July 30, 2006 - 7 days left.

You waited at the schoolyard like she asked. She'd frantically called you about...20?...25?...(not that it mattered)...minutes ago, completely distraught over how she was gonna have to move.

To be honest, you were distraught then, too.

At the opposite end, a few kids ran around kicking a soccer ball, their parents gleefully chatting at the side. On the road adjacent, a station wagon - a green, rusty number - sped past. Then, Marichka arrived - her eyes slightly red and her demeanor unlike her normal self, she sat beside you, scooting closer as she began to speak. "H-hey-" Her voice sounded fragile, as if it would break if subjected to the slightest pressure. "Sorry- I, uhm, know this is all on such short notice, I just- God, I don't even wanna think about anything right now-" ...she was trembling slightly now, hands shaking, skin slightly pale. She placed a small plastic bag on the space between you, rustling slightly in her hands. "I...got some snacks?..."