The Peace Offering

Stay Strong

~Odessa~

"Leaving?!" my head snapped towards the window at my mother's panicked voice. Who is she talking to? Who's she talking about? It can't be about me or they would've warned me. I rolled off of my bed and tiptoed down the stairs. "What do you mean she's leaving; she's supposed to be here for another two weeks?" Jack asked. "The Russians want her back, our hands are tied," a man explained. I've never seen this man before, but I know he's a government official. "I'm leaving already?" I asked. "Dessa," Jack sighed. I shook my head, "I'll go grab my things," I said. Mila and Livvie ran after me.

"You can't leave, you promised you'd teach me how to do a toe loop!" Livvie whined. "Yeah, and you told me you would help me with my double lutz," Mila added. "I'm sorry, girls, I don't have a choice," I whispered, throwing my clothes into my suitcase. "But my teacher said it's a free country," Livvie argued with a pouty lip. I held back tears as I took the small girl into my arms. "You listen to your teachers, Livvie, they're really smart," I advised her. Mila wrapped her arm around me. At ten years old, she had just recently learned about our family shame.

"Don't get in trouble, and don't talk back, and don't lose, and d-" "-I'll be careful, Mila, it'll be alright," I whispered. "You're going to do great things one day," I told her, "I know you don't think so, but trust me." She leaned her head in my chest. "I'm going to become President, that way I can order those commies to bring you back," She told me. I nodded, allowing her to keep her innocence. Once she let go, I stuffed my bag shut. "Livvie, go bring this to the nice man downstairs," I said. "Okay," she chirped, leaving me alone with Mila.

"I need you to listen closely because you're not going to like what you're about to hear," I warned, patting the spot on my bed. "What is it?" she asked. "I don't think I'll be coming home for a long time which means that you'll be the one in charge," I explained, "You'll need to watch out for Jack and Livvie don't let them get too upset. Don't let Jack beat himself off over it and please don't let Livvie forget me. I don't know when I'll be coming back, Mila; I don't know if they will ever let me come back. This might be the last time we ever see each other so I want you to know that I love you, I'm sorry that you're stuck in this mess, and I hope you'll forgive me someday." With those words, I pushed the girl out of my room and pulled on my gray military jumpsuit. I look like a prisoner; how ironic. "Let's go, Miss O'Callahan," the suit ordered. I nodded, trying to keep it together as I gave my family members one last hug. "Stay strong," Jack whispered as he kissed me on the head. They followed me to the street and watched me load my bags before hopping into the car and going on my way.

I tried to savor everything. My name is Odessa Maeve O'Callahan, I am Russian and Irish, and I live in Charlestown, Massachusetts. My name is Odessa Maeve O'Callahan, I am Russian and Irish, and I live in Charlestown, Massachusetts. MY NAME IS ODESSA MAEVE O'CALLAHAN, I AM RUSSIAN AND IRISH, AND-"STOP!" I shouted. The car slammed to a stop. "Miss O'Callahan, we've only been driving ten seconds, we really need to keep moving," The driver said. "I just need a minute," I said breathily as tears spilled from my cheeks. "You have twenty seconds," he folded, sympathy finally winning over. I rushed out of the car and ran straight to my house, taking it all in for the last time.

I couldn't say anything to my family, who was staring at me in both sympathy and surprise. This could be the last time I see them again. "Dessa?" Livvie asked. That was the last straw before I broke down, covering my face in a desperate attempt to hide my tears. Jack rushed over to me with his arms out, I jumped into them. "I can't do this, I can't leave," I cried. "It's okay, it's alright," he whispered. "We need to go," The government man said. I held Jack tighter. "You're going to see Kira, Sergei, and Marina, it's going to be okay," Jack whispered. I whimpered as he placed me back in the car. "Do you trust me?" He asked. I nodded my head. "Don't let them have your fear," he said, "if they have your fear, they have you, but if you stay strong then you'll survive." With those parting words the door closed and the car started back up. I looked out the window to see my brother staring blankly at the car. Jack's being brave, so can I.

I am Odessa Maeve O'Callahan from Charlestown, Massachusetts. I'm both Russian and Irish. My mother is Anastasia Ivanovna Petrova née O'Callahan, my father was Seamus Owen O'Callahan, and I have three siblings: John (Jack) O'Callahan, Emiliya Roan O'Callahan, and Olivia Tatyana O'Callahan. I'm a big sister, a little sister, a thirteen year old girl, and, most of all, I'm the world's youngest Olympic Medalist, and I can handle anything. I recite this mantra as we drive to the airport, as I go through the many security checkpoints, as I board the plane, and as the plane takes off. I am the youngest Olympic medalist and I can handle anything.

•••

"Убирайся!" (Get out) A soldier shouts as soon as the plane lands. There are only about ten people on it, but I'm the only one being surrounded by guards. I quickly grabbed my bag and allowed the strong man to drag me through the Russian airport. "Куда мы идем?" (Where are we going) I asked. None of the guards answered, they just ordered me to stop asking questions. This is Moscow, not Boston. In Moscow you are not a person, you don't have rights, and the government can do whatever they want as long as I remain alive.

I was shoved into a car for the second time that day and I didn't even have to ask where it would take me, I already knew. Instead I took in the scenery of government buildings and housing districts. The Brezhnevkas all looked the same to me, but I didn't mind. Staring at the buildings takes my mind off of my awaiting punishment. Unfortunately, peace doesn't last forever, and soon enough we arrived at the training facility.

"Молчи, это облегчит твое наказание," (Stay quiet, it will ease your punishment) a guard whispered as he pulled me out of the car. I didn't dare ask after my belongings, I'm already in enough trouble as it is. So I kept my head down and ignored the looks I was sent as I was pushed up to General Malekov's office. The soldier knocked twice before sending me into the room.

"Sit down," my coach ordered. This can't be good. When Coach Malekov speaks English, he's really mad. "I let you see your family out of the goodness of my heart and this is how you repay me?" He asked, "by lazing around like the common American, slacking off on your training, disobeying direct orders!" I shrank into myself. "I think it's clear that I can't trust you, that family of yours is a bad influence on you," he accused. He was trying to get under my skin and it was working. "Maybe we should take them out of the equation,""NO!" I shouted. He slapped me clean in the face. "Don't interrupt me, until you perform at my standards you won't speak another word to that family of yours," he said, sinisterly. I shook my head, rapidly. "Please," I tried. "Get out of my sight," he spat. Be brave. "No," I said defiantly. "GET OUT OF MY OFFICE BEFORE I GET THE WHIP!" He shouted. "I said no, you commie bastard!" I shouted. WHY DID I SAY THAT?!

I ran out of the room, but he ran after me. He grabbed me by my hair and dragged me through the hallway. No, please no. Without warning I was thrown into the closet and left alone in the dark. "I'm sorry!" I screamed. The door opened again, "You will be," he hissed before slamming the door shut again. Damned O'Callahan temper! I curled into a ball on the farthest corner from the wall. "You have to stay strong, Dessa," I whispered, "You can't let them have your fear or anger, you have to stay strong, like Jack."