– «It’s too bad I wasn’t born, mommy», she muttered. From the Book of Destiny, that the Emperor of this Land keeps, we found out that I was meant to be your favorite daughter – I would inherit your unsurpassed gift of cooking. Our Jabot would be the winner of the World Beauty Contest, and then a really talented actress. We also read that Seth would have become a scientist, Brig and Step could have been marines, Case would take senator’s office, and Prize would devote his life to teaching children. You would never have felt sorry about our birth and we wouldn’t be much trouble so we could have been a great family».
Little Case who was meant to be a senator, added: «We know everything about you, Mommy, even what year each one of us was supposed to be born, and the reason of your unwillingness to have children. For example, I was supposed to be born in the time when you were quite ill, but I assure you that I would have been one healthy child and you could have got rid of your ailment once and for all. You preferred to go on a long tour to the birth of the twins, Brig and Step. Moreover, daddy even broke his leg during that trip. The girls were unwanted because of that fight of yours that nearly has grown into a divorce».
Ida still couldn’t make a sound. She could only sob gently and listen to what her might-have-been senator son said.
– «Seth was left in this land forever the year the earthquake occurred. You’ve been expecting more jolts and destruction instead of your son. As for Prize, your older son, the reason why he was never destined to see the light of day was a joke: you won a boat in the lottery and made up your mind to sail round the world. You’ve been preparing for it; you’ve dreamed about it and still, never made it. The boat spent a really long time in the shed, and was finally sold with a big discount as not wanted».
Ida looked at her first-unborn with grief. Prize hung his head. There was nothing left from his air of importance. His lower lip trembled. He was on the verge of tears. Sisters hurried to comfort him. Ida, watching this touching scene started to cry again: «My poor little babies! What have I lived my life for?»
Suddenly she felt a strong trembling inside. It was so hard that it seemed to her that she got into some deadly centrifuge. After another moment of trembling she… woke up. Her husband, standing beside her, shook her by the shoulder.
– «Wake up, darling. You’re all in tears. Why don’t we get inside, it’s so hot here now».
Ida was slowly coming to consciousness.
– «You must have had a bad dream. You better get over it quickly, because I have good news for you. Remember, we were downtown yesterday, and I bought some lottery tickets. And we won! Can you believe that? Come on, guess what it is.»
The woman rose herself a little bit on her elbows and looked at her husband. He was gleaming with happiness.
– «It’s a boat», she said confidently.
– «How on Earth did you know that? Why, you my sly little baby! Just imagine what a great life we’ll have. All right, let’s get inside».
After saying that, he headed for the house holding his hands behind his back as usual. Ida gently touched her stomach slightly tilting her head as if trying to hear some barely noticeable movements inside and whispered: «Of course I can imagine what a great life we’ll have. In any case, we are not going to have any time for some silly boat.
