Locket full of Secrets (25 page)

“Do skoroho,” Olena replied before finally hanging up.

“She is really nervous,” Gev sighed, setting the phone down and wrapping one arm around me. “Hodwell had to work so she doesn't have anyone to calm her down right now.”

“Between this and her wedding she is going to need sedatives or something,” I laughed, glad for once Olena was the one under more stress than I was.

“I forgot the food,” Gev said suddenly, jumping up from the couch and running to the kitchen. According to the clock on the wall we had only two minutes until the movie began. When he raced back seconds later I was happy to see a whole spread of snacks. He also placed a beer and glass of water on the table as well.

“No fair,” I frowned, knowing it would be months until I got to enjoy a beer again.

With a laugh, Gev wrapped his arms around me, resting one hand on my newly pregnant belly. Placing my hand on top of his I gave him a quick kiss before focusing my attention on the TV. Images of Chernobyl and Kiev were filling the screen, bringing back so many mixed emotions. So many important things in my life had happened there since my first visit. Eight years ago I was running for my life. Two years later I was finally reunited with Olena. And best of all, just two years after that Gev asked me to marry him. If my parents didn’t object so strongly, my wedding might have been in Ukraine as well. Instead, in just over a month, I would watch as Olena walked down the aisle and began the rest of her life with Hodwell. He insisted I call him Scott, but after all we had been through he would always just be Hodwell to me.

Leaning my head on Gev’s shoulder as I watched the TV, I could not help but smile. When I was first reunited with Olena in Perkins almost nine years ago I would not have guessed or wished for the life I was living. But now, I know I would never change a thing about it. There was sure to be backlash from the film, stresses once our baby was born, and a future that was never set in stone. But it was as close to perfect as I could get, or even wanted. Closing my eyes in hopes of keeping my tears at bay, I listened as Olena began telling the story of Uri and the photos he took that fateful day.

I wanted to thank you all so much taking the time to read this story. Since a young age I have been fascinated with the mystery and history behind Chernobyl. The idea of families having to leave their homes for good, with plans of coming home, was somehow intriguing to me even at a young age. Seeing commercials and hearing about the Children of Chernobyl, I was both scared and interested. As I got older I read books and watched documentaries to learn more. Now, as an adult, I took the time to imagine what it could be like if the information I heard was all a cover up. This fictional version of the events that occurred in Chernobyl are in no way my attempt at unveiling truth or stir up controversy. Instead I hope that by reading this people will have the desire I did. The desire to look into more about what Chernobyl did to the thousands of displaces people. The desire understand what the world can learn about safety in relation to nuclear energy. And also the desire to see the beauty is something so tragic. For years I have stared at the iconic photos of Pripyat and Chernobyl. They are as haunting as they are beautiful. One day I will visit and experience all Chernobyl has to offer. But, in the meantime, I hope you have enjoyed my imagined version of a story that I have been working on for so very long. Thank you again for reading.

-Dana Burkey

Dana Burkey graduated college in 2009 with a degree in theater and a minor in creative writing from Youngstown State University in Ohio. She is currently living in Washington State in a little cabin in the woods with her cat Cato. She works full time at a kids camp, and spends her free time doing community theater and adventuring in nature! She is the author of the YA contemporary romance series
Hearts to Follow
.

I would like to say a BIG thank you to Chernobylwel.com for allowing me to use their photos of Pripyat and Chernobyl as both inspiration and also for the back cover of this book. If you are considering taking a tour of Chernobyl, you can find out more information on their website at:

http://www.chernobylwel.com/

Do you want to own your very own locked like the one described in the book, and seen on the cover? Head over to AimeezArts on Etsy to order your copy now!

A big thanks to Aimee for permission to use her work in this book!