The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine

Mila brings Nadiya to Anna’s house. Olga stays with the girls until Anna finishes her lesson. Afterward, Olga feeds Nadiya while Anna talks to Mila in private. Mila explains the situation, but Anna insists she can’t help Nadiya or she’ll get in trouble with the police for breaking the law and helping a kulak. Mila bursts into tears, explaining that Papa won’t help Nadiya and she doesn’t know what to do. Finally, Anna agrees to let Nadiya spend the night until they figure out a better plan.

Mila gets home late, but Dasha doesn’t seem to notice. While Dasha finishes dinner, they talk about the upcoming May Day celebration. She and Katya are on a special committee for the holiday preparations, which Mila says kept her out later than usual. When Papa gets home, Mila doesn’t want to be around him but ends up asking him if there are bodies under the Besarabsky. He gets upset, insisting her classmates are spreading stories. Finally, Mila agrees to cuddle with Papa and hear his story about Maxim Gorky. While listening, she wishes things could return to how they were with Papa before Nadiya showed up.