from the chair but his dad grabbed him. All strengths were spent at the struggle with pain in the leg and in the whole body. Doctor was setting the leg free from the chair for a while and then applied the gypsum.
– He should not be stepping on his foot and stay in bed for at least two weeks. Standing up is aloud only to go to bathroom or to have meals. The room should be aerated frequently.
– Yes of course, I will keep an eye on him.
– I wonder why is he so weak?
– He recently went thought a surgery and did not get strengths back, on top of that kept on walking for a couple of days with the fracture.
– Is the pressure tolerant? – doctor asked Max.
Maxim saw gypsum on his leg shaped like a boot but did not feel any pressure. It seemed like the leg was just bandaged.
– No, everything is fine – he replied and after attempting to lift a leg added: – It is just very heavy.
– You will do fine, – doctor smiled and then replied, – stay in bed more. I gave instructions to Valentin Leonodovich so he would be able to explain you everything.
– Good – bye, – said Max.
When Max and his father were sitting in the car they kept silence for a long time, sadly watched people passing behind the window, leaves falling, and the wind rocking the trees. Maxim felt that his father was very disappointed and did not know how to start a conversation. Only after some time, when it became dark outside he started the car and asked:
– How did that happened son?
– I slipped on the hospital porch; it was covered with snow from the early morning.
– But it is not slippery, – dad didn’t understand him.
– It was warm yesterday and snow melted down but in the morning everything got frozen. So the porch and the stairs were totally covered with ice.
– That happened yesterday and you came to the hospital only.
– I thought it hurts because I hit it. I had no clue that it is possible to break a bone like that.
Dad didn’t reply and they kept quiet. Maxim had a feeling that they were thinking about the same problem: how to tell it to the mother and not get her upset? Gypsum can’t be removed and there is very little point in that action. However, there was a way to make her feel better about the situation.
– Will you make it home by yourself? – Dad asked quietly, stopping the car near the house.
– Of course, I can make it to the first floor.
– I shall park the car and come over.
– Ok.
Max’s sister was sitting near him for a long time and could not believe what had happened; her facial expression changed when she touched the gypsum and asked:
– Does your leg hurt? Do you feel yourself ok?
Maxim felt sleepy. Lying on the couch, he was giving one word answers or did not replied; however, his sister did not pay attention to that. She brought some water and kept her hands on the brother’s head for a long time, as if checking temperature. Nothing seemed suspicious to her and she kept on exploring the gypsum.
– How are you doing Irina? – asked Max and looked at her, opening eyes with a huge effort. He loved his sister dearly and always helped her with everything: gave advice, helped with homework and took her places. She addressed him with various questions on the regular bases, questions she could not even address to the mother, so personal they were. Her blond, almost white hair was turning darker with years; they used to be curly but now straightened, and only unruly locks at the roots reminded of the curls. Blue eyes were getting more bright and intensive and when she was worried. She tried to hide her worries but Maxim could always tell it by her eyes if his sister needed help and asked about the problem. There was not a single situation when he was not there for her. Even when he had no time or the problem was manageable for the little girl, he still was leaving everything behind and gave her a hand. So now, feeling his sister worried, Max realized that his broken bone gave her more reasons to worry.
– The teacher was taken away today by the ambulance!
Tear ran from her eye and slowly rolled down the cheek.
– Please understand that we all shall die at one day. There is no reason for tears, we need to live further, help each other, no matter how hard it is. – Maxim had to close eyes again – weakness overwhelmed him.
– Can she die? She is so young!
– Unfortunately there is a possibility but you need to take it easy, understand??
– I shall try, but it is hard.
After some time, she calmed down.
– Everything in life is difficult. When you do something you say that it was very easy and wonder why you did not do it before. Am I right?
The door bell rang and she rushed to open the door for the father.
– Where is mom? – He was surprised.
– At the neighbor’s place. They made arrangements last night.
– So she hasn’t seen Maxim yet?
– Not yet. She will be here soon it is ten pm now.
They were sitting on the couch in the living room near Maxim and talked lively, waiting for mom to get home. Father even managed to make sister laugh and lift her spirits. Occupied by conversation, they did not notice how mother came in. She froze and silently looked at the lying son. Maxim felt her stare and realized that it was her. Father and sister ceased talking and waited for the reaction.
– Hmmm seems like we will have unusual New Year celebration! Great! Dear, tell me how did that happened?!
Maxim understood that mom was in a good mood and did not know what to say.
– Fell down the stair steps, – it was everything he could say.
– Does your head hurt?
– No!
– No problem then! – She replied and left to the kitchen:
– Let’s have some tea. I brought a cake.
– I shall pass, – Max said and returned to rest. After some time, he heard jingling of the tea pot, clinks of tea cups and happy voices of the relatives. Not having time to think of anything, Max fell asleep immediately.
V
Leaving the canteen, Sveta saw her husband who was pale and lost a lot of weight. He was dressed like her in all white and had a facial expression of the person who lost something in life. Hugging him, she thought: «I probably look like he does; I have not seen myself in the mirror for a week».
– Darling! How are you feeling?
Not giving her a time to answer, Vadim asked another question:
