer came last night,” Mama said. “He will be calling this morning to bring them.”
“Last night? But...” My voice trailed. I had no recollection of such a visitor. It was not possible anyone had attended and I not be aware of the fact.
“After you had gone to bed, Anca. Very late.” Mama’s voice quavered and she fought to control it. “You were asleep, my child.”
My eyes searched hers and she looked away. I could only conclude there had been no visitors. But why would Mama fabricate such a story?
Confused, perhaps feeling betrayed, I let Mama continue with her fiction. All would be explained eventually, I was certain, and my mother would surely stand justified in her actions.