He was walking through the a small village in Romania , his home. Sasha hadn't been to this village since he was eleven years old when he went to live and train at the Romania gymnastics training center and here he was; walking down the roads that he used to know by heart. Sasha was asked to come back home with his Mother to find her distant family. So far, they hadn't found anyone; they were forced to assume that they were dead.
Although it was upsetting to find out about his deceased family members, it was a great trip to remember some of what he had forgotten over the years. Sasha played with his wedding ring as he passed one of the old streets that he had lived on; Adrianna started to tell one of her infamous stories.
He thought about his wife back home in Colorado . Summer was staying at their new house and working at the gym while Sasha was gone; trying to keep herself busy; he assumed. She didn't like it when he was gone, but he had to make this trip with his mother before he got caught up in his massive schedule.
They came across a row of burned down houses and stopped to look around, looking for anyone they recognized. Sasha rounded a corner of the pile of rubble and spotted a little girl. She had to be no more than two years old. The girl had torn clothes and didn't have any shoes on. Suddenly, the little girl looked up at Sasha with wide eyes as she stepped backwards slowly.
"E în regulă, eu nu te voi răni" (It's alright, I won't hurt you.) Sasha bent down so that he was on her level. As she came closer, Sasha noticed the scars and bruises that covered her body. The girl's stomach was enlarged, caused by weeks and weeks of starvation. She had bright blue eyes that shined in the light, along with messy, curly brown hair. Sasha could tell that she had been abused and abandoned, he just had to help her. "Vino aici"(Come here.) Sasha tried to talk in the sweetest voice he could muster, as if he was talking to Summer when she was upset. When the little girl didn't respond, he rummaged through his bag and pulled out a chocolate granola bar. The girl's eyes sparkled like Sasha held the key to Heaven. "Poftim. Du-te, ia-o"(Here you go. Go on, take it.) Sasha held his hand out to her and the girl started to slowly come forward.
"Mulţumesc!", (Thank you) She whispered in the tiniest voice Sasha had ever heard and took two tiny steps backwards. Sasha noticed that the little one didn't have any shoes or coat; it was below freezing. Trying not to frighten the girl, Sasha slowly took of his massive coat and carefully put it around the girl's shoulders. She flinched at first but soon relaxed as the warmth reached her.
