Andrey, promise you won\u2019t leave Larisa,\u00bb his dying wife begged. \u00abYou know her health is frail. She needs constant care. I understand it\u2019s not easy, but I\u2019m really scared she won\u2019t manage on her own. You\u2019ll be her guardian for another two years. Please, do everything properly.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Andrey nodded, but deep down, he thought soon all of this would end. When Nina first fell ill and was diagnosed with a severe condition, he was shocked. Then he hoped he could cure her, but over time, he just grew tired. Especially when there was a constantly ill stepdaughter who, essentially, had no relation to him\u2014it was hard. Larisa lived quietly in her room.<\/p>\n
At some point, it became difficult: he wished for a normal woman by his side, not a living skeleton. Thoughts of leaving Nina came, but society would judge him. He couldn\u2019t lay his life on the altar of another, when he had only one life. But then, when the doctor said Nina had no more than a year left, he decided to endure.<\/p>\n
At stake was a large four-room apartment, which Nina inherited from her husband. However, there was still Larisa, who always seemed like a sickly shadow. Therefore, it would not be hard to get rid of her, without any crime.<\/p>\n
Nina\u2019s funeral went quickly. During her illness, all friends had drifted away.<\/p>\n
At the funeral, he wasn\u2019t alone: he met a single woman whom he gave a ride home. It turned out she had argued with her man, who didn\u2019t even give her money for a taxi, so she was hitchhiking. Liza, despite being 30, took life easy and carefree. Andrey yearned for such ease and gradually became infatuated.<\/p>\n
Before he knew it, Liza occupied all his thoughts. Within a month, or even less, he brought Liza to the apartment. That\u2019s when it started: Larisa behaved provocatively, sat with them for a long time, and was rude to Liza. She herself could no longer get up from the couch, but still\u2014she was rude.<\/p>\n
One day Liza declared:<\/p>\n
\u00abEither you do something, or I will leave.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abInteresting, what could I do with her?\u00bb thought Andrey.<\/p>\n
\u00abAre you suggesting I kill her?\u00bb Liza looked thoughtful.<\/p>\n
\u00abAnd you couldn\u2019t even do it for me?\u00bb<\/p>\n
Andrey looked at her frightened. Liza smiled:<\/p>\n
\u00abCome on, relax, such sacrifices are definitely unnecessary. I remember you said your little wife has a house somewhere, you drove there once.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abYeah, we drove a couple of years ago. She felt nostalgic then, I think her grandmother lived there.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abAnd what\u2019s with that house now?\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abHow should I know?\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abYou can find the way there?\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abI can find it. But why look for it, the address is written down. We first thought about selling it, then somehow forgot. I don\u2019t understand what you\u2019re getting at.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Liza sat on the sofa, crossed her legs, and continued:<\/p>\n
\u00abYou\u2019re dumber than I thought.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Andrey was offended:<\/p>\n
\u00abLiza, speak if you have something to say.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abLook, it can all be done very successfully: tell all the neighbors that the doctor prescribed Larisa fresh country air. And you hired a caregiver and took her to the village for a few months. And better nobody knows what village it is or that Larisa will be there alone.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abYou want her to be there\u2026\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abWhat I want is only for me to know. How it will be \u2013 the heavens will decide. Maybe her mother is waiting, and she\u2019s lingered here too long. What\u2019s there to think about? You surely realize: you can\u2019t make a normal person out of her. Just need a little help, and she will free herself from suffering and free us as well.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Andrey looked at Liza and pondered her shrewdness. After all, it wasn\u2019t a crime \u2014 everyone would think he really cared about Larisa. Three days later, everything was ready.<\/p>\n
\u00abLarisa, we\u2019re heading to the village,\u00bb he informed her.<\/p>\n
The girl, lying down, carefully rose in bed.<\/p>\n
\u00abTo the village? Why?\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abThe doctor said that fresh air and sunlight will help you more than any medicine.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Larisa smirked.<\/p>\n
\u00abIs the doctor\u2019s name by chance Liza?\u00bb<\/p>\n
Andrey looked at her displeased.<\/p>\n
