LITMIR.BIZ

      Why was this meeting necessary… Marianna wondered later, it was necessary for some reason. Albert’s grandmother had dark hair, tied up at the back; her eyes were large and brown. She wasn’t as dark-skinned as Albert. Marianna kept trying to understand: does she resemble a gypsy or not, she wonders: what are Azerbaijani women like? The meeting was brief. The grandmother took Albert in her arms and examined him, but it was obvious she did not feel any kinship towards him, especially since Albert was still an uncircumcised infant and may not be Muslim. Then, as a sign of politeness, the grandmother drank wine from a crystal glass, refused to eat, and left. She said one thing: “He will be the same,” and nodded towards Borjka. Indeed, he is as dark-skinned as Borjka, but to say he is the same… that’s too much, since Borjka is quite plump.

      The Boy Grows Up

      At 4 months old, Albert still lies there, watching and not smiling.

      The nurse sits beside little Albert, massaging his legs. The nurse will come again tomorrow, and the day after…

      Albert presses his head hard against Marianna’s hand as she holds him, crying incessantly until he’s hoarse, and nothing helps.

      Albert has laryngitis: he has a fever and a barking cough. We manage to get to the nearest hospital in Semivetrinsk.

      They call for an air ambulance from Donetsk as Albert struggles to breathe, his wheezing audible. Two guys from the air ambulance bring Albert to me and say, “Say goodbye to your son!”

      I manage to say, “Albert! My son…” as the men take him away in the car to the ICU in Donetsk.

      He survived, and they discharged him.

      At 9 months old, Albert can sit a little, but he still topples over like a doll.

      At 1.5 years old, at a pediatric professor’s appointment:

      “You’ve accomplished a feat!” praised the professor. “Considering how he was born, you’ve done something incredible. The boy is walking now, slowly catching up in his development.”

      A Wolf Cub

      A little Albert dashes out the door and runs barefoot in the snow. Marianna hurries after him onto the porch:

      “Albert, where are you going? Come back!”

      Albert stomps through the snow and runs to the gate. His legs sink into the snow, wearing thin pants and no hat.

      “Come back, you’ll catch a cold…” Marianna pleads. After a brief run, Albert returns to the computer screen.

      “What are you watching?” Marianna asks, curious.

      “The movie ‘Teen Wolf,’ can’t you see?” Albert replies.

      “It’s about vampires, turn off this horror immediately,” Marianna says, grimacing.

      Nikolash

      Nikolash was born on St. Nicholas’ Day – December 19th. I wanted it to happen sooner and kept asking the doctor to speed up the delivery. But the young, beautiful doctor wouldn’t be persuaded. And on December 19th, she said:

      “It’s today!”

      Already on the stretcher, on our way to the operating room, I felt Nikolash arrive: this little warrior appeared to me like a heat in my belly, fire, an angel who came into my life.

      Vasilisa the Wise

      Vasilisa the Wise sat on a chair in a long plaid skirt, with one leg crossed over the other; her cheerful blonde curls hung down to her shoulders, and round glasses were visible on her face, with a straightened back. She was intently looking into a book with a thoughtful expression. This was Albert’s teacher. I was called in to discuss Albert’s academic performance.

      Vasilisa the Wise raised her head and tore herself away from the book, starting to talk about Albert. Her voice sounded smooth and melodious, as if Vasilisa the Wise were playing a part in a harp performance. After long and intelligent monologues, we decided that Albert needed a tutor for some subjects.

      Circumcised

      They said that Albert had phimosis. It required surgery. The surgery was to be performed by the best doctor, trained in England and Europe. That day, Marianna brought Albert to the department. Anesthesia was also necessary. Marianna was worried and waited in the corridor while the surgery was in progress. Finally, everything went well, and Albert was brought to the ward. Albert lifted his head, still half-awake from the anesthesia, and quickly came to his senses. Now he was circumcised. The doctor gave recommendations and sent us home.

      Later, when Marianna returned to this surgical department, she saw a photo of this doctor with a black ribbon. The doctor had died, likely having fulfilled his great mission.

      Women are More Resilient

      I don’t know how it all started… Maybe it was a message on Facebook, or perhaps the words of a stranger on the bus. Let’s start with the Facebook message.

      I received a message on Facebook. I knew for sure it was meant for me, I just felt it. It read:

      – The world is not what you think it is.

      I thought: it could mean anything, or nothing.

      And the stranger’s words were also meant for me. I got on the bus.

      I was carrying two huge bags. I struggled to get them on the bus and stood near the driver. As the bus started moving, I saw a stranger standing next to me. The young man just watched as I dealt with the heavy load and said: – Women are more resilient.

      Women are more resilient… echoed in my head.

      Bowling Club

      Bowling

Скачать книгу