Chapter 22

After a bath and a glass of cognac, which Matvey Vlasovich had long preferred in the fight against insomnia, he slept soundly. But in the morning, a feeling of vague anxiety almost brought him back to reality several times. He began to toss and turn, sighing, trying to break out of the veil of sleep. Then he quieted down again. Fatigue took its toll. Only at the beginning of the fifth, when it was still night outside the window, and the house was quiet, did he get up. It was his usual time. Occasionally his wife would join him. In the pre-dawn silence there was a special magic of anticipation of the day. In the spacious kitchen, listening to the sleeping house, only occasionally exchanging words, drinking tea with some herbs, sometimes allowing yourself a cup of coffee, waiting for the others to come down one by one. But today, Matvey Vlasovich, to no small surprise, found both his sons in the kitchen. It was even weirder because that the second son lived separately. Here, in the estate. That's what he and his wife wanted. Not together, but close. Therefore, at first they built a small house for them, but with the expectation of expansion. He also had his own small yard with a vegetable garden. And the stable, barn, workshop and other outbuildings remained common. Why did the son need to come here at such an early hour? Matvey Vlasovich poured himself some tea, noticed that both of them were dressed, only they had thrown off their warm jackets and hats. Valenki, necessary for work on the estate, stood at the threshold. The snow had already melted off them, forming a vast wet spot on the floor. So they've been here for quite some time. the workshop and other outbuildings remained common. Why did the son need to come here at such an early hour? Matvey Vlasovich poured himself some tea, noticed that both of them were dressed, only they had thrown off their warm jackets and hats. Valenki, necessary for work on the estate, stood at the threshold. The snow had already melted off them, forming a vast wet spot on the floor. So they've been here for quite some time. the workshop and other outbuildings remained common. Why did the son need to come here at such an early hour? Matvey Vlasovich poured himself some tea, noticed that both of them were dressed, only they had thrown off their warm jackets and hats. Valenki, necessary for work on the estate, stood at the threshold. The snow had already melted off them, forming a vast wet spot on the floor. So they've been here for quite some time.

“Tell me,” Matvey Vlasovich suggested, sitting down at the spacious table.

“Nothing special,” the elder began. - Nothing to worry about. We got up early because there are a lot of things to do today.

The younger interrupted:

“Of course, there is nothing to worry about. Only now someone has been wandering around our hedge all night. Zhenya was the first to wake up, then he called me. We checked everything. Like, nothing special. But we found traces. Someone needed to go around the entire fence several times. Almost paved the path.

“Don’t pump it up,” his brother stopped him, “maybe one of the neighbors has something wrong?” They came for help.

- Maybe it happened, only now all our neighbors could call. They know the numbers. And yours, and mine, and my father's. Yes, and knocking on the gate is also not forbidden in such cases. There is a heck for that. Why would they wander around?

Matvey Vlasovich drank tea thoughtfully, then asked:

So it was a stranger. But, you say, everything is in order in the estate. In the stable, in the barn? Did the dogs wake you up or what?

Yes, but it's kind of weird. My dog ​​did not bark, but did not sleep, growled.

“And our Kimi was silent,” Matvey Vlasovich was surprised.

- Yes, I didn’t bark, but I slept in Alena’s room. Blocked the door. She let me in with difficulty.

Yes, our dogs are smart. They won't make any noise. So, indeed, someone was just behind the fence. Didn't dare to go any closer.

Or didn't want to.

The younger son continued:

Our horses also sensed something. Especially the new stallion.

— Batyr? So this is understandable. He is from Kazakhstan. Born and raised in the steppe. Almost wild. And they have a special flair. But let's see. Mother don't say anything.

- Why would you? Let's figure it out ourselves. By the way, she threatened to take you to the doctor today. Are you aware?

“Yes,” Matvei Vlasovich grumbled, “we will have to obey.

The house was slowly waking up. Steps were already heard on the stairs from the second floor. It was time to get down to business, and there were more than enough of them in the estate for everyone.

