Mystical Kiev and stories

Chapter Four

It was necessary to solve something. Day has steadily moved to the end. It was getting cold, and there is no desire to be behind bars. But this was young and healthy, because that distant time, from Kiev where the homeless were taken away, arranging them on the job, after identification. I have, except the red badge at the «Electric appliance» no up-Document was not. Therefore, the most reliable option, and there was one, pretend to the poor old man and get out of the city to the village. I recalled my childhood, trying to remember myself at that age and all who come to us for alms. My God, of course there was one poor man, he lived in our village and my grandmother felt sorry for him and fed occasionally. I even guessed somewhere in the subconscious mind who it was. Of course it was me. Since my fifty-two years, I was six, of course, could not the poor and the old self to consider in more detail. I remember only that I had a long gray beard and gray hair. No wonder, after experiencing a throw back in time, you can completely turn gray. And my beard grows back quickly, and in the spring and in the summer I’m just going with a long beard and white hair. I still remembered that a beggar named Dorosh. In those days the poor old men do not pay attention. They were sitting near the church, begging and the authorities avoid them, because «God» people did not represent any harm to the Soviet authorities and was under the protection of the clergy. Also, the mendicant elder at the church, allowed to eat in the dining room for the poor. You could eat and keep warm. So, I had to be transformed into a beggar, this was the only guarantee that in a year I’ll get to that time portal and go back to your reality. How to be with this transformation. We must find a stick. And stick with unusual shapes to be seen that this old man, under the weight of his years it is difficult to walk, and he had to rely on the crutch. The most important thing to find a simple and unpretentious clothes. In the marketplace, you can dump the bags get thrown out of the forage. Just in 1952, he acted Hay Market, which sold fodder, hay, horse harness, oats and various household utensils. There you can reach an agreement prior to my native village Shpitki, Kiev Sviatoshynsky area. In the village acted church, a replica of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kiev. Before the Revolution, it was the residence of the famous Shpitki Tereshchenko sugar manufacturer, who also invested in the construction of the church. Deacon Theodosius Kuzmovich, sang in the church choir and worked part-collective farm beekeeper. And I often ran to him dine honey. He generously gave me fresh honey, and we talked with him. Of course, I was there and I’ll be here in such an old man, or I will not survive in this reality in the 1952 – ’53. It is not yet evening, I decided to start its transformation from Hay market, which at the hem. As it was, by the way, that I do not accidentally pulled out of his pants pocket volume plastic bag, wore it on the safe side for the food rations that were given to us for a deduction from wages. In this bag, I hide my clothes, somewhere on Castle Hill that would be at the appointed time to change clothes and go back through the portal at the time.

On Haymarket bazaar merchants have quietly folded. Some carts on the left, selling their goods. Peering closely at the cart, consisting of two horses, carts with straw and sketched empty baskets, and most importantly a man sled as if came out of those early childhood memories. Yes, it was the same as Uncle Vanya, which the first I knew at an early age, the husband of my aunt’s home Ghani. I lost my head from that, I wanted to run to him, to say who I am, and tell all that happened to me. But sober mind prompted to do reckless actions. To how it come to his senses, and make an informed decision, I grabbed his tie and began to take off his sharp nervous movements. To cope with it, folded and put a tie into the inner pocket of his jacket, still watch underwater. By the sled approached the woman, a teen girl in each arm were shopping cart. Skimp on the proceeds from the sales of their goods money, buy different delicacies, and now leave. I heard a woman’s aunt Manya and her daughter Olga, or in a simple way it was called Les. And then saving thought occurred to me how on a whim and that if I pretend to be the nephew of the brother of my grandmother. Especially because my grandmother Sribnaya Eugene Lavrentevna have not stayed in his home town of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky. Armed with this decision, I rushed to the wagon of Uncle Vanya.

– Hello, good people! – Approaching the cart, «I said cautiously, waiting for an answer. Leska, unfriendly and looked at me warily, muttering to come out into the cart Uncle Vanya: – Yes, go already! – Aunt Manya shouted at her: – Shut up, you do not ask. We learn what it takes to the young man. – By adopting this sign suggestions made that I need, I started the presentation of his legend.

