Nastya Is The Best Sister
“Ms. Rasputina? Your new roommate is here.” Nastya looks away from the window at the nurse, who has a hand on another child’s shoulder. They look about her age, ten. “This is-” “My name is Jonny.” “Nastya.” “I’m not nasty!” Natya laughs, “No, My name. It’s Nastya.” “Oh. Sorry.” “Don’t be.” “Your accent is… different.” “I’m from Russia.” “Oh. I’m from Texas.” “Where’s that?” “America.”
Nastya looks at all the machines around Jonny. “What are you here for?” “My heart is weird. It’s not a big deal but apparently I have to be here to monitor it or some shit.” “Language,” The nurse warns playfully as she writes down information from the monitor. “What about you?” “I can’t walk because I get dizzy. My blood doesn’t circitate-” “Circulate” “-regularly.”
“Anastasia, your parents cancelled the visit again.” Nastya sighs, “That’s okay.” Jonny furrows his brows, “No it’s not!! They’re your family, they should be here!” “It’s okay Jonny. They still pay for me to be here.” “But they haven’t been here in the near month that I’ve been here!” “Well where are your parents then?” Nastya snaps, and immediately regrets it. Jonny recoils. “They don’t care, they just wanted me somewhere they didn’t have to deal with me.” “Jonny… I’m sorry.” “S’fine.”
“Jonny… Your parents have stopped paying for your treatment. You have to be discharged soon.” Nastya watches Jonny’s face fill with anger, sadness, and fear. He didn’t want to go home. “Alyosha, Jonny will be staying. Give me a minute and someone will pay.” “Nastya you don’t have to-” “I want to.” She grabs her cell phone and dials the number. “Father. I would like a present. Yes it would make up for you cancelling the meeting. I would like you to pay for the treatment of my friend. Last name Vangelis. Thank you. Yes, I am happy now, very happy. Goodbye.”
“They would never pay for this and I can’t even come out without the risk of them kicking me out but I don’t want to ask other people for money, it feels pathetic! I’m trying to get a job but no one is hiring!” Jonny finishes his rant and Nastya smiles at him through the face time, “Jonny, I have to hang up but that shouldn’t be a problem much longer.” “No, Nastya, I know that sneaky smile!” “Oh, Jonny, you’re breaking up I can’t hear you, maybe I should ask my father for a new phone, let me call him-” She hangs up and calls her father. “My birthday was yesterday. No, it’s fine you missed it. I have a way you can make it up to me.” She types a question into her laptop. “I’m emailing you a doctor. I want you to make and pay for an appointment under the name Jonny d’Ville. Thank you.”
Nastya holds Jonny’s hand tightly, “I’ll be here when it’s over, okay?” Jonny smiles sleepily, “Thank you, Nastya.” “Of course, you’re my brother, I wouldn’t miss something like this.” When Jonny wakes up after the surgery, Nastya is there just as she promised, holding snacks. “Your chest is flat!” She cheers, handing him a snack cake. Jonny grins the biggest grin she’s ever seen on him. “They’re finally gone!” They bump their cakes together in cheers.
“Nastya. Nastya, they kicked me out.” Nastya slowly gets up. “Where are you now?” “Jack’s.” “I’ll be there soon, just stay where you are.” She takes a bus from her hotel to the One Eyed Jack’s Bar. She had a feeling this would happen. Why did she ever let him go home, fuck, that was so stupid. “Jonny?” “I’m here, Nastya.” He had tear streaks down his face. Nastya wipes them away, “I’m taking you back to my hotel room, okay? We’ll figure something out.”
“I got accepted!” Jonny dances around with the acceptance letter. Nastya smiles and joins in, bouncing, “We’re going to the same college! Oh, and Aurora said we can move in with her! This is perfect!” Jonny hugs his sister and pulls her into a little dance. She laughs at him and pokes between his ribs, “Dork.” “Ouch! Hey!” “Sorry, Cain instinct.” He pokes back. She punches his arm. The cycle continues through giggles.