The boy woke up to his mother’s groan and approached her bed:
«Mom, are you in pain?»
«Matveyka, bring some water!»
«Right away,» he rushed to the kitchen.
A minute later, he returned with a full mug:
«Here, Mom, drink!»
There was a knock on the door.
«Son, open it! It’s probably Grandma Nina.»
The neighbor walked in, holding a large mug.
«How are you, Masha?»—she touched her head—»You’ve got a fever. I brought you some hot milk with butter.»
«I’ve taken medicine.»
«You need to go to the hospital. You need proper treatment. You should eat properly, but your fridge is empty.»
«Aunt Nina, I’ve already spent all my money on medicine,» the patient’s eyes welled up with tears. «Nothing helps.»
«Go to the hospital.»
«And who will I leave Matvey with?»
«And who will you leave him with if you die? You’re not even thirty yet, and you have neither a husband nor money,» she stroked the sick woman’s head. «Alright, don’t cry!»
«Aunt Nina, what should I do?»
«That’s it, I’m calling a doctor,» the neighbor took out her phone.
She called and found out everything.
«They said: within the day. I’m going. When they arrive, send Matvey for me.»
The neighbor walked out to the hallway, and the boy followed her:
«Grandma Nina, Mom won’t die, right?»
«I don’t know. We need to ask God to help, but your mom doesn’t believe in Him.»
«And will Grandpa God help?»—hope shone in the boy’s eyes.
«We need to go to the church, light a candle and ask, then He will help. Alright, I’m going.»
The son returned to his mother, thoughtful:
«Matveyka, you must be hungry, and we have nothing. Bring two glasses.»
When he brought them, his mother poured milk into them:
«Drink!»
He drank, but he wanted to eat even more. Maria immediately understood. With difficulty, she got up, took her purse from the table:
«Here’s fifty rubles. Go buy two pies and eat them on the way, and I’ll cook something. Go!»
She saw her son to the door and, holding onto the wall, headed to the kitchen. In the fridge were cheap fish cans, a bit of margarine, a couple of potatoes, and an onion on the windowsill.
«I need to make soup…»
Her head spun, and she weakly sank onto a stool:
«What’s happening to me? I have no strength at all. Almost half of my vacation has passed. The money’s run out. If I don’t go back to work, how will I prepare Matvey for school? He’s going to first grade in a month. I have no relatives to help. And mainly, this illness. I should have gone to the clinic right away. And now, if they hospitalize me, how will Matvey be left alone?»
With difficulty, she got up and started peeling potatoes.
He was very hungry. But the boy’s thoughts were elsewhere:
«Mom didn’t get out of bed all day yesterday. What if she really dies? Aunt Nina said, we need to ask Grandpa God for help,»—he stopped and… turned towards the church.
«It’s been half a year since I returned from the war. Miraculously, I survived. It’s good that I can move on my own now, though with a cane. I don’t even notice the numerous wounds all over my body anymore. And the scars on my face? Well, now it doesn’t matter, no one will marry me,»—with these thoughts, Nikita headed towards the church. «I need to put up candles for the guys. Today marks a year since they died, and I… miraculously survived.»
Twenty years ago, he went into the army. And now he’s back. Now he’s a civilian, but it’s unbearable to feel that you’re needed by no one. The pension is large enough for a comfortable life, and there’s contract money lying in the bank for another two years. But what’s the use of all this alone?
By the church stood beggars. Nikita took out several hundred-ruble notes, handed them out, and asked:
«Pray for my fallen friends Roman and Stas!»
He went inside the church, bought candles, lit them, and started reciting a prayer his priest had taught him:
«Remember, Lord our God…»
Crossing himself, he uttered the words, and before his eyes, as if alive, stood his friends.
When he finished the prayer, he simply stood and recalled his difficult life.
This little boy, small and thin, stood next to him with a cheap candle in hand. He looked around, not knowing what to do next. An elderly woman approached him:
«Here, let me help you!»
She lit his candle, set it up.
«Now cross yourself like this!»—she showed him how to do it. «And tell our Lord why you came.»
Matvey looked at the icon for a long time, then said:
«Help, Grandpa God! My mom is sick. I have no one else. Make her get well. Mom doesn’t have money for medicine. And I’m starting school soon, but I don’t even have a backpack…»
Nikita, frozen, watched the boy. All his own problems, which seemed so huge just ten minutes ago, became insignificant and receded into the background. He wanted to shout to the whole world:
«People, was there really no one to help, to buy medicine for this boy’s mom, and a backpack for him?»
