Текст книги "Cказки Призраков. Tales of Ghosts. Премия им. Эдгара По / Edgar Poe Award (Билингва: Rus/Eng)"

5. Cranberries

I loved my Mummy and cranberries in the swamp, and Masha adored Lapland deer fillet and French snails in a cafe on Rublyovka. How didn’t I guess right away that nothing good would come of it again?

I was ten years older than her, not a bad age difference to make a girl obedient in everything, but I was awfully mistaken! Masha didn’t consider me a genius, and, even worse, she turned out to be completely unlike Mummy, although I checked their birthdays in advance before going on the offensive, that is, to get acquainted!

Why not? At that time, I was an enviable groom! – unburdened by children and free of alimony, with real estate in a swamp! A handsome man in his prime! Mummy had just died, so our meeting with Masha seemed very appropriate!

As for my ex-wife, everything had gone wrong immediately, because my parents, especially Mummy, didn’t like her. However, we had lived together for several years. Yes, we’d got a son, but I never considered him as my child! Not because I wasn’t his father (unimaginable!), I just didn’t feel anything for him, whether he was or not.

Thank God, I quickly got rid of them both, my wife and my son, and life returned to its previous course… with Mummy! Well, with dad also.

I lived in a beautiful swamp and picked up cranberries. When there were no cranberries in the swamp, I got them out of our fridges, picked in season. If you eat cranberries all the time, you will never get sick! That’s what Mummy said. It’s an axiom! What is life without cranberries?

Masha seemed to be so quiet, so obedient, so… like Mummy! For some reason, she loved Lapland deer fillet and French snails! I couldn’t understand why! And, apparently, I will never do. Why should I sponsor a cafe on Rublyovka? After all, one needs, at least, to work for this. Was I a fool, or what, to work? I had never worked. As soon as I graduated from the institute, or rather dropped out, I never worked! Are you still plowing?

I was a free artist. I created pictures and poems. Like Mummy! Yes, she always wrote something at night in her diary. I used to show her my poems. And she liked them. She always praised me. And once she said that I became a poet. So, I was a poet. Did Pushkin really work? No, he was creating! And so did I! To create poetry, one needs peace, no other work. Therefore, I quit the aviation institute as soon as Mummy considered me as a poet, and bought myself a disability!

My ex-wife, like most people, «plowed for her boss», while I wondered, why the Muse visited me so rarely. However, it would be a sin to complain! In thirty-odd years I had written as many as 200 poems, but, of course, that’s nothing compared to the quantity of cranberries I’d picked up, measured in kilograms or in fridges where they were stored off-season.

So, one day I met Masha. In the swamp. Picking cranberries. I had a house in the swamp. There, you know, it was a huge no one’s land. Well… not no one’s, but wanted by nobody. Mummy was born in those swamps, however, their house hadn’t survived. I decided to make a gift to Mummy, so I built a small house on the no one’s land, almost a hut, but with a stove! For my Mummy and me. Well, for dad also. And when Mummy died, a place for Masha was vacated in the hut. Or rather, for someone who would be like Mummy and love cranberries. So, one day I was picking cranberries and noticed Masha.

I could see through people and immediately realized that Masha was also a poet. She was looking for her Muse in my swamp! I came up to her, we got talking. I suggested picking cranberries together. In cranberry season. And out of season, getting berries from my fridge. Rather, I had several refrigerators, hidden in the swamp, I think I’ve already told you, I’d got them specifically for cranberries.

Masha laughed for some reason. Did I say something funny?! It was the first sign from Heaven that she was not like Mummy! Mummy had never laughed at me! Okay, I supposed that Masha was flirting with me like that and forgave her for the first time.

However, Masha really wrote poetry! I’ve told you I could see right through people! And she gave me her book. About ghosts! Wow! And I immediately passed it to my dad for verification… whether he would like her poetry or not. As a result, dad blessed me, and I went on the offensive!

Masha lived in the city. Sometimes in summer she stopped at a cafe on Rublyovka to eat a fillet of Lapland deer or French snails, and she came to my swamp by chance, while visiting distant relatives.

So… I accomplished a feat! I had to come to the city from my swamp in order to walk Masha along Tverskaya street in the evening. You see, in winter, Masha was «plowing for her boss» in a bookstore… to eat Lapland deer fillets and French snails occasionally in summer!

I remember we walked from Mayakovskaya to the Kremlin, discussing many details important to me. I asked where her mother had been buried and told about Mummy’s funeral. On the stretch from Mayakovskaya to Pushkinskaya, we discussed cemeteries, where the Muses were found, like in swamps, and from Pushkinskaya to the Kremlin, we talked about cranberries.

I must have awakened Masha’s appetite, but – God forgive me! – I didn’t pay much attention to the second sign from Heaven, I mean, Masha hinted that it would be nice to go to a cafe!

To eat near the Kremlin or even on Tverskaya?! Thank you! Mummy had never eaten outside at all, not to mention Tverskaya or near the Kremlin! However, instead of saying goodbye to Masha immediately and forever, I pretended not to notice her desire to have a bite. I brought her to the subway and returned to my swamp. By the way, I drive an antique parent’s car! Mummy loved it very much, so do I!

The cranberry season was still far away… and I felt sad. I sent Masha a letter from the swamp. And she dared to write me back… nothing!!! Then I got angry and sent her a postscript, «And just dare to say something bad about my mother! I will kill you!»

Okay, Masha hadn’t said anything bad about Mummy at that time, but I decided to warn her in advance, just to let her know! I hadn’t warned my ex-wife. And when, after several years of our life together, she dared to say that Mummy should finally let us live separately… Imagine! Who would have thought! How many years I had endured her!

However, Masha was silent again! I saw that she had received and read my message and the postscript to it!

I got furious!!! Mummy had reacted to all my messages with lightning speed! So I decided, knowing where and until what hour Masha worked, to secretly follow her in the evenings – from her office to her home – to see if my passion had anyone to eat together Lapland deer fillets and French snails!

Thank God, Masha and I had nothing special at that time, I mean, I hadn’t even touched her with a finger, not to mention all sorts of snails tenderness. Anyway, I had accomplished a whole step, driving Mummy’s favorite car from the swamp to the city and back only to walk Masha along Tverskaya that evening!

I settled in with some homeless bums in the basement opposite Masha’s house. Well, it was okay, I could bear it, since I started it for a good cause, to get know what to do with Masha… I told my dad that I was on a secret mission of special services, so I would be absent in our swamp for a while.

And so… a week later… I noticed that Masha met some sort of a girl of her age!.. And they went to a cafe… near the Kremlin!!!

«What a shit?! How did she dare to change me for a girl??? Mummy! Forgive me! Sorry! I dared to imagine that Masha is like you!!!»

I returned to the swamp and wept! The bright memory of my holy Mummy was instantly desecrated by the mere thought of a possible connection with such a dirty and vicious Masha! How could I have allowed such a sacrilegious black stain to appear?! Shit! It needed to be removed immediately! Once and forever!!!

That evening I went to the city and ambushed Masha, who was returning home from work, at the entrance to her house. She even smiled at seeing me and said «Hi», as if we had seen each other the day before. I suggested talking in Mummy’s car. And – how lucky I was! – she agreed.

Of course, Masha said I was crazy, because that girl of her age had been just her cousin. But did Masha’s words give a 100% guarantee that there had been nothing between them – well, you know, what I mean! – when I returned to the swamp out of grief…

I didn’t go to a cafe even with my brother! I hadn’t seen him in ages. Since he got married. Yes, he was a traitor! Left Mummy! Swapped her for some…

Sorry, I was distracted from Masha!

She could tell me anything just to escape, as I had caught her like a bird in a cage, locking in Mummy’s favorite car, but Masha was completely different from Mummy! And I couldn’t… just couldn’t do otherwise! After all, Mummy had promised to watch over me from Heaven and to be always nearby! So, she knew that I… fell for Masha and imagined her in the place of Mummy!!! Oh, my God!!! Just the thought of it drove me crazy!

