– Hello? Who is this?
– Excuse me, are you Kate?
– Well, Kate. And who are you?
– Kate, and I’m Emma.
– Emma who?
– I’m Emma. An acquaintance of your father…
Kate blushed with indignation.
– How dare you call here? You!! You!..
– Don’t worry, Kate. I’m not calling to quarrel with you. Just listen to me. Please.
Kate was so shocked and outraged that this… she could not find the words. She was silent, and Emma must have taken that silence as an agreement to listen to her.
– Kate, I’m calling on my own. That means your father doesn’t know I’m doing it. You see, he’s too weak. Seriously. Kate, please come. I’m begging you. Kate…
Kate listened to the woman crying on the phone and remembered her father. Strong arms that picked her up when she ran towards him. Cheerful gray eyes, straw mustache. Loud “professional” voice, like an actor.
Caramels that were always in his pocket. Bedtime stories that he never told the same way. This fabulous series lasted for many years. Until one day, his crying mother said:
– That’s it. You don’t have a daddy anymore.
– Mom? What do you mean?
– Your father traded us for a young girl. He doesn’t need us anymore.
– Sarah! Think about what you’re saying! She’s just a child!
Grandma. She looks at her daughter and granddaughter with pity. But also with some gloating, like: “I told you so!”
– Well, let the child immediately know that her father left her!
– Well, he did not leave her. Rather – you. And I warned you: not your field! When you married him, it was immediately clear.
– Mom, don’t you start!
Mom was crying. Grandma was saying something, calming her down. Then they opened the champagne. Mom was crying again. And seven-year-old Kate looked at it and thought:
– What do you mean, no dad? Where did he go?
And dad “went” to the capital. Dad worked in their town at a good job, mom was proud of him. And then he met a businessman from Kyiv who offered him a job in the capital. He said that he needed just such a specialist. Dad was extremely happy that evening. He said that now life would be completely different. They will have an apartment in the capital, an expensive car and beautiful clothes from boutiques.
But first, Dad would go alone. Because there was no apartment yet. And he left. At first he called several times a day. Then once a day. Then once a week. And then he stopped calling altogether…
And then there were these words about some girl. Kate tried several times to find out who it was.
Her mother would get upset and say:
– This is a very bad woman who took my dad away…
As Kate grew up, she realized who it was. And she decided for herself that this strange girl was to blame for all the misfortunes of her family. They never talked about her father. Her mother categorically forbade it. She simply crossed him out of her life. And for almost 10 years Kate tried not to think or remember her father. Until this call…
– So what do you want?
– Kate, come here. I’m begging you.
– Why? Dad never came, never called.
– Kate, please.
Kate spent the whole day worrying. She thought: how to tell her mother? But she had to tell her. Or not to tell her? And just forget this call? And then those father’s eyes appeared in her memory. Why did it happen that they did not see each other for so long? Kate managed to convince herself that neither she nor her mother needed him. After all, he didn’t need her. Otherwise he would have at least called!
Without deciding anything, the girl set the table for dinner. Finally, the front door slammed.
– Kate? What’s gotten into you? You made dinner…
– Yeah, I felt like it. Sit down, it’s getting cold. Are you tired?
– Very tired. My legs are killing me. What about you? How are you?
– I’m fine. Mom, can I ask you a question?
– Sure.
– Mom, can you tell me, did Dad call you? At least once?
Sarah pushed her plate away.
– What are you doing? Why do you remember?
– Mom, it’s important to me. Dad never came home or called?
– He called. He came to visit a few times. He wanted to see you. But I wouldn’t let him. And now I wonder if I was right. My pride robbed you of your father.
. – Mom, don’t.
– Yes, I do. I was young. I didn’t know what I was doing. I wanted to hurt him. And in the end, I hurt you.
– Mom, do you think if I went to see him…
– I think it would be a good idea. After all, he is your father.
The apron of the capital. Kate pulled out her bag and stood in a stupor: where is this Emma?
– Kate?
The girl turned to the voice. It was a woman. Not young. And not a model appearance at all. Emma must have sent someone to meet her.
– Hello, Kate. I’m Emma.
– You are?
– What, not what you expected?” the woman suddenly laughed. And her face changed surprisingly. Small wrinkles around her eyes became visible, but it made them somehow deeper, and there was a real joy of seeing her – Kate.
– “It’s so good that you came! It’s just real happiness! Is it okay that I’m on a first name basis? You can call me “you” too, okay? And just – Emma!
She said something else, taking Kate with her. And the girl thought:
– Is that why Dad fell out of love with Mom? She somehow did not look like the “young beautiful girl” Kate imagined her to be.
– Here comes the car. Get in, hurry.
Emma opened the door of the small car and put her bag in the trunk.
– Come on, let’s go!
All the way Emma talked about the city. It turned out that she worked as a guide and knew almost everything about the capital. Kate just listened. She liked the woman more and more. She liked her voice, infectious laughter, humor.
– And here is our house.
The house was ordinary. Not elite, not a new building. Just like the ones in Kate’s town. And the yard was the same. The feeling that she had never left the house overwhelmed the girl.
– Kate, before we go in, I must say. Your father’s changed a lot. Please don’t show it. Try to react more calmly to… to everything,” Emma couldn’t find the words.
Kate nodded:
– Okay.
They went up the stairs. Emma opened the apartment:
– Ben, here we are!
Kate entered the room. There was a bed, some jars and pills on the bedside table. And on the table there were photos, and in front – her mother? Kate remembered this picture. There is her mother against the background of a snowy Christmas tree, laughing, her head thrown back. And her eyes are so bright and cheerful. But why is this photo openly on the table? And does Emma allow it? And what is this? Kate’s photo. And it’s a recent one. Practically from last year. From where?
