Let’s stop by the church,» suggested Polina.
Vadim looked at his wife and smiled. They had been married for nine years, and throughout this time, they had been trying to have a child. They visited doctors and underwent examinations everywhere they could. They did everything they could, took every possible test, but nothing helped.
Polina suffered greatly and often cried. Vadim tried to persuade her to adopt a child from an orphanage, but his wife was against it. She said, «What kind of woman am I if I can’t have a child? What am I good for? Why am I here in this world?»
One day she read that you should go to church and ask for a child. She prayed several times, then somehow calmed down and stopped thinking about having a child. A month later, they found out that Polina was pregnant. It was such happiness! Since then, Polina goes to church every month. The child was born completely healthy. Their daughter was already a year old, but Polina still visits the little church.
«Okay, let’s stop by, dear,» Vadim said, smiling gently.
After the child was born, they started treating each other even better, as if the baby had strengthened their bond and brought them closer. Polina put on a scarf and wrapped herself tightly in the expensive fur coat her husband had given her for New Year’s. She got out of the car, while Vadim stayed inside. He didn’t always accompany Polina to church, although he believed in God. He felt that one should only go to church when the soul desires it. Today, there was no such need.
Polina disappeared behind the massive church doors, and Vadim lazily observed what was happening through the window. A woman in a black dress and scarf came out of the church. Her coat was also black. She made the sign of the cross and wiped her eyes. Apparently, she had lost someone.
Then a man came out, followed by a woman with a child. They were smiling. Perhaps they, too, had come to thank for their long-awaited baby.
Vadim decided to step out for some fresh air. He turned on the alarm and walked around the church. Then he saw a bench where a man in dirty clothes was sitting on the ground. He wore a long coat, from under which his legs in dirty summer sneakers, once white, could be seen. His hands were dirty, his face covered with a beard, and he wore a black knitted cap. Judging by his appearance, he was homeless. Next to him was a small cart with some rags and apparently a blanket on it. In his hand, the man held a plastic cup into which people threw alms.
The man sat silently, not bothering anyone, and many didn’t even notice him. Only occasionally would someone throw him some coins. Vadim watched the homeless man attentively. He usually didn’t pay attention to such destitute and down-and-out people. He believed they didn’t deserve his attention, living on the street. There’s always a way out of any situation. But after the baby was born, Vadim started seeing such people a little differently. Sometimes he even gave alms.
Vadim was watching the homeless man closely. A woman passing by dropped some paper money into his cup. The homeless man smiled at her, but his smile looked pitiful. The woman didn’t pay attention to him and continued walking.
At that moment, the homeless man carefully took the bill from the cup, folded it carefully, and hid it in his pocket. Vadim noticed his long, even fingers, which looked like those of a musician or a pianist.
«Perhaps this man was someone important in the past,» Vadim thought.
What could have happened for him to end up on the street?
Vadim opened the car, took out a thousand rubles from his wallet, walked over to the homeless man, and placed the money in his cup. The homeless man immediately stepped aside, but Vadim heard his deep voice:
«You are very generous. No one has ever given me such an amount. I am very grateful. Don’t think that I’ll spend it on alcohol. I don’t drink. Now I’ll be able to buy food for a week.»
A few blocks away, there’s a small shop. The shopkeeper is a very kind woman. She doesn’t turn her nose up at me; she lets me buy food. I’ll be able to buy hot tea and buns. It’ll last me more than a week. Thank you. May God bless you.
Vadim turned to the homeless man. He was surprised that the man’s voice was so unusual. It even seemed that he had heard it somewhere before.
Vadim wasn’t planning to talk to the homeless man, but something made him ask:
«Have you been living on the street long?»
The homeless man was surprised that this well-dressed man had spoken to him and replied:
«Three years now. But for about two years, I lived in the basement of a building. Then they noticed me, kicked me out, and locked the door with a big padlock. Now I can’t find a place to stay. I sleep wherever I can, as long as I don’t freeze. It’s strange, but in my position, I’d rather be gone.»
Vadim stared at the man. Why did his voice remind him of someone? But he couldn’t figure out who. He wanted to hear that voice over and over again. So he asked again:
«Why don’t you have a home? What happened to you?»
The homeless man looked at Vadim intently:
«I don’t think you’d be interested in my story. Many people end up on the street. You never know what can happen. It’s all so unpredictable. You could be a successful doctor, and then, in one moment, lose everything. For years, everyone called you Boris Sergeyevich, and then suddenly you become an enemy and a nobody. And there’s not a single soul who treats you like a human. This story isn’t much different from others that homeless people can tell. Everyone has their own reason for ending up like this.»
Vadim felt his heart race as he recognized the voice. He had last heard it about ten years ago, but back then, he had promised himself that he would never forget it.
«You were a surgeon,» Vadim said quietly.
The homeless man quickly raised his head and looked at Vadim carefully, then nodded.
«Yes, I was a surgeon once, but that’s in the past. Now I’m nobody.»
Vadim silently looked at the man.
