Читать книгу New Breath - A. M. Wyman - Страница 2

On Grahamshtrasse in western part of Berlin, there was a small shop. The wooden door was abraded, and the sign lost, whether it was removed intentionally or not; no one remembered what happened to it, but everyone knew one thing: each time before the early and scrap holidays, students from all around shook out their piggy banks full of money and rushed here to complete the collection of books, comics, cassettes, discs, and vinyl with old records and of course, the figures with their favorite characters.

The most snapped up here were brave Zorro on his faithful horse Tornado and then Spider-Man, Batman, Sailor Moon and many other characters very beloved by the hearts of children. The coolest thing was to collect all the heroes of the saga and if it was possible, find them their supplemented homes and even utensils.

The hostess, frau Tomaco – the mysterious woman with the American Indian roots – helped the children to make a choice while holding sales or arranging gatherings in which the visitors read books aloud or watched movies… Her granddaughter Marianne, who studied in the local school, helped her around. From past times, their family has owned this shop, which was famous for manufacturing these toys of such high quality.

August von Geltsman liked to come here. Although it has been a while, because some years ago he, his mother, stepfather and a stepbrother moved to Potsdam. He is studying in middle school now which deems it ignoble to shop there.

His stepfather Sebastian – a man of self-proclaimed “Solid morale principles”, owned the corporation for petroleum refining. Last summer, he ordered to clean the room from the “garbage and other things that a young gentleman of his age is not supposed to possess”, so all the things that reminded August of a happy childhood, were sunk into oblivion.

His parents divorced many years ago, although August kept the last name, because it belonged to the ancient Counts family. Mom married Sebastian Van der Hoffen and Philip was born, a snub-nosed boy, who looked like his father but had his mother’s curly hair. Sebastian was concerned that children should be brought up in severity, without giving them favors, and assigned them various “useful” hobbies, that will not allow them to hang around the house in search of destruction. For some reason, he was sure that the little insolents are striving to destroy something. Any outdoor games like hide-and-seek or touch-and-run were banned. They had to keep a perfect silence in the house, because Sebastian dealt with serious matters at work, he stays in his office for long hours.

When Philip was seven years old, the family settled in the new house in Potsdam. Then August enrolled in a boarding school named after Albrecht Altdorfer1 and Philip began to study in a private school that was located not far from their home. August used to think if he should transfer to study there, but enduring life with his stepfather during vacations without any pleasure and rarely seeing his mother who was a fashion designer that often traveled to other countries to fashion shows or art exhibitions, constantly changed his mind.

Anyways, August liked the boarding school. The demanding attitude of teachers forged a good and ambitious character in him; he had a strong will and was a reliable friend. In addition, the school held a good reputation in the world of historical reconstructions: the appearance of the stone castle with a preserved forest in the district created a pleasant space. August had skills in fencing, and he even participated in international competitions. In addition, in the boarding school he could run, jump, make noise, and generally lead a life according to his age.

Arriving for a summer vacation, August yearned again. The boy did not unpack his things and just put the suitcase in the closet. His mother stayed with him the whole day and half of the night before she flew to Florence for the next show. August in the hearts asked to take him there too, but she refused, saying that there will be only the work, and Sebastian just took some holidays to spend time with children.

– For what? – August did not believe what he was hearing. – He never liked to spend time with us…

– Last night we had a conversation with Sebastian, darling, – his mother said, long-haired beautiful woman, wearing a dark blue coat and old gloves, fashionable in this season. – And decided it would be better if you stayed here. I know that you have a relationship; which is unimportant – she said, kissing his cheek – but it would be better.

And his mom came out to the yard, lit by artsy lanterns, leaving him completely alone in this unfriendly place. August stood for a while near the window, watching her step into the car and as it turns at the end of the alley and disappears in the dark, until he heard someone coughed beside him.

Decided that it is not necessary to be on the sight of anyone right now, August rapidly reached the ladder and safely locked himself in his room. There was a consolation in the thought that a couple of weeks after his own father had to take him watch the baseball championship, and then August would go back to school at the annual summer camp festival, to which he was preparing the entire previous year. The camp program consisted of sports events, including his favorite historical reconstructions, the Olympiads of the school subjects and musical parades.

August changed for the dinner. Sebastian insisted on this old-fashioned habit. He often said that “a gentleman always have to be a gentleman,” adjusting a small bow tie on his pale, thin neck.

Speaking as soft as possible (as he thought), Sebastian greeted August, saying that the next day they are going fishing with Philip. However, he did not invite his stepson with them. “Well, well, – thought August, watching as the younger brother sedately sits at the table, keeping his back perpendicular (why won’t he just show his tongue in the second as Sebastian turns away, but no – he was immensely calm), – let them go!”.

– Is there something you wanted to say? – shrewdly looking at him asked his stepfather.

– No, Herr, nothing, – August just grinned. – I wish you a pleasant bite.

– I told you several times to call me Dad, – Sebastian said, piercing the boy with his eyes.

“I’d rather cross the Pacific Ocean swimming; than call you so”, – August answered mentally, continuing with appropriate gratefulness to chew the unloved spinach and pork.

