Guardian of the Dream

He made some tea and started on a sandwich, staring blankly into space. Then he cast a look at the suit and his father’s voice sounded in his head,

«Well, you certainly don’t think that your concert is more important than my new job!?»

Denis tightened his jaw a bit.

You can’t stop the river…

«Breakfast is ready,» Lisa heard her mother’s voice.

The door opened and Lisa’s mom looked inside. She smiled at Lisa, but then she saw the map and her facial expression changed. She marched inside looking directly at Grandma.

«How many times have I asked you not to put this nonsense into her head!?»

Lisa stiffened. Grandma kept silent, observing her daughter’s office suit of a grey jacket and skirt, her loose hair of bright red, same as Lisa’s, her still young and pretty face. «Do you have any idea of how beautiful you are?» she thought.

«My suffering was not enough?» Mother went on. «Do you want others to point and laugh at Lisa as it was with me?»

Lisa felt tears. She was eager to forget the travelling. She only wished this fight to be over.

«You can’t stop the river,» Grandma’s voice was quiet, but firm.

«Believe me, I can,» Mother grabbed the map.

Lisa couldn’t bear the tension any longer. She ran from the room. Not being able to think clearly, she found herself in the kitchen, standing in front of a beautifully served breakfast, as she heard,

«Don’t you dare tell me what I did and didn’t have courage for! You know nothing about how I felt!»

Lisa ran from the kitchen and met her mother in the hallway.

«Mom, you made such a beautiful breakfast. Let us all calm down and eat together!»

«I am not calming down – this has gone too far!»

Grandma watched her with warmth,

«I know, it takes huge courage to be yourself. Lisa has this gift…»

«I forbid you to talk to your Grandma,» said mother abruptly, looking at Lisa.

Lisa couldn’t say a word, she couldn’t even breathe.

«Why are you taking away her dream?»

«Those are only your fantasies! And I,» Mother took the coat. «I just want to protect her.»

«Her or yourself?»

Mother didn’t answer. She took her purse and went out.

«Don’t worry sweetheart… just give it some time…» Lisa heard Granny’s voice through tears.

I care

«Heeey!» somebody shook Lisa by the shoulder.

Lisa raised her head, trying to come to grips with the reality and saw Sveta’s face. Her little friend was concerned,

«What happened?»

Lisa looked around. She sat at the kitchen table. Did she fall asleep? She remembered the fight and frowned, «It’s all my fault’, she thought and sighed.

«Mmm… it looks delicious!» Sveta poured some tea in Lisa’s cup. «Here you go!» she put a pancake and some jam onto Lisa’s plate. «So! Are we celebrating Masleniza?»

«Don’t think so…»

«But your Grandma said it was important to celebrate, remember?!»

«Who cares about this anyway…?»

«I do! I care!»

Lisa smiled and hugged her friend. Sveta lightened up,

«Hey, I dreamt of him again!»

«Who… Guardian?»

«Yeah, he said the time had come……. He actually mentioned celebration.»

«What did he say… he’d show up at Masleniza?»

Sveta’s little face got concentrated,

«I am not sure if that was exactly what he said… maybe!»

Thousands of thoughts rushed through Lisa’s head, as she sipped her tea.

Depression

Denis looked at the mirror, while styling his longish hair. Beautiful face, elegant clothing, slim pants and stylish sweater. He knew how popular he was at school. Maybe because of his awesome parties, or because he was really handsome, or maybe because he wouldn’t care.

Denis looked into his own green eyes without enthusiasm and fell on the bed. «Should I skip school?» He raised himself up and sat on the bed. He looked at the box of pills. Slowly he took the box and poured them out on his palm. For some time, he looked at pills, then put them back into the box. On with the headphones, he grabbed his bag and went out.

Denis was late, as always. When he entered the classroom, the discussion was on. The teacher had just asked Lisa what the author aimed to express with his masterpiece, «Eugene Onegin’.

«I can’t be sure of what Pushkin meant to say. But… I wonder why handsome, rich Onegin, he who had all this success… Why was he depressed?»

Walking up to his place, Denis looked at Lisa with interest. He had never noticed her before. Girls were trying to make eye contact with him, but he wouldn’t bother to pay attention. He sat down.