That isnt for you to decide.
«One missed opportunity is enough,» he thought of the expelled student. And Alice, hearing the sudden words of support, even squirmed, pulling up her legs in pink tights on the couch and wrapping her arms around them. Robert continued:
She wont be doing any homework today. And youd better go home and get some rest, its been a hard day for everyone.
How? Thats all the mother-in-law could say. As if you, Robert, were able to take care of her, as if you could cook But she could not finish as he raised his voice at her for the first time in her life.
Yes, I can, very much so! Stop treating me like a boy!
And suddenly Robert took the remote control from the TV and made the sound in the cartoon about the Three Heroes even louder, so that the roar of the battle with the Dragon Gorynych began to fill the room.
Elizabeths chin trembled, she shrank somehow, squinted. Robert barely knew what came over him, but in his heart was aware that the battle he had won would certainly be lost, because there are two women in the family and one actively supports the other in everything.
Stop talking like that! I have done so much for your family! If it werent for me, you would have split up long ago, and Alice wouldnt be so talented and clever!
No, in Roberts voice became steely notes, its not your merit. Its late, its time for you to go.
The TV rattled across the room, and everyone in it was silent. The mother-in-law didnt recover from such aggressive and unaccustomed treatment so quickly. It took her three minutes to digest what had been said, to realize that she had just been kicked out of the apartment. Afterwards, taking her favorite shawl from the couch, leaving the room, she said one last word, as always:
Black is your ingratitude, Robert! You have no conscience.
He was silent. There were no more words. Gathering up her things and dressing hurriedly, Elizabeth disappeared behind the door. She was gone. But it didnt become calmer. It didnt become calmer even when he returned to the room, drank tea with his daughter, looked at the new outfits she had made for the dolls, and then, after bathing her, put her to bed. Everything seemed to be going well. A perfect evening. And he acted like it was the right thing to do. Or did he? Many questions swirled in Roberts mind, even then swirled, when, going to bed, he dialed a number from his business card and wrote it in the phone book.
Already in Saturday morning, just a couple of beeps later, a cheerful and pleasant female voice answered:
Jessica Highlanders office, listening. Are you on a trial training?
Yes, thats right, for training.
The appointment will take place tomorrow at 11:00. We will be glad to see you. Please state your name and patronymic.
Mr. Robert.
A few seconds later it was registered, the recording was complete. With a feeling of slight uncertainty Robert returned to the room to his daughter, who, hugging a stuffed rabbit named Venya, was watching a cartoon with interest. He sat down next to her, sat like that for a while, but after a while he went to the kitchen. He wanted to do something to occupy himself, to kill time. He boiled the kettle, cut a loaf into small slices and smeared them with melted cheese. His daughter loved such a simple and tasty treat. He varied the treat with a couple of sugar cookies left over from the day before, and, as soon as the tea was brewed, he took them all into the room. Satisfied that she could rest, her daughter happily took up the food and ate everything he offered her with unprecedented vigor.
Daddy, may I sleep in your room with Mummy tonight? Please, Alice asked, smiling and bouncing slightly on the couch. Your blanket is so soft, and Venya really likes it, too.
Asking for something, the girl always slightly squinted her eyes, which made her incredibly similar to her mother. The striking resemblance to Mary always somewhat amused Robert, as my daughter became at such moments isnt in a childish seriousness. Almost nothing so he could not refuse her, and Alice so rarely asked for something with such enthusiasm.
Lets go, of course. And we could even read before going to bed.
The rest of the evening was wonderful. As cozy as its rarely been. No quarrels or scandals, no unsolvable problems, no difficult thoughts. They drank tea, then read «The Wizard of Oz» at bedtime. Surprisingly, Robert fell asleep easily and easily. Tomorrow was going to be a hard but interesting day. Deep in his heart he hoped that everything that was happening would be resolved very soon.
Chapter 3 A first introduction to the Method
The frosty Sunday morning, sunny and piercingly bright, was invigorating. Shivering from the cold and holding hands, she and her daughter walked briskly toward the district art school. A still-life drawing class was to begin by 10:00, during which he could attend a session and then return for Alice and drive home. The plan was very simple and clear. And, in general, since yesterday evening he was doing very well, which could not help but create a certain positive mood. For example, for the first time in a long time his daughter went to her Sunday class with gusto, which was undoubtedly to his credit.
Im going to try very hard today, Daddy. And Ill show you what I could draw. When are you coming? Alice quickly chattered, putting rolled-up A3 sheets, crayons, and a still-life model out of her backpack on the table.
As soon as class is over. Today I have things to do in the center of the city, but Im not going to be late, dont worry, Robert stroked her head and smiled. If anything, you know you can always call Daddy. And Ill pick you up if you get off early.
Normally his wife and her mother didnt approve of the phone in class, but to spite them, Robert let Alice take the new smartphone hed given her a month ago for her eighth birthday today.
Okay, Dad, the girl nodded.
Come on, good luck, he smiled again, waved at her, and left the classroom.
According to the navigator, the office, where the group therapy was to take place, was within walking distance. Besides, there was still a whole hour before the start of the consultation. Therefore, Robert briskly walked through the familiar streets of the city. After passing a few uniform two-story apartment buildings, as can be found in every small town, he turned into a square, built, as far as he remembered, before the revolution. Farther down the path were a few benches along a circular plaza, adorned by a sheltered winter bed and the crowns of old ash trees that only grew in mountain latitudes. He loved the shadows cast by the bare, massive branches of these powerful trees. They formed a whimsical pattern on the old gray sidewalk tiles. Robert involuntarily slowed his step as he walked past. But the square was quite small, and as soon as he crossed it, he almost immediately found himself in a busy neighborhood with several stores. Thats where most of the citys residents regularly shopped on weekends.
The stores were just opening. A guy brought fresh baked goods to the bakery in a van. Discussing something with the salesman, he unloaded tray after tray, bringing them into the store. A florist, for some reason unkindly looking at him, intensively sprayed the flowers exposed on the open showcase. So, grinning slightly, Robert turned his gaze to the glass windows of clothing stores. They were habitually displaying almost all the available costumes, put on mannequins. Such is the naivety of provincial marketing masters. In general Robert should have bought himself a new purse long ago, and on another day, had he been freer, he would certainly have gone into a small store with accessories. His salesman, an old haberdasher, who five years ago had been selling in a flimsy stall at the market, had now set up a pleasant «salon. He was always able to find the right option for Robert, smoothing out the pain of choice with up-to-date gossip.