Let tomorrow come

Chapter 4.

Christmas didn't take long to arrive. The rains stopped and the ground was covered with a barely noticeable layer of snow. And the wind, which kept blowing at people who were planning to take a walk, did not encourage them to be outside, And I spent my evenings at home, reading books or drawings. I was expected to have a week and a half off from studying. I can not say I was too tired, but my teachers clearly wanted to relax and spend time with their families. Mrs. Alice rustled with her grandmother in high spirits, washing the bones of her neighbors and girlfriends.

"What kind of gossips they are," I thought and once again felt a slight hostility towards these two women, one of whom was still my relative, but did not want to acknowledge me.

Marie was finishing cleaning our big house for the holidays. And she prepared my brother's room just in case. After all, he has not yet announced that he will come. I thought it was hard for her alone and offered to help, but she refused. Probably because she received a salary for her work. But I didn't stay idle. Marco was bustling around in the kitchen, as he always does, while Eila, Claude and I were decorating the house. The festive atmosphere was darkened only by the absence of my dad. Aela also laughed less than usual. Grandmother was indignant, but could not change anything.

On the evening of the twenty-fourth the door opened and John appeared on the threshold with a suitcase. The grandmother clasped her hands and rushed off to meet her grandson. Hugging him, she asked Marie if everything was ready. She nodded, and Claude carried my brother's suitcase to his room. The grandmother wanted to immediately take her grandson to her place before the festive feast. But Mrs. Alice said:

"Mrs. Winnes, excuse me, but the boy only came. He might want to rest. You will have time to talk."

"Perhaps you're right, Alice. This is me with joy. Of course, dear grandson, rest and change clothes. And join us for our festive dinner."

After that, everyone left, and I remained sitting on the top step of the main staircase and drawing a sketch. For some reason I wanted to do it at that moment.

"Hello, John! Long time no see," I smiled politely.

"Hello, Christina," he walked past, "beautiful sketch, girl," came to me from behind.

"Thank you," I answered, but the door had already closed.

***

Dinner went well, except for Grandma's constant questions about John's studies. I got the feeling that she doesn't think of him as a person, only as a mechanism for achieving success. Whose success was it supposed to be: his or hers? She is selfish. It seems that her grandson was not particularly happy with all these questions either. It was obvious that he wanted to talk about something more appropriate. About his interests or life in a big city.

"By the way, what are his real interests? Besides chess and this tinsel that his grandmother instilled in him, spoiling his already difficult character," I thought.

After a while, everyone began to sigh at grandma's immaturity and pickiness, because what was happening could no longer be called simple curiosity. More like an interrogation. I stepped on his foot a little under the table. It turned out to be not very simple, because we were sitting opposite each other. I hiddenly showed him with two fingers if he wanted to leave, pretending to wipe my mouth with a napkin. He nodded.

"Grandma, I'm sorry, but I'm tired. I have already given you my gift. Can I go?"

I wish I hadn't said that. My grandmother's face reflected the arrogance and disdain with which she often spoke to me. She wanted to tell me something unpleasant, but Aela and John stopped her together.

"Grandma, it's late. And you shouldn't stay too long. At your age, healthy sleep is important," and he smiled dazzlingly.

"Yes, Mrs. Eugena. It's time for you and Nanny Sophie to rest. John will be staying with us for about a week. He will definitely spend time with you," Aela said.

"Of course, grandma. I love you," he loudly kissed the elderly woman on the cheek. And she melted.

"Okay, then good night everyone. Today we sat in the family circle, but guests will still come for the New Year," she turned to me, "And you need to be more restrained, Christina." You are no longer little, but you still can't learn a simple rule."

Everyone began to busily clear the table. I also volunteered to help.

"Thank you," John squeezed my hand lightly, winked and went to his room.

***

Grandma, like a dangerous shark, dragged John into her lair, and we hardly communicated in the next couple of days. But the night before, Peter wrote to me.

"Hello Chris!

Sorry I haven't written for so long. I'm having some difficulties. Now I have decided everything and came to my parents. We will come to you for the New Year, as usual. And I would like to take a little walk with you on New Year's Eve after the feast. What do you think?"

"Hi, Peter.

I don't even know, the offer is tempting. Only my grandmother won't let me go at night, probably. Let's take John with us too."

" I don't even know. Okay, we'll figure something out. Did you miss me at least a little while I was away?.."

"Umm... This is an unexpected question. Of course I missed you. You are my best friend."

"Okay, see you soon. Looking forward to our meeting."

This was indeed a strange question. But I decided not to think about it. Maybe he just hasn't seen me for a long time, that's why he asked. We've been communicating for so long.

"Dear daddy!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! You may be far, far away now, but I still love you. Relax there with friends and light a sparkler, like we did a year ago. Have you stocked up on tangerines? After all, they smell so delicious.

Everything is great with us. John arrived, and he's even trying to be polite to me, can you imagine? It looks like he really has matured a little. Eila is a little sad. She can be understood. I think she likes you too...

Yes, yes, your daughter is already big and she saw how you look at the new housekeeper :-)

I'm happy for you. We have all gone through difficult times, but we must move on. And I want you to be happy. Then I will be happy too.

I kiss you deeply. Your not-so-little daughter."

***

Yesterday it was a little cold, but it was perfect weather for walking. I prepared a jacket just in case grandma did let me go. had big doubts about this. I offered it to John, but he refused. He preferred to be glued to the phone he brought with him.

"It's a pity that I don't have this. Convenient thing," I thought.

But I had a laptop, and that suited me. I could still communicate with whoever I needed, look for photos with ideas for my works, listen to songs and sometimes watch movies. This was more than enough. While watching films, I could relax and immerse myself in a parallel reality with superheroes, magic and other things that are so atypical for us.

Peter arrived a little earlier than his parents. Aela asked me to come down and meet him. I ran down the stairs. Peter had already taken off his coat and boots.

"Hello..." he said with some embarrassment or something, "...you love flowers. This is for you..."

He handed me a pot of cyclamen with petals that were pale pink in the middle and crimson at the edges. The flower looked very delicate. Peter made the right choice.

"Thank you. It is beautiful," I answered with a smile.

I wanted to hug my friend, but I was uncomfortable with the pot in my hands. He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. I was a little surprised.

"I need to take the flower to my place. Go to the restroom, I'll be right there too. Everything is just being prepared for the feast in the hall. I will also help a little later, but I have half an hour of free time to talk. We haven't seen each other for a very long time."