Katerina and Mykhailo (Short Story)

The patchwork quilt of fields stretched endlessly ahead of Katerina, the landscape reminiscent of her beautiful Ukraine. The fading summer was softened by the amber hue of the setting sun and she had been drawn outside without a moment’s hesitation.

At first Katerina had watched the sunset alone. Only the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze intruded upon her thoughts. However with no more than memory for company, she was grateful when her husband had come to sit with her.

‘Will we ever go home Mykhailo?’ She asked quietly, nestling into his chest.

‘Maybe one day we will.’

She frowned. ‘You don’t sound so certain.’

‘Katerina, my love, the only thing I’m certain of is that we have to make this country our home now.’

‘But how can we do that? We don’t even speak the language.’

 ‘We will learn the language, and we will be fine.’

She sighed. ‘You make it sound so easy.’

‘I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but do you think this is this biggest challenge we’ve ever faced?’

‘No.’ she replied softly.

‘Well then, you’ve no reason to doubt us have you?’

‘But what if it’s all lies again?’

‘You worry too much.’ He teased.

‘But how can I not worry Mykhailo?’ She persisted. ‘We’ve been given promises before.’

            ‘It’s different this time.’  

She didn’t reply.

‘Katerina,’ he said wearily. ‘We had no choice but to leave Ukraine. We had no life. We were worked like dogs, and for what? To have the Russians take everything. They left us with nothing. They didn’t care if we starved to death.’

‘Mykhailo, don’t.’ She whispered, pained by his words.

He ignored her. ‘Have you forgotten how many of us died? Or that they are still dying today?’

‘No.’

‘So then, do you understand why we believed the promises?’

‘Of course I do. We had no choice.’

‘Yes, that’s right,’ he said gently, ‘and we went with the damn Nazi’s because we wanted to live. Believing their promises was not a mistake. That they lied and put us in those terrible camps was not our fault.’

‘I know.’

‘The moment we were thrown us into those trucks we knew that it was all lies. My God, they treated their cattle better.’ He spat. ‘And that’s why it’s so different this time.’ His voice softened. ‘No, it is not Ukraine, my love, but it is also not Germany. We eat every day for heaven’s sake.’ He laughed, throwing his hands up in the air.

As he lowered his arms he reached over a wiped away a solitary tear on Katerina’s cheek and then tenderly lifted her chin until their eyes met. ‘Katerina, for the first time in a long time, we are safe. We are free. Do you not see that we have everything we need here?’

‘I do.’ Her voice was barely a whisper. ‘It’s just that sometimes I wish we could go home.’

 ‘I do too, my love, I do too.’