Gamer - страница 3

“I do. But what are you suggesting? We just walk away?”

“I suggest we sit down with him and talk calmly. I think he’ll understand. He’s not a little boy anymore!”

“I know that! But do you want him living with you? I’m guessing not. So what do we do with him?”

“I’ve thought about that! We leave him the apartment. Then we won’t have to divide it between us, and he’ll have a decent start in life!”

“And who’s going to live with him?”

“He can live on his own. He’s old enough! You were already working at his age!”

“Where will you live?”

“That’s none of your business anymore, just as where you live is none of mine. We’ll send Andrey money to begin with, and then, with any luck, he’ll learn to stand on his own two feet. He can’t play computer games forever. It’s time he grew up!”

“Maybe you’re right. But I need to think about it,” Dad said, and another silence fell.

I stood by the door, unable to move. A minute earlier, I’d thought nothing could spoil this day. Now it turned out my parents had been planning to separate for more than ten years and had only been waiting for me to grow up. So Dad’s late nights, Mom’s business trips, all their arguments… They’d known all along. I hadn’t. The only people I trusted had been pretending we were a family, every single day.

Something rustled in the kitchen. I thought one of them was coming out. I crossed half the hallway in one long stride and ducked into the bathroom. I turned on the water and started taking off my clothes.

“Andrey, are you home?” Mom called from the hallway.

“Yeah, just got in. I’ll have a shower and be out in a minute.”

“All right!” She sounded slightly frightened.

I could hear it in her voice: she was afraid I’d overheard. Whatever Dad said to her was lost in the sound of running water. I stood under the shower, trying to cry without making a noise. I wanted to go back an hour, to Inna’s house, when everything had still been all right.

Living alone at sixteen. Plenty of people probably dreamed of it. I didn’t even know how to pay the bills. I wasn’t ready for adult life at all. Especially not today.

Someone to Lean On

The next day I barely spoke to Inna. She got called on in class, wrote things down, while I sat beside her wondering how I was supposed to live now. After school I headed for the exit without even waiting for her. She caught up with me at the gates and fell into step beside me without a word. I knew I should at least say hello, but I didn’t have the strength.

Instead of turning off for my bus stop, I went on to walk her home. Inna gave me a surprised look. Several times she seemed about to ask something, but couldn’t quite bring herself to.

When we reached the spot where we’d had our first and only hug, I stopped and looked at her, forcing myself to try to say a proper goodbye. None of this was her fault.

“Andrey, what’s wrong?” Inna finally asked, looking straight into my eyes.

I lowered my eyes.

“Nothing. It doesn’t matter…” I mumbled. I couldn’t lift my head. I was afraid I’d start crying.

I wanted her to go inside quickly, so she wouldn’t see me like this. At the same time, I wanted to tell someone, and she was probably the only person I could trust.

“What do you mean, it doesn’t matter? You’ve been miserable all day. Did I do something wrong yesterday?” Inna gently took my chin, trying to see my face.

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Gamer - страница 3

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