friends help you out. It is easy to determine, who is weaker then you, and you need to help this person…
– Is it hard or easy to play soccer? What do you think?
Svetlana liked to have serious discussions with her son. It seemed to her, that she can predict when her son would be right and when not. She tried to explain him, that it reality things are more complex then they seem to him.
– It is easy to play with your friends and when you can feel support; – Nikita answered so assuredly, that it made Svetlana worry.
– Have you ever tried to play in the team with unfamiliar people, without your friends, or against them as a member of other team?
– No, we don’t play this way. Why would I play with unknown people against my friends? – Nikita was surprised by his mom’s question.
– What if the boys you don’t know will like the way you play and will invite you for a game, what will you do? Refuse to play a favorite game?
– Hmmm mom… I haven’t thought about it yet! Boys in other neighbourhoods can’t get themselves to play, they won’t even think of inviting some one else…
– So what are we going to play? May be daddy has some suggestions?
– Let’s have a cake with tea, – suggested Vadim.
– Which cake? – surprised Svetlana.
– Oh, Nikita brought a present from grandma – your favorite cake.
– You are my sweetheart, – Svetlana kissed her son. – Of course, let’s go, you should have told me earlier!
– We wanted to surprise you, mom! You are supposed to make a wish on the New Year’s Day. You know it!
– Of course I know it, dear.
– Grandma told me what to do for your wish to come true yesterday. You need to make a guess what your present will be, and if your guess and your real present match, then your wish will come true as well…
– How am I supposed to know what you have guessed?
– Come on, mom, miracles do happen on New Year, right?!
– They say so. I don’t know.
– Tea is ready! Svetlana! Nikita! – Vadim was calling from the kitchen.
When the cake was served, everyone thought of their own deeds. The clock was showing midnight. Quite music was playing, three candles were burning, and their glares reflected on the tree, standing in the dark corner. Decorations on it were moving, and blinked with colorful lights. It all looked mysterious, even magical… There was a need, like in the childhood, to make a wish. “Does it mean that I should repeat my wish for the third time in life? It is unrealistic, – thought Svetlana. She took a look at the New Year tree. Interesting, what is Nikita’s present? The box with her present was wrapped in the golden paper and was decorated with a pink bow. What can be inside of the box? Her wish can’t match to the content of this box…
– Mom, did you make a wish?
– Yes, son.
– Will you tell me?
– Hey, I am not supposed to reveal it, or it won’t come true!
– Yes, this is what grandma told me too, but I forgot.
– When do you want to take a look at the presents, son?
– At midnight, like on the New Year night!
– Then it is the perfect time, it is thirty minutes past midnight.
– That’s right! Mom you should go first! And then daddy…
– What time are you planning to go to sleep? Mom needs to get some rest soon!
– I will get my present and take a look at it in my room so that you can have some privacy. Can I do it, dad? Right after that I will go to bed.
– Yes, you can. Take a present first then.
– All right, good night then.
Nikita left with his present, leaving him unopened, and fell asleep holding it tight. Svetlana and Vadim were sitting on the couch, keeping presents in hands. From the side it looked as thought they were scared to open them and to find out that the content did not match with the guesses. Vadim wanted New Year to bring the feeling of love and understanding. He is giving everything to his wife. She sees and understands all feelings, thoughts and wishes. However, it was clear to him that it was not enough for Svetlana. That is the reason she is concerned and lets him know that she needs something he does not have. Vadim wanted his love to become purer, more complete. Then his wife could admire its harmony and be absolutely happy all life long. He was tortured by the feeling of dissatisfaction. His main concern was that he would not be able to reach mutual understanding with his beloved woman, and that they would be deprived of family happiness.
– Dear, if you want I can open my present first.
– Only if you promise to tell me weather your present is the same as your wish, ok?
– Sure.
– But please remember that you are not supposed to tell me what your wish is!
– I remember, love – said Vadim, unwrapping the present.
He opened the present and saw the statuette of the average size, representing the deity of Amur love. The smiling statuette had the bow and arrows behind his back. It held something like a pie in hands, which had an inscription: “I’ll give you anything that you wish, since the strength of your credence is high, your hope is boundless. Let the love grow in you, my son!”
– Yes, dear, my present matched with my wish. I did not know that it could be possible… I won’t distract you and will go to bed.
He proceeded to bedroom, leaving his wife along with her present. She decided not to procrastinate this important moment any more. “What am I going to do if it is not going to be what I hope for…?” – She thought one more time. He rejected those thoughts and opened the lid of the box.
It just can’t be true! Svetlana could not believe her eyes when she saw a Barbie doll in the box. «I am dreaming to have a daughter! What if my wish comes true?! – She thought. – How did my son got this idea to present me with the doll? It is very strange! He used to give me serious presents before». She still did not believe in the coincidence. Moreover, it could not be accidental. That means, that something from above helps her. Having these thoughts, Svetlana closed her eyes, trying to relax and to fall asleep.
XVI
Coldness of metallic scissors which were used for cutting the gypsum on the leg did not feel good. Max tried to overcome disgust and was watching the procedure, as if he wanted to see something unusual. After cutting a little piece from the gypsum, doctor told:
– Stand up on the foot.
Max put his foot on the floor and stepped on it for the first time in a long period of time.
– Do you feel pain?
– No, not at all. I feel like I am standing on the gypsum and not on the leg.
– Transfer your weight to the leg.
Maxim did what he was asked.
– Do you feel pain?
– No, everything is good!
– Sit down then, let’s take the gypsum off.
Doctor was mashing Maxim’s leg, which was blue. Feeling was very strange.
– Move your figures, and then move your foot. What do you feel?
– It does not feel like I am moving my leg.
– That is normal since you have not been using your leg for a while. Don’t worry! It will disappear soon. Try to stand on the healthy leg first. Like that, careful.
Maxim was standing on the healthy leg,