Читать онлайн Игорь Швед - The God Next Door

What if God is one of us? An ordinary guy who, like everyone else, takes the bus, the subway, or the car every day. Or maybe he prefers a bicycle or a motorcycle? What if he looks no different from any other person? What if you've met him many times before, strolling around the city, just passing by? Or maybe he's your neighbor? You never even thought about it, right? Meeting him would raise a multitude of questions for anyone. What would you ask? Perhaps: What is the meaning of life? Is there Heaven and Hell? What awaits us after death?

What if he, too, has his own flaws, habits, and desires? Then what is he like? What does he look like? Where does he live? What name did he choose for himself? Or maybe God is a woman? What does he do? Perhaps he's a billionaire living on his own island. Or an ordinary manager, doing routine office work. Or maybe he's a doctor, saving lives every day?

When you consider the possibility that God might live among us, your brain will continually generate more and more questions, which inevitably require logical answers. To alleviate this barrage of questions accumulating in your head, I'll begin my story. But where to begin? Hmm ... I think I know...

A small, gray room with shabby furniture: a bed, a nightstand, a wardrobe, a desk, a chair, and a clothes rack. Bright yellow rays of sunlight filtered through the faded blinds and the long-unwashed window. At such moments, you could discern the tiniest dust particles floating in the air, as if swirling in a dance. The absolute silence was broken only by the ticking of the wall clock.

A tall, slightly thin man of about thirty stood in front of the window. His bright blue eyes, casually tousled dark hair, strong chin, and small beard gave him a charismatic air. He was dressed in a white shirt, black pants, and dark shoes. Walking over to the coat rack, he took off his lonely coat. Putting it on, he walked out of the apartment into the common hallway and locked the door behind him. In the hallway, a girl nearly knocked him over. A short, slender blonde of about twenty-four was pulling a child's bicycle out of the neighboring apartment. Not noticing the man, she accidentally bumped him with her back.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Please excuse me," the girl began to apologize, realizing she had offended someone.

“It’s okay, everything’s fine, you’re not to blame for anything,” the man answered calmly, making it clear that nothing terrible had happened.

“Come on, I’ll help you,” he smiled at the stranger with some kind of alluring calm.

“That would be great, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble for you,” the girl said with a little timidity in her voice, handing the bicycle to the man.

A boy followed the girl out of the apartment. The man placed the bicycle on the floor and leaned over the child.

“Hello,” he greeted, extending his hand to the baby.

“Hello,” the boy answered with a little uncertainty, shaking the man’s hand.

"I have something for you. Here, take this," the man added, taking a small airplane out of his pocket and handing it to the little boy.

Slightly confused, the boy looked at his mother, waiting for her approval. Smiling, the woman nodded approvingly at her son.

“Thank you,” the little boy replied, looking at the stranger again and then happily taking the toy airplane.

“Mom, I’ll be waiting for you at the entrance,” he added, looking at the gift.

When the child moved away a little so that their conversation could not be heard, the girl turned to the man:

"His father was a pilot. He died before Max was born. Never knowing he was going to have a son. And he wanted one so much. I'm sorry. I was very touched by your gift," the girl breathed, trying to wipe away a tear.

"You know, I think his father knows about his son and is keeping an eye on you both," the man replied with charming calm, looking the girl straight in the eyes. His gaze lifted her spirits. For some reason, she wanted to believe every word the stranger uttered.

“Thank you,” the girl said, realizing that this was exactly what she had wanted to hear for a long time.

A few minutes later, having brought the bicycle down from the third floor, they were standing at the entrance.

"Thank you so much. It's rare these days that someone wants to help," the girl said gratefully.

“Please, I was glad to help you,” the man replied with a smile on his face.

- Mooo ...

“My name is...” the blonde said with a sigh.

"Yes, yes, of course. I have to go too," the man replied, nodding toward the avenue.

It was a sunny spring day outside. The sun's rays refracted off the running streams, creating a multitude of sunbeams. Children were sailing boats, arguing over whose ship would reach the finish line first. Across the street, a construction crew was arguing and waving their arms over the plans for a future shopping center. Office workers, sitting on the terrace of a local café, were drinking their second cup of coffee of the morning. A red-haired girl, driving a red convertible, was trying to finish applying makeup to her left eye. Everyone was busy, like ants.

A man strolled leisurely through the morning city. He was deeply touched by the way an elderly couple strolled sweetly down the street, as if they'd only met yesterday. The woman held flowers—a delicate bouquet of snowdrops. Her companion, meanwhile, was fumbling with something in his inside jacket pocket. A few moments later, he pulled out two theater tickets and glanced at his wristwatch.

“Darling, the show starts in ten minutes,” the man said to his lady love.

"Do we need to hurry?!" she asked with a smile.

“Yes,” he answered.