***

The Doctor was right. Matthew's recovery went quickly. They kept him in bed with difficulty. He changed before my eyes. He was happy to communicate with everyone who was in his field of vision. It was rather unusual. From a parent's point of view. Somewhere in an instant, his desire for solitude disappeared. And he had it even at school, among the same age, familiar to him from the first grade. Now the father and mother were surprised to see how he easily and without the slightest hint of shyness tells about his story even to adults. His voice and laughter could be heard already in the corridor. Parents exchanged glances at first, reflecting on such a change, sometimes even trying to restrain their son. But the doctors were happy - they were already talking about an early discharge. The stories of Matvey's parents, returning from another duty at the hospital, delighted all the household members. About, what bothered them in the behavior of a teenager, Igor and Lyudmila preferred not to mention. Considered a temporary phenomenon. The main thing is that he recovers quickly.

Things were not going so smoothly for Matvey Vlasovich. Frostbitten and wounded hands hurt, wounds healed slowly. The heart also made itself known. A friend, a doctor, whom I had to turn to again, frowned, uttered no longer jokingly:

- Don't be naive. What you managed to do during the accident is not a sign of health. This is how our body reacts to stress. But now there could be a very strong backlash. It is necessary to be seriously examined and treated. Don't tempt fate. She won't give you a second chance. Take care of this life.

At the end of the consultation, he added sternly:

“If you don’t follow my recommendations even now, you can forget the way to me.

The wife, this time insisting on her presence at the doctor, was silent on the way back to the estate. And at home, she completely went into the bedroom and closed the door in front of her husband. He was surprised at such a turn, stamped his feet in front of the threshold, then resolutely walked into the room. Evdokia lay on the bed. She pretended to be reading a book. Silent.

— Yes, what happened? Why did you boycott me? Is it my fault that the "motor" does not pull?

The wife replied sarcastically:

What boycott? I'm just getting used to it. You are in a hurry to drive yourself into the grave ahead of time. You have to learn to be alone. My children and grandchildren no longer need me. Everyone grew up. They have their own affairs. I will "cook" alone.

Matvey Vlasovich was taken aback:

- This is something new. What are you? How is it not needed? You raised them, and now you don't need them anymore? Do not joke so.

- Oh ... raised. I was also raised by my parents. How often did they see me later when I followed you all over the country?

— Yes, what are you talking about? Dangled? You are my wife. That's why she was there. And we didn't forget our parents. They visited every summer.

- That's it. We visited. And our children will also be close to their families, they will "visit" me.

Matvey Vlasovich tried to comprehend his wife's words. Even though there was some logic in them, she had never said anything like that until now. And there were no such quarrels.

Only after her husband's sworn promises not to risk any more, to undergo an examination and go to a sanatorium in the spring, Evdokia Alexandrovna relented, but remained more thoughtful than ever. In the evening, Matvey's father, Igor, returned from the hospital. After the message that the teenager would be home soon, everyone cheered up and agreed to go to the village next weekend. We must thank the doctors and find out more about Georgy Mikhailov. Tomorrow morning it was decided to visit my grandson in the hospital.

The room where he lay was noisy. Matvey and his neighbors, with whom he had already made friends, discussed the future hunting. Seeing his grandparents come in, Matvey waved his hand to them, and continued to communicate with new friends. Evdokia Alexandrovna tried to treat everyone with still hot pies, but her grandson shook his head:

"Put them there. We'll eat later."

Matvey did not react at all to grandfather. Not noticing the adults' astonishment, he didn't look away from the conversation for a minute. Igor watched him carefully, like a father, for a few more minutes, then suggested that Matvey Vlasovich, together with Evdokia Alexandrovna, go to the surgeon:

He wanted to have a few words with you.

Walking down the corridor to the surgeon's office, Matvey Vlasovich realized how unpleasantly his grandson had just struck him. For the first time, perhaps, in my life I felt an unusual feeling for myself. He couldn't pinpoint it. He tried to calm down.

“What are you, grandfather? What kind of childish insults? Well, the guy didn’t throw himself on your neck. We saw each other a couple of days ago. Yes, and he’s not the same age. It’s good that he made friends in the hospital. He doesn’t get bored.”

Glancing at his wife, he remembered her recent words about the uselessness of her grandchildren, and frowned even more. And she was busy with the usual chores.

