Fifty years we have lived with you, and all in vain, – the grandfather said thoughtfully looking at his wife.
-“Why in vain?” she put down her knitting. “Always honored, no worse than others.
-And what’s the use of our work? Pension like everyone else. Well, they invite us to the front row on holidays, give us diplomas in packs, and they gather dust in the corner. Well, our house is strong, warm for centuries. We never had and never will have the main thing – children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
I know that because of me you did not become a mother. If only earlier, I would have let you go on all four sides. Maybe you would have found your destiny and given birth to children, – and shut up.
-“What are you saying?” the woman sobbed, “You forgot what love we had. Where you go, I go. And if we are alone all our lives, that’s our fate. What are you talking about, old man? Are you going to the other world without me? I won’t let you, you know that, – and wiping her eyes, she began to sort through the knitting needles with trembling hands.
The man looked at her tenderly.
-“Yes, you are a good woman. And you think that you know everything about me. But you don’t. I cheated on you almost all my life, while I was in power.
Remember when I went to the district on business? There was a woman there. She worked as a technologist at a bakery. So I would visit her if I had a free minute. However, once we did not communicate with her for a year. She decided to deceive me, said that she was pregnant with my child.
And she showed me the certificate that the hospital gave her. I didn’t take her up on it. She cried that it was mine and that was it. I set her a condition – if you stop it, we will continue our relationship. But no – everything is over between us. She still went, although she was blaming herself and me.
Now I think, maybe it was really my child. But for so many years we have never succeeded. What a pity, – he sighed.
The woman stood up and silently began to wipe the mirror.
-“Don’t blame yourself. I knew everything perfectly well. And I saw your mistress from afar. She was a beautiful woman. I didn’t tell you anything because I have a great sin…
-On you? You’re a holy woman. To know for so many years and not say anything. Not even a hint. What are your sins? Did the borscht turn sour because you didn’t watch it properly, or what?
The woman turned to him.
-You’re laughing in vain. The fact that we have no children is my fault. It was before your time. We met when we were twenty. And before that I went to visit you at the seaside. Do you remember the photos? That’s where I met him. I won’t tell you his name, I’ve erased him from my memory.
The sin happened between us, and I returned home in a state of pregnancy. My mother, when she found out, first scolded me, and then sent me to the district to my grandmother alone – to solve the problem. And the term was already long…
Why do you think I didn’t go to clubs? My mother forbade it. She said, if a good guy comes along, you can go out till morning. You’re a woman now, and men can smell it a mile away.
And you came to us and my family liked you. And I liked you, too. And after the wedding she helped me to get a certificate that you can not have children.
I’m sorry. The guilt has been on me all these years, like a stone on my soul. Now you decide what to do. You can make me do whatever you want,” and she lowered her head.
The man stood leaning on the table, his lips trembling.
-“You? You’re a traitor. You couldn’t tell me the truth? I would not have lived with guilt all my life. I could have had a son. Do you understand? A son. And because of you, I lost everything.
Jesus, and I lived with that woman. I trusted her like I trusted myself. I thought she was a saint. And you’re a traitor. From this day forward, you will not hear a word from me. This will be your punishment for your deception,” and he ran out of the house.
So they lived together as if dumb. People were surprised at first, and then gave up.
