I washed it. Its in the bathroom on the coil dried. Anya replied. Anna sat down on the bellboy telephone table. Ana was, again sorry friend:
And where will you go? All of a sudden, tremulous voice, she had compassion Krazimova.
What is true is true. Anna said. She slowly got up from the table, intending to hide in the kitchen splattered tears from her eyes in two streams. Getting up, she inadvertently dropped on the floor a letter, which has had time to sit:
Oh, what? It automatically picked up the envelope.
Its me! Anya said. He stuffed the envelope into his hand Krazimovoy, she ran to the kitchen. Soon there were heard her sobs. Anya out of it in the hands of the envelope, decided to distract her friend from a nervous breakdown. And the letter turned out quite the way. She came back with an envelope on the kitchen sobbing to a friend:
Well, do not cry. Come on, its better, its an honor. Certainly, some of the sect of the border with a proposal to join. And for sure, what be fans to warm their hands on unsuspecting citizens.
Anna stopped sobbing. She wiped her tears. Said:
Oh, Annie, I can be, and then started to drink because of this.
Yes, we know, we know.
Do you remember when it started with a general litigation Garinova?
Of course, I remember.
It was then flooded with work. And then the endless raids and ambushes in our apartments. And then I could not stand it. In sect was nice and quiet at first. I regained her family the same impoverished, like myself. Yes, yes, of course. Yeah Anna Krazimova saw that she had calmed down, and you could carry on a conversation in a peaceful way.
Because then they disappeared all of a sudden. And we began to drag, to find out we could not cover them. Frayed nerves so much to us. Told Sobinova, sighing on the verge of bursting into tears again. So youve decided to join the cult. Sold the apartment, gave money to the so- called teacher and
I was on the street.
But you probably forgot that you had and I have! Anya said proudly. Sobinova sadly looked at her friend and a quiet voice she said: Then here I started treated with vodka.
In order to somehow change the subject, Anna pointed to the letter and stated: Honestly, I wanted to throw in the trash, but it was here when such passions with you come on, come on, read what there. You can always throw together laugh at these fishers of mens souls.
This letter has now no meaning for me. But still, lets attempt to open Annie, look, its there!
Anya got out of the kitchen cabinet table knife and pierced them, envelope, opened it. Inside were neatly packed in another envelope smaller color photographs, and was attached a piece of paper covered even calligraphy. Anya took that piece of paper, said:
Handwriting- so wrote Elsa Eduardovna. Bah! Yes this is a letter from her!
You cannot be serious! Cried out in surprise and astonishment Sobinova.
Yes, look, heres in the end her signature.
What are you waiting for? Read!
Anna began to read a letter, time, and then taking his eyes from reading in utter surprise, commenting read: How so? After Villa was founded by Nazi criminal still in nineteen sixty- first year! And there, suddenly, is general and Elsa Eduardovna!
I, once, my Peter told me that the Nazis at the end of the war is very advanced in the development of flying saucers. And that helped them in some kind of extraterrestrial civilization.
You probably do not in themselves a girlfriend?
Sobinova ignoring the remark Ani, continued:
This is the most alien civilization and put away our relatives there this Villa. Heres what I think!
In any case, the general Garin could not on their own be in the nest. Pointedly concluded Anya.
Yes, read the same, that there is this Aunt Elsa writes? Impatience Sobinova come to an end. But Anna could not believe what he was reading, and broke new tirade:
As far as I know the general, he would never, never, even under no circumstances would not agree to hide as timid hare, there, in the den of refuge, founded by former criminal.
I believe that there were circumstances and took them there against their will! Sobinova said firmly. Yes, read it at last! Maybe theyll find the answer to many questions! We learn though that be about our husbands?
