– Albert, I understand that we won’t be going on vacation this year, right?” Doris was upset by her husband’s silence about the vacation.
We discussed, discussed, where we were going, and here you are!
Doris was most upset that they would not go to the village on the outskirts of the city, where they had long been going. And Doris is very sorry about that. It is very beautiful there, there is a nice hotel with a big pool. But this is not the main thing. Doris and Albert have been dreaming of a child for a long time, but it did not work out.
It seems that they are both healthy, even checked. But still nothing. And they tell such stories about this village! My friend was there with her husband. They went to the local monastery in that village. They bathed in the consecrated spring with her husband.
And recently this friend called with joy – she was pregnant! So Doris was looking forward to this trip.
-“I have already arranged a vacation for two weeks, Albert, it’s a pity that we won’t go! It’s a shame to be alone at home…
-Darling, you understand, – Albert hugged his wife, – I can’t go now. Don’t be sad, I’ll hand in my work and we’ll go wherever you want, okay?
Doris nodded and finally smiled:
-Albert, of course it’s okay. You know, I was thinking, maybe I’ll go to Maria’s cottage, and then you can come to us on the weekend, huh? At least we’ll get away somehow. Maria has been calling us for a long time, it’s not far away. They have a lake and a forest right outside the gate.
Of course, it’s not very good that Maria will be with them on vacation. But it is ridiculous to be jealous of her. She is, of course, a good friend, but she has never had many suitors…
Albert shrugged his shoulders:
-I don’t know, if you want, go.
Maria was Doris’ best and only friend. Since high school. Albert did not really like her. She was not pretty, and very boring. Well, what kind of company can you have a rest in?
Maria lived with her parents in the center, in a luxurious apartment. She graduated from the Faculty of History, led excursions to the museums of the city. Her gray image was not very attractive…
Doris loved to visit Maria. Her cottage was unusual. Not newly renovated, as many people have now, but a real old cottage. It was close to the city. The plot is all covered with trees. And the house is just a miracle! The ceilings are high, plank. Antique chandeliers. You enter the house and forget about everything that is outside the threshold…
…The weather was beautiful this summer. All Thursday Doris lay in the hammock and read books. Then she and Maria ate delicious chicken noodles and drank tea with cherry jam and soft fresh white bread from the local bakery.
Albert called on Friday afternoon:
-Darling, are you waiting for me? Listen, do you mind if I take Alex, my partner, with me for company? Ask Maria. Do you mind? All right, we’ll be there soon.
Alex worked with Albert. He’s a weirdo, too. Such a big guy, he looks even overweight, and his thin curly hair makes him look a bit ridiculous. But Alex praised Albert for his work, the guy is hardworking and smart.
Alex promised to cook pilaf on Saturday. He and Albert brought a whole trunk of food. And in the morning everyone decided to just take a walk by the lake.
Doris and Albert sat down on the shore. The water was crystal clear.
-Shall we swim? – Alex suddenly suggested.
-No, the water is cold, – Doris shrugged her shoulders.
-And I will, – Maria suddenly supported Alex.
She went to the lake, threw her baggy sundress and glasses on the grass.
Doris looked at her friend and gasped! Her hair had blossomed. Doris was surprised – oh and friend!
What a figure she has! And the face with loose hair looked attractive:
-Catch up, – shouted Maria Alex.
He was not confused. He also unexpectedly turned out to have a good posture. He was muscular.
They were swimming against each other, laughing. Alex’s curls got wet.
-Look, just like in the movies, look, and Maria is beautiful! -Doris turned to Albert. Tell him to cut his hair, these shaggy locks do not suit him. And so – well, just handsome!
All day Maria and Alex were looking at each other. It was obvious that a spark flashed between them. What a surprise!
The atmosphere of romance enveloped Doris with Albert. Pine trees, a forest lake. Silence around them.
In the evening Alex played the guitar, everyone sang. Found an old kettle, picked berries cones. Then we drank fragrant tea, admiring the sun.
In the evening Doris also wanted to swim in the forest lake. She remembered the story about the miraculous bathing in the monastery. The water in the lake had warmed up and was warmer than the air. But the cold currents from below did not let her relax.
-It’s so quiet, Doris. Just you and me,” Albert whispered to her as they slowly walked out of the water holding hands.
They even stayed two more days at the cottage at Maria’s invitation. Alex and Albert took the weekend off, they agreed at work that if necessary, they would come right away. After all, it is very close to the city. None of them wanted to break this magical idyll.
Maria and Alex spent all the time together. And Doris and Albert also enjoyed the solitude.
The rest was a success. After two months, Albert finally passed the work and happily told Doris:
-Well, my dear, you have some days left from your vacation, right? Do you remember that you went to work early? Maybe we can go to the sea to relax? Or to that village on the outskirts, where the monastery is. Where do you want to go?
-Albert, first we’ve been invited to a wedding. Imagine, Maria and Alex are getting married! Alex hasn’t told you yet? And secondly,” Doris made a mysterious face, “Albert, you know, it was such an unusual trip back then. It seemed to me that it was a providence for all of us.
It was no accident that we were all there. And this forest lake. It fulfilled all our desires, I no longer want to go anywhere. Because soon we’re going to be mum and dad! We’re going to have a baby, finally! It’s a miracle, Albert, can you imagine?
Albert hugged Doris silently and they sat in silence for a long time. Just like then, on the shore of the lake.
-You know, that was my best vacation. At Maria’s cottage. A vacation for the four of us, but I hadn’t been so happy for a long time. I felt like it was just me and you. Just the two of us. I dissolved into you. I guess that’s what it was all about.
Life on the run, in a fuss, is not full, it cannot be fruitful and generous. Sometimes you need to stop to understand how lucky you are and enjoy it…
We are all lucky. And I am happy for Maria and Alex.
But most importantly, I am very happy that there are almost three of us!
