I was so proud of you
quietly drawing at the age of three
while other kids were running around
making it hard to hear.
It was a Russian Orthodox christening,
beautiful but long,
monks chanting and incense burning,
you drawing and drawing.
Then you told me you were done with your picture
and I walked you over to baby Anya’s mom
where you got everyone’s attention,
both of us basking in all the positive whispers
from the grandmas.
And then the first gasp
as I realized that you had carefully drawn
what only I knew was your favourite villain
from 101 Dalmatians.
Only you misspelled her name
and wrote in huge letters
cruel devil.
Suddenly the room was perfectly quiet except for you,
announcing you would make one
for everyone.