And the boy looked at the icon and waited for a miracle.
«Kid, come with me!»—Nikita said decisively.
«Where?»—the boy looked at the scary uncle with a cane in his hand in fear.
«Let’s find out what medicine your mom needs and go to the pharmacy.»
«Are you telling the truth?»
«Grandpa God passed your request to me.»
«Really?»—he looked at the icon with joyful eyes.
«Let’s go!»—the man smiled. «What’s your name?»
«Matvey.»
«They call me Uncle Nikita.»
Voices were heard from the apartment:
«Aunt Nina, she prescribed so much and said the medicine is expensive. Where will I get that much money? I only have five hundred rubles left.»
The boy resolutely opened the door. The voices fell silent. From the room, the neighbor peeked out and whispered in fear, looking at the unfamiliar man:
«Masha, look!»
She also peeked out and froze in fear.
«Mom, what medicine do you need? Uncle Nikita and I will go to the pharmacy and buy it.»
«And who are you?»—Maria asked in surprise.
«Everything will be fine,»—the man smiled in response. «Give us your prescriptions!»
«But I only have five hundred rubles.»
«We and Matvey will find the money,»—the man put his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
«Mom, give us the prescriptions!»
And Maria handed them over. Somehow, she felt that this man with a scary face had a kind heart.
«Maria, what are you doing?»—came to herself the neighbor, as the man with the boy left. «You don’t know him at all.»
«Aunt Nina, I think he’s a good person!»
«Alright, Masha, I’m going!»
Maria sat and waited for her son, who had left with this man. She even forgot about her illness.
And then the door opened, and her son burst in first, his face radiant:
«Mom, we bought you medicine and various treats for tea.»
In the doorway stood the man, also smiling happily, making his face seem not so scary after all.
«Thank you!»—the woman bowed slightly. «Please, come in!»
The man tried to take off his shoes, which he managed with difficulty, obviously very nervous. He went into the kitchen.
«Sit down!»—said the hostess.
The man sat down, turning his head, not knowing where to put his cane.
«Let me,»—she placed it so the man could reach it. «Sorry, but I don’t have much to offer you!»
«Mom, we and Uncle Nikita bought everything,»—and the son started laying out the groceries on the table.
«Oh, why did you!—» Maria gasped, noting mentally that a good half of the groceries consisted of unnecessary sweets. She saw a packet of expensive tea leaves. «I’ll make some tea right now.»
She rushed to brew the tea. She even felt that her illness had receded, or maybe she just didn’t want to appear so sick in front of the man. And as if guessing her thoughts, the man asked:
«Maria, is it hard for you, you look so pale?»
«It’s nothing, nothing… I’ll take my medicine now. Thank you!»
They drank fragrant tea with sweets, watching the boy, who was animatedly talking about something. Occasionally, their eyes met. It felt pleasant for all three to sit together at the same table. But all good things, someday, must end.
«Thank you!»—Nikita stood up from the table and took his cane. «I should go. You need to get treated.»
«Thank you very much!»—the hostess also stood up from the table. «I don’t even know how to thank you.»
He headed to the hallway, and the mother with the son followed.
«Uncle Nikita, will you come again?»
«Of course! Once your mom gets better, we’ll all go buy you a backpack together.»
The man left. Maria cleared the table and washed the dishes.
«Son, watch TV, and I’ll lie down for a bit.»
She lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
Two weeks passed. The illness had long receded, obviously the expensive medicine helped. The last days Maria even worked, at the end of the month there’s always a rush, so they called her from vacation. She was glad about it, they would pay for these days. And August had already begun, with the paycheck she needed to prepare her son for school.
That Saturday, they got up as usual, had breakfast.
«Matvey, get ready! Let’s go to the store. Let’s see what you need for school.»
«Did they give you money?»
«Not yet, but they will by next Saturday. I borrowed a thousand rubles, we’ll buy some groceries on the way back.»
They started getting ready and then the intercom rang.
«Who is it?»—asked the hostess.
«Maria, it’s Nikita…»
He wanted to say something else, but the woman’s finger had already pressed the door opener button.
«Mom, who’s that?»—the son came out of the room.
