As Natalia and I worked to build the boat she had envisioned in her head, I said, "You're right, these are some good Legos."
Natalia nodded. "I've got good ones at home. Uncle Nikolai buys them for me all the time. They’re better than the ones at Dr. Meanie’s."
"Dr. Meanie?”
“I’m not supposed to call him that even though that’s what he is,” the little girl confided. "He makes Maks cry. I don’t like it so I always play with the Legos."
Her statement was further proof that this wasn’t the first time the little boy’s health had been an issue. I wasn't about to question the little girl about her brother's condition, though, so I focused on helping Natalia build what turned out to be an elaborate cruise ship.
“We’re going to go on one of these someday. Uncle Nikolai said so,” Natalia declared.
I ended up losing track of time as Natalia and I constructed the ship. I was impressed with the girl’s imagination and actually enjoyed listening to her as she talked about everything and anything. When a hand settled on my shoulder, I jumped in surprise because I'd forgotten all about the fact that we were in a crowded room. I looked up to see Nikolai standing over me. As I scrambled to my feet, Nikolai’s strong fingers wrapped around my elbow to support me.
"Is Maks okay?" I asked.
Nikolai nodded and then said to Natalia, "Nattie, Jude and I are going to talk outside. Can you hang here for a few minutes?"
Natalia nodded and then lifted her eyes and said, “Look, Uncle Nikolai! Jude made it,” as she pointed to the ship.
“We made it,” I corrected.
“Now it looks real,” she declared as she began pointing out specific parts of the ship where I’d given her ideas on how to build it out more.
“It looks great,” Nikolai said. His dark eyes moved between me and his niece. I shifted uncomfortably because I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“You wanted to talk to me?” I reminded him.
Nikolai nodded and then led me out of the room. He found a relatively quiet spot in the hallway just outside the playroom that gave us some privacy but still allowed him to keep an eye on Natalia.
Nikolai looked completely worn out. It was all I could do not to reach out and touch him. What I really wanted to do was pull him into my arms and tell him that everything would be okay.
"Maks is awake and talking," Nikolai began. "They've got his fever under control. They’re doing tests to see if they can figure out what caused it."
"Do they have any ideas?" I asked.
Nikolai shook his head, but he did it slowly, so I wasn't sure that he was actually answering me with a no. "They think… they think it might be…" Nikolai's voice cracked as he tried to get out whatever it was he was saying. I gave in to my need to touch him and reached my hand out so I could settle it on his upper arm. His skin still felt cold.
"Cancer," Nikolai blurted. "They think it could be fucking cancer," he choked out.
"Nikolai,” I said with a shake of my head because I didn't know what else to say. What could I say? It would be a devastating diagnosis. I hadn't even met the little boy and my heart was already breaking for him, for the entire family.
I forgot about the fact that I was only Nikolai's job and stepped forward so I could put my arms around him. I expected him to resist or keep his body stiff, but to my surprise, he sank against me as his arms curled around my back. His big hands clutched me as if he were afraid to let me go. I felt the warmth of his lips against my neck as he buried his face against me.
"He'll be okay," I whispered. "He'll be okay, Nikolai."
I was certain I felt some dampness against my skin as Nikolai held on to me. That fact was confirmed a few seconds later when he lifted his head and released me so he could wipe at his face.
"What now?" I asked.
"They're keeping Maks for a few days for observation. Oncology will come down to see him and start doing tests. My sister's going to stay with him and my folks are gonna take Nattie home."
Nikolai turned and leaned back against the wall. He took in a few deep breaths and then