The elderly couple picked up the pace.

“What a wonderful moment,” thought the man, turning onto another street.

On the next street, he spotted a charming café with a terrace immersed in greenery. All the tables were occupied: someone was reading a book and leisurely sipping coffee, another couple was animatedly discussing something, oblivious to the other patrons. Everyone was immersed in their own thoughts.

the hostess appeared out of nowhere , beating the man's question to the punch.

"Good afternoon. That would be wonderful," he replied amiably.

“Come with me,” the girl added politely.

Only one table for two was empty off to the side. A man took one of the empty seats and then began looking around curiously. At the next table sat two young men, animatedly discussing the new boss. Judging by their conversation, they were happy about the relatively minor changes. Behind them sat a young couple with two children. The kids had already gotten their cheeks dirty while devouring yet another scoop of ice cream.

"Hello. What can I get you?" the waitress asked as she approached the table, bringing the man back to reality.

“Hello. Coffee, please,” the man replied.

— Espresso , Americano , cappuccino, latte , flat "White , cortado , mochaccino ?" the waitress rattled off.

“To your taste,” the man replied.

— I recommend you try flat. "White with salted caramel. It's one of the best in town," the waitress replied, smiling at the man.

- Flat White . "Why not?" the man replied, looking at the girl.

A few minutes later, one of the best coffees in town, at least according to one young, dark-haired waitress, was sitting on his table. He thanked her for the coffee and took a leisurely sip. And then he was lost in his thoughts again. He observed the people around him. He was interested in their manners and behavior. What they liked, what they were interested in, what their plans were. How they interacted with each other. He was interested in everything.

“Excuse me,” came from the side.

“Sorry,” repeated a pleasant female voice, bringing the man back to reality.

A girl of about twenty-five stood before him. In a long black jacket with a short skirt. Long blond hair, bright red lipstick, smoky eyes. Ice . She looked very impressive.

"Yes, how can I help you?" he asked, looking up at her.

"Do you mind if I sit down? All the seats are taken. The only free seat left is at your table," the girl asked shyly, trying to justify herself.

“Of course, sit down,” the man answered in a calm tone, standing up and moving the empty chair a little away from the table, thereby helping the girl sit down at the table.

“Thank you,” the girl answered respectfully.

Having sat down at the table, she hung her handbag on the back of the chair.

"Hello. What would you like to order?" came the waitress's now familiar voice.

After quickly studying the menu, the girl settled on the Caesar salad and bruschetta with sun-dried tomatoes.

“Excuse me, another latte , please,” the girl added to the order, almost forgetting.

"Would you like coffee now or after the main order?" the waitress asked as she finished the order.

“Let’s do it now,” the girl answered.

"Thank you for your order. The coffee will be here in a few minutes," the waitress replied, writing everything down in her notebook.

"Can I get you anything else?" she asked, looking at the man.

“Thank you, but no,” he replied, taking another sip of coffee.

Having received the new order, the waitress went to the kitchen. A feeling of awkwardness arose at the table.

“Vera,” the girl introduced herself, extending her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Miron," the man replied, shaking the girl's hand.

“Nice to meet you,” the girl added, relaxing a little.

“Likewise,” the man replied with a slight smile on his face.

"Your coffee. The salad and bruschetta will be ready in a few minutes," the waitress's voice came from the side.

“Thank you,” the girl replied, looking at the waitress who approached the table.

"Miron, forgive me for asking, but have we crossed paths before?" Vera asked, looking at her new acquaintance.

"That's unlikely. I'm new in town," Myron replied, smiling at the girl.

"I would definitely remember you," Vera added, taking a sip of her hot latte .

"What do you do, if it's not a secret?" Miron asked, not taking his eyes off Vera.

“I work as a lawyer at a bank,” the girl answered with a smile, after which she took a sip from her cup.

"You're so young and already in such a position. You must be a very good lawyer," Miron stated.

The girl seemed to hesitate for a moment, but after taking a sip of coffee, she smiled at the man again. Just as she was about to add something, the waitress interrupted, bringing their order.

“Your salad and bruschetta with sun-dried tomatoes,” the waitress said, transferring the order from the tray to the table.

"Thank you. Can I get the bill?" Vera replied, pulling the salad closer to her.

“Of course, just a minute,” the waitress answered, looking at the girl.

"What do you do?" the girl asked, looking at the man and starting to devour her salad.

“ I... ” Miron began.

There was a slight pause in the air.

“I’m a doctor,” he answered after thinking for a moment, unable to come up with anything that would more accurately describe his occupation.

"Wait, don't tell me. I'll guess," Vera replied, her enthusiasm overwhelming her.

“You’re a pediatrician,” she said confidently after thinking for a moment.

"Why did you decide that?" Miron asked, surprised by the girl's answer.