I wake up to an incessant roar. Opening one eye, I watch Andrei fiddling with his toys in the living room, making these sounds on purpose, and looking in my direction. He looks at his mother differently. With love. It dismembers me into pieces.

- Hello, Andryusha.

I sit up on the couch and reach for my T-shirt and jeans. I pull on my clothes and yawn widely. I rub my face with my hand and take out my phone. I want to sleep wildly. What time is it now?

Are you playing dumb with me?

I slide down to the floor and sit down next to the wolf cub,...