– I told the people that you are from Shpitek. And my uncle, Gregory Lavrent’evich asked to call my Aunt Eugenia Lavrentevna and learn how she Shpitki lives there. As her health, well, a little of everything to find out. And ask when she’s going to come on a visit to his brother? – All this I made, trying to take the time to hide the excitement and coldness daughter Aunt Mani.

– Yes, and so we can tell you about our grandmother. On that Shpitki go? – Again intervened Leska. I winced at the words. I, as I could restrain myself not to betray his resentment, patiently waiting for an answer Aunt Mani.

– Eugene Lavrentevna will be very pleased to meet you. That you specially came to visit my mother?

– No. I arrived on a business trip at the «Electric appliance» of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky.

– A long time to us?

– No, just three days. On Saturday leaving.

– And what are you going? – Not appeased Aunt Manya.

– Course on riding a. How to go there then. – Suddenly our conversation interrupted Uncle Vanya: – So you are coming or not?

– Of course, the food.

– As soon climb to the carriage, and that is get, it will be dark.

I’m in no time jumped on the cart, unusually delicious smelling of freshly cut straw and at that moment felt such peace, and this peace, after troubles experienced that about everything forgotten. The eyes themselves were closed under the swaying rhythmically walking horses and wagon wheels bouncing. I was awakened by a hail of Uncle Vanya:

– You lie down, and then you will fall under the wheels, even cripple. – I did not argue, but simply stretched out on the straw and fell into oblivion. Just I heard the voice of Aunt Manya, who said – I guess not sleep at night on the train? – To whom she said these words, I did not know already, sleep overcame me and just loud:

– Tprr-p-oo-oo! – It sounded in my ear. I startled, opening his eyes. The wagon was standing at the gate of our house, painted in dark red color. Sunset was already in full swing, I threw off his sheepskin hood, which I hid Aunt Manya and you horse carts from the ground.

Pretending not to know what the house asked – So, what’s here? It is home to my Aunt Eugenia?

– And that Uncle Gregory did not show a photo gate, or what?

– Yes show.

– Well, that looks like? – Ask Aunt Manya. – On goodies Aunt Eugenia tell, tell you what we brought from the market.

– Do you have documents? – Asked Uncle Vanya, squinted slyly, smiling at me. I silently took a pass shoved under his nose. – You watch and photograph printing with the arms, Oli will show, and she have power.

I took a bundle with two French rolls from Aunt Manya and walked the familiar path, lined with bushes orange flowers to such familiar wooden corridor.

The door was already locked. I knocked. The door creaked open and the hallway steps shuffled my grandmother painfully familiar steps and her voice:

– And who is there such?

– This is your nephew from your brother Gregory of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky.

– From Gregory? – Grandma opened the door, and her wrinkled face broke into a smile. – Kolya, Kolya Well it’s your name?

– Yes – I agreed and added, – I’m on a business trip for three days. On Saturday Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky train.

– Well, come on, you live here. And when you leave, you pass a letter Grisha.

– Thank you Aunt Zhenya, I’m so give your brother, he still wants to know when you come to visit him?

Well, on this we agree with him. Let him write more often. And you have things no one bundles.

I said that things are in a private hotel, there is a train ticket. I arrived on Friday. Monday handed over documents specifically requested that they gave me more days, so you’ll see. So I’m here.

– Well, come in, come in. Supper will be today.

