For two days, Polinka stayed inside the house without heating. It was terribly cold, but the girl knew: this was her home, her own little corner where she was safe.
Mother left on Wednesday afternoon and told her daughter not to go outside. When Polinka went to bed, the stove was still warm, but by morning the house had grown cold. Mother was gone. The girl got out from under the blanket, put her feet into felt boots, and ran to the kitchen. Nothing had … Read more