A Physics Prodigy From Ukraine
27.
I was leaving for the airport in half an hour.
Mum had dismantled the bed.
And hidden the duvets.
I slept in the corner.
We were supposed to leave last week.
But there was a snow storm and the flights were cancelled.
Mum marched in.
Looked around.
“Ryan, where’s your suitcase?”
It was downstairs.
Spencer had taken it.
Oh.
Did I mention that?
‘Call-me-Spencer’ was coming.
To see me ‘settle in’.
I stood up.
Stretched.
The floor didn’t seem to be doing my joints much good.
Mum waited until I had cracked every bone, then spoke.
“Be completely ready in ten minutes.”
I nodded.
I was going to sit in the garden.
It had snowed again.
Last week’s snow looked brand new again.
It was early December.
And it was cold.
Mum had dismantled the bed.
And hidden the duvets.
I slept in the corner.
We were supposed to leave last week.
But there was a snow storm and the flights were cancelled.
Mum marched in.
Looked around.
“Ryan, where’s your suitcase?”
It was downstairs.
Spencer had taken it.
Oh.
Did I mention that?
‘Call-me-Spencer’ was coming.
To see me ‘settle in’.
I stood up.
Stretched.
The floor didn’t seem to be doing my joints much good.
Mum waited until I had cracked every bone, then spoke.
“Be completely ready in ten minutes.”
I nodded.
I was going to sit in the garden.
It had snowed again.
Last week’s snow looked brand new again.
It was early December.
And it was cold.