I’m in awe, I went into the corridor to the pain home with sacks of grain feed for chickens and pigs in a sty. One is forced to look up to the ceiling, but it is, there piled swallow’s nest. And behind the door opposite the entrance to the hall, there was a small pantry, fitted under a chicken coop. All rational and comfortable, but what about sanitation, poor sanitation course in the face, but all naturally and without too much pathos. We entered into a large room, equipped for the kitchen. Almost in the middle of the room stood a stove. It was a magnificent structure. Grandma in the oven in the morning light a fire and put the stew in a clay pot meal. Oh, what a wonderful hot succeed in this dish with a spicy taste of smoke, hot melt in the mouth, causing a fragrant flavor of bay leaf, peppercorns and juicy fried pork ribs. To the right of the entrance stood under the window all the same kitchen table, which was suitable for a family dinner and for cutting of pig carcasses, and I did it once learned, when I was in school. Scary to think that there is in my reality, there is no longer the house with his income, and the people who lived in it. The heart ached painfully, when I saw my mother. Still quite young, and himself, a six-year boy, out-look at me. At this moment, I would like to point to himself those mistakes that will make this boy. As I wanted to protect him from hardship and privation, to reward him, except I have committed the fatal action. But it’s all a dream. Should I hint at how immediately accused of fraud and ambushes behind bars, to perform unpaid work in what may be a colony, in terms of making the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in the struggle for a brighter future. And that was me, they do not dig into your memory to remember the boy’s reaction, that is, I responded to myself. I remembered my grandfather’s nephew Gregory appearance, and I pined after his departure. I’m afraid not enough male paternal affection, and this guest showed me so much attention and care that strongly etched in memory, and helped me to overcome the taunts of others, pointing out that not all people are bad, there are good, for which to live and fight.

My mother and I sat at a table near the window, and my grandmother fussed at the stove, taking a warm hot pots. Mother took a deep dish of servant, who was standing to the left of the door, filed a grandmother, she went into her bedroom and made out a bottle of clear, like a tear fluid, hoisted the bottle on the table, said briefly:

– Moonshine.

The boy sat down on a chair beside him and received a portion of roast meat, and then said:

– Grandma, I will not eat fat. – What grandmother said, – You will not, because you will not.

– That would eat bacon, then would have been strong, but not as thin as a rake. – I told our mother to us and began to pour the vodka into glasses. Filling said:

– Come on, Nicholas, let’s drink to our acquaintance and that we lived and come to pass.

– Tell me what’s making your uncle Gregory? What does?

– Pigeon rides in the morning. – I replied.

– All the same pigeon, as a child. – Could not stand grandmother

– So, except for the pigeons, he no longer any classes? – Pouring a second glass Moonshine, his mother asked.

– Well, why – overturning a glass, – I replied. – First he asked me to Aunt Wife, to the letter she had sent him a bushel foot Valik. And when Aunt Zhenya coming to visit him, will be ready for Valik boots, he sew.

– Yes, he is a good master, golden hands. He told me, and we all sewed boots and shoes, very beautiful. All the girls on our street envied. I used to braid her hair, and go out with the girls stroll in the evening to the river. But how heavily the song, all the guys came running to us at the gatherings. Like this!

– Oh well. – Summed up the mother. – I’ll go to your bed couch Cole, and then get up early tomorrow. And you, Nicholas, if you want, you can go out for a smoke. And in general, when you want, you can go to bed. – Pointing to a spacious bed in her bedroom at the wardrobe, his mother said, adding. – The door is open, we sleep with the door open. – With these words, I went to lay my bed.

At this moment, I remain, as in a dream. I could not believe that this is all reality, not a dream, not a movie, but in reality. Wonderful. Metamorphosis of a continuum in which we live and will live. Using Proposition mother, I went out into the yard. Walk at dusk in the courtyard. He inspected the barn, which was our cow Zorka, and slept in a pig fence. I went to the restroom, which was behind the barn, and remembered Aunt Manya at the request of threshed grandmother coolies bread bat suspended on a stick-taped rawhide strap. And I’m on I unfortunately crawled out of curiosity, and received in the forehead. But it was time to go into the house, go to sleep…

This autumn morning dawned warm and sunny. His mother was already at work. Grandmother swarmed the oven. I left the room and began to wash the garbage as it has repeatedly done in my time here. Gaining from a mug of drinking water in your mouth and his mouth watered at hand. Myles hand then, repeat the procedure, washing hands with soap suds. After washing, wiped with a towel. Grandma was invited to the table and me baby. I have to keep up the conversation, asked: – potatoes dug up already?

– It has long been dug. We helped Niusia and children. – She had a mind of their children, and our aunts with Valiks.

