Marina freed her arm. — Goodbye, Vladimir. She went down to the first floor. Vladimir chased after her, shouting: — You think someone’s waiting for you there? Nobody needs you, you hear? Nobody!
Marina went out into the courtyard. Vladimir ran out after her, barefoot. He saw the taxi, the new jacket on her, the bag. He stopped. — Where did you get the money? — he asked more quietly. — Do you have someone? — No. — Then where from?
Marina got into the car. Vladimir ran up, yanked on the door, but it had already closed. — Marina, wait! I wasn’t serious! Come back, I won’t do it again! The car started moving. Vladimir ran after it, then stopped in the middle of the courtyard—pathetic, bewildered. Marina looked in the rearview mirror, and he got smaller and smaller until he disappeared completely.
Three days later, Marina met her father again. He showed her his work—shelves, small cabinets, stools. He made everything himself, by hand. — Are you going to keep working? — he asked. — I don’t know. I want to start my own business. A bakery, maybe. — Do you know how to bake? — Twenty years at the bread factory, Dad. I know how.
The word slipped out on its own. Her father froze, then smiled—cautiously, as if he didn’t believe he had the right. — Can I help with anything? — You can. They worked in silence—renovating the space Marina had rented in an old building. Her father put up shelves, she painted the walls. They spoke little, but understood each other without words.
One evening, as they were washing their hands after work, there was a knock on the door. Marina opened it. Vladimir was standing on the threshold. He was sober, clean-shaven, in a clean jacket. He kept his hands in his pockets. — I need to talk to you. — There’s nothing to talk about.
— Marin, I know you have money. Someone told me… doesn’t matter who. I desperately need it. I have debts, you see? Serious ones. Lend me some, I’ll pay it all back, honest word. Marina looked at him—at this man she had lived with for twenty years. She saw right through him: every wrinkle, every habit of lying.
— No. — What do you mean, no?! — his voice cracked. — We were together for so many years! I’m not a stranger to you! — That’s exactly why the answer is no. Her father emerged from the back of the room. Wiping his hands with a rag, he stood silently next to Marina. Vladimir looked at him, then back at Marina.
— So that’s how it is, huh? Found your daddy, and now you don’t need me? — You were never needed, — Marina said calmly. — I just didn’t realize it. — You’ll regret this, — Vladimir stepped closer, poking her in the chest. — You think money will save you? You’re a nobody! You’ve been a nobody your whole life, and you’ll stay one!..
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