Short stories.

[Glasha]

propose a new column, can be further developed, might - no.

But for the anniversary of Sergei Dovlatov.
Which today would have been only 70, and so it no longer exists.

Which is so lacking. Which I love - his intelligent hooliganism, funny and at the same time a piercing melancholy prose. I love to reread.


THE STREET AND HOUSE

 My wife said:
      - Also called Gabovich. He has a job. He promised to come.
      - I know. Probably wants to drill to ask. I was told, he bought a rack ...
      Gabovich was my neighbor and colleague. Actually, not just a colleague - he was a philologist. Worked on a sensational book. It was called - "The meetings with Akhmatova." And the subtitle: "How and why they did not take place." Something like that ...
      I started zashnurovyvat shoes.
       

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      - Where are you?
      - Walk. Buy cigarettes.
      - What Gabovich?
      - If he finds me, it will be a long conversation. And I have to work.
      - When are you coming back?
      - As soon as he leaves. Give me a sign.
      - What?
      - Light, let the light in the bathroom.
      - Light in the dressing room and so is constantly lit.
      - Then put out.
      - I'd better hang on the window so that the cloth.
      - Okay ...
     I walked down the hall. Stealthily, followed by a lift. Went out. By this time, began to get dark. Also, I went across the road. So Gabovich was not supposed to notice me.
     I bought a pack of "Marlboro". Walked to the Russian store. He took my mother for a newspaper. Immediately at the cash register drank a bottle of "Perrier." Then I was stopped from Davydov "Russian words." He asked how things were going. I asked in reply:
      - How is Epstein?
      - Why, - answer, - going to the hospital to call him. Heart attack - it's, you know, no joke.
      - Hello to him - I say ...
      I returned to the house. White cloths were not. Meanwhile, it became cooler. Then I went to the "suburbs", said a cup of coffee. Maybe, I think, will eat anything.
      - Let's - I say - the menu.
      - Menus do not.
      - What do you mean no?
      - I will tell you so and that there is.
      - I do not remember.
      - Remember. Because we only have a barbecue.
      - It is amazing - I say - I'm just a barbecue and would like ...
     I ate. I drank coffee. By this time the crowd had gathered, the music began to play. I remember the band leader said:
      - The grandson of Heraclius Happy Birthday Grandma Natella. In her honor marks the lyrical song ...
      He waited for a break and triumphantly concluded:
      - Lyrical song "You're still alive, my lady! .."
     I paid and walked out. By this time it was dark. Our massive six-story house appeared from the darkness. However, the cloth was not. Meanwhile, I felt a chill. I went to the sports shop opposite the shop. Bought a sweater for thirty dollars. Immediately pulled it. And only then noticed the front emblem - a skull, two tibia plus schizophrenic inscription: "You read this? So you're too close!"
     I walk down the street in this degenerative jersey. Closer to his home. The light in the window, lit a rag not.
     I went to the ATM. The tube takes a wife.
     I say:
     - Answer only "yes" or "no."
     - No, - said my wife.
     - What - no?
     Silence.
     - Gabovich with us?
     - Yes.
     - And you say - no ... He is not going to go?
     - Yes.
     - What - you? Yes - going? Or, yes - is not going to?
     - I think - no.
     - So, is not going to?
     - No.
     - Look not treated him.
     - No way.
     - About the rag do not remember?
     - No ...
      I walked over to the Russian store. Davydov met. He says:
      - You know the news - Egppteyn died. I just phoned him to the hospital. I wanted to call, visit, and now ...
      - Worst - I say ...
     Then I decided to call a friend of the woman. So, nothing special. Just a familiar woman of about thirty of the next house. Without her husband.
     Rummaged in his notebook. I called. This is the Nelly to me:
      - And it's you! I thought I had forgotten completely ...
      - You can - ask - go?
      Then a pause occurred. And then:
      - I'm sorry, I'm not alone.
      - Well, - I say - the next time.
      In answer resounds:
      - Next time will not. All over between us. You have a wife and daughter. Should I finally think about myself? ..
      Nelly and hung up.
      Here, I think. All human beings are cruel in many ways. Men, for example, are rude and lie. Dodge, as they can. However, even the most cruel man you do not yell, "Go away! All over between us! .." For women, then they say it all with ease and even with pleasure, "Go away, you are disgusting, do not call me anymore! .."
      First, they cry and cry. Then give birth to himself and another shouted: "Go away!"
      Go! Yes I say this and not be able to ...
      I looked at my watch - half-past ten. Movie theaters are closed. Almost no money. The point is approaching at night.
      My windows invitingly lighted. White cloth was not available. But at least finally got dark. Skull and crossbones on my sweater no longer stand out. And the inscription lost its meaning.
      I once called home. And the sound is not pronounced, but my wife firmly replied:
     - No.
     - Not in the sense of - yes? Gabovich with us?
     - Yes, - I hear.
     And I think - that there they have going on? Maybe some serious conversation? Or some important matter?
     Even the feeling of jealousy in me stirred. Hang up. I called Raphael, who sells real estate. Benefit Raphael lives around the corner.
      - You have money - I ask - is?
      - Suppose not. But there is a Visa, Master Card, American Express ... Why?
      - Let's go somewhere.
      - What?
      - I do not know ... In Canada ... Or in Brazil ...
      - With pleasure. - Responsible - but I was ill Rita. Maybe in a week?
      - After a week, - I say - I was probably going home.
      - And now where are you?
      - Walk.
      - Do you drink?
      - It's a thought. Throw me out the window of dollars fifteen.
      - I said - no money. Tomorrow will be.
      - And to-morrow I wander under the windows?
      - If you want, go.
      - It is better to do me a favor. Call the "Forest Diner." Present your visa. Tell them gave me a drink. More precisely, two. And the money I will return on occasion.
     I went into "Forest Diner." Knocked two glasses of rum with Pepsi-Cola. Smoked a cigarette and resolutely towards the house.
     It was the first hour of the night. My window shone brightly and warmly. By the way, the light in the dressing room was extinguished. Maybe Gabovich repaid? ..
     I got in the elevator on the sixth floor. Got my key. The door opened. Gabovich stood in the doorway. He was in his coat. He was talking, gesticulating and shaking the ashes. Seeing me, broke into a smile.
     My wife said:
    - I told him a thousand times said - take off my coat. And he in any.
    - I for a moment - said Gabovich, -. I must go. Although there is now something out there ... Sergei was - you can talk ...
    He took off his coat. Then sat down at the table and began:
      - Did you know that I have a rare photograph of Akhmatova?
      - What kind of photos? - I ask.
      - I told you - photos of Anna Akhmatova.
      - What year?
      - What - what year?
      - What year is photography?
      - Well, seventy-four. And maybe, seventy-five. I do not remember.
      - Long before she died.
      - So what? - Asked Gabovich.
      - How to - so what? So what is embodied in these photos?
      - What is the difference? - Peace-loving wife interjected.
      - There I was captured - said Gabovich - there I was captured at the grave of Anna Akhmatova.
      When he went to the bathroom, my wife whispered:
      - Behave yourself decently. I beg you. And since everyone is saying that absolutely insufferable character Dovlatov.