Chapter 32

The contemplation of the untouched snow was interrupted by Tretyakov, who looked out of the door of the house. He had a phone in his hand.

— Vlasovich, you are required. Will you talk here or come in? I won't interfere. There are things in the bath. It would be necessary to flood.

Matvey Vlasovich entered the room, picked up the receiver, and mused aloud:

- It seems that I don’t really need to bathe now, but it’s good for you to calm your nerves after such a night. Sleep is better here.

- Exactly, only we also have a "child" appeared. He needs to be prophylactic. Who knows how his body is? Should manage, but just in case, it's worth helping him.

“Then we need to add some more wood.” He must wake up for dinner. Hunger is the best alarm clock, you know. Yes, and your wild garlic will kill any dream, put it on your feet.

Yuri went to the bathhouse, Matvey Vlasovich moved the makeshift wooden chair away from the bed, on which Pavel snored peacefully like a child.

His wife's voice was completely calm. Too calm. This meant only one thing - she was excited beyond measure.

Hello, how are you, honey? I just wanted to call you. You got ahead of me. How are you, in order?

- Yes, we are doing well. Everyone is healthy, everything is in place. Except you. You seem to have “taken a vacation” for one day, and the second one ends. What's wrong?

- Well, how does it end? Noon only. But you're right, I can't go back today.

Evdokia Alexandrovna became alert:

- And what is it you "turned down the sound"? Who sleeps?

— Yes, I guessed. The guy here at night in the taiga was late, spent the night by the fire. And what a dream in such a frost? I had to dance. Now it's falling asleep.

- So, I kind of know all your "boys" acquaintances. Which one of them thought this?

“Darling, I’ll tell you everything later. In the meantime, how is our grandson helping you?

“I haven't needed any help yet. But here's what's surprising. Will come from school and nowhere beyond the threshold. You, as I understand it, appointed him my watchman?

Matvey Vlasovich laughed:

- Well done grandson, my upbringing.

***

After the conversation with Evdokia Alexandrovna, Butakov sat silently for several minutes, fixing his unseeing gaze somewhere at the wall. The couple did not say anything special to each other, there was no need for that. Without a word, it was clear what they both care about right now. Their world is broken. But they didn’t know if it was a danger to the family or if they would deal with everything themselves. Just like they've done it all their lives. Maybe all this worry is in vain ... You never know what has changed today that they do not quite understand? Are you old? Lagged behind the young, from new technologies.

A strange sound caught my attention. A fly was beating against the glass, still half covered with a frosty pattern. Sometimes she slid down, touched the frost, took off with difficulty and again rushed to the light. Matvey Vlasovich chuckled and commented aloud:

“Oh… What is it that has managed to wake you up now?” Do you really think spring has arrived? In vain, oh, in vain.

And he continued to himself:

“Oh, old! Fly... Found something to worry about! I would have thought better of myself. Great, looks like you're wrong. He broke himself, stirred up others. The kid almost died because of you. Don't understand what's going on here... This strange man. Mikhailov. How did he get here? He spoke to me like he was seeing me for the first time. Didn't you really know?"

Altai from the very morning also did not find a place for itself. He cruised around the house from the sleeping Pavel to Yuri, he himself never lay down to take a nap. Now, as if guessing Butakov's anxiety, he went up to him and rubbed his forehead against his hand. Matvey Vlasovich woke up from his thoughts, stroked him, patted him behind the ears.

— Yes, my friend, you understand correctly, everything is complicated with us. But nothing, we will solve the riddles. Only, he admitted to himself, only if new ones don't fall on us.

***

The last lesson ended at school. Maths. An object that unexpectedly became a favorite for Matvey. He was no longer even surprised at such a change - although quite recently it had been a painful test for him. With difficulty, Matvey managed to reach the saving three in the exams. The teachers shook their heads, but gave satisfactory answers. Maybe his excellent knowledge in all other subjects not related to the exact sciences mattered to them? Now, somehow, suddenly, the numbers no longer seem boring to Matvey. The lessons began to bring pleasure no less than literature and history ... Only today he could not concentrate at all. He looked impatiently from the window, then at the skis, which he managed to quietly carry into the classroom and hide from the eyes of the teachers in the corner. The room was too warm, I wanted to get out into the cold faster. Walk at a pace along the forest track,

The teacher, a relatively recent graduate of the university, had long since caught his absent glance and could hardly contain his displeasure. In love with mathematics, dreaming of a serious career, he was very offended by fate, which had its own way. Instead of an academy or an institute, she determined his general education school. He did not consider teaching as his own. He did not value his students very highly, and generally immediately identified Matvey in the category of those who were not worth his efforts. That's why he didn't pay attention to him. Butakov's awakened interest in the subject was not immediately noticed by the teacher. As soon as he drew attention to this, he immediately attributed it to his pedagogical achievements. And, of course, now he could not allow this success to disappear so quickly.

— Matthew! Am I talking too loud? Maybe I'm bothering you? You're on your own with the topic, aren't you?

Matvey tried to get away from the dangerous conflict with the teacher.

No, I'm listening to you. Everything is interesting. I only looked out the window once.

- Well, if you are interested in the lesson, then you can repeat what we are talking about here? Please listen carefully.

Matvey got up from his desk, trying to figure out what to say in response. Looked at what was written on the blackboard. Suddenly the formulas seemed familiar to him. He had never been so sure of himself in a math class. A minute later, the teacher was forced to admit:

- Well done. I don't know how you managed it, but you deserve another five. But don't rejoice! If I see you yawning in class again, I'll put one without even asking.

Matthew breathed a sigh of relief. But not for long. Another person was waiting for an explanation from him today. Classmate. They have long been connected not only by school. They often walked together, went to the cinema. They left school together. It was fun with her. Every morning I woke up thinking about a new meeting. And suddenly everything was gone. For several days now, Matvey has been coming to school on skis and returning home in the same way. He was no longer attracted by her laughter, and her gray eyes did not seem special.

- Marina, I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry again today. You have to go home right after school. And I want to go skiing before the snow melts.

Marina was a smart girl.

— Yes, of course, I understand. Let's take a walk next time.

And again, Matvey felt only relief from the fact that it was so easy to avoid a quarrel.

Picking up his skis on his shoulder, he quickly headed for the exit of the building. In the foyer, a passing glance stopped at an unfamiliar visitor studying the timetable. His class. The boy wanted to slow down, ask who he was looking for, but at that moment the man turned around. Matthew felt a chill run down his back. The stranger looked at him, but did not see him. It seemed that if the schoolboy had not stepped aside, he would have knocked him down. Without looking around, the strange man walked towards the door that had just closed behind Matvey.

***

Frosty air and movement invigorated. All thoughts and feelings faded into the background. All that was left was the pleasure of feeling the strength in the muscles and the agility of the whole body. It cannot be said that Matvey grew up as a weak boy, but lately, especially after his illness, he has become much stronger and rejoiced at this.

The forest was still in full winter attire, but still, the first signs of the imminent spring were already becoming more noticeable. In some places near the trees on the south side, the first clearings appeared, the bark on the trunks darkened. Flocks of birds whistled through the air quite low above the pines. The frost was clearly losing its strength.

Easily overcoming a good ten kilometers to the house, the young man rolled out to the side of the highway. Here he took off his skis and crossed the road. There were only five hundred meters to their estate. Having fastened the bindings on his boots and already taking sticks in his hands, for some reason he looked back. There were three people on the opposite side. The men silently looked in the direction of the skier. He waved his hand in greeting, but there was no answer. None of the three even moved. Looking more closely, Matvey recognized one of them. It was someone he had recently run into at school.

- How did he get here? The bus stop is far away. On foot, he could not get ahead of me. Weird.