\u00abWhy are you so hostile toward her? She only wishes you well.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abYeah, I thought so, you quickly forgot about mom.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abLarisa, it\u2019s none of your business. Remember, I am still a man and not that old, and your mom has been sick for over a year.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Larisa grimaced as if from a toothache but said nothing. Three hours later, they were on their way. Andrey patiently waited while Larisa got ready. Rather, he packed things, and she just suggested what to take. She even took an old doll \u2013 probably because of her constant illness and worsening memory. What need does a 16-year-old have for dolls?<\/p>\n
The trip was long, and they were likely to arrive at night or early morning. Honestly, Andrey didn\u2019t remember how long they had traveled with Nina back then \u2013 it seemed they had stopped at a hotel.<\/p>\n
When it got dark, it started raining, and they had to pull over to a parking area. They spent several hours in the car, and as they approached the destination, Andrey stopped at a roadside market to buy water. He stretched his legs, turned around, and saw an old woman talking to Larisa. Approaching closer, Andrey noticed that the elderly woman was showing Larisa some dried herbs and telling about their healing properties.<\/p>\n
\u00abNo herb can cure your illness,\u00bb the old woman suddenly said, looking at Andrey.<\/p>\n
\u00abWhat kind of illness do I have then?\u00bb he was taken aback.<\/p>\n
\u00abCowardice and greed,\u00bb she replied.<\/p>\n
\u00abTsk, you\u2019re an old fool,\u00bb he muttered, beside himself with such a response, and squeezed out: \u00abLarisa, I understand you think I want to get rid of you, but show at least a little compassion. Live with someone at least. I\u2019ll get you a caregiver, like this grandmother.\u00bb<\/p>\n
He initially wanted to say he was taking her to improve her health, but then he changed his mind: they weren\u2019t going to meet again, why lie.<\/p>\n
\u00abHey, grandma, will you come with us? You\u2019ll live with Larisa, help each other out. I\u2019ll even pay.\u00bb<\/p>\n
The grandmother immediately agreed.<\/p>\n
\u00abI\u2019ll go, what have I got to lose. Nobody needs me, maybe I\u2019ll be of use to the girl. My house burned down, nowhere to live.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Before Andrey could look around, the old woman with a basket of herbs was already in the car. He disapprovingly looked at the herbs spilling onto the seat but kept silent. Just to get there.<\/p>\n
The house turned out to be large, and Andrey was surprised. Somehow, he had missed this last time. He noticed: on one side there was a lake a hundred meters away, on the other \u2013 a forest. The front part of the house faced the village. Suddenly it dawned on him: such a house could fetch good money. Everyone is crazy about nature and clean air now.<\/p>\n
Andrey definitely wasn\u2019t planning to bring Larisa back. The grandmother, although looking like a real witch, briskly ran from the car to the house, as if wound up. He just waited for her to grab the last bag and immediately turned around to leave.<\/p>\n
The grandmother squinted, watching the car.<\/p>\n
\u00abSomething your companion left quickly, didn\u2019t even say goodbye.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Larisa smirked.<\/p>\n
\u00abYeah, what\u2019s there to spread dampness about, he brought me here to die, not for health, as he told.\u00bb<\/p>\n
The grandmother turned to her:<\/p>\n
\u00abTo die, you say? Well, we\u2019ll see about that. Not all my kids have turned out to be leaping goats.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Larisa looked at her in surprise.<\/p>\n
\u00abI\u2019d like to lie down to rest, very tired.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abLet\u2019s go, I\u2019ll walk you. While you rest, I\u2019ll cook something edible. I saw a little store on the way, need to buy some groceries. Or did that scoundrel not leave you any money either?\u00bb the grandmother asked.<\/p>\n
Larisa shook her head no.<\/p>\n
\u00abOf course not. Please bring the doll, there\u2019s an old one in the bag, on top.\u00bb<\/p>\n
The grandmother instantly found and brought the toy. Larisa unzipped the doll and handed her a thick wad of bills.<\/p>\n
\u00abHere, you can live on this money.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abOh, dear, this amount will last us here for about five years. Just wait a bit, we\u2019ll even plant a garden. Let not everything grow, but something will surely sprout,\u00bb the grandmother replied.<\/p>\n
Larisa, as soon as the grandmother spread a clean cover on the sofa, immediately fell asleep. She periodically heard pots clanging and the grandmother singing. These sounds somehow calmed her, rather than scared or irritated. When someone called her, she opened her eyes, not immediately realizing where she was. Coming to her senses, she slowly sat up. So, it was all not a dream.<\/p>\n
\u00abLarisa, come to the table. You haven\u2019t eaten for a day.\u00bb<\/p>\n
She wanted to refuse out of habit, but suddenly realized that she was indeed hungry. While the grandmother Alyona\u2014such was the grandmother\u2019s name\u2014was setting the table, she chatted non-stop.<\/p>\n
\u00abYou know, Laris, there are such kind people here, the neighbor even came by. Brought potatoes, treated to bacon, promised to bring fresh milk in the evening. And didn\u2019t take a dime, not a penny.\u00bb<\/p>\n
The grandmother hadn\u2019t finished speaking when a young man appeared at the door with a jug of milk. He looked at Larisa.<\/p>\n
