Chapter 2 of Katskin

Chapter 2....... 

Robber Barons

In 1878 Ivan Volkova, a Russian immigrant finds his wealth in steel. Ivan along with many others who find their wealth in the oil and steel industry, through ruthless deals, were called robber barons. Ivan is now one of the respectfully wealthy, living on a two hundred acre lot, with a grand Victorian mansion, in Dutchess County, New York.  His wife Stephanie Johnson-Volkova, suffered complications through out her pregnancy, and through the birth of their first child, which ends in her death. 

Stephanie is thought to be the most beautiful woman in the world, by her husband. And every night he would let her know how beautiful she was to him. Ivan will not accept her death, and her funeral is unbearable for him. Losing his wife hits him deeper than he has expected. He refuses to even look upon his newborn child, or know the sex. In his heart he curses the birth of his first-born child for taking the life of his one true love.

The funeral is held the very next day, it rains throughout the day, so the nannies caring for the infant thought it best to keep the newborn at home in the mansion, and Ivan is relieved to not have to see or hear the cries of his own child. That evening after the funeral one of the maids who also helps to look after the newborn asks Ivan if he will like to see and hold his child, and most importantly name his child.

Ivan instantly grows angry cursing her for asking such a thing. None of his servants will ever mention anything about his child. The head butler Aldwin, finds it best if the child is moved to the opposite end of the mansion, until Ivan is feeling better, and ready to see his child. Being the manager of the mansion, the butler names Ivan's child.

Aldwin holds the baby in his arms. He along with all the servants stand in the mansion's kitchen. All of them has already fallen in love with the new baby. Stephanie has given birth to a girl, she has her mother's blue eyes and although her head appears to be bald, you can still see traces of bright blonde hair emerging boldly.

"What will we name her Aldwin?" Lavina, the head nanny for the baby asks.

"Holding her is like standing in the middle of the garden in June," he says with a smile. " She will be named Summer."

"Summer," everyone chimes in with  hushed cheers.

"Yes, Summer is a fine name Aldwin." Lavina says as she gently took the baby from him. "It is time for her feeding and then off to bed," Lavina said swaddling the infant. She plants a kiss on her small forehead and leaves the kitchen.