Chapter 10 Part 1. Chapter 10

- Yes, he's bad, Katerina Aleksandrovna, - said the elderly doctor in the waiting room of the intensive care unit. – Age is taking its toll, too. And also during the last months he drank a lot. Now we are trying to stabilize his condition, and then we will see.

A mother with two sons listened in silence and said nothing to the doctor. And there was nothing to say. He did what he did. He didn't think about the fate of the children in the beginning or in the end. Even his pity for him was kind of stingy.

Uncle Pasha didn't make it. He was conscious, but it was extinguished. He asked me to tell his wife, a request, not to leave Stepan and that was it. By morning he was gone.

A wake was held and Katerina Aleksandrovna stayed at her late husband's house. They didn't divorce, although they had not lived together for almost two years. Spartacus returned to Voronezh alone.

- I'm sorry it turned out this way, - said Valeria bitterly.

They were sitting on the couch in their arms. There was no mother and no one else to hide from, he moved into her bedroom and they lived a full family life.

Every two weeks, Spartacus would leave for Rogosovka, taking money to them to live on and something from the groceries. Stepan had been working in his father's shop for a long time, but he was a handyman and did not earn much money. His mother's pension was even lower. So the care of the house fell entirely on his shoulders.

One evening, Spartacus decided to talk to his mother about a long-planned business.

- Yes, it wasn't easy to carry the whole family by himself now. What's out there, you can't make much money as a driver, - complained his mother.

- I think maybe I should start my own business. – he said.

- What kind of business, my son?

- I don't know, mom, I'm thinking. Maybe I should open a workshop and take Stepan there.

- And the money?

- I wanted to ask you for money.

- How can I have it? – Katerina Aleksandrovna threw up her hands in surprise.

- May I ask the family jewel for a while? – he asked, looking at his mother point-blank.

She covered her mouth with her hand whispered something, then said aloud, - yes, indeed, I forgot about it. Take it, son. But then be sure to buy it back. Arrange it right away.

- Yes, yes. You gave it to Nadya...

These words were followed by a moment of silence. Katerina Aleksandrovna uttered the words for the repose of the soul and got up from the table at which they were sitting.

Whenever he came to this house, memories flooded over him and brought with them forgotten pain. The nights were absolutely unbearable.

Often he just sat on the porch almost until morning, then when it got colder, in the living room with a TV.

All her belongings had already been given to the church to help the poor, and he had nothing left in memory of her. Nothing but a few photos on his phone. Spartacus tried not to look at them. Him heart began to ache, bleed, whine like a tooth with an open nerve.

His home was now in another place, in another city, and with another woman he shared his bed.

Spartacus sighed heavily.

***

- I'd like to do something, - he shared with Valeria at dinner.

- Like what? – She looked at him with interest.

- Start a little business of my own, maybe. I don't even know what I can do professionally, except maybe fight... - said Spartacus and grinned to himself.

She reached out and stroked his cheek.

- You're everything doing very well, darling.

He looked at her and smiled, slyly playing with an eyebrow. Valeria laughed, taking his hint.

Then he reached up and kissed her on the lips.

- Well, to be honest, I'm thinking maybe open a box, - with a sigh, continued Spartacus.

- You mean an auto shop?

- Yes.

- Honey, what's our business is not to your liking?

- It's great. You're good, - he said sincerely. – But it's not our business, it's your business. I want my own.

- You want to be independent of me? – Valeria asked him again, and then straightened up in her chair.

- Lera, I'm a man, - he said, and after a pause, continued, - since we are together, then I must somehow conform to you, and not in subordination.

- All right, I agree.

- That's great. I was actually asking for your advice, not consent.

- Well... - she sighed, - I can only advise you what I know. Let's see, - she put away her fork and knife, and swallowed the piece of meat she was chewing, Valeria looked at him, and continued, - we, as you saw, started trading activities.

- And?

- Why you don't head up the sales department? Let's say on a percentage basis? You'd be a sales manager with a salary that you'd make yourself? Hmm? Do you have a knack for sales?

- I do. I've been in trading, but not in that field.

- Trading has one way of working, in any field.

- Well... maybe you're right... - thought Spartacus. But then he sighed and said, - But it would still look like you just promoted your lover. I'll still look like a gigolo.

- Alphonists don't work. And mind you, no one will ever be able to tell me that I've led a dissolute life, - she held up her finger and gave him an insulted look and reached for her glass of water.

- Honey, you misunderstand me, - he countered with a look of surprise on his face. – I didn't think anything bad about you. I don't want you to be ashamed of me in the first place. Neither am I.

- I have not thought of being ashamed.

- Okay. Our conversation has gone the wrong way, - said indignantly, putting his fork down on his plate.

- No, it's all right.

- You're offended for no reason.

- Well, I'm not offended. So, will you think about my offer? I don't want you to leave me, - she said in an even tone.

Spartacus shifted his gaze to her and answered quietly, - I wasn't thinking about. I feel good with you.

- Well, you want to work separately. That's where the breakup begins.

He took her hand, and with a sigh he said, - Don't be absurd. I need you, - and then he left her hand in his, kissing her palm.

- And you will not leave me, even when I am old? – Valeria said in emotion.

He smirked and shook his head, he said, -Will I stay young? And even if you will be 80, I will want you as much as now, - with these words he got up from the table and pulled her to him, forcing her to get up. When Valeria obediently leveled with him, he embraced her and began to passionately kiss her.

The rectangular glass table at which they ate was set for twelve persons, and most of it was always empty. Without pulling his lips away, Spartacus moved her slightly away from the plates and seated her directly on its surface. Valeria moaned slightly as he nestled between her legs. His hands began to caress her supple body hotly.

- What was it you said about me being good at doing...? – he asked with a hoarse grin as he pulled away from her swollen lips.