the pine forest lay a gem of the area – the former Tikhonova Pustyn monastery, which lent its name to the station. Although approaching it was not recommended due to the presence of a military unit, the distant view of the still-preserved church domes was a sight to behold.
Strolls in the picturesque countryside had a calming effect on Olga, and she especially enjoyed the small pond, where she lingered by the shore, inhaling the refreshing pine-scented air, reminiscent of her tranquil childhood days at Solonytsya pond.
On his departure, Leonid promised to return in a couple of weeks, on May Day. However, to his wife's joy, he surprised her by arriving on the evening of April 29th. Olga appeared well, rejuvenated, and most importantly, completely serene, even with the approaching important day.
«Natalya, Maria, you are truly magicians!» he exclaimed, laying out the treats he had brought. «Now, I am absolutely certain: we will have a healthy son!»
«We shall see,» Olga and Maria exchanged conspiratorial glances. According to various women's omens, it seemed a girl was expected, and Natalya was convinced of it.
During the night, the contractions began. On May 1, a perfectly healthy baby was born. However, Leonids expectation of a son was not met. It was a daughter – the Mirachevsky's first-born child. Yet, the young father's joy knew no bounds, and he jokingly remarked, «Look how much she enjoyed the November demonstration! She decided to participate in May Day too!»
Olga and Irina, the name chosen by the parents for their daughter, continued to reside in Tikhaya Pustyn for another three months while the head of the family underwent his exams and embarked on a surveying internship. Nevertheless, whenever he had some free time, he unfailingly appeared at the Golovachev residence.
«My Konstantin has a soft spot for his girls,» exclaimed Maria's mother-in-law, «but when it comes to Irina, he simply can't stay away. Oh, how fortunate you are, Olga!»
Indeed, one could hardly imagine a more devoted and caring father.
With almost a full year remaining before graduation, the future looked promising for the young family.
Part II
The Great Turning Point
Chapter 1: Toward Destiny
Mark was not the only one turning the page of his life. The country itself was on the cusp of a new era, where words like «industrialization,» «plan,» and «five-year plan» had become part of everyday parlance. These words now defined the life of the Soviet people, and the nation was abuzz with unprecedented enthusiasm for building, developing, producing, and mining…
However, not everyone rejoiced at the successes of socialist construction, as reported in the newspapers. Detractors and enemies lurked in the shadows, threatened by the onward march of «Our locomotive, fly forward! At the commune is a station…» – the cheerful lyrics of songs broadcasted from every loudspeaker. The state dealt mercilessly with these real enemies, determined to safeguard its vision.
In essence, the Great Turning Point had arrived, reshaping families and destinies, while also paving the way for monumental achievements, albeit at the cost of colossal losses. Yet, at that time, thoughts of these sacrifices were overshadowed by the younger generation's boundless enthusiasm. The youth, untainted by the «cursed tsarist past,» wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to construct their radiant future. The grand scale of communist ideals and transformative plans mesmerized them with courage and possibilities…
Now, the future of Mark Maretsky rested squarely on his shoulders and the favor of the admissions committee of the military school. In Leningrad, he paid a visit to Grigory Bersov, his mother's brother, who lived on Shpalernaya Street, now renamed Bolshevik Voinov Street, which brought some unintentional reassurance. «A good sign!» Mark thought. «The path to a military career is within reach!»
Shpalernaya Street turned out to be splendid, devoid of any overt military presence. Instead, it boasted impressive houses and even palaces, like the Tauride Palace where the Duma met, along with a prison colloquially known as Shpalerka. Nonetheless, Grigory warmly welcomed his nephew and explained that barracks from Tsarist times still stood, housing the Manege of the Cavalry Regiment and the officers' barracks of the Life Guards Horse Artillery. «First, I should explore the city,» Mark decided the next day as he walked toward the Neva River from Shpalernaya Street (the «revolutionary» names had yet to take hold, and streetcar conductors announced stops in both old and new ways). His destination was the Petrograd side.
Upon reaching the Equality Bridge (aka Troitskiy), Mark paused. This was where the legendary pilot, V. Chkalov, was rumored to have executed his first daring aerial feat, passing between the supports directly over the water. As he envisioned the spectacle, Mark's thoughts drifted back to his first year in Moscow…
Balancing work at the factory during the day and attending school in the evening, Mark found himself inundated with an abundance of impressions and worries. Childhood fantasies were now a distant memory, as the bustling capital demanded action from those who dared to dream. In various corners of the city, Mark encountered posters from the Dobrolyot society, urging workers to contribute to the construction of an air fleet, along with vibrant agitations from Osoaviakhim. And then, a spectacle that would forever stir his soul – the air parade commemorating the tenth anniversary of the revolution, where the remarkable Valery Chkalov showcased his awe-inspiring skills at Khodynka Field, Central Aerodrome. Though Mark couldn't attend the event in person, he marveled at the aerial acrobatics from a spot amidst the crowd of enthusiastic onlookers.
From that day forth, Mark's dreams began to rekindle, and he applied himself diligently to his studies, meticulously tackling additional assignments. The only aspect he lacked was physical training, but soon, an Osoaviakhim club opened at the factory, and joining was a breeze. Furthermore, he discovered that he could submit an application for admission to the military school directly through the local Osoaviakhim organization, which also facilitated a preliminary medical examination.
Mark had little concern about his health, as he inherited his father's robust constitution. However, an elderly surgeon during his medical examination, upon observing Mark's posture, hesitated before delivering a verdict and posed an unexpected question:
«Young man, did you sustain any childhood injuries?»
Mark found himself flustered – who hadn't experienced childhood mishaps?
The surgeon continued, «You have a minor spinal deformity. You may get another X-ray, but I doubt it will reveal anything different from what I can see now. I regret to inform you that the flight deck is off-limits for you.»
The revelation was perplexing. «A deformity? How? From where?» Mark was at a loss.
«I am healthy, fit, and strong – 'gesund und stark' (unhealthy), an old phrase from his memory resurfaced.
„Do not worry, your overall health is excellent; the deformity is minor. If aviation means so much to you, consider applying to a technical school. There, you might still find opportunities aligned with your passion.“
Life wasn't over, but the news left Mark wandering down the street with a gloomy air. „If only Sacha were here now,“ he thought, longing for his friend's support. „Hey, falcon! Don't fold your wings prematurely!“ – he could almost hear Sacha's voice. He shook his head vigorously to dispel the haunting illusion.
How could this happen? He felt perfectly healthy. Then, his father's words came to mind:
„I've