I took Masha to the swamp (naturally, we didn’t go into our family hut, so as not to desecrate it!), and then, when that disgustingly vicious woman was already dead, I got myself cranberries from the fridge and ate, and ate, and ate them so that not to catch a cold after another stress! – as Mummy had always advised…

April 02, 2021

6. Кофе

Я сидела в офисе и сочиняла важное письмо, когда в очередной раз зазвонил телефон. Взволнованный женский голос попросил Владислава Петровича.

– Простите, а кто его спрашивает? – поинтересовалась я.

– Жена…

Я попыталась не выдать своего удивления и сохранить хотя бы внешнее спокойствие. Во-первых, она всегда звонила ему на мобильный, никогда – на городской. Во-вторых, сегодня всю первую половину дня Влад находился на переговорах в банке. Разве она не знала? Но времени на размышления не было.

– Здравствуйте, Марина! Это Вика. Владислав Петрович – в банке. Не уверена, что он появится в офисе. Что-то случилось?

– Да, – всё так же взволнованно произнесла она. – Я звонила ему на мобильный, но телефон отключен. Оставила сообщение на автоответчике. У нас в квартире сработала сигнализация. Мне страшно!

– Переговоры закончатся не раньше обеда, но Владислав Петрович обязательно прослушает Ваше сообщение. Я, конечно, тоже могу позвонить, но, если телефон отключен…

– Мне так страшно, Вика! Не могли бы Вы подойти прямо сейчас? Пожалуйста!

– Хорошо, – нехотя согласилась я: они жили в паре минут от офиса и сопротивляться было б себе дороже.

– Жду Вас у подъезда! Спасибо! – Марина облегчённо выдохнула.

Я позвонила Владу, но включился автоответчик.

«Звонила твоя жена. Попросила срочно прийти к вам домой. Ну… я пошла…»

… – Здравствуйте, Вика! Мне очень неловко, но я встретила нашего соседа, и он помог мне разобраться с проклятой сигнализацией! В общем, всё хорошо, она просто случайно сработала! Простите, что оторвала Вас от дел!

– Ничего страшного, рада, что всё обошлось! Честно говоря, я не очень-то разбираюсь в сигнализациях, – выдохнула я и уже собралась развернуться и уйти, как Марина остановила меня.

– Вика, мне неудобно! Зайдите хоть ненадолго! Попьём кофейку! Я Вас чем-нибудь вкусненьким угощу! – улыбаясь, предложила она.

– Нет-нет, мне надо в офис! – произнесла я, выжимая улыбку в ответ.

– Офис подождёт! Тем более, начальство – в банке! Пойдёмте-пойдёмте! Я Вас теперь так просто не отпущу!

Я не очень-то горела желанием заходить в их дом, хотя никогда раньше там не бывала. Ещё больше меня смущала перспектива предстоящего разговора. Пару лет назад, когда мы с Мариной познакомились, я попыталась пообщаться с ней на общие темы, но, как выяснилось, и на них-то говорить нам особо было не о чем, к тому же я боялась сказать что-то «не в кассу», поэтому в итоге мы пили кофе молча.

Но она буквально втащила меня в подъезд. Мы зашли в квартиру. Марина пригласила меня на кухню. Я без особого интереса осматривала коллекцию сувениров на открытых полках, пока она варила кофе.

– Как у ВАС дела? – внезапно прервала тишину Марина.

«Интересно, кого она имеет в виду, произнося местоимение „вас“?» – мелькнуло у меня в голове, но я попыталась отреагировать нейтрально:

– Да всё – как обычно.

– Влад сказал, что намечается командировка в Финляндию?

– Да, но даты пока не определены.

Мы присели за кухонный столик. Марина молча предложила чокнуться чашками. Я не сопротивлялась.

– А когда должны закончиться переговоры? – уточнила она, сделав первый глоток и бросив взгляд на часы.

– Не знаю, но, наверно, уже скоро, – ответила я и почувствовала резкую боль в желудке, в очередной раз вспомнив о совете врачей забыть про замечательный напиток.

