Above our heads

Part 8

I fell into a kind of stupor. There were already short calls on the phone. My heart was pounding. I didn't understand anything. I covered my face with my hands. She was shaking me by the shoulders and saying something, but I didn't hear anything. The parents came, asking excitedly for something. But it's like I'm deaf.

I got up and went to dress mechanically. She knelt beside him, took his hand:

- What happened, my dear?

She looked very scared.

My eyes stung mercilessly.

- Val was killed. Sorry, I was asked to come alone. We have to go to the identification.

She covered her mouth with her hands:

- How?.. We saw him yesterday...

I hugged Her, kissed Her on the forehead:

- Sorry, I have to go. I'll call you.

He turned to his parents:

- thanks. Excuse me, I have to leave urgently.

They were scared. Mom patted me on the shoulder:

- If you need any help...

- thanks...

I bit my lip.

Larka was already getting dressed and putting on shoes for Vasya:

- I'll take you now and don't argue.

- I'm downstairs then.

I almost ran out of the apartment. Rage overtook me below. I silently beat my fist against the wall until I felt real pain, until I felt that I was alive.

I was standing smoking downstairs. Larka ran out with Vasya in her arms. I walked up to the BMW. We sat down and she, having made almost a police U-turn, rushed to Leningradka.

She was looking at me in the rearview mirror. Vasya suddenly snuggled up to me, took the broken hand in his tiny hands:

- Does it hurt you, Dima?

I bit my fist to keep from screaming.

- Vasenka, Dima is not feeling well. Don't bother him.

Vaska hugged me with his arms:

- I'll feel sorry for you then...

I hugged him to me. It became a little easier.

- Why are you crying?

I wiped my face with my hand and tried to smile:

- I'm not crying.

Vasya was picking his nose:

- And I cry sometimes, too...

I picked him up. He clung to me trustingly and fell asleep almost immediately. I put him back in the chair and strapped him in.

- Laris, thank you...

- No problem, Dim. There's a first aid kit in the back.

I waved my hand:

- Don't. It's all right.

- Well, as you know...

She was driving at least 200 km per hour. We arrived about 20 minutes before the Falcon.

I barely got out of the car. My legs wouldn't obey me. She came out and hugged me:

- Hold on. You just have to get over it...

I kissed her on the cheek:

- thanks...

I went to the store in the house, took a bottle of cognac and drank almost all of it at once in the yard. The door to the apartment was open. I ran in. Mine were sitting on the couch. I hugged Irisha without taking off my shoes: