Kol, I’m scared,» Lera said fearfully. «What are you afraid of? We’re getting married in a month, the parents know everything,» Nikolai reassured his fiancée. «What if you change your mind? What will I do then, alone with a child?» «Silly, once our son is born, I’ll take him fishing.» «And if it’s a girl?» «Well, if it’s a girl, she’ll be your little helper! Soon you’ll take my last name, don’t be afraid!»
Kissing his fiancée, Kolya waved through the fence and headed down the village street. The village was already asleep, although it wasn’t night yet.
The young man earned a good salary during the planting season. There was enough money not only for a good wedding. The chairman gave him a couple of days off; he could get some sleep. After passing a few houses, Nikolai noticed a female figure. No, this woman was definitely not from the village. Their women don’t wear such tight pants around here. She was standing and smoking. The guy stopped near the short-haired stranger.
«Hello, beauty!» he threw at her. «Who are you?» «Well, you could at least introduce yourself for decency’s sake, or didn’t they teach you that?» she replied. «My name is Nikolai.»
Shrugging, the girl replied: «Marina,» the girl said. «Tell me, where can one go for fun here in the village?» «You can go to the club on Saturdays,» said Kolya. «Why do I need Saturday? I want now!» «Now?» The boy thought for a bit and continued: «If now, then come to me.» «Then come in. I’ve rented my grandmother’s summer house nearby.»
A quarter of an hour later, they were sitting at her place, listening to music. «Shall we dance?» Marina asked. «Let’s dance,» he replied, pulling the girl close to him.
In the morning, Kolya hurried home. Soon the women would wake up and go milking; hopefully, no one saw him. In the evening, he wanted to meet Marina again, as she would be leaving soon.
«Lera, your Kolya spent the night at a visitor’s,» one of the milkmaids told the girl as she was pouring out the milk. Lera almost dropped the bucket. «You’re lying!» «No one is lying. They say he’s planning to leave for the city with her.»
Lera ran to Nikolai’s house, but he wasn’t there. His mother was sitting at the table, crying. Looking up at the girl, she said: «They’ve left.»
Lera slid down the wall. What was she to do now? She was pregnant! What a disgrace. The girl ran back home, ripping off her robe. Her temples throbbed. No, she knew what to do.
There was a healer in the village. People often went to her. Either to treat a child or cure a man from drunkenness. She would help Lera end this pregnancy.
At home, Lera’s mother was waiting. «What’s wrong with you? Why are you crying?» the woman asked from the doorway. «Mom, Kolya left me. He went to the city with another!» the daughter wailed. «And what about you?» «And why would he need a village girl?»
The mother silently watched. The father came out of the room. «Daughter, don’t worry so much. If he shows up, I’ll shoot him on the spot!» he blurted out. «My girl, and for what do you need all this?» the mother lamented. «Mom, I’m going to Valya, tell the chairman something about why I’m not here,» Lera said as she packed her things. «Alright, daughter, go. I’ll say something,» the woman agreed.
An hour later, the girl was at the healer’s house. «Well, what brought you here? Come in, tell me,» the old woman invited.
They drank tea at the table. The healer asked: «Why have you come?»
And Lera told her the whole truth.
The tea tasted strange. About fifteen minutes later, the girl felt sleepy and dreamed of a little child drowning in a river. He was screaming and calling for help, but Lera couldn’t stand up to help him. Then she woke up.
«Well, haven’t you changed your mind about getting rid of the child?» the old woman asked. Lera was silent. No, she didn’t want to kill her little one. It was a life.
Walking home from the healer, she was forbidden to ride a bicycle. Pregnant women shouldn’t. No matter, she would raise this child, even alone. After all, she had Valya. The aunt would surely not let her beloved niece perish.
At home, her father asked: «Where have you been?» «I went to the healer. She forbade me to have an abortion.» «What! I wouldn’t have let you in the door if I knew you decided to get rid of our grandson!»
The baby was born on time. Lera’s parents picked her up from the maternity hospital. The next day, Nikolai’s mother came to visit. «Please, let me babysit my grandson sometimes! After all, I’m still his grandmother,» she asked.
Carefully taking the child in her arms, Lera handed him to her would-be mother-in-law. «Oh, my little blood, grandma has brought you a dowry that no one else has!» the woman said.
A couple of months later, Nikolai returned to the village and complained to friends near the store: «You wouldn’t believe! She needs to have parties at home every day. And whoever is hungry should cook.» «Well, who’s to blame? You should have stayed with Lera,» the men replied. «No problem, Lera will forgive me,» the guy sighed. «Unlikely. Your Lera is getting married, and she’ll register her son to her new husband,» his friends told him.
At home, no one was waiting for Kolya. His mother made him tea, then put his suitcase on the porch with the words: «Go to your city. It was good for you there when you shamed a pregnant girl.» «But where should I go, mom?» «You’ll find a place,» the woman said.
A week later, a wedding was played in the village. The little boy now had three grandmothers! The groom’s mother loved her adopted grandson. Lera’s new beloved turned out to be a decent gentleman. He certainly wouldn’t leave her in a difficult moment.