But there was no time to think. He hurried home. Shrugged:

- Nonsense. He must have recognized it.

***

Evdokia Alexandrovna was alone at home. With Kimi. Turning off the phone, she did not stop talking with her husband.

- So, Matvey Vlasovich, you yourself know that I did not believe you. What kind of hunting in this weather? And why go far into the taiga when there are a lot of hares and other game around the lodge? Are you hunting bears? And what kind of "boy" was drawn there?

She paused, as if waiting for an answer, and continued:

- And why now? I really need you here. Although... Maybe it's for the best? I don't have to hide the fact that now I need the advice of our doctor.

After some thought, she resolutely picked up the home phone.

***

The Butakov family has been friends with the doctor for a long time. The doctor married late, because Evdokia Alexandrovna took care of her husband's friend for a long time, treating him to homemade food. After the marriage, this was no longer necessary, but the friendship became even stronger. And soon they became neighbors. And what better than a good neighborhood strengthens ties? To the request of Evdokia Alexandrovna for a meeting, Gennady Mikhailovich responded, as always, willingly.

- Come now. Your friend is not at home, but while we talk, drink tea, she will return from work.

Hearing a warning that Matvey Vlasovich did not necessarily know about her problem, he severely cut him off:

“What kind of people are you, people?” You've known me for so many years. Yes, if I had the habit of blurting out information about patients, then who would come to me for treatment?

The conversation went on for a long time. This time, Evdokia Alexandrovna decided to tell everything without hiding. The doctor listened to her more and more attentively. Sometimes he interrupted with short questions. He spoke without pressure, but firmly. The tea had already been drunk, the wife returned from work and looked into the office. Realizing that the visit was not friendly, she only said hello and left.

Evdokia Alexandrovna returned home reassured and knowing what she had to do so that, finally, the girl with a crystal voice would stop coming to her in a dream.

***

Matveyka was in the kitchen. In search of dinner, I already checked the pans, looked in the refrigerator. Considering that a sandwich with ham and tea would completely replace soup, he chewed fragrant meat with appetite, simultaneously studying mail on the phone.

— How is the school? Grandmother inquired absently.

- Good. Got an A in math.

Contrary to his expectations, the reaction to this message was minimal. As well as a sandwich instead of lunch.

“Give me a cup of tea, too.” If you didn't use all the ham, then I wouldn't refuse a slice.

Somewhat surprised, Matvey complied with the request.

- I'm going to a concert in the village. Do you want with me?

- Yes I want to. Olya invited me. Here look.

Matvey showed his grandmother a message on his smartphone.

- Yeah, you're lucky. I wasn't invited, but the entrance is free, isn't it?

- Oh sure. I really didn't know you were so fond of choir singing.

- Did not know. There's a lot you don't know about me and my grandfather. By the way, we also once appeared on the stage quite often. And not only at school. Ask your father. He probably remembers how, sitting on his grandmother's lap, he applauded us at performances in the Palace of Culture.

- Yes, I see you were not bored in your youth.

- And then ... By the way. If you want, you can ride Batyr to the village on horseback. He clearly misses his owner. Yes, and stagnated in the stables. Walking won't hurt him. And I'm in a car.

***

At this time, silence reigned around the taiga house. The bright sun gave the recently gloomy taiga a festive look. The snow sparkled, the whiteness played with shades of all the colors of the rainbow. The green of the forest has become deeper, and the shadows under the trees are bluer. Matvey Vlasovich watched this beauty from the window for several minutes, listening. The noise in the bathroom subsided. Yuri slept off after a restless night. Matvey Vlasovich put on a jacket, thinking, instead of his berets, he pulled on the master's felt boots, which stood at the threshold. The sensitive ear of Altai caught the gathering. Outstripping the man, he was already waiting for him at the door.

