— Haven’t you gotten tired of this country seclusion? — Maxim got up from his armchair, stretched, and turned to his wife. — How is it that you never get tired of it?
“— Maxim, what fatigue are you talking about? — Irina tore her eyes away from the garden bed. — Or perhaps you want to offer your help? The fence really needs some attention.
“Her husband waved his arms energetically.
“— No, please spare me this, will you? You know what a gardener I am—a hopeless one. And besides, I don’t even enjoy it. Although…
“— I know; now you’re going to say that the vegetables and preserves from the garden taste much better than those from the store, — she interrupted.
“— Well, you see, you prefer to relax at home or in the city, and I—exactly that.
“— Oh dear, you do surprise me. One would think you’d take a trip to the seaside. You have a freer schedule. But no, you’re stuck at your dacha.
“— At our dacha, — Irina corrected. — Wait a minute, when you’re old and start craving nature and fresh air, I won’t let you go.
“— Ah, you! — Maxim jokingly reached for his wife, but she deftly dodged his hand.
“Irina got up on the other side of the bed.
“— Maxim, you’ve got duty in an hour. Your patients are waiting.
“Her husband looked at his watch with regret.
“— Yes, you’re right as always. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll check the weather. If it’s nice, I’ll stay until Sunday.
“— Well, decide for yourself. I’ll be sleeping all day after my shift once I’m off sick leave. In a few days, not only will I be unable to operate, I’ll start nodding off on the go.
“— Everything will be fine. You’re the best doctor I have, and you won’t let yourself fall asleep on the job, — Irina said confidently.
“Maxim approached and hugged his wife.
“— You’re such… You know, everyone envies me because there’s no wife better than you. Sometimes I catch myself thinking that I trust you even more than I trust myself. Alright, I’m off to the shower before I’m late for the ward.
“— You can’t be late, — Irina stated. — You can only be delayed.
“Maxim raised his finger in a sign of agreement, nodded, and disappeared into the bathroom.
“Irina began to gather her things. She made an effort to go to the dacha every weekend. In winter it didn’t always work out. Her husband just couldn’t understand what one could do in the village during harsh frosts. Maxim and Irina had been living together for ten years. They married not as inexperienced youngsters—by then, both had university degrees and were employed.
“Maxim was very determined. He knew exactly what he wanted and never strayed from his plan. It must be admitted, he was quite successful. He was slowly but surely climbing the career ladder while never forgetting that he was a good surgeon.
“And indeed, he was an excellent doctor. He took on hopeless cases and triumphed. And what else? Maxim did not want children. Absolutely not. Once…
“They even separated because of it. But that was long ago, about six years back. Irina sighed. It was good that Maxim was on duty for a day. That way, they wouldn’t accidentally meet in the city. Still, caution was necessary.
“Maxim strode briskly toward his office.
“— Maxim Andreevich, good morning! — A young nurse named Katyusha approached him.
“Katyusha had recently been appointed as a nurse—and not without his help. Maxim quickly looked around. There was no one else. He patted Katyusha on a tender spot.
“— Hi, how are you? All is well? Miss me?
“Maxim felt a flush, but quickly pulled back.
“— Alright, go to work, — he ordered and opened the office door.
“His relationship with Katya had lasted several years. Sometimes he would wake up and tell her that the relationship was over, and then he would resume it himself. Katya took these emotional ups and downs quite calmly.
“She had long been married. Incidentally, Maxim was also married, and he loved his wife Irina. They just craved variety, some thrill. In a marriage, one rarely experiences such new feelings.
“Maxim Andreevich changed his clothes, reviewed the medical histories already laid out on his desk, and set off for his rounds.
“— Maxim Andreevich, when are you going to discharge me? I can’t lie here any longer. I have children, a household. My husband back home won’t manage on his own, — a patient addressed him.
“Maxim smiled at the tall, dignified woman. She was about fifty and had been brought in from the village. Galina, as the patient was called, had a hernia that Maxim had reduced and sutured. It was a complicated case, because the hernia hadn’t appeared yesterday. Later, when the woman came out of anesthesia, he decided to talk to her.
“— Tell me, how did you endure it? It had been hurting for a long time, hadn’t it?
“She waved her hand dismissively.
“— Oh, it hurt and hurt. If you pay attention to every little ache, you can’t live. I have three cows, nearly a hectare of garden, a pig. My house is big, and I have three kids. I need to work rather than fuss over every little pain. Doctor, don’t keep me waiting. I desperately need to get home.
“Maxim stood in the doorway, unable to take his eyes off a little boy. The boy was looking at him with curiosity, then smiled—a smile so familiar that Maxim’s heart clenched. He slowly approached the bed, careful not to frighten the child.
“— Hello, — he said softly. — What’s your name?
“— Sasha, — the boy replied without taking his eyes off him. — And who are you?
“Maxim sat on the edge of the bed, overwhelmed by a strange mixture of confusion, surprise, and something else he couldn’t quite identify.
“— I… I’m a doctor, — he finally managed. — And what’s your mom’s name?
“— Mom’s name is Irina, — Sasha answered simply. — She’s sleeping right now. The doctors said she needs to rest.
“Maxim felt the ground slip away beneath him. He swallowed hard, trying to gather his thoughts. Irina? But how? Why did he know nothing? He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to steady himself.
“— Sasha, do you have a dad? — he asked in a barely audible voice.
“The boy thought for a moment, then shook his head.
“— Mom says that dad is far away. He’s very busy. But I’ve never seen him.
“Maxim felt something tighten in his chest. He looked at the boy—at his eyes, his features—everything about him was so familiar, as if he were looking at his own childhood self.
“— Sasha, how old are you? — he asked, though he had a suspicion.
“— Six, — the boy answered. — Soon seven.
“Six years. Maxim closed his eyes, trying to comprehend this. Six years ago… That was exactly when he and Irina separated. Just briefly, only for a few months. But apparently, that was enough.
“— Sasha, — he began, but his voice quivered. He fell silent, unsure what to say. How could he explain to the child that he might be his father? How could he explain to himself that he had known nothing for so many years?
“The boy looked at him with innocent curiosity, as if sensing that something important was unfolding.
“— You look like me, — Sasha suddenly said. — Mom always says I look like dad. Maybe you are dad?
“Maxim felt a lump rise in his throat. He wanted to answer, but the words caught in his throat. At that moment, the door opened and Katya entered the room.
“— Maxim Andreevich, — she said quietly. — Irina… she needs another operation. The chief doctor is asking for you.
“He nodded, barely able to speak. Rising from the bed, he looked at Sasha.
“— I’ll be back soon, — he promised, though he wasn’t sure if it was true.
“— Okay, — the boy smiled. — I’ll wait.
“Maxim left the room, feeling his world shatter around him. He walked down the corridor, barely noticing his surroundings. His thoughts tangled, his emotions overwhelming him. Irina… Sasha… How could he not have known? Why hadn’t she said anything?
“When he reached the operating room, the chief doctor was already waiting.
“— Maxim Andreevich, — the chief began, but Maxim interrupted:
“— I know. I understand everything. Just… do everything you can.
“The chief nodded, understanding that no further words were needed. Maxim stood by the door, feeling his carefully constructed world crumble before his eyes.
“— Dad, you came?
“Maxim Andreevich felt his throat tighten with sudden nausea. It was as if a deep fear had gripped him, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint what he was afraid of.
“— Hello. And what’s your name?
“— Dmitry Maksimovich.
“Maxim sank onto a chair, as if his legs had given out. He felt as if he were losing his mind, unable to grasp what was happening.
“— And that lady you were with?
“— That’s mom. We rode the carousels while you were at work.
“— Wait, let’s sort this out. The lady is your mom? You went riding on carousels. And I, it turns out, am your dad?
“— Well, yes.
“— That can’t be. Irina and I don’t have any children.
“The boy sighed, as though it were something obvious.