About ten years ago, this man saved his life. Vadim had almost died because the doctors hadn’t diagnosed him properly. He had appendicitis, but the surgery was delayed, and peritonitis set in. The doctors said he had no chance, but Boris Sergeyevich decided to operate on him. He brought him back from the brink of death, and after the surgery, the surgeon repeated that everything would be fine. «You’ll live a long and happy life, kid. You’ll do many good things, so don’t get discouraged. You’ll live, I won’t let you go. Fight, kid, fight,» the doctor had said to him.
And Vadim survived. He had to have part of his intestine removed, but he was alive. He promised himself that he would never forget the doctor who saved his life.
«You saved my life. I remember you. I recognized your voice,» Vadim said to the homeless man.
He lowered his head and mumbled:
«I’m glad I was helpful to you once, but now I can’t help you. What happened to you? Why are you on the street?»
Vadim moved closer to the man and leaned toward him. People looked in surprise at the well-dressed man who was politely talking to the homeless man, but Vadim didn’t pay attention to anyone. He was only interested in Boris Sergeyevich.
The former surgeon told his story. Everything had been fine: a prestigious job, grateful patients, a good salary. But then there was an accident, and Boris Sergeyevich became the cause. As a result, his wife and daughter died.
Boris’ wife was the daughter of a very well-known and rich man in the city. His father-in-law never forgave him for the death of his only daughter. He did everything he could to take away everything Boris had.
Boris lost the most important thing—his skills. He survived the accident, but severely damaged his hands. He was even operated on in another city, but no one could help him. Boris Sergeyevich was no longer a surgeon. After that, he hit rock bottom. No, he didn’t start drinking, but strange things began to happen, one after the other.
After he lost his job, he lost his car, his apartment, all his friends. Everyone turned their backs on him. He had no relatives. His wife and daughter were dead. His father-in-law hated him. He was alone in the world.
And so, he ended up on the street. No one remembered him, no one thought about him. He just disappeared, and no one noticed. The only thing he had left was his passport. He kept it carefully under his coat, but he didn’t need it. Everyone had forgotten him. He had no home, no one, and nothing.
Vadim ran his hand over his face, and tears rolled down his cheeks. People were astonished to see the man who had bent down in front of the homeless man and was crying. Boris Sergeyevich finished his story and sighed. He smiled faintly and said:
«Young man, thank you for your kindness, but you’ve stirred up memories that I want to forget. You are very kind, but let me deal with my business, and I wish you good luck. I’m glad I saved your life.»
«So it wasn’t in vain. My name is Vadim. Boris Sergeyevich, in fact, there are many people who owe their lives to you. I’m sure of it. And I promise you, I won’t leave this matter unresolved. I can’t leave you here. I’ll think of something. I promise you. But you promise me that you’ll be here tomorrow. I just need to think about what to do. And tomorrow I’ll come. Do you promise me?»
The man looked at Vadim in surprise.
«I don’t deserve this fate. My wife and daughter died because of me. I don’t belong among ordinary people. I don’t deserve it.»
«You’re wrong, you’re not guilty, it’s just an accident. Promise me you’ll be here tomorrow.»
The man nodded. Vadim extended his hand to Boris Sergeyevich. He awkwardly shook it. Vadim stood up and headed for his car. Polina was already standing by the car. She looked at her husband in surprise.
«Vadim, what happened? Why were you talking to this man? Did he say something bad to you?»
Vadim hurried to reassure his wife.
«No, Polin, no. This man is the doctor who saved me. Do you remember I told you about him?»
Polina gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.
«My God! Why is he on the street? What happened to him? He needs help! God, this is terrible! Get in the car, I’ll tell you everything on the way home. I want to consult with you. I have an idea. I’ll be happy if you support me.»
Vadim told his wife everything. She listened carefully, even shedding a few tears. Then he shared his idea with her, and she supported him. He was overjoyed.
The next day, Vadim came to the church again. Boris Sergeyevich was sitting in the same place. Snow was falling, it was very cold, and the man was frozen. Vadim talked to him for a long time. Boris Sergeyevich kept shaking his head, disagreeing with Vadim, but Vadim was persistent. Eventually, the man gave in. Tears appeared in his eyes when he finally nodded, agreeing with Vadim.
Vadim put the homeless man in his car and drove away. People who had been watching the situation looked in surprise at the car driving away. Why did this man take this homeless person? Who was he? Why did he need this dirty beggar? But all these questions remained unanswered. Vadim took Boris Sergeyevich to his apartment. He settled him in the apartment that he had inherited from his grandmother. The apartment had been empty for a long time, and Vadim hadn’t been able to sell it. It was as if something had been holding him back from taking that step. Now, this apartment became a refuge for Boris Sergeyevich.
Vadim helped the man restore all his documents and register him. He supported Boris Sergeyevich financially until he found work. After a few months, Boris Sergeyevich got a job at a kindergarten. The work was low-paying, but it was his first job after a long break.
At the kindergarten, Boris Sergeyevich did various jobs: he was a guard, gardener, caretaker, and assistant. He liked the job, he loved children, their laughter, and their interaction. The kindergarten workers also grew fond of him for his kindness and responsiveness. They treated him warmly and politely, feeling that he was an intelligent and educated man. No one asked him about his past, but everyone sensed that he had a secret.
Vadim was happy that he had been able to help the man who had once saved him. Boris Sergeyevich treated him like a son and was also grateful for this chance to be human again, to be needed and important to someone.
