Driving into the large, nearly empty prison parking lot, Nastya is roused by her brother Yuri , after they al had risen before dawn to make the usual two-and-a-half-hour drive to Litchfield prison.
Walking into the gray brick building, Nastya, Yuri, maxim and Vasily began over an hour of processing, paper work and searches.
"Do you have anything in your hair?" a prison guard states firmly, Nastya rolled her eyes as she began sized them up.
"Please pull out your pockets and turn around," the guard orders to the boys.
Yuri, Maxim and Vasily comply and finally Nastya, too, after some coaxing. They are then directed through a metal detector.
Nastya watches tensely as Vasily walks through the detector, Nastya not relaxing until he is through; a few visits ago he had set it off with his belt buckle.
Next, they are guided through a series of large metal doors. They soon find themselves in a small room, with tables that are completely empty , only noise is heard is the whirring of vending machines that are lining the wall.
They wait.
"I really hate thinking that mama is in this place" Nastya said as she glanced round at the empty and rather cold and bland visiting room.
" I hate this place I really do" Nastya said sighing.
" look will you shut up" Yuri snapped.
" mama doesn't need to hear this crap" Vasily said shifting in his chair.
" Shut up everyone"'Maxim said shaking his head as he glanced at Nastya who rolled her eyes, then Yuri who just looked away and Vasily clerked his throat.
Finally, a guard leads an inmate in who is wearing a beige jumpsuit. Nastya's face explodes with joy, Then Yuri and Vasily leap up and hugs the inmate or shall I say mother tight while Maxim just looks away.
"Mama!" They cry.
" My darlings" Red says in her thick Russian accent.
"it's so good to see you Mama" Nastya says hugging her mother tight.
"It's good to see you too Malyshka" Red said holding her daughter tight.
" Hey! That's enough" A guard snaps making Nastya jump and pull out of her mothers warm and familiar grasp.
" So, how you been mama" Yuri asked as they finally sit down.
" oh you know so so, any way how are my boys?, is everything alright?" Red says glancing at her three sons.
" we are good mama, everything is running smoothly" Yuri finally says speaking up properly for the first time since stepping into the hell hole.
" good good and your father?" Red says nodding
" papa is fine and regularly asks after you mama" Red smiles " tell him we will be together soon" Nastya smiles at her mother.
" boys go and get yourselves a bite to eat while I speak to Nastya" Red says firmly and the boys don't need telling twice.
" want anything Mama" Vasily asks his mother.
" No thanks son" Vasily nods and walks out to the vending machine.
" so...how's my baby girl doing?" Nastya looks down at her hands.
" I'm doing good I guess, I miss you mama" Nastya let the tears fall.
" oh...sh sh it's okay" Red reaches out and places her hand on top of Nastya's and gave it a squeeze " I miss you too" Red smiles.
" COME ON...NO TOUCHING RED" the guard yells and Red pulls her hand away from Nastya's .
" I hate it Mama I really hate it, they have a hold over us and they have a smug look on their faces all the time and I just can't take anymore of them barging in unannounced and taking over the place. Can't we just break free from this and start again" Nastya saying knowing full well they couldn't shake this off.
" I don't want you anywhere near any of that so stay away" Red sighed "anyway you know of all people know there is no way to break away from this and you'll just have to just suck it up" Nastya finally looked up at her mother " Thanks mama thanks a lot" Nastya folded her arms across her chest and looked away.
" everything alright?" Maxim asked as he and his brothers returned and sat back down.
"Boys I want you to take care of your sister and keep her out of the way from all this bull shit" Red snapped under her breath.
" we do our best mama but Nastya knows this is dangerous" Yuri said glancing at his sister who still wouldn't look at her mother or brothers.
" Okay visiting time is over" the guard yelled.
Red and the boys got up " it was good to see you mama" Yasily said hugging his mother and the other boys followed.
Nastya just stood and watched " your not going to say goodbye to your mama" Red said walking over to Nastya with her arms stretched out.
Nastya went straight into her mothers embrace and hugged her tight " I'm sorry mama, I love you and see you soon" Nastya said finally letting go.
Nastya didn't know that she would be seeing her mother a lot sooner than she thought.
Lasting Scars