An Ugly Duckling

- Well, aunty, one day I will fly to America!

-Who? You? Where?

-To the United States of America!

- Ah, poor you! They say to dream is for free.... Unfortunately, you are an ugly duckling in our family and I’m not sure it’s even possible. No one of our relatives ever tried to go abroad. And why?

- My dear aunty, don’t you see, America is a beautiful country, there are beautiful houses with white cute fences around, porches where couples drink coffee or just sitting there in the morning because it’s warm outside.

- We also have a porch. Go sit there if you want.

- Hm, yes, we do but it’s cold outside and I have to put tights, socks, boots on, a warm sweater, a coat, a scarf, a hat. It is not even comfortable to sit in the cold and look at the grey sky.

- Well, I can’t help you then. You can keep dreaming but I’m afraid it will be only a dream!

- Ah, aunty only if I could to get there. Only if I could. I want to live there one day and become an American.

- You are totally crazy! You are born Russian, you can’t become an American! Nonsense! See, I told you already...you are an ugly duckling! You think differently than others! You want things nobody want! You are not ours!

- You may not believe me now, but when I grow up and get my passport I go there and the whole country will know me! You will see!

- Ok, ok. Now go wash your hands, it’s a lunch time and you need to eat because you weight like a feather!

With a big smile Joy ran to the sink to wash your hands and she was thinking how to grow up faster and possible to be able to get on the plane without parents!

Oh, parents... we totally forgot about them. Joy had an absolutely gorgeous and beautiful mother. Her beauty was extraordinary! Long blonde curly hair, kind grey eyes, straight nose, white teeth and elegant neck. She was not really tall but her figure was desirable for almost every man in the town! She was loved by many... She was a hard-working lady but also has many wickenesses like men and drinking! She grew up with a drinking mother and had no idea who her father was! So I had never met my grandpa...

She didn’t pay attention to Joy much knowing she is smart enough to figure everything by her own. She never kissed her good night. She never read for her. She never took her shopping. She never took her on vacations! She never even explained what a family is and Joy was growing up never discussing most important things with her mom or dad!

Dad was a hottie. He was a womanizer. This is how the grandma described him. He loved to be in a company of many ladies. He started to drink too much and too early for his age. And it became an addiction too soon. He was a carpenter and had very strong hands and arms. He was a master! Joy loved watching him work with his tools and all the furniture in their home and even doors were made by him. As a kid Joy was proud of him so much! But he caused too much pain, disappointment and terror to Joy through the years! He was absent!

So, the only joy for Joy was reading books at her grandma’s home and dreaming about America! It was taking away the pain, feeling of loneliness, that unbearable cold and deep darkness, and was giving her a tiny hope that one day.... one day her life will be brighter!