\u00abThe mom sent some milk. Wanted to ask, what time do you wake up? Need to mow the grass, so as not to wake you up in the morning.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abWhat\u2019s your name?\u00bb asked grandmother Alyona.<\/p>\n
\u00abDimka,\u00bb the boy replied.<\/p>\n
\u00abDimka, come on in, join us for dinner, we\u2019ll discuss everything,\u00bb the grandmother invited.<\/p>\n
Nearly a month had passed. In the morning, Larisa blushed, looking at herself in the mirror, and grandmother Alyona cheerfully said:<\/p>\n
\u00abWhat, you think \u2013 it looks like you, but also not?\u00bb<\/p>\n
Larisa, looking at her reflection, pondered:<\/p>\n
\u00abYes, I look and don\u2019t recognize directly. And my appetite is good. And I can probably make it to the lake now, without falling from fatigue.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Grandmother, putting aside her sewing, smiled:<\/p>\n
\u00abDo you understand why? Mainly, drink all my decoctions and eat everything on the table.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abI\u2019ll do everything you say. I don\u2019t want to die\u2026\u00bb Larisa cried for the first time since she was brought here. Strangely, there had been no tears before, only a smile or silence.<\/p>\n
The door flung open, and Dimka appeared on the threshold.<\/p>\n
\u00abLaris, father bought a new boat, such a beauty. Come on, I\u2019ll take you for a ride on the lake. Why are you crying? Just say who offended you,\u00bb he frowned.<\/p>\n
Grandmother Alyona quietly smiled:<\/p>\n
\u00abThere you have a defender. Let him be young, only nineteen, but already it\u2019s clear that the boy is reliable.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Two years passed.<\/p>\n
\u00abAh, you,\u00bb Liza scolded Andrey. \u00abYou can\u2019t even sell a house without me?\u00bb<\/p>\n
Having taken out loans, Andrey realized it would be very hard to repay them. And he remembered that he actually had property in the village!<\/p>\n
\u00abI forgot that the documents for the house aren\u2019t here. Only later did I remember that Ninka showed them to me in the house. That\u2019s where they all are\u2026 And if the girl wasn\u2019t buried, and she\u2019s still there?\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abStop making things up! She was with that crazy grandma. All the neighbors know about it. You should have gone there a long time ago. I think she couldn\u2019t last a month without help.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u00abAh\u2026 Should have left the grandma a phone to call when God takes Lariska\u2026\u00bb<\/p>\n
They stopped in front of the house, near which paths had been cleared in the snow. Liza noticed:<\/p>\n
\u00abIt definitely doesn\u2019t look abandoned. Maybe the villagers took it into their hands and spruced it up? Let\u2019s take a look.\u00bb<\/p>\n
As soon as they got out of the car, smoke was coming out of the chimney.<\/p>\n
\u00abWait, someone is coming here on skis,\u00bb Andrey noted.<\/p>\n
Two figures, indeed on skis, were quickly approaching\u2014a young man and a woman. Coming closer, the skier exclaimed:<\/p>\n
\u00abLook who deigned to visit! Daddy with his young lady! What did you forget here?\u00bb<\/p>\n
Liza\u2019s eyes widened, and Andrey nearly fell into a snowdrift.<\/p>\n
\u00abLarisa! How? You were supposed to\u2026\u00bb he began.<\/p>\n
\u00abGet by without me, daddy. In two months I\u2019ll be eighteen, so pack up with your Lizonka and get out of our house,\u00bb Larisa cut him off.<\/p>\n
Liza looked bewildered at Andrey, then at Larisa and at the boy, who kept a stern gaze on the guests. She muttered to Andrey:<\/p>\n
\u00abLet\u2019s go,\u00bb and immediately returned to the car.<\/p>\n
Andrey stood for some time, shifting from foot to foot, not knowing what to do or what to say. His plans for the house and money crumbled in an instant. Unable to find the words, he rushed to the car.<\/p>\n
Grandmother Alyona stepped onto the porch:<\/p>\n
\u00abDid you have a nice walk? I just made a big stack of pancakes. And I seemed to hear a car coming to us.\u00bb<\/p>\n
Larisa kissed her on the cheek:<\/p>\n
\u00abNo, you must have imagined it, probably the wind rustling. Let\u2019s go eat pancakes quickly, you know how I love them.\u00bb<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Andrey, promise you won\u2019t leave Larisa,\u00bb his dying wife begged. \u00abYou know her health is frail. She needs constant care. I understand it\u2019s not easy, but I\u2019m really scared she won\u2019t manage on her own. You\u2019ll be her guardian for another two years. Please, do everything properly.\u00bb Andrey nodded, but deep down, he thought soon […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2718,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-random-stuff"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5387","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5387"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5387\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5388,"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5387\/revisions\/5388"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/buzzfeednews.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}