On the porch Matvey Vlasovich stood motionless for several minutes, with half-closed eyes. Get used to the riot of light. Then he approached Grozny, who was still sitting imperturbably on a platform under a canopy. In thought, pushing his hat to the top of his head, he ran his nails over the regrown stubble on his face. He was more and more interested in the question, why does the dog ignore the booth even in the strongest snowstorm? He carefully examined the solid building from the outside. Everything was OK.

“And why do you dislike your hut so much?” Your coat is good, of course. Any frost is not terrible. But why not spend the night warm? BUT? Like it would be more comfortable there? What do you think?

Terrible only turned his majestic head at the sound of the man's voice, but remained in his place. Butakov leaned over and tried to inspect the inside of the booth. I managed to see a little.

- Damn it. I'll have to get in there myself. How do you like it? Do you think it's easy for me, an old man, to get on all fours?

Groaning, he sank to one knee, the second responded with pain, but this did not stop Matvey Vlasovich. He almost to the waist squeezed into the "hut". Altai tried to take an active part in everything, but he did not succeed. There was not enough space in the house. However, after a few minutes it became clear to the man why Grozny was so indifferent to his housing. There is a tiny crack in the roof. She is not visible from the outside. And the snow does not penetrate through it. But if the mighty dog ​​is inside, then from his breath the snowdrift on the roof begins to thaw. A "shower" of melt water is clearly not to Grozny's liking.

Having closed the hole in a few minutes and changed the bedding, Matvey Vlasovich invited Altai to evaluate his work. Himself, he took a shovel and began to clear the area in front of the entrance and the path to the stream. This was not an easy task. Only at the very top of the hill the snow was only knee-deep. The wind did not allow him to lie here. But it got deeper as it went down. And at the very cliff it turned into a huge snowdrift, in some places covered with an ice crust. A heavy block hung over the stream, threatened to collapse at any moment, and prevented us from getting close to the water. After two hours of hard work, only a narrow tunnel was able to break through to the descent. But that was already a success. Now you could go straight to the shore and just scoop up water with a bucket.

Remembering that in the pantry there was a plastic flask of good capacity, Matvey Vlasovich went for it, filled it to the brim. A piece of strong cellophane came up for transportation. Putting a flask on it, tied it with a rope. Now it could be dragged quite easily up the hill. There, at the entrance to the house, Yuri was standing in deep thought. When he woke up, he did not find his dog nearby. Coming out onto the porch, I did not see Grozny at his post, Alai was not there either. To the amazement of the owner, they both dozed peacefully in the booth. The shepherd, however, seeing Yuri, jumped out, greeted him and again darted to his friend. Noticing Matvey Vlasovich with a load, Tretyakov went down from the porch, helped bring a flask of water into the back room.

“I see you haven’t wasted your time. Got my business in order.

- Yes, these are trifles. Your household is in an enviable order even without me. Instead of charging the snow, it is useful to leave. I've been sitting idle for two days.

Tretyakov chuckled in response:

Yes, it's a good workout...

Pointing to the dogs, he added:

- Everything is clear with the “charging”, but how you persuaded this couple is incomprehensible to me. All winter they refused to go there.

- Yes, there the dies dried out a little. And the breath of a dog is like that of a locomotive.

- A, clear. It dripped on him. Hmm ... but I did not understand. I thought that Grozny really liked fresh air more. I'm a bad psychologist.

Well, what are your years...

Entering the house, both could not resist exclamations of joy:

- Our shooter woke up! Did you sleep well? Surely you saw girls in a dream?

Pavel looked a little embarrassed, a little disheveled, but quite healthy. Only on the right cheek was a crimson trace from frostbite, and the thumbs of the hands were slightly swollen.

Tretyakov carefully examined the boy, once again smeared the affected skin with some drug. Everything looked pretty good. Yuri was pleased.

Nothing, you will live. And everything will pass before the wedding.

Matvey Vlasovich also breathed a sigh of relief and busied himself around the stove.