- I'm on the machine. I will buy Matveyka and his friends something tasty. I think you won't be long. There is no time for a doctor to talk to you. Meet me here in the hallway.

The head doctor was obviously delighted to see him. Confirmed that everything goes to the discharge of Matvey. Then he again asked to talk about the donor again. Matvey Vlasovich shrugged his shoulders.

“Yeah, I guess I told you everything. If this is interesting, it matters, then I can add that he himself could barely stand on his feet after he helped his grandson.

- Very interesting. Tell me more.

Matvey Vlasovich did this not without pleasure. He himself was not left with memories of a stranger. The doctor listened attentively, writing down something in a thick journal. There were several numbers on the cover. 30.06. 1908. Finally, the last question was asked:

Is that all you can remember?

— It seems that everything, but here's something I would like to clarify. I know this is going to sound naive, but I'll put it straight. It used to be considered completely excluded the transfer of some character traits from a donor to a recipient through the blood. And now?

The surgeon carefully looked at Matvey Vlasovich:

- I understand that this is not an idle interest? Have you noticed anything unusual in your grandson's behavior?

— Yes, you can probably say that. Although I understand how unscientific this is, many things seemed impossible before.

-Yes it's true. Science tends to break stereotypes. But, alas, so far I do not know such discoveries. Yes, and research on this topic.

- Well, then. Let's forget about it.

- No, not so fast. If a reasonable, sane person thinks about such a problem, then there really is a reason for this. Tell me.

After listening carefully to Matvey Vlasovich, the doctor did not immediately continue the topic. He got up, went to the window, and stared into the distance for a long time. Suggested to consider:

- You see. I have been in the profession for a long time. I have also been a surgeon for many years. I had to deal with direct blood transfusion myself, and consult patients who had it in history. Some of them were preoccupied with a similar problem. When I was younger, of course, I completely rejected any extraordinary possibilities of blood. That's what medical science says. I still think it's impossible. Blood does not have any properties associated with a person's character. But it is impossible not to understand that this process itself has such a strong psychological impact on the patient that to some extent it is able to change his behavior. Just like illness in general.

The doctor finally turned to Matvey Vlasovich, looked into his eyes:

“Perhaps this is the only thing that can clarify the situation for us today. And time will tell. Who knows how your grandson will change in a day or two or in a year. The case with your grandson also seems very unusual to me. Let's keep in touch between us. If you find out something, please let me know. And I will look for analogues in the practice of my colleagues, I will look through scientific journals.

Going out into the corridor, Matvey Vlasovich did not find his wife there. Stopping in front of the machine, she talked with some woman. In order not to interfere, Matvey Vlasovich walked closer to his grandson's room. Two of his neighbors were sitting on a sofa in the hallway, looking at something outside the window. Igor's voice came from the ward. He was downright angry. The voice was ringing, though not loud.

You are asking about what you did. I'll tell you what you didn't! You did not deign to properly greet your grandfather, who not only raised you, because your mother and I had to work, but also saved you. We sent you to take care of him. And you? You caused an accident.

Matvey tried to object something, but his father immediately interrupted him:

“I don’t care what you think about all this right now. You listen to me and remember! You should thank him and everyone who pulled you out to say. Should study, and not chat all day, like a windup ...

At first, Matvey Vlasovich wanted to intercede for his grandson, but he came to his senses. After all, his son was now doing what he himself resorted to, raising his four children. Not wanting to eavesdrop, even involuntarily, he turned around and went towards his wife. He grabbed her by the arm and led her into the foyer. To her objections that it would be necessary to transfer the juices to the grandson and his friends, he answered imperturbably:

- They'll manage. Vitamins are good for us too. Yes, and we rarely see each other these days. Why don't we have a chat?

- Hm. Found the time and place. But, why not. Anyway, Matthew is busy. Tell me why the doctor called you?

- Yes, he was interested in our donor. I wanted to know every little thing.

Matvey Vlasovich hesitated, as if in doubt, but then added:

It's good that he asked me. After all, I myself wanted to find out something from him, but somehow I doubted it.

The wife said incredulously:

— Did you doubt it? Since when did you become so indecisive?

- Yes, all from the same. From the minute I saw what I now don't really believe in myself. I asked him if blood from a donor can change something in character?