Anya continued to read further. And the answer is found. Elsa Eduardovna wrote:
We are constantly terrorized, took fright at. Said that destroy unconditionally, until one day I was with Alex loaded into the machine, similar to ours, but with significant differences inside the cabin. Released us here have indicated the house in which we will have to live. And now, after years, only recently, just the other day I find out where we are and where we have hidden. Yes, it is very convenient and the lives of Alexey we do not complain. But constant anxiety does not leave me a sense of isolation from the outside world and oppresses depressing. Locals do not talk to us and try not to get us on the eyes. Reception staff speak only on the Latin language incomprehensible to me. But I learned the language and started a friendship with the maid. Here it is, and has forwarded this letter, which I hope, will get to you. I have a surprise for you, Anya. After three- plus years, you still will be able to request an main post office in Moscow to demand Sent me with a light hand on Alexei your name. If all else fails, take your passport and go down more every administration. you will have to give it. There you will find an indication of the fact that you have a substantial amount of money in U.S. dollars and this amount is hidden in a safe place, where you will learn from the message. Dimochka you with enough for a lifetime. This is Alex asked to hide the money from their accounts. How he did it is better not to ask. Yet he did it before our flight to Antarctica. Well, thats about all. Be happy. We do not look, its useless. Unless something changes in our destiny for the better, then we shall find you themselves. Eduardovna Your Elsa, our little Dima and Alexei.
Sobinova at the time of the photos depicting a happy family Garinova Elsa Eduardovna background of mountain scenery Villa Bavaria in Chile.
Why not a word about my Pete and Lena? Sadly Anna asked.
You, that I realized that they were immediately isolated from each other. Aunt Elsa did not even know if our husbands are alive! In our hearts, with tears in his eyes passed over, she replied Anne.
Thats it, my friend, you have to go to the main post office for the letter.
You want me to again clung to me with questions!
What are you, Annie, you fool! It has been three, almost three and a half years, who comes into my head to follow the poor widow?
I am not a widow! Suddenly cried Anne. Do not you dare me so, do you hear, do not you dare call me that more than ever! Do you understand?
Yes! Understood. Deaf Sobinova said.
Anya straightened. Her eyes flashed angrily. Anger she was breathing rapidly. Her breasts under a red woolen blouse heaving in time with the rapid breathing.
You still pleases me to teach? Tell me what time it is?
Anna, grabbing hold of the saving straw reconciliation, answered:
Five to six!
Its too late. As long as I get to the main post office issuing letters of demand to cease. Well have tomorrow. ll Take Dima in kindergarten and I will go for the letter. Well, what a job the next day.
Anna, surprised and cautiously looked at Anna. This she saw her for the first time and scared. And suddenly Krazimova take and throw it on the street. Where it go? No housing, no job. She suddenly found itself in such a terrible situation. Gradually unwittingly found herself on the bottom of the homeless and destitute beggars.
Forgive me. Suddenly, she said, lowering her eyes, and hid them in his hands. She was terribly ashamed of this fragile and beautiful woman, still consider her a friend.
Forgive me. Again she repeated. But this phrase has rang through her sobs. Tears streamed down her palms and hands, moisturizing cloth kitchen table. Anya with undisguised sense of pity Sobinov watched in confusion, not knowing what to do with her crying. Finally a wave of surging anger left her, replacing compassion and resentment for her friend, which has reached such a state.
Yeah right, then. Calm down and tarry until we have. I will not ask every time a neighbor take Dima in kindergarten and take it from there as long as Im on duty. Itll do you.
I will drop to drink, youll see! How could I come to this? Again, sobbing, said through tears Sobinova.
You know, Anna I almost washed down myself, when I came to the paper Lenya, that he was missing. Here are just Dima and saved me from that.
Anna wiped her tears with a handkerchief and with a sense of the faithful and loyal puppy, staring into the eyes of Ani. Krazimova calmed down. Its preventive measures to take effect, this time.
You go to the bathroom so wash away the paint from his face. And I would advise you to wash your hair well, and so sitting here stuffed overseas. Theres a bathroom you will find on the shelf shampoo.
Anna sighed with relief. She got up and already had calmed down, went to the bathroom.
Thats what misfortune! Looking into her trail, expressed regret to Anna.
Krazimova slept that night in the room with Dima in his adult bed, which I bought and installed Leonid when Dima exactly a year. Krazimov believed that men have become boys in childhood, accustomed from infancy to adulthood. Leonid foresight was justified, and by the fact that when Dima was sick, that Anya could always be with him, warming the affected child a mothers warmth.