– Auntie, will not mind if I went to the park Valik?

– Go, while I eat cooked.

The kid was very happy, and picked up a ball. I took his hand, and we went out of the gate. There alleys of old lime trees planted since the time Tereshchenko sugar manufacturer, we have seen the way ants. As these workers, moving one after another, dragging on itself who slice the stalk of grass, one tiny leaf and who morsel black beetle wing. I’m walking with my little six year old copy of the park, I told him stories, in which heroes were brave and courageous travelers, the overcoming hardships encountered on their way. I felt like the boy was interesting to me, but what bothered me the most, is that I can not tell a child what to expect at will-present. But I wanted to do in that no matter what, and I could not. I could not because the baby immediately tells his mother, and she sure to tell about me in the village council Zdorenko, chairman. So I decided to build his sly dialogue. After all, I was left for two days.

The next day came a cousin Nyuska. She was sixteen years old and she was considered Valik older sister, even though I knew it was not true. And that her baby could not stand for her hurtful and sociable character. We tried to escape with the baby in the park. There I told him the story about a boy, who at twelve years helped rescue two pilots of an unidentified flying object, or in other words, a spacecraft. And for that, the Rescue of Astronauts, the boy was awarded the unique abilities and even sang three of his best, the most important goal.

– But if in your life will occur such an event that you would ask for?

Kid frowned, thought for a long time, and then said:

– I want to live forever and never die.

– Anything else?

– I want a lot of friends.

– Anything else?

– I want to help other people, not to hurt, and live forever.

– Valik, when you have an event in your life, asks a lot of money, so that you can help people. Without money nothing can be done, even a dog to help.

– And that I will have it?

– All can be, well, just in case you keep that in mind, okay?

– Yes OK. – The kid fell silent and deep in thought. Then suddenly he asked seriously:

– And when it will happen.

– I don’t know. I just told you, just in case, so that in life you take the right decisions. – The boy again seriously looked at me and said: – Uncle Nick, I’ll make the right decisions.

– That’s right, well done. – Encouraged by the praise, the kid beamed a happy smile. And I began to speak to him one more case of his future:

– Well, even when you might be ten years, never pull the colt Uncle Vanya by the tail. Because the colt hit you in the forehead. Horses can not drag their tails. Promise me that.

Kid again seriously looked at me, then asked:

– You, Uncle Kolya pulled the colt, and he banged your head on the hoof?

– Yes. – And I showed him the scar on the right side of the forehead. The kid laughed good-naturedly, saying that he was not such a fool to carry the horses tails.

– And you know how to fight? – I asked him.

– What?

– And the fact that when the son of Uncle Vanya comes to you and starts to tease you insulting words, it is better not to answer him.

– Why? I told him how to give?

– No, I do not. You’re stronger than he is a boy, but he can hit you with a stick of branched apple and will break your skull. Listen to me, do not plant it. Promise me good! So he did not say.

– Well, I will not answer him.

– Correctly. If you’ll remember, and do all that I told you, you will be strong, healthy and full of money.

Kid confidently puffed out his chest, as if he was an adult and confident voice:

– Uncle Nick, do not leave us, please. – Became a whimper. I took out a handkerchief, blew his nose and wiped his tears, to cheer the boy’s words: – Well, well, you’re a man. And men do not cry. – I looked at him, and I myself have a cat clawing like, so I was sorry for him. It was a pity himself. What am I going to do all year, how to live? And anyway, if I survive? The third day I spent with the roll in the park. We played soccer. Viewed birds of different colors, and again I reminded him of his clever stories that he kept himself. Before leaving, my grandmother gave me a letter to his brother. To the delight of my envelope was signed. I had no choice but to drop it in the mailbox in Kiev, when I come to town.

On Saturday, I woke up early in the morning. Grandma gave me on the track in the oven roasted cockerel, boiled potatoes, bread and cakes with poppy seeds, which are specially baked for my departure. All this I hoisted in a plastic bag, which is placed at the bottom of the linen bags wrapped in newspaper.

