Читать книгу Masturbation. City chronicles - Vitaly Mushkin - Страница 2

I met Nadia in the queue at the polyclinic. I immediately noticed her. An interesting woman, she came to the reception in a gray tight-fitting sweater and jeans. In the queue, as always in our polyclinics since Soviet times, there was confusion. Someone was going to the doctor with a number, with a pre-fixed time of reception, someone without a number, in the order of a “live line”. I had a numbered ticket and the first, despite the people who had long ago (probably) been sitting at the doctor’s office, I had to go. A light squabble began. In turn, the first was to go Nadia (I learned the name, of course, later). I was already prepared to skip ahead of myself one person from the general line, that is. Nadia. But the “intervening” intervened in the matter, following after me. An energetic middle-aged woman with a resolute face who does not accept objections, almost forcefully shoved me into the doctor’s door when a light bulb hit her. Ten minutes later I went out, avoiding looking people in the eyes.

Several days passed. And I again went to the clinic. This time without a number. Preparing to wait a long time, I took a magazine with me. Who is last? The last was Nadia. We recognized each other, in her eyes I read indignation, resentment for my past misconduct. Nadia was in the same sweater, on her feet lay a book. I sat down next to a chair. The magazine was not very interesting, it was frankly boring to sit in line. Nadia was reading a female novel and sometimes I glanced at her book, however, more often not her legs. The girl was in jeans, dressed in high boots, shod in turn in polyethylene “shoe covers”. The line moved very slowly. Well, however, as usual. But now, it’s time to go and Nadya. Now the patient will leave the room, behind which she occupied and the light bulb over the doctor’s door lights. But then something unexpected happened. However, why the unexpected? Together with the patient, a doctor, our district therapist, came out of the office, looked around at the queue. “Come on,” he pointed to me with his finger. And again I went around Nadia.

After leaving the polyclinic on the street, I breathed in a fresh chest with fresh air. Still full of snow lay, but the rays of the sun shone in the day is much more affectionate, the inexorable approach of spring was felt. Flowers were sold in the pavilion nearby. I came up with a crazy idea. I went to the store and bought a small bouquet of flowers. And began to wait for the girl from the queue. To apologize. So she appeared.

– Girl, excuse me, I’ve cut you two times in line. There’s a little compensation for you. “I handed her a bouquet.

She took the flowers, smiled.

– You know, I’m already used to rudeness in the queues, so I was very upset.

– Okay, sorry again. I’ll go. Although, we, probably, on the way. We are with you from one site.

Yes, our houses were not far from each other. We walked courtyards, inhaled the scent of the approaching spring and did not know what to talk about.

– Here is my entrance. Farewell, thank you for the flowers.

– What is your name?

– Nadia.

– I’m Sasha.

– Bye.

I watched her pleasant figure.

– Nadia! – I ran after her.

– Yes.

– Have you already been discharged?

– No, they extended the sick leave for me. Another 3 days sick.

“Being sick at home is so boring.” Maybe we go somewhere in the cinema?

– To the cinema? Well, yes, you can. Call me – she dictated my number to me.