«Uncle Nikita!»—the woman couldn’t hide her joy.
«Hooray!»
He entered, still leaning on a cane, but… how he had changed. Expensive pants and a shirt matched with a fashionable haircut.
«Uncle Nikita, I was waiting for you,»—the boy rushed to him.
«I promised you,»—he raised shining eyes. «Hello, Maria!»
«Hello, Nikita!»
This involuntary switch to «you» surprised and pleased both.
«Have you already packed? Let’s go!»
«Where?»—Maria was still in shock.
«Matvey is starting school soon.»
«Nikita, but I…»
«I promised Matvey, and a promise must be kept.»
Maria always paid attention to the cheapest things, no matter which store she entered. After all, she had no extra money, no relatives, no husband. If you don’t count that guy from college, who disappeared somewhere.
And now there was a man next to her who looked at her son with delight. He bought him everything for school, not looking at the prices, just asking her opinion.
Loaded, they returned home by taxi.
The hostess rushed to the kitchen.
«Maria,»—the man stopped her. «Let’s go for a walk all together! Let’s have lunch somewhere.»
«Mom, let’s go!»—the son rushed to her.
That night Maria couldn’t fall asleep for a long time. Images of the day kept flashing before her eyes. His eyes, full of love, were before her. And now, a cold mind and a warm heart, as if talking to each other:
«He’s ugly and lame,»—the mind categorically pronounced.
«He’s normal, kind, and looks at me with such love,»—the heart immediately replied.
«He’s about fifteen years older than you.»
«So what? At least he and my son… he’s like a father to him.»
«You can still find a peer, handsome and slim.»
«I don’t need a handsome and slim one, I already had one like that. I need a kind and reliable one.»
«But you always dreamed of a different kind of husband,»—the mind continued to present its arguments.
«But now about such a one!»
«Do your preferences change so quickly?»
«I just met the one… I love him!»
Their wedding took place in that same church where Nikita and Matvey met three months ago.
Nikita and Maria stood before the altar, no cane in his hands anymore, and Matvey kept looking at the icon of that saint he had talked to three months ago. Then he said with all his heart:
«Thank you, Grandpa God!The boy woke up to his mother’s groan and approached her bed:
«Mom, are you in pain?»
«Matveyka, bring some water!»
«Right away,» he rushed to the kitchen.
A minute later, he returned with a full mug:
«Here, Mom, drink!»
There was a knock on the door.
«Son, open it! It’s probably Grandma Nina.»
The neighbor walked in, holding a large mug.
«How are you, Masha?»—she touched her head—»You’ve got a fever. I brought you some hot milk with butter.»
«I’ve taken medicine.»
«You need to go to the hospital. You need proper treatment. You should eat properly, but your fridge is empty.»
«Aunt Nina, I’ve already spent all my money on medicine,» the patient’s eyes welled up with tears. «Nothing helps.»
«Go to the hospital.»
«And who will I leave Matvey with?»
«And who will you leave him with if you die? You’re not even thirty yet, and you have neither a husband nor money,» she stroked the sick woman’s head. «Alright, don’t cry!»
«Aunt Nina, what should I do?»
«That’s it, I’m calling a doctor,» the neighbor took out her phone.
She called and found out everything.
«They said: within the day. I’m going. When they arrive, send Matvey for me.»
The neighbor walked out to the hallway, and the boy followed her:
«Grandma Nina, Mom won’t die, right?»
«I don’t know. We need to ask God to help, but your mom doesn’t believe in Him.»
«And will Grandpa God help?»—hope shone in the boy’s eyes.
«We need to go to the church, light a candle and ask, then He will help. Alright, I’m going.»
The son returned to his mother, thoughtful:
«Matveyka, you must be hungry, and we have nothing. Bring two glasses.»
When he brought them, his mother poured milk into them:
«Drink!»
He drank, but he wanted to eat even more. Maria immediately understood. With difficulty, she got up, took her purse from the table:
«Here’s fifty rubles. Go buy two pies and eat them on the way, and I’ll cook something. Go!»
She saw her son to the door and, holding onto the wall, headed to the kitchen. In the fridge were cheap fish cans, a bit of margarine, a couple of potatoes, and an onion on the windowsill.
«I need to make soup…»
Her head spun, and she weakly sank onto a stool:
«What’s happening to me? I have no strength at all. Almost half of my vacation has passed. The money’s run out. If I don’t go back to work, how will I prepare Matvey for school? He’s going to first grade in a month. I have no relatives to help. And mainly, this illness. I should have gone to the clinic right away. And now, if they hospitalize me, how will Matvey be left alone?»
With difficulty, she got up and started peeling potatoes.
He was very hungry. But the boy’s thoughts were elsewhere:
«Mom didn’t get out of bed all day yesterday. What if she really dies? Aunt Nina said, we need to ask Grandpa God for help,»—he stopped and… turned towards the church.
«It’s been half a year since I returned from the war. Miraculously, I survived. It’s good that I can move on my own now, though with a cane. I don’t even notice the numerous wounds all over my body anymore. And the scars on my face? Well, now it doesn’t matter, no one will marry me,»—with these thoughts, Nikita headed towards the church. «I need to put up candles for the guys. Today marks a year since they died, and I… miraculously survived.»
Twenty years ago, he went into the army. And now he’s back. Now he’s a civilian, but it’s unbearable to feel that you’re needed by no one. The pension is large enough for a comfortable life, and there’s contract money lying in the bank for another two years. But what’s the use of all this alone?
By the church stood beggars. Nikita took out several hundred-ruble notes, handed them out, and asked:
«Pray for my fallen friends Roman and Stas!»
He went inside the church, bought candles, lit them, and started reciting a prayer his priest had taught him:
«Remember, Lord our God…»
Crossing himself, he uttered the words, and before his eyes, as if alive, stood his friends.
When he finished the prayer, he simply stood and recalled his difficult life.
This little boy, small and thin, stood next to him with a cheap candle in hand. He looked around, not knowing what to do next. An elderly woman approached him:
«Here, let me help you!»
She lit his candle, set it up.
«Now cross yourself like this!»—she showed him how to do it. «And tell our Lord why you came.»
Matvey looked at the icon for a long time, then said:
«Help, Grandpa God! My mom is sick. I have no one else. Make her get well. Mom doesn’t have money for medicine. And I’m starting school soon, but I don’t even have a backpack…»
Nikita, frozen, watched the boy. All his own problems, which seemed so huge just ten minutes ago, became insignificant and receded into the background. He wanted to shout to the whole world:
«People, was there really no one to help, to buy medicine for this boy’s mom, and a backpack for him?»
And the boy looked at the icon and waited for a miracle.
«Kid, come with me!»—Nikita said decisively.
«Where?»—the boy looked at the scary uncle with a cane in his hand in fear.
«Let’s find out what medicine your mom needs and go to the pharmacy.»
«Are you telling the truth?»
«Grandpa God passed your request to me.»
«Really?»—he looked at the icon with joyful eyes.
«Let’s go!»—the man smiled. «What’s your name?»
«Matvey.»
«They call me Uncle Nikita.»
Voices were heard from the apartment:
«Aunt Nina, she prescribed so much and said the medicine is expensive. Where will I get that much money? I only have five hundred rubles left.»
The boy resolutely opened the door. The voices fell silent. From the room, the neighbor peeked out and whispered in fear, looking at the unfamiliar man:
«Masha, look!»
She also peeked out and froze in fear.
«Mom, what medicine do you need? Uncle Nikita and I will go to the pharmacy and buy it.»
«And who are you?»—Maria asked in surprise.
«Everything will be fine,»—the man smiled in response. «Give us your prescriptions!»
«But I only have five hundred rubles.»
«We and Matvey will find the money,»—the man put his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
«Mom, give us the prescriptions!»
And Maria handed them over. Somehow, she felt that this man with a scary face had a kind heart.
«Maria, what are you doing?»—came to herself the neighbor, as the man with the boy left. «You don’t know him at all.»
«Aunt Nina, I think he’s a good person!»
«Alright, Masha, I’m going!»
Maria sat and waited for her son, who had left with this man. She even forgot about her illness.
And then the door opened, and her son burst in first, his face radiant:
«Mom, we bought you medicine and various treats for tea.»
In the doorway stood the man, also smiling happily, making his face seem not so scary after all.
«Thank you!»—the woman bowed slightly. «Please, come in!»
The man tried to take off his shoes, which he managed with difficulty, obviously very nervous. He went into the kitchen.
«Sit down!»—said the hostess.
The man sat down, turning his head, not knowing where to put his cane.
«Let me,»—she placed it so the man could reach it. «Sorry, but I don’t have much to offer you!»
«Mom, we and Uncle Nikita bought everything,»—and the son started laying out the groceries on the table.
«Oh, why did you!—» Maria gasped, noting mentally that a good half of the groceries consisted of unnecessary sweets. She saw a packet of expensive tea leaves. «I’ll make some tea right now.»
She rushed to brew the tea. She even felt that her illness had receded, or maybe she just didn’t want to appear so sick in front of the man. And as if guessing her thoughts, the man asked:
«Maria, is it hard for you, you look so pale?»
«It’s nothing, nothing… I’ll take my medicine now. Thank you!»
They drank fragrant tea with sweets, watching the boy, who was animatedly talking about something. Occasionally, their eyes met. It felt pleasant for all three to sit together at the same table. But all good things, someday, must end.
«Thank you!»—Nikita stood up from the table and took his cane. «I should go. You need to get treated.»
«Thank you very much!»—the hostess also stood up from the table. «I don’t even know how to thank you.»
He headed to the hallway, and the mother with the son followed.
«Uncle Nikita, will you come again?»
«Of course! Once your mom gets better, we’ll all go buy you a backpack together.»
The man left. Maria cleared the table and washed the dishes.
«Son, watch TV, and I’ll lie down for a bit.»
She lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
Two weeks passed. The illness had long receded, obviously the expensive medicine helped. The last days Maria even worked, at the end of the month there’s always a rush, so they called her from vacation. She was glad about it, they would pay for these days. And August had already begun, with the paycheck she needed to prepare her son for school.
That Saturday, they got up as usual, had breakfast.
«Matvey, get ready! Let’s go to the store. Let’s see what you need for school.»
«Did they give you money?»
«Not yet, but they will by next Saturday. I borrowed a thousand rubles, we’ll buy some groceries on the way back.»
They started getting ready and then the intercom rang.
«Who is it?»—asked the hostess.
«Maria, it’s Nikita…»
He wanted to say something else, but the woman’s finger had already pressed the door opener button.
«Mom, who’s that?»—the son came out of the room.
«Uncle Nikita!»—the woman couldn’t hide her joy.
«Hooray!»
He entered, still leaning on a cane, but… how he had changed. Expensive pants and a shirt matched with a fashionable haircut.
«Uncle Nikita, I was waiting for you,»—the boy rushed to him.
«I promised you,»—he raised shining eyes. «Hello, Maria!»
«Hello, Nikita!»
This involuntary switch to «you» surprised and pleased both.
«Have you already packed? Let’s go!»
«Where?»—Maria was still in shock.
«Matvey is starting school soon.»
«Nikita, but I…»
«I promised Matvey, and a promise must be kept.»
Maria always paid attention to the cheapest things, no matter which store she entered. After all, she had no extra money, no relatives, no husband. If you don’t count that guy from college, who disappeared somewhere.
And now there was a man next to her who looked at her son with delight. He bought him everything for school, not looking at the prices, just asking her opinion.
Loaded, they returned home by taxi.
The hostess rushed to the kitchen.
«Maria,»—the man stopped her. «Let’s go for a walk all together! Let’s have lunch somewhere.»
«Mom, let’s go!»—the son rushed to her.
That night Maria couldn’t fall asleep for a long time. Images of the day kept flashing before her eyes. His eyes, full of love, were before her. And now, a cold mind and a warm heart, as if talking to each other:
«He’s ugly and lame,»—the mind categorically pronounced.
«He’s normal, kind, and looks at me with such love,»—the heart immediately replied.
«He’s about fifteen years older than you.»
«So what? At least he and my son… he’s like a father to him.»
«You can still find a peer, handsome and slim.»
«I don’t need a handsome and slim one, I already had one like that. I need a kind and reliable one.»
«But you always dreamed of a different kind of husband,»—the mind continued to present its arguments.
«But now about such a one!»
«Do your preferences change so quickly?»
«I just met the one… I love him!»
Their wedding took place in that same church where Nikita and Matvey met three months ago.
Nikita and Maria stood before the altar, no cane in his hands anymore, and Matvey kept looking at the icon of that saint he had talked to three months ago. Then he said with all his heart:
«Thank you, Grandpa God!