– Dad.
– Daughter! It can’t be! I missed you so much. How you’ve grown! All grown up!
Dad was saying something. And Kate was looking at him, older, thinner. Where did his luxurious hair go? And the mustache became somehow thinner. Thin transparent hands. Only his voice remained the same: loud, strong.
– Are you coming for long? Are you going to stay with us?” and he fell silent, looking anxiously into his daughter’s eyes.
– Yes, dad, I will stay for a week. And then the holidays will be over. I have the last quarter.
– And then where? Maybe back to our place? Why, you’ll study, you have a place to live.
– I’ll think about it.
Then it was evening. We had a nice dinner. Dad laughed a lot, told stories. But Kate could see how weak he was. How hard it was for him to sit up straight. Eventually he gave up and moved to the sofa.
Emma put the tea on the table in front of him. And the three of them sat there. Dad talked a lot about Kate’s childhood. And constantly talked about… mom. At first, Kate found it very strange to hear. Until Emma said:
– “Kate, you must misunderstand. I’m not the woman who made your parents divorce. I’m his friend. His assistant, so to speak.
After that Kate felt much freer.
She slept in Emma’s room, on the couch. Soft, fresh linen smelled of something very pleasant. It seemed to Kate that she would fall asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. But it did not happen. She tossed and turned, peering at the rays passing outside the window and listening to Emma’s steady breathing.
– You awake?
The woman’s voice took her by surprise.
– I’m awake.
– What are you thinking about?
– Dad. Why did he do that to Mom? I mean, there’s a picture of her right there. So he didn’t forget…
Emma sat up on her bed.
– Oh, Kate, human life is such a complicated thing… You don’t ask how it happened that your father lives in a simple apartment with a strange aunt…
– Why strange? I think you’re very nice.
– The story is not very good. When Ben arrived in the capital, his workplace didn’t like him.
– How do you know?
– I worked in that firm too. The work was very good, but they were falsifying documents in the management. Only I was smart enough to leave in time. So I changed my profession. And you know, I don’t regret it at all.
Well, about your father. When the director brought him back from the province, the office was outraged:
– “How come? That we do not have our own specialists?
It was hard for him, while he was making his way. But your father’s character is iron. And there is nothing to say about his mind. That’s why one of the director’s daughters clung to him. She herself – she only made her way at the expense of her father. So she thought that such a man would also support her. And with a double serve she will go far.
And dad… Well, a man, what can you say. She is very beautiful. You can’t take that away from her. And now he’s in trouble. I don’t know how and what he had with your mother. He never told me about it, and I never asked. But apparently they got along, and he got a divorce. And married that woman.
Everything was fine for 5 years. And then Ben got weak. And this was not at all in the plans of the young wife. So she threw your father out of the door. The apartment was bought in her name. Your father is a very naive man in life. I tried to persuade him to sue. After all, the marriage was legal, we lived together. It was easy to prove that the property was joint. But Ben was completely undermined by her meanness.
– Emma, how did you end up with Dad?
– I just did. We were in the hospital together. Thank God, nothing was confirmed for me. But Ben… Well, I took him to my place after discharge. We live together, keep each other warm. I have no one. I never married, never gave birth to children. So, he is my roommate, friend and relative.
And I called you because I saw how bored and worried he was. You’re not angry?
– Of course not! I’m not angry at all. On the contrary, I’m grateful to you for the opportunity to talk to Dad. And maybe say goodbye,” Kate sobbed.
– Oh, please, Kate, don’t. This is, unfortunately, life. And, you know, Ben really wants to visit his homeland. Finally… And to stay there… And without your help it will be problematic for me to do it… Do you think mom will be able to forgive him?
– She already has! She let me come to you. She thought you were his wife. She let me go anyway.
– That’s good. Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow’s the hardest day. I have to contact my mother. I need to find a place to live in your city. And I’ll take care of Ben’s transportation.
– No way! He’ll live with us!
– Oh, Kate. We can’t solve this without your mother.
Sarah hung up the phone and stared out the window. It was the beginning of spring. The sparrows were singing, the sun was shining. And Ben…
– Daughter? Why did you stop talking? What did Kate say?
Grandma looked at her daughter’s face inquisitively.
– Mom, she’s bringing Ben.
-What do you mean? Is he a bag? And why is she bringing him here?
– He’s too weak. I’m serious.
– Ah, here it comes! So, when you live in the capital and make money, you don’t need Sarah! And when you’re in trouble – save me, dear!
– Mom, he’s already… Only a month or two left.
– Let him spend those months with his girlfriend! I’ve got an idea. Don’t be ridiculous! He has nothing to do here.
– I’ve already agreed.
– I won’t let you! You’ve shed so many tears! Did you think I didn’t hear? Alone at 30! Never had children, never knew a man! He ruined your whole life!!!
– Mom, these are his last days. Do you understand? And the only thing I can do is forgive him. He doesn’t ask for anything else.
– Oh, Sarah, life teaches you nothing. You’re still the same as you were. Do what you want. I won’t bother you. I’m alone now…
For Ben, Sarah cleared out the room that overlooked the garden. She wiped the walls, washed the floor. She made the bed with starched linen. And sat down on the armchair. In this room they loved each other. Their daughter’s life began here. And this is where Ben is being taken now. And she, Sarah, will do everything to make her husband’s last days as bright and clean as this space outside the window.
Because the most important thing in life is to remain human. And to be able to forgive. Otherwise – why???