My grandmother asked me, why do you want bags? I told him that Uncle Gregory ordered me to buy Fodder for pigs and pigeons, and the bags in the afternoon with fire not find. And I was given three bags, the benefit of this stuff on the farm «Bolshevik» were many. Of course, I leave his house did not want to. With a sense of irreparable loss forever, I got nowhere…

Chapter Five

The sun had shone its rays heavy dew on the flowers, on both sides of the track, on which I accompanied my grandmother to the gate. Gravity separation crushed stone, pressed to the ground, his legs did not want to go with this heavenly place, but the mind and the reality of feeling defeated, and I reluctantly trudged along the old fence enclosing a slender number of chestnut trees in our garden. Birch, even not with a thick trunk and a high fun rustled me goodbye with gold leaves, chestnuts carpet of road paved with me Coy their leaves my way to the cobbled road on which I have to go to three kilometers of the highway. On the side of the highway was a small village with a romantic name «Dream», there stops the shuttle bus to Kiev. In the 52 th year, the villagers Shpitki drove his bus to the market, and who are younger and work in Kiev. Grandma put to me on the track three rubles in his pocket, I was incredibly pleased. Walking on the pavement along the poplar trees planted on both sides of my way, I’m wondering in your mind what to do next with my odyssey where to start and how to live in a strange and very difficult time in 1952. From the stories I remembered that this year, full of repression. Especially Stalin took up the doctors. And the whole company was conducted, and the spy was present everywhere. Population pounding on each other, accused of espionage of any person, which is something not said or otherwise dressed, in which found the machinations of imperialism and undermining the foundations of the Soviet Union. So do not blink of an eye, as you can be in places not so remote. Pretending weak elder, can be avoided this fate. And live bad poor 1953, to get to my return to the promised time.

With such sad thoughts I got to dream. On the dusty road, near the highway stood six people waiting for the bus. They examined me undisguised curiosity. Two fat women in white headscarves and carrying baskets of pears, began to openly discuss my appearance, seeing my ironed pants and a jacket. It seemed that my white shirt makes an indelible impression on these young women. The bus came from Buzova, another village located by Darling at a distance of three kilometers. Of course, he picked up the passengers and there was full. Pushing each other waiting passengers, somehow got into the interior of the bus. My right shoulder was the fragrant basket of pears. Shaking on uneven road, the bus rolled in the direction of Kiev.

In Svyatoshino, the final tram stop, I sat on the tram №3 and drove to Downtown. Left at stop «Bessarabia market.» On the main street of Kiev here and there were repairs. Ball and took traders from the surrounding villages. There covered pavilion were horse carts and covered wagons, city life was in full swing. In the center of Downtown we have walked trolley and I without hesitation jumped into coming up №20. At the bus stop «Post Office» came out of the alley and headed on foot to the St. Michael’s Square, where to Andrew Descent, a stone’s throw. Since it happened that my fault movement in the past was a historic place, so I decided to go back and transform it into an old man who lives on alms. The familiar kiosk decided to buy a newspaper and read about the situation in the country and Kiev. Familiar kiosk «Sojuzpechat» for my absence will not move, still stood in their place. Stallman immediately recognized me.

– Well, how are you? Home soon?

– Good country Bulgaria and Russia are the best! – I decided to answer the words of fashion at the time of the song.

– So you are from Russia? – Continued its inquiry curious Stallman.

– I’m from Leningrad. Here on a business trip. – I took a pass on the plant and put it under his nose. Stallman began to carefully examine my picture, official stamp. And suddenly, his eyes gazing at me over his glasses, climbed out of their sockets. He once again looked into a detailed booklet, which I have not letting go, holding his face.

– Something I do not understand, young man, some confusion in your document? – And then I came to this terrible mistake, because I did not pay particular attention to the issue of the year, noted in the pass. We had to do something. But Stallman began speaking almost in a whisper to me:

– I’ve been working for a long time and I all had a chance to observe in life, I tell you exactly from the future? – I looked at it attentive and serious eyes, said:

– That happened to me a disaster. What do I do I do not know, came to work at the «Electric appliance» that the street Glubochetskoy 17, bam, and fifty second year.

– You know, come to us. Tell it like it in your time. What is expected? What can we expect any change?

– And you can help me. I have to wait a year, then opened this place, and I can go home to their own reality.

– I will help you. – Enthusiastically spoke Stallman. – My name is Leonid A. Sikorski.

– Do you happen to a relative of the famous designer of helicopters Sikorsky?

– Easy, you say so out loud, of course, this is my cousin. Here he is, and I am suffering here. I’ll help you. I see you are an educated young man can tell me a lot out there that you have to eighty-one going on and what has happened already. – Speaking these words, Leonid Abramowitz, has set a sign, «closed», and closed the castle window booth. Then he ran out of the stall and vigorously began to close the window of metal shutters, which hung on the window curtains and were driven to the left and right side of the kiosk. Soon rod concealing these shutters, hung a heavy padlock.

– I’m going to lock the kiosk at the castle, and we will go to me. Shirt, this is my husband, had promised to cook a pike on her special recipe, as it is able, Yum. Wait a little, a little. – He quickly ran to the kiosk and began to rattle it lock, locking the kiosk.

At this time, I have someone gently took her elbow. I turned and saw a familiar face girl. Her jet-black eyes looked carefully, seriously and cautiously. I saw her black hair tied back in a long tail and immediately remembered where I could see her. In memory of that tragic event came when I decided to climb the stairs to the Castle Mountain and the girl went down.

– Do not answer that. Immediately follow me. – Saying these words, she quickly became a go at St. Andrew descent. When I saw her, and then I heard, I realized that it would help me, because certainly knows the vagaries of time portal. And not paying any attention to Leonid Abramovich cries, he rushed the girl only had Sikorski said: – Do not tell anyone about me, or you misunderstood by others. Goodbye Leonid Abramowitz!

– Good-bye, young man, do not think badly of me. – His last words I could barely make out, because I have no time for it. She is clearly moving in the direction of the hill; from which I came down into the street St. Andrew’s Descent. She turned around, before stepping into the lane and making sure that I’m going after him, I moved along the path up the hill. I would like quickened his pace but she kept the distance and walked in front of light springy gait, already rising to the Castle Mountain. I do laps it stopped. Raising his right hand, he gave me a sign to stop. Distance from her was fifteen meters, I stood rooted to the spot, not knowing what was happening. I could clearly see how she stepped into the center of the circle, and it melted like a ghost. I heart pounding with excitement, shaking all over with impatience, I rushed to the community, and without hesitation, jumped into the center. Instantly transformed all around. Yellow leaves on the trees and the bushes have not fallen down, and the sun was shining in the middle of the day. I did not stay in the circle, and quickly left. The girl I saw in front. Her long black hair rushed to the beat of tripping. I went after him. She first came to the stairs and quickly ran downstairs, I could not catch up with her, and lost sight of. Andrew’s descent lived his measured life. Merchants souvenirs. At St. Andrew’s Church Alley artists. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. But the concern did not leave me. And to make sure that I went back in time, I went to the first available merchant badges and heraldry asked:

– Do not you tell me what day it is? – He looked searchingly at me, smiled and said:

– Drink less necessary. And to be precise, today September 30, Tuesday, one you Syacha nine hundred eighty-first year. – I almost blurted out – «can not be!» – But recollecting himself, said:

– Thank you! – And he added – Unlike you, I do not drink and do not smoke. – I turned away from him, began to think what to do next, and the next I heard only: – And the girls do not touch.

I came home, as if nothing had happened. Asked Lily – And what kind of a chicken and pies? – Answer: – The plant was given rations, so I took one. There were even apples and onions, but I refused.

– Wow, you still here and the newspaper, however, still not dried out ink printing. And the hell we need these bags? – Shaking in the air a bundle of linen bags, his wife wanted to know. Not paying attention to her words, said just that in the edition of the newspaper:

– Yes, it’s anniversary edition. – The wife did not try to find out what anniversary, and I did not spend it in the details. The next day, I went to work and began working diligently at his workplace…