- Are you hungry? Wash up and let's go to the table. By the way, can I help you or will you go where you need to go yourself?

The guy's healthy appetite confirmed that the nightly dangerous adventure had done for him without serious consequences. The roast of two wild ducks also impressed Tretyakov.

- Yes, you, Vlasovich, are a jack of all trades. You would make an excellent cook. And why did you go into geology?

Butakov laughed sincerely:

“So geology taught me this art. The positions of culinary specialists are not provided for on expeditions. You need to be able to take care of yourself.

The men did not remember the night incident, and even more so the culprit. He enjoyed the food and the fact that he managed to make his wish come true. The taiga zaimka reminded me of happy days, of my father.

After eating, Pavel felt sleepy again. He sat at the table, "nodding", but tried to hold on. Yuri put a hand on his shoulder.

- Don't be shy. For you, a day - two rests is the best medicine now. So lie down, inspect your dreams or welcome to the bathhouse. Choose.

Pavel resolutely went to the bed, sat down on the edge and suddenly remembered:

- And I really saw a dream there, in the forest. I saw my dad... for the first time since that day...

Here his voice trembled.

Yuri quickly approached him and hugged him.

- Nothing. Everything is fine. I dreamed, so he wanted to save you. Maybe you didn’t sleep at all, but just dozed off.

Having calmed down, Pavel quickly fell asleep.

Clearing the table, Yuri asked:

- Matvey Vlasovich, do you have binoculars with you?

— But how. I don't go to the taiga without it.

- Good. That's what you are. Get to bed early. Have a rest. We are with you at night, closer to the morning we go skiing to one place. There is something I want to show you. Near. Twenty kilometers from here. How do you feel, isn't it hard?

- What's so hard about it? Skis, but I left far from here.

- Nothing. I have spares that are good for you. I just need to check them now. Since autumn, they stand motionless. Should be ok, but I'll fix it if needed. I'll grease it.

- Okay, I understand. Is there anything else you want to say? We didn't seem to finish our conversation.

- What to say? You will see everything yourself. Maybe all your questions will disappear. Well, if any remain, then together we will try to answer them. Butakov for the first time felt in the voice of a new acquaintance what he had counted on from the very beginning - he became his own for him.

***

The school hall was full. Only a few empty chairs remained in the back rows. Evdokia Alexandrovna and Matvey had only managed to take off their jackets and take their seats when the curtain opened. Olga Solovieva stood on the stage. She immediately saw Matvey, smiled, but continued to look for someone else with her eyes. It seemed that when she succeeded, Olga even sighed with relief. Following the girl's gaze, Evdokia Alexandrovna saw a tall, stately man on the opposite side of the hall. She recognized him even though they had never met. Just in case, she pointed it out to her grandson and asked if he was familiar to him.

So this is my donor. Georgy Mikhailov. Do you want to meet him, grandma?

“Of course, but not now. After the concert, we will approach him.

Music has always had a healing effect on Evdokia Alexandrovna, but she did not expect that she would be so deeply touched by the singing of children. From the smallest - first-graders, to graduates. Of course, she was far from the first time at a children's concert. Three children, grandchildren. Kindergartens and schools. Everything has been done over and over again. And yet — this concert was special. Now she understood why this particular choir from a very small northern village had so many awards, why they called him to Novosibirsk, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Apparently, Olga Solovieva not only knew how to sing herself in such a way that her voice reached the very depths of her soul, but she also passed this gift on to her children. For two hours, Evdokia Alexandrovna forgot about everything. Only occasionally paying attention to his subdued grandson. He didn't take his eyes off the stage either. Especially when Olga traditionally ended the concert with her song. She seemed to sing only for him. By chance, Evdokia Alexandrovna noticed that not only she, but also Mikhail Grigoriev was watching her grandson and Olga. She flinched, meeting his gaze for a moment. Anything could be read in it. And it is not known what was more in him - rage or despair. What could have aroused such feelings in him? What really connected this grown man with a girl who could be his daughter?

The concert ended, but the audience did not leave. Happy parents surrounded Olga, thanked her. Only from a distance she was able to wave her hand to Matvey, but she said something with her lips, without a sound. Evdokia Alexandrovna guessed. She thanked me and promised to call.

Evdokia Alexandrovna failed to get acquainted with Mikhailov. He left immediately after the concert.

Evdokia Alexandrovna also hurried. It was already quite dark outside. I had to return home. Batyr was waiting outside. He was tied under a canopy, near a feeder filled with hay. Snorting, he chewed, occasionally shifting from foot to foot. His breath formed a lace of frost on his mane. But this did not worry Evdokia Alexandrovna. Low temperatures for a horse that grew up in the wild in the Kazakh steppe were not terrible. But is Matvey experienced enough to ride on a dark frosty night?

Her fears proved unfounded. Rider and horse understood each other well even without light. The smart horse already knew the way, the rider did not rush him, but did not let go of the reins too much. After some forty minutes they were in the stable. And here Matthew did not have to prompt anything. Having unsaddled Batyr, he led him into a stall, brought him fresh water, gave him a drink, poured oats ... Evdokia Alexandrovna watched her grandson with pleasure. She recognized her husband in him. The way he was in his early youth.

Unlocking the door to the house, Matvey suddenly asked:

- Ba, do you think Olga will leave the village?

"What suddenly came to your mind?"

- She was sent an invitation to work in Novosibirsk. To the music school.

- And what is she? Did you accept it?

I don't know, she hasn't decided yet. She said she had to think.

As if by the way, the grandmother paved the conversation about Olga:

“Good girl, what do you think?”

Her grandson's answer struck her with vehemence:

- As good as it gets!

Evdokia Alexandrovna wanted to ask Matvey a lot more. First of all, how long and how often does he communicate with a girl who is older than him, which can connect them. But she didn't risk it. I just thought sadly.

“Maybe I should ask her? Or not know at all? Trust the course of events."

I remembered the doctor's advice. Today she has already completed the first. Met Olga. Make sure she is a worthy person. We must be patient, forget about disturbing dreams. Reality can be simpler than them and more complicated.

***

In the dead of night, the sky above the taiga shone with thousands of stars. The temperature dropped quite a bit, the wind died down. It was unusually light. The moon seemed to be reachable by hand. Matvey Vlasovich got out of bed first. Fired up the oven. I baked cakes. Made some impressive sandwiches. I put them in my backpacks.

Breakfast was already on the table when Yuri entered the room.

- Good morning! I'm starting to get used to this kind of service.

Everyone should have a vacation. Even among taiga hermits.

Yuri went to the bed where Pavel slept, straightened the blanket.

- Let him sleep. Then he will have breakfast alone.

- As one? He's got two tails. Or do we take Altai with us?

- No, today he is not helping us, rather the opposite.

***

They left the house when, even in the east, the sky still kept a night veil. The frosty air was saturated with the scent of pine needles. The sound of crunching snow echoed lightly. Somewhere in the distance, a waking owl hooted.

Matvey Vlasovich could not resist admiration:

What a beauty you got here! We don't even breathe easily.

“Hmm, that’s how it is today. The frost has eased. Spring still. But if he “presses”, then ... Well, you yourself know. As at forty and below one breathes.

— Yes, I know. How not to know? My whole life has been in the forests, but in the mountains. But still, I rarely saw such beauty.

Yes, I have been looking for this place for a long time. In this I was lucky.

As they skied down the hill to the river, the first thing they did was check the ice. We made sure that he was still strong, crossed to the other side, but did not climb the mountain, went along the river to the right.

Grozny, standing on the porch, followed them until their silhouettes disappeared into the forest. By this time, the sky in the east began to brighten. But it was still three hours before dawn. That's how long it will take two men to get to the right place.