“— Mom said I’m still little and don’t understand everything. But I heard her talking with Grandma Vera. She said that you’re not ready yet.
“— With which grandmother? — Maxim nearly shouted. — Which grandmother?
“— We live with her. And mom comes on weekends.
“Something clicked in Maxim’s mind. Memories flooded back. Six years ago, more or less, Irina became pregnant. At the time, Maxim wasn’t strictly against having children, but when both of them were at the peak of their careers, he declared it wasn’t the right time.
“He had no idea how important this was to Irina. They had a fierce argument. The first in all their years together. And when Maxim was finally ready to agree—to say they could manage—Irina suddenly announced she was leaving him.
“He exploded then: ‘Leaving? Fine, get out!’
“And she left. He couldn’t believe it, he waited, but Irina never returned. Then he started calling her, begging for forgiveness, pleading for her to come back. In short, they lived apart for almost a year and a half. Then Irina eventually returned.
“And he promised himself that if she got pregnant again, he’d be overjoyed. But when he saw her alone, he felt a strange disappointment. Apparently, she had decided on an abortion after all.
“— So, where is Grandma Vera now?
“— Waiting for us at home, — Dima sobbed. — And will mom get better?
“— Of course, it never works out any other way. You wait here, and I’ll go and find out everything. Then I’ll be back.
“— Alright.
“— Yes, I’ll sleep then. Grandma says time passes faster in dreams.
“Maxim left the room, leaning his back against the wall. He felt like a monster. How? How could something like this have happened? Irina will recover, and I’ll kill her. Hiding a son from me for all these years. He smirked. Apparently, he hadn’t been paying enough attention to his wife, not noticing that in the meantime she had raised a son.
“He had barely reached the operating room when the chief doctor emerged.
“— Well, rejoice. The glass stopped just a centimeter from the heart. There are many other injuries, but all are repairable—as long as she remains in a medically induced coma. A day or two.
“Maxim hugged the chief doctor.
“— Alright, alright, everything’s fine. You know what, go home. Today you won’t be able to work. I’ll stay with you. And there’s no point in sitting with Irina for now.
“Maxim returned to the room where Dima was. The boy couldn’t sleep. He was looking at his father expectantly.
“— Everything’s fine. They operated on mom, and she’ll have to stay in the hospital for a while. It’ll be long, but she’ll recover.
“— Alright. I love mom very much.
“— Tell me, Dima. Where do you live?
“— In Sosnovka.
“— Mom says that’s a dacha.
“— Yes.
“— I see. How about we go visit Grandma Vera?
“As they approached, an elderly woman came out to the gate. She was wrapped in a scarf and anxiously watching the headlights. Maxim turned off the car engine. Dima jumped out and ran to her.
“— Grandma, mom and I were in an accident!
“The woman clutched her heart and began to slump. Maxim managed to catch her.
“— Irina was seriously injured, but they operated on her, and everything will be fine.
“— Are you Maxim?
“— Yes.
“The woman sighed.
“— Come in.
“Maxim listened with his head bowed.
“— Irina cried so much. She couldn’t bear it. She loved you and her son, who wasn’t even born yet. Then I suggested: let her leave the child with me, and she could come whenever she could. And later, when you’re ready, she’ll tell you. She wanted to, but she was always afraid… afraid that you wouldn’t forgive her for the deception.
“Maxim remained silent for a long time, then looked at his sleeping son. In his soul, something strange, warm, and unknown began to stir.
“— Right now, the most important thing is for Irina to recover. And then we’ll see if she forgives me. I wonder if there will be a place for me. And in the morning, we’ll head to the city. I hope you’ll come with us?
“The elderly woman wiped away a tear.
“— Where would I be without you now? Dima and Irina—they are like my own.
“Despite the chief doctor’s urging, Maxim firmly decided that once his wife was discharged he would resign. He could no longer bear to look at Katya. In any case, he realized that if he lost Irina, he wouldn’t know how to live. And by the time of her discharge, they had already agreed that they would definitely get Dima a little brother or sister.”