Chapter 2
Dima was still asleep when Anna jumped up from the bed, as if stung. It was six in the morning. She dreamed a nightmare that she did not remember, and apparently inspired by the past a nervous day. She tried to remember the dream yet, but I could not. It was still early, and she decided to no longer go to bed. Crept back into the bathroom. Washed her face and brushed her teeth. Suddenly saw myself in the mirror, which is alienated and tired. Light faint wrinkles at the edge of the eye lids fan identified at the temples. Her green eyes are still kept alive luster of youth and beauty, which did not affect the hardships of everyday problems. But the shine has become tougher. Taking a deep breath, she broke away from the mirror and went into the kitchen. There, she found Anna. Sobinova by prudently took to make coffee. Women were silent, trying not to talk to each other and do not look at each other. Anna was ashamed of the past. Ana was embarrassing for the mens morals girlfriend. In the end, they sat silently drinking coffee, eating cookies croquet. Anna first to break the silence:
You know, I was thinking, maybe Ill take Dimochka in kindergarten, and you Congresses in the mail?
I also thought about it. You know, come on! But Ill wear it, and the three of us get out of the apartment.
Go. Agreed Sobinova. It has again become self- confident and gained a calm expression, which was used to seeing in front of Anne.
At eight oclock all were assembled. Dima cheerful and sociable was dressed in overalls and a warm winter jacket with a hood. A little old woman in his coat and feather scarves. Anna could not stand it, and said:
As rural- grandmother.
On the other hand, warm and cozy. Responded to a replica of Anne. All three of them have fun out in the March changeable weather.
Anya had to get on the subway. In front of the main post office, lined up a taxi rank. Taxi drivers were at their cars, calling passengers hoping to ride one on the Kiev railway station, one in Sheremetyevo, to lust, waiting for her.
The girl and the girl went. Ill take not expensive!
No, thank you. Anya answered them.
Well wait for you! Spoke drivers.
Meanwhile, Anna entered the spacious foyer. Opposite the input of massive doors at the end of a long hall, sat at her window manager main post office. Anya went straight to it:
I came to see if you can get a letter of demand three years ago?
Administrator, full blond woman in years, severely eyeing Anya look cold gray eyes on top of his glasses, said sternly:
What are you, my love, laugh? Making a waiting pause, she asked, Or, How?
I seriously?
Well, you know, my dear, unclaimed letters three to four months, are sent back to the recipient.
Well, if they do not return address, then what?
Well, these being shelved.
From there, you can get them?
Thats not possible.
Yeah, why the hell? Anya she was scared of her voice, but it was too late.
You do not be rude to me here, honey! With metal tone of voice, the receptionist said. Anyas eyes welled up in tears:
Sorry. Deaf voice, she said. I did not want this letter to me is very important.
The administrator took pity on the poor woman, and has a warmer voice replied:
They are packed in bags and stored for about five years, and then burned.
A glimmer of hope flickered in the eyes of Ani:
So, then, it is still possible to find a letter there?
And who will you look for it there, among hundreds of thousands of letters in these bags?
Well, I cannot.
No. You do not have access. Only the employee can search mail, he is entitled.
Tell me, how did it do?
It is necessary to pay for the work of the employee, as a rule, this is his one working day. A day or two, he will find it. Again, you pay only for one day. How much will it cost, say, after the letter will be found.
And that this is necessary?
Here, take the application form. Please fill in his position, ie from whom and to whom. Or if there is no return address, to whom it was intended. And remember, we issued a letter of demand to the destination only to whom it is intended. Ie everything exactly on your passport.
Anya trembling hands took the form. Began to fill. Filling, returned form.
Wait a minute, Ill knock on a computer database. The administrator has to click the mouse a computer, rummaging in the database. Then replied:
You know, this letter does not appear. It seems that we did not receive, nor three years ago, no four.
It cannot be?
Computer center is not lying, it is a guarantee! We have this iron discipline.
Anya at a loss out of the building and the central post office in a dream, almost automatically down dale, on the subway reached to the house. She met Anna. The apartment smelled delicious fried potatoes and fried eggs with ham.
Well, thats where the letter? With undisguised curiosity, looking Anas eyes, asked her Anna.
Not that, letters, and there was never even a trace.
These are the times, strange it all. Deaf Anna said. Then, recollecting himself, added: