– Well, where do you think you’re going?!
Semyon, of course, understood that he wasn’t perfect either, but he couldn’t help thinking about it. But what was it with her, walking on the road like that? Crossing the street at the wrong place, and holding a child of about five by the hand – that was brazen, to say the least!
A heavy vehicle stopped, practically a centimeter from the woman who was standing frozen, eyes shut tight. The child began to cry, and that snapped her out of her stupor. She picked the boy up in her arms.
– Can’t you see there’s no crosswalk here?! – Semyon tried to keep his voice down, but his frustration broke through.
– Sorry… I didn’t notice, – she mumbled.
– «Didn’t notice»? I could end up in jail for you! At least think about the child, if you don’t care about others!
She turned sharply to him:
– I said, I’m sorry! It would have been better if you hadn’t stopped at all… – That would have made it easier for both of us…
She didn’t seem like a drunk, and certainly not a fool.
– Get in the car, – Semyon said.
She looked at him, startled:
– Yes… I’ll give you a ride. Look, there’s a traffic jam.
The traffic jam was, indeed, only five cars, but it seemed like they scared her. Semyon glanced at her sideways – holding her child close, she seemed like a caring mother. But why did she respond like that to him? Something had happened…
– Why do you need other people’s problems? – she sighed, but still got in.
The car stopped by the restaurant.
– Come on, have lunch with me, let’s talk, – Semyon offered.
– Oh no, that’s not necessary, it’s awkward…
– It’s fine, it’s my restaurant. Don’t be shy, consider it an apology from me. I was inattentive, scared you. By the way, let’s get acquainted. My name is Semyon.
– Valentina, and this is Yegor, – she replied.
While they waited for the order, Valya seemed lost in thought, then spoke:
– In general, everything has kind of fallen apart… Until yesterday, I thought everything was fine. But last night, my husband just threw us out. He said he had found a new, real love, and we weren’t needed anymore… I’ve been sitting at home with my son, I don’t have a job or friends left… If this is your restaurant, maybe you could help me find some work? I can wash floors, dishes… whatever, just to get by.
– And where will you live? Who will take care of your son while you’re working? – Semyon asked.
Valya lowered her head:
– I don’t know… I really don’t know what to do…
Semyon nodded toward the plates:
– Eat, and feed your son. We’ll figure something out…
He looked at the young, tired woman and couldn’t understand how her husband could treat her like this. She was proud, apparently, because she hadn’t tried to sue him or argue. Only a bag with her… How could he help them? Strange, but Semyon, who normally didn’t like to commit himself to obligations toward others, wanted to help her. But how? He wasn’t sure yet.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. He looked at the number:
– Of course… Hello.
– Semyon Vasilyevich, we need to buy feed, you bought some last month.
– Yeah, sure, I’ll send the money. What’s the problem? No buyers?
– No one’s called… Poor animal, it’s not its fault…
– Alright, I think someone will come by soon, and you’ll be able to pass it on to them.
The voice on the other end seemed to brighten up. The woman who had been looking after the house was elderly. It was hard for her, and she hadn’t been to her grandchildren for three months.
This whole farming situation had fallen into Semyon’s lap unexpectedly. The uncle, whom he’d only seen maybe twice, apparently had something like a farm. Semyon went there once, looked around – and that was it. He paid the elderly neighbor to watch over the animals, but what to do with them, he didn’t have a clue. He shoved the phone into his pocket and glanced at Valentina:
– Tell me, have you ever seen cows, sheep?
– I lived in the village until I was fifteen, then we moved, – she waved her hand.
Semyon perked up:
– How would you feel about going to the village? I’ll explain everything… – And he outlined the situation: – I’ll give you all the cards! You can do whatever you want with it – develop it, sell it, buy whatever you need! I won’t interfere. I don’t need anything. I just feel sorry to leave it all behind. The village isn’t small, there’s definitely a school, not sure about the kindergarten, but everything is there. I think you’ll have no problems with Yegor.
Valya looked at him with wide eyes:
– Are you serious?! But it’s yours…
Semyon waved his hands:
– Oh, if you could take it off my hands, I’d be happy! To sell it all, I’d have to invest so much in paperwork, the farm would be worth nothing. Just a waste of time.
Valentina’s eyes shone:
– But we’re complete strangers to you…
– Valentina, don’t think of it like that! Think of it differently… like you’re doing me a favor! I won’t have to think about it anymore, I won’t have to pay money for it. By the way, do you have a driver’s license?
She nodded.
– Well, there’s even some equipment in the garage. The uncle seemed to sell something. Anyway, feel free to use whatever you find! The main thing is that this village nightmare doesn’t drain me.
Valentina smiled at Semyon:
– You know, just half an hour ago, I didn’t believe there were good people left in the world. When your closest person treats you like that, it feels like everyone else is even worse. But now I see – no, there are still good people, and maybe even more of them.
Semyon called over the administrator:
– Oleg, take the keys to my car and drive these people to this address. Someone will cover for you. There’s no one around anyway.
Valya watched the fields and forests fly by and smiled. How she missed the village! Although she’d never admitted it to herself. And Yegor would be happy there. As long as the house was in good condition… Semyon was such a good, kind, handsome guy, even though he was rich! They pulled up to a big house. Valya exhaled: «Wow…»
Oleg helped her unload the bags. Semyon gave him some money and told him to stop by the grocery store. Valya took everything she needed. It wasn’t a small amount of bags and packages. She had taken little by little, but Oleg decided to take charge.
– Semyon called me, warned me, – said the elderly neighbor. – Oh, if you only knew how glad I am that you’re going to live here now! First of all, a house like this can’t stand empty, and secondly, I’m so tired.
Her name was Anna Fyodorovna, and her house was nearby.
– Don’t worry, Valyusha, – she said. – I’ll help you at first, and once you get settled, you’ll figure out what to do next. I understand, you’ve got all the authority for this?
Valya laughed:
– Of course! – And like a child, she spun around in the middle of the room. – This is nothing like the apartment we lived in with my husband! The whole apartment could fit into one room here!
Anna Fyodorovna showed her the dishes and the bedding.
– Don’t worry about it…
– Don’t worry, the owner didn’t die here, he passed away in the hospital. So, use everything.
And so the weeks went by. Valentina, with her naturally good nature, learned and remembered the craft of farming. She got to know the cows, of which there were very few left, the sheep raised for meat, and the chickens… Her mind gradually cleared. She began to realize that even animals that weren’t fully cared for produced more than they could eat. That meant she needed to find a market. So, if she found a place to sell all of it… Maybe some grandmother at the market? Then she could hire someone to help…
Later, Valya went to see what was in the garage. In the garage stood a monster – a huge vehicle meant for transporting small loads and driving through dirt. Valya sighed. Once upon a time, she had driven a small car that would fit in the cabin of this beast.
And now, weeks later, she had learned things she never thought she would. And the car… well, just a bit bigger than the one she used to have.
Anna Fyodorovna watched from the window with big eyes:
– Grandpa, look! Is it my imagination, or is that the neighbor’s car? No, really, maybe they sold the beast? Wait, look, Valya’s driving it! Well, this girl will probably go through fire if she has to! She’ll need helpers soon. Hasn’t she said anything yet?
– No, I haven’t heard, – replied Grandpa. – Well, maybe some work will come for our villagers.
– That’s true. Strange though, why hasn’t Semyon come yet? I thought… Well, they would make a nice couple.
Grandpa laughed:
– Oh, Anya, you want to marry everyone off! But Valya, maybe it’ll all work out for her.
Semyon stopped the car at the restaurant. He stared at the building.
He hadn’t thought he’d fall for this, like an inexperienced kid. Just an ordinary capture. He relaxed, started believing in himself… Idiot! Fortunately, he realized just in time what was going on. He’d practically sold the restaurant and the house for pennies. There was still money saved up, so he could try to start over. But while the bankruptcy process was underway, the money was on an anonymous account and couldn’t be accessed. He needed to lay low for six months or so. Maybe more, maybe less. It all depended on how things went…
In the evening, yesterday, he miraculously remembered about his uncle’s farm. No one had touched it yet, because Semyon still hadn’t had the time to fully accept the inheritance.
“Well, Valentina can’t kick me out, can she?” – he thought. – «Although, who knows? Maybe she’s already left? But on the other hand, Anna Fyodorovna would’ve called…»
He drove to the village. The morning was quiet, peaceful. He stopped at the house and opened his mouth. No, he’d been here a couple of times before, but he definitely remembered that half of what was here now wasn’t here before.
He stopped right by the gate, and Valentina came running out. She pulled out some huge bags and dragged them toward the new building. Coming toward her was… his mouth dropped open even wider… It was Anna Fyodorovna, in a white gown and a white cap! Semyon rubbed his eyes. Then he stepped out:
– Hello, ladies!
The women turned toward him. If Semyon had met Valya on the street right now, he wouldn’t have recognized her! A confident look, fashionable jeans, a t-shirt…
– Hello! – Anna Fyodorovna clapped her hands.
Semyon noticed that a look of fear flashed in Valya’s eyes, and he quickly said:
– Valentina, please don’t think anything of it. I just wanted to ask if I could stay with you for a while. I’ve got some problems in the city, I need to reset. Will you mind?
She smiled brightly:
– What are you talking about! Of course, come in!
Semyon looked around in surprise:
– What is this?
– A cheese-making workshop. Yes, exactly. And this… – She waved toward the new building. – We’re just starting here, but we already have a lot of orders. We make shashlik, marinate cheeses, ribs, and all that.
Semyon felt his mouth open again:
– Valya, when did you manage all this?
– Well, it’s been two years since we last saw each other. – She shrugged.
They didn’t sleep until late into the night. Yegor calmed down early because he and Semyon had been riding bikes all evening. Semyon felt… good! Just like a kid. And now, they were sitting at the table, and he was listening to Valya’s plans. – You really want to bring all this to life? – he asked.
– Of course! We’re doing pretty well now, we can cover salaries, and we’re saving up.
Semyon looked at her and couldn’t understand how he hadn’t seen how beautiful Valya’s eyes were, how lovely her face was, how amazing she really was…
He walked over to Anna Fyodorovna:
– I need your advice.
She looked at him slyly:
– I think I know what this is about. You want to talk? More precisely, about whom?
Semyon blushed:
– Well, you seem to know everything, Anna Fyodorovna… I just wanted to ask… Is there someone in Valya’s life? Should I leave?
The woman laughed:
– Who could there be, if all she thinks about is work? Where does she get the strength for everything? She’s buzzing around from morning to night, running that monster of hers. She’s like a bee here!
– Thank you, Anna Fyodorovna, – Semyon smiled. – I really hope I can be a good assistant to her.
Semyon didn’t return to the city. He decided that such a beautiful and wonderful place could use a café too. Maybe even a hotel. Especially since they had plenty to attract customers.
The reputation of the products they were making was booming throughout the area! Orders were already coming in from other regions. However, Valya asked to hold off on expanding production until their newborn daughter turned at least six months old.
– Well, why rush? – she said. – Family is the most important thing