After the dinner, stepping to his room, August found a couple of messages in the internet from his school mates and fencing coach. They all wished him a pleasurable holiday and expressed the hope to see him soon again. August spent a couple of hours surfing the Internet, listening to music and playing his favorite strategy games, in the boarding school to use computers was permitted only for certain hours and with educational purposes only.

Someone knocked the door. August immediately closed the laptop, removed the headphones and picked up the first book in his hands. His stepbrother entered the room.

– Hi, – he said quietly, averting his eyes.

– Already greeted, – answered August, hiding a yawn. He could not remember when he and his brother became estranged. Probably, when Sebastian sent him to a boarding school, showing whom in this house he wants to see more often. Lack of collaborative tricks and games did not add to their relationship heats too. When Philip was very young, Sebastian kept a sharp eye to the contacts between the boys, making them as small as possible.

– Look, seems you’re going to spend the whole summer here…

– Is it so? – the boy could not help smiling, raising an eyebrow. – A few weeks later, my father would come, and we’re going to Berlin for baseball! It’s a tradition of Von Geltsman!

– No, I heard Mom and Dad talked about it, – the brother looked down. – Mom was okay about your plans, but dad secretly made a call and on your behalf; he canceled your appointment.

August’s eyes went blank. Sebastian is against his meeting with his dad?! But why has his mother acted like this? After all, she knows how important the rare meetings with his father are! But anyways, now she won’t be able to influence the situation, being so far away… The boy jumped up, breathing hard. One of the features he would like to get rid of was his impulsiveness. It hampered him in the classes of fencing, when it was necessary to preserve the ultimate concentration and tranquility, but in rare cases, playing in his favor.

– Wait, – stopped him Philip. – Now you can commit follies, and he will punish you yet…

– Does not matter! – Shouted August. Philip instinctively shrank his shoulders. – How can Sebastian do this to me?! The worst punishment you can imagine!

August saw how cautiously Philip was looking at him. It seemed there’s a reason he gave his secret. Noticing this, August made himself to calm down.

– Well, what do you want? – A little rougher than expected, he said.

– I need a favor. I was saving money and I would like you to buy me something, while I and dad are out of the city…

August’s eyes narrowed with interest.

– And what is it? You have intrigued me.

– I noticed that in the last year Ralph threw away your stuff, and asked him to leave me some things… – Philip blushed. – Honestly speaking, I left your toys… You know, from that old store…

August’s jaw dropped. Turned out this papa’s son has a rebellious heart, wow!

– Are you serious?

– Yes, if you want to see them…

– Of course I do, let’s go!

Philip visibly relieved. He put a finger to his lips and went out on the prowl. August hurried after him, turning off the lights.

Having entered the Philip’s room August was a little surprised. He’s never been here before. The time when they lived in an apartment on the solar Berlin’s street has passed. They used to have lots of colors and patterns that the boy loved to look at so much. In this house, a Gothic style prevailed, the building was quite old and gloomy with pointed bay windows and columns, outwardly resembling if not the middle-aged castle then fortress.

A similar design was in the Philip’s room. The August’s one was much more modern – it had plastic windows and wallpaper on the walls. Sebastian allowed to leave everything like this because these windows looked out on the eastern part, invisible to bystanders, as well as the cabinet’s window, and servants’ one located on the floor above and below respectively. In other parts of the house there were mostly the stained glass windows and wall tapestries.

– And you live here? – With a little grimace said August.

– His father’s room in style is more high-flown, – Philip sighed. He shut the door, came closer to bed and pushed the drawer out of it. After a moment he reverently, like in front of him it was a box with treasure, opened the lid.

August gasped – there were his lovable things: old comics with Mickey Mouse, some pages of which still had his doodles, recorded songs from the cartoons (once they had a player, but the needle was broken, and Sebastian immediately sent it to the scrap) and, of course, his favorite figures and dolls.

Of the fullness of feelings August hugged his brother and ran to the toys. He took them, breathed the preserved peculiar smell, moved their cloth, rubber and plastic arms and legs.

About three minutes later, Philip shyly touched his shoulder. August regained consciousness.

– So will you help my request?

– You have not said what it is yet.

Philip pulled off the shelf tin can and shook from it a decent handful of coins and bills. August whistled.

– I have been collecting them for a while, – said the brother, – and I want you to buy me some toys, missing from the series. You see, despite the fact that I study at a private school… Well, all the guys collect them too. However, they all go to the new and prestigious stores, but I like this style of toys.

– Oh, why can you not go there yourself? Oh, Sebastian?…

Philip nodded sadly.

– Dad says that toys spoil the man, forcing him to dive into a fantasy world, and we must live in the present, so he forbids me to play with them or watch cartoons.

– But this is outrageous! You’re still a child how can he do that to you?

– Keep your voice down, please. I do not want him to know…

– How about mom? Does she agree to this?

– Mom does not contradict him, he knows how to rule people… Or make them feel guilty and act the way he wants it. In addition, she has many trips always, and we rarely talk.

August again resisted the urge to hit Sebastian’s face when they meet again. He counted to five, tried to smile, and turned back to his brother.

– So what toys do you lack?