Only one thing was spinning in my head, I had to go to the store again and try to change everything.
This time I decided to do a similar action, that for the first time to take and buy bread, maybe because of this something will change, and I will again find myself in my life where I am loved and expected.
In the store, I took bread from the shelf, paid for it and left.
There was still no snowstorm on the street, and it was still slippery underfoot. I realized that I had not moved anywhere, but I was in this alien life that scared me, a completely different reality.
I wanted to howl loudly, as if I were a lone wolf in the midst of everything alien and hostile.
Suddenly an idea came to my mind. And what if…
And I ran happily to the entrance… now everything should work out.
I went up to my floor, rang the doorbell and waited for Lena to open it.
To my surprise, a drunk man opened the door. He stood on the threshold and looked at me appraisingly.
– Who are you? – he finally said, and I noticed how his palms began to clench and turn into fists.
I ignored him and pushed him away and entered the apartment.
– Lena… – I called.
In response, I heard a small noise in the kitchen.
I went there and found her at the table, holding her head with her hands, it looks like she was drunk too.
«Lena,» I began, «I’m sorry I left you. And I’m sorry for everything.
She looked at me, but didn’t say anything in response, and I continued:
– I’m sorry, I’m in front of you. And this is from me.
And he put the bread on the table, looked at her red and swollen face, turned around, and went to the front door. I was genuinely sorry for her.
Oddly enough, Igor was not in the corridor, and the way to the entrance was open for me.
When I came out of the entrance, my way lay back to the store, and the hope of getting out of this strange world that I did not understand did not fade at all.
When I got to the door of the store I whispered:
– Lord, please give me a chance, let me go home and I will change!
After that, I opened the door and entered the store. But before I could take a step, the saleswoman came up to me and said loudly.
– Man, the store is closing for the exit!
– How does it close like that? I said, startled.
– Man, we have a short day. Today is a holiday. We also want to sit with our loved ones at the festive table. Don’t you have a family too?
I lowered my head sadly and mumbled to myself.
– Of course there is.
And began to leave the store.
– Happy New Year, – the girl said cheerfully with a smile.
– Thank you and happy holidays to you! I replied.
With great difficulty, due to the strong wind, I opened the door and went outside.
The blizzard played out in earnest. But for me now the snow was the best gift of fate, because it means that I got back into my world.
– Did it really work out! I exclaimed joyfully and ran home waving the bag containing the bread.
Happy, I just flew up the stairs to my floor. And my joy knew no bounds.
Soon I went up to my floor, and saw a completely unfamiliar door, after a little hesitation I rang the bell.
My wife Lena opened the door, she was wearing a dress I didn’t recognize.
– Anton, you’ve finally come, otherwise I’ve been waiting for you. «I have an important conversation to have,» she said in a serious voice.
– What’s right for the New Year? And I thought we were going to rest. «And where is the mother – in-law?» – I asked, passing into the apartment.
The most interesting thing is that not only was the door unfamiliar, but all the furniture in the apartment too.
– Mom? I told you, she decided to stay with her neighbor to celebrate the New Year.
– How interesting, – I said with horror realizing that I was again not clear where, just not at home in my own world, – Honey, remind me, what year is it now?
– Are you kidding me? – she looked at me without understanding.
– Yes, what kind of jokes can there be, – I objected, – So what year is it?
– The outgoing two thousand and twelfth.
– That’s right, – I said.
– You surprised me, of course, that you don’t know a year, but I’m already used to your oddities. Let’s go to the kitchen, I’ve set the table, we’ll talk at the same time,» Lena said and pulled me by the hand.
– Let’s go, – I was very glad that food was waiting for me.
When I went into the kitchen, I was extremely surprised there were no festive salads on the table, there were no potatoes, traditional chicken baked in the oven. There were rolls, sushi and wasabi on my plate.
– You know I don’t like this kind of food.
– Since when did you stop loving them? Lena asked irritably and sat down at the table.
– And that there is definitely no other food? I asked, looking around.
– No, you let’s sit down and we’ll see off the old year.
I sat down and pulled a plate towards me, there were seven rolls and two sushi pieces in it.
– Economical,» I said, picked up a fork, stuck it on and dipped it in soy sauce.
– Well, what is delicious after all? she asked with a smile.
«Tolerable,» I replied, «So what did you want to talk to me about?»
– Yes, Anton, I wanted to. It’s like pulling out a bad tooth.
– Do you have a toothache?
– No, I’m speaking figuratively. Our relationship with you has reached an impasse. Do you understand?
– Well, go on.
– So here’s Anton. I want to file for divorce after the holidays.
– Have you thought about our son?
– What kind of son? Lena said in surprise, «We have a daughter, Natasha. And she knows it, she’s with Grandma now. Are you out of your mind at all? What’s the matter with you?
I decided not to continue the conversation anymore, left the table and went into the corridor.
– Wait, Anton, where are you going? Lena shouted after me.
«I’m sorry,» I said, «I have to leave now.
And without waiting for an answer, I abruptly opened the door and left the apartment.
A strong wind was blowing outside. I turned up my collar and went. There was nowhere to go, and I decided to go to the store to pull the door again, and to fully understand whether it was closed.
The door was locked. And that meant that the road to my world was closed to me. For a long time or not, I didn’t have an answer to this question at the moment.
– Happy