– Вика, а ты веришь в жизнь после смерти? – внезапно спросила Марина, переходя на «ты» и подхватывая меня, уже теряющую сознание от боли. – Пойдём со мной!

Боль оставила меня так же резко, как и появилась.

Я поднялась с пола и проследовала за Мариной в гостиную. Встав у окна, она произнесла, не глядя мне в глаза:

– Теперь уже нечего бояться и терять. Зачем он тебе был нужен?

– Я не знаю, что Вам ответить…

Я знала, что ей ответить. Я любила Влада. Не за что-то. И именно поэтому мне было всё равно, в каком статусе находиться с ним рядом. Любил ли Влад меня? Большой вопрос. Но я никогда не просила его развестись с женой, понимая, что он к ней привык. Я не желала им зла.

– Бог всё видит, Викуся. Он должен был наказать вас обоих. Знала б ты, как я тебя ненавижу! Но Бог простит меня! Простит за то, что я сделала, – Марина стала всхлипывать, как маленький ребёнок.

– А что Вы сделали? – удивилась я и от нехорошего предчувствия тут же мысленно обратилась к Владу: «Пожалуйста, приезжай сюда побыстрее! Твоя Марина меня сейчас съест!»

– Я знала, что он не расстанется с тобой! Да, я никогда его не любила, это был брак по расчёту, но он не имел права! Не имел!!!

– Успокойтесь, пожалуйста, – я не знала, что следует говорить в таких случаях.

– Я не могла так жить! Не могла! Он должен был потерять нас обеих!!!

Внезапно мы услышали стремительные шаги на лестнице, хлопнула входная дверь, и раздался крик запыхавшегося Влада:

– Вика, Вика!!! Ты здесь?

Марина застыла в молчании, повернувшись к окну, а я выбежала в коридор:

– Как хорошо, что ты приехал!

Влад будто не слышал меня, быстрыми шагами направляясь на кухню.

– Мы – здесь! – снова крикнула я, но Влад даже не обернулся, замерев у приоткрытой двери.

– Марина!!! Как ты могла! – воскликнул он, не поворачиваясь ко мне.

– Бог должен меня простить! – холодно произнесла она, подойдя к нам.

Я стояла между ними и тщетно пыталась понять, что же произошло. Влад развернулся, хлопнув перед моим носом дверью на кухню, и, не обращая на нас никакого внимания, стал ходить взад-вперёд по коридору, судорожно набирая чей-то номер на телефоне.

– Влад, что случилось?! – переспросила я.

– Я всё рассчитала, – произнесла Марина, похлопав мужа по плечу. – Уже слишком поздно.

– Это «скорая»?! – крикнул Влад, дозвонившись.

– Какая ещё «скорая»?! – крикнула я ему на ухо. – Что с тобой?

– Он не слышит нас, – констатировала Марина. – Но жизнь после смерти всё-таки существует…

май 2002

6. Coffee

I was composing an important letter in the office, when the phone rang again. An excited female voice asked for Vladislav.

«Excuse me, could you introduce yourself?» I asked.

«His wife…»

I tried not to show up my surprise and keep calm at least outwardly. Firstly, she used to call him on his mobile, never to the office. Secondly, Vlad planned to spend that day negotiating at the bank since morning. Didn’t she know? But there was no time to think.

«Hello, Marina! It’s Vika. Vladislav is at the bank. I’m not sure he’ll show up in the office. Can I help you?»

«Yes,» she said, still excited. «I called on his mobile, it’s switched off, I left him a message. The alarm went off in our flat. I’m scared!»

«The negotiations won’t be over until lunchtime. Anyway, Vladislav will certainly listen to your message. Of course, I can call him too, but if the phone is switched off…»

«I’m so scared, Vika! Could you come over right now? Please!»

«Okay,» I reluctantly agreed, since they lived a couple of minutes from the office, and it would be more expensive to resist.

«I am waiting for you at the entrance! Thanks!» Marina breathed a sigh of relief.

I called Vlad, but the answering machine turned on.

