Angelica’s Distant Childhood

Angelica’s thread follows the emotional gap created by early separation and the modest opportunities for reconnection that emerge later.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Daughter Taken Away

A Daughter Taken Away A young child leaves Vitalina leaves Little Starhorodivka with Angelica after the marriage deteriorates. Sergeyich later recognizes that his daughter was too young to form a strong bond with him before she went. An absence made permanent Years pass without ordinary father-daughter routines. Sergeyich’s memories center more readily on Vitalina, and he wonders whether his own behavior helped create the distance.

A Name in Handwriting

A Name in Handwriting A daughter’s signature On a recent card, Angelica has written her own name rather than having Vitalina sign for her. Sergeyich studies the letters, looking for similarities between mother and daughter. Kinship through small traces The handwriting offers him a concrete sign of connection where shared daily life is absent. He begins to imagine the divided family as two parts that might someday be joined again.

News of a Boyfriend

News of a Boyfriend A father hears ordinary news Vitalina tells Sergeyich that Angelica has a boyfriend ten years older than she is. He advises her to investigate whether the young man is married, awkwardly taking up the role of a concerned father. A connection still forming The advice is limited, but the conversation makes Angelica part of their shared present rather than only a memory. Sergeyich asks Vitalina to pass on his greeting and tell their daughter to listen to her.

when Angelica is four

early March, after the delayed cards arrive

during the summer call from Crimea