- And what did he say?

“But he didn’t really say anything. We still don't know much about human nature. That's all. Neither yes nor no. Think as you wish.

So, what is there to think about? I believe that she influenced our grandson. Very much. Everything that he inherited from my mother was replaced by new blood. Can't you see how he's changed? And not only in character. He now has shoulders like you did at twenty-five. And how did you get him?

Matvey Vlasovich pulled his wife to him:

“Well, you are a connoisseur of everything and everything. And why did I ask the doctor. I should have come straight to you.

The wife laughed, got up from the sofa, held out her hand:

- I'm going to my grandson. We don't care. Influenced and how the donor's blood affected. The main thing is that he is alive and well. And then we'll deal with the rest.

Matvey Vlasovich got up, but in the end he asked thoughtfully:

- You know everything about me. Your head is especially good at math. Do you know what such numbers can mean - 08/30/1908. They seem familiar to me too. What do you think is the date?

- Let me think. June thirtieth one thousand nine hundred...

Yes, one thousand nine hundred and eight. If it's a date, of course.

Of course it's a date. And you, a native Siberian, should remember it - this is the day the Tunguska meteorite fell. We have several books on this. There, the story always begins from this date.

The room was unusually quiet. Matvey conjured over some problem from a textbook on algebra. His father was deep in his laptop, the neighbors were dozing. Matvey looked up from his textbook and called his grandfather:

- Can you come closer to me?

Matvey Vlasovich sat down on the edge of the bed. The boy looked at his bandaged hands, touched:

- Does it hurt a lot?

- There is little. But before the wedding will heal. Before yours, of course.

“You keep joking, but will you still take me hunting?”

— And how? - Matvey Vlasovich laughed, - we are now one team, - but now it's time for us to go home. I need to take my medicine on time before I get a scolding from your grandmother.

Igor closed his laptop, got up, took his jacket:

It's time for me too. Drop me off at work? I am without a car.

Of course, but what about Matthew?

“And he can handle it himself. Not small. He needs to slowly learn to use these wonderful crutches. Will you walk us to the hallway?

Matthew nodded his head in agreement.

***

Near the gate to the Butakovs' estate, they saw an unfamiliar car. One of the sons, along with a young man in a jacket of some company, walked along the fence.

“Who else is this?” What are they doing?

Evdokia Alexandrovna suggested:

- Most likely, someone decided to turn our house into a fortress. You see, they are looking for where it is better to put surveillance cameras.

- This is still not enough for us, - Matvey Vlasovich was indignant, - can we still hire security guards? Armed.

- Don't boil. Nothing has been decided yet. Until they calculate how much they can get from us, until the contract, then and there. We will explain everything to the children.

The conversation with the sons was short:

- We are not oligarchs, there are no bandits around. Even the fences are so high here only to protect the yards from snow. We did not move here from the city to sit in the "trenches".

The son, somewhat discouraged, tried to justify himself:

- Yes, I wanted it better. And Igor also supported me.

“Yeah, so you two discussed it together, but they forgot to at least inform my mother and me.

Feeling intonations familiar from childhood in his father’s voice, the son “passed back”:

“Sorry dad, we really made a fool of ourselves. You're right. No cameras needed. We don't always lock our gates. And you can’t put cameras on pasture.

- That's it.

Evdokia Alexandrovna concluded:

“Since we’ve got it all figured out, we should be busy with dinner.” Everyone will be home from work soon. I'm in the kitchen.

- I'm with you. I might be nice.

- Yes, where to. Hands must be cured first. But good for the company.

The older Butakovs went into the kitchen. The son, listening to them, shook his head:

- Don't change them. And why?

Evdokia Alexandrovna had not even had time to put on her apron when the telephone rang in the hallway. The son picked up the phone.

- Dad, this is for you. From the hospital.

Matvey Vlasovich immediately recognized the voice of the attending physician Matvey:

- We are at a loss here, I told you that we are preparing your grandson for discharge, but this does not mean that you can pick him up today.

- What? We didn't even think about taking it. We just got back from the hospital. They left him there. Next to the room. He saw us off and we left. What does it mean?

The answer was startling:

We searched the entire hospital. It's not there anywhere.