«Your wife’s called. She’s asked me to come to your house immediately. Well, I’m going…»

…

«Hello, Vika! I’m very embarrassed! I met our neighbor, and he helped me with this damn alarm! So, everything is fine, it just went off by accident! Sorry for disturbing you!»

«Not a big deal! I am glad that’s all right! To be honest, I understand nothing in alarm systems,» I exhaled and was about to turn back and leave, as Marina stopped me.

«Vika, I don’t feel comfortable! Come in for a while! Let’s drink coffee! I’ll treat you to something delicious!» she offered smiling.

«No, no, I have to go back to the office!» I said, squeezing out a smile in return.

«Your office can wait! Moreover, your boss is at the bank! Let’s go, come on! I won’t let you off so easily now!»

I wasn’t too keen on going into their flat, although I had never been there before. I was even more embarrassed by the prospect of the upcoming conversation. A couple of years ago, when Marina and I had got acquainted, I tried to chat with her on general topics, but, as it turned out, we had really not much to talk about, besides, I was afraid to say something extra, so we ended up drinking coffee in silence.

However, she almost dragged me into the entrance.

We got up to their flat. Marina invited me into the kitchen. I was looking at the collection of souvenirs on the open shelves without much interest, while she brewed coffee.

«How are you?» Marina suddenly broke the silence.

«I wonder who she means saying „you“?» flashed through my head, but I tried to respond neutrally, «Everything is just as usual.»

«Vlad said that a business trip to Finland is planned.»

«Yes, but no dates have been set yet.»

We sat down at the kitchen table. Marina silently offered to clink the cups. I didn’t resist.

«When are the negotiations supposed to be over?» she asked, taking her first sip and glancing at her watch.

«I don’t know, probably soon,» I answered and felt a sharp pain in my stomach, once again remembering the doctors’ advice to forget about such a wonderful drink.

«Vika, do you believe in life after death?» Marina suddenly asked and picked me up, as I was losing consciousness from pain. «Come with me!»

The pain left me as abruptly as it had appeared. I got up from the floor and followed Marina into the living room. She stopped by the window.

«Now there is nothing to fear and lose,» she said without looking into my eyes. «Why did you need him?»

«I don’t know what to answer you…»

I knew what to answer her. I loved Vlad. Not for anything. And that’s why I didn’t care what status to be next to him. Did Vlad love me? A great question. Anyway, I had never asked him to divorce his wife, realizing that he got used to her. I didn’t wish them any harm.

«God sees everything, Vika. He should have punished you both. You can’t imagine how much I hate you! However, God will forgive me for what I’ve done,» Marina began to sob like a kid.

«What have you done?» I got surprised and, from a bad feeling, I immediately turned to Vlad mentally, «Please, come here quickly! Your Marina is going to eat me now!»

«I know he wouldn’t leave you! Yes, I’ve never loved him, since it was a marriage of convenience, but he had no right! No right!!!»

«Calm down, please!» I didn’t know what to say in such cases.

«I couldn’t live like this! Could not! He had to lose us both!!!»

Suddenly we heard rushing footsteps on the stairs, and the front door slammed.

«Marina! Vika!» Vlad shouted out of breath, «are you there?»

Marina froze in silence, turning to the window, and I ran out into the corridor.

«It’s nice of you to come!» I exclaimed.

Vlad didn’t seem to hear me, heading for the kitchen quickly.

«We are here!» I shouted again. However, frozen at the ajar door, Vlad didn’t even turn around.

«Marina!!! No, you couldn’t!» he exclaimed without turning to me.

«God must forgive me!» she said coldly, approaching us.

I stood between them, trying in vain to figure out what had happened. Vlad turned around, slammed the kitchen door in my face, and, not paying any attention to us, started pacing back and forth down the corridor, frantically dialing someone’s number on his phone.

«Vlad, what’s wrong?!» I wondered.

«I’ve calculated everything,» Marina said, patting her husband on the shoulder. «It’s too late!»

«Ambulance?» shouted Vlad, getting through.

«What damn ambulance?! What’s wrong with you?» I screamed in his ear.

«He doesn’t hear us,» Marina stated. «However, life after death exists indeed.»

May, 2002