Wait a moment, he said. I stepped off at your station for a second, and when I got back to my carriage everything was gone. I looked out the window and saw a man walking away with my bag. I chased after him, but he vanished.
You didnt try to get back into the carriage first and then sort things out? Tatiana asked. I was busy looking for that man, and meanwhile my train left
Tatiana was exhausted after her shift. She worked in a modest flower shop right in the city centre, which was always crowdedespecially before New Year.
It was bitterly cold, snow fell every day. Tatiana trudged along the sidewalk, bundled in her warm down coat. She hadnt even managed to sit down all day. She kept walking, dreaming of getting home and falling into bed.
Lost in thought, she didnt notice a stranger approaching. She stopped and stared at him.
Before her stood a man about forty, oddly dressed. Tatiana stepped aside to avoid him.
Excuse me, could you help me? the stranger suddenly asked.
She froze, surprised.
I the man shook his head, closed his eyes for a beat. I was traveling to my daughter by train, and then this happened.
He paused, glanced sorrowfully at Tatiana. She tried to walk around him again.
Wait, he repeated. I stepped off at your station for a moment, and when I returned to my carriage my things were missing. I glanced out the window and saw a man with my bag. I chased him, but he disappeared.
And you didnt go back to the carriage first to sort it out? Tatiana pressed.
I was looking for that man, and meanwhile my train departed
So you should have gone to someone for help, Tatiana began to get nervous.
I did. They told me to wait. The next train isnt for a few hours. I didnt want to stay in the station. My bag held everythingclothes, documents, money I needed a shower and some warmth. Ill return everything, the man begged, looking at Tatiana.
Fine. Can I at least have the keys to your apartment? Tatiana retorted.
Everyone avoids me. God, why does nobody believe me? He lifted his head, his sad eyes scanning the sky, and Tatiana felt sorry for him.
She examined him critically. His clothes were a mess, but perhaps his belongings really were in the bag. He spoke and behaved normally.
Alright. Come to my place, youll freeze otherwise. Ill figure something out with the clothes.
Thank you. Youre very kind. No one else listened to me, the man said, following her.
She entered her flat and sat on a small stool in the hallway, yearning for sleep.
Go to the bathroom, Tatiana nodded toward the narrow corridor. Ill look for some clothes for you. By the way, whats your name?
Mikhail, he answered, finding the light switch and locking himself in the bathroom.
Soon the sound of running water echoed from behind the door.
Tatiana sighed. The need for rest forced her to put aside her thoughts.
Her brother lived in Kyiv, but some of his clothes were still left with her.
Its okay, it wont cost anything.
She gathered the needed items, knocked on the bathroom door, and when the water stopped she told him the clothes were on a nightstand in the hallway.
She ladled soup into a bowl and set it in the microwave to heat. She sat down, worrying that if her mother arrived now she would misunderstand everything. What would she think seeing her daughter heating food while a man was bathing?
Lord, let my mother be delayed somewhereat a shop or with a friend, she whispered to herself.
But the Lord was busy elsewhere and didnt hear. The lock clicked on the door.
Tanya, are you home? her mother called, and Tatiana peeked out of the kitchen. I thought it was you in the bathroom, calling you. Then whos in there? her mother squinted, trying to see her daughter.
Mom, dont shout. The man missed his train. Hell get cleaned up and leave, Tatiana tried to explain calmly.
Did you prepare Alexeis clothes for him? What happened?
I told you, he missed his train. His things vanished.
Lord. And you brought him home? You dont even know him! You didnt think? I just got home in time. Maybe we should call someone? her mother fretted.
Mom, stop talking nonsense. Hes been everywhere. Waiting for a train takes time. Hell freshen up and go, Tatiana repeated more quietly.
The bathroom fell silent. The door opened and shut again.
He must have taken the clothes, Tatiana guessed.
Her mother sat facing the entrance, waiting.
Soon Mikhail entered the kitchen, greeting them awkwardly and apologetically. Tatiana realized he had overheard their conversation.
So tell me, how could something like this happen to a strong, healthy man? her mother asked, staring into his eyes.
Sorry for intruding. I was heading to my daughters wedding in Kyiv. Now I have no phone, no documents, no money, he gestured helplessly.
And why are you here with us? We dont live near the station, her mother probed.
Mom! Let the man eat. Stop interrogating him, Tatiana snapped. Sit down, Mikhail, Ive heated soup for you.
Tatiana, when I was a kid I used to pick up stray cats and puppies, and now Im bringing men home she muttered, moving aside to free a seat.
Eat, Mikhail. But be careful. If my mother likes you, you wont be leaving anytime soon, Tatiana added with a hint of sarcasm.
You spend all day at work, no personal life. Youre thirty soon, time to marry. How can I not worry if youre not settled? her mother continued.
Mom, stop. Mikhail will think were actually marrying him, Tatiana joked.
Dont worry, she reassured him.
Enough, thats all, her mother waved a hand and retreated to another room.
You have a serious mother, Mikhail said, setting down his plate.
She raised my brother and me alone. She just fears Ill end up like heralone with a child, he explained.
Got it. Where do you work?
In a flower shop.
How will you get a ticket without a passport, and you have no money? Tatiana asked, concerned.
They promised to help. May I use a phone? Ill call my daughter to tell her I cant make it to the wedding, and a friend
Give me a moment, Tatiana replied, heading to another room.
Mom, what are you doing? her mother asked, pulling out a gold ring and jewelry from a box.
Quiet, you, her mother hissed. If he I dont know who, Ill give it to Aunt Masha, and she vanished down the corridor.
Tatiana didnt try to stop hershe knew it was futile.
She placed a phone on the table for Mikhail and stood by the window.
Mikhail called his daughter; from his expression Tatiana saw she was upset that her father wouldnt attend the wedding. He then called someone else and asked Tatiana for the address.
Soon a driver will pick me up. I shouldnt have travelled at all. My wife didnt want me meeting her new husband. My daughter invited me, so the trip was pointless, Mikhail complained, looking dejected.
And who are you, if a driver is coming for you? Tatiana asked, surprised.
Mikhail was starting to grow on her. Even in his brothers illfitting clothes he seemed respectable.
We run a small techrepair business with a friend. He discouraged me from driving, saying I dont know Kyiv and weddings arent for me.
So I took the train. A plane wouldve been better. Hold on a few more hours and Ill be on my way, he persuaded, half to himself, half to Tatiana.
Tatiana watched him and thought her mother was rightif she came home from work to find a man waiting, children would be there, and life would feel meaningful. She was nearly thirty, still living with her mother, with no prospects ahead.
She remembered Leonid, the man she once loved who was supposed to marry her. Shed visited him after work, only to find him with her friend, losing both fiancé and friend.
Youre kind. Everything will turn out fine, Mikhail said suddenly, interrupting her thoughts.
And you? Why are you alone? You have a business, apparently.
Ah, I realized I was the only one going to the wedding. Im also smart, but things didnt work out. Im divorced. Modern women are cautious, men the same. Youre tired after work, and I didnt give you a break. Sorry, Im a burden.
They talked for a long while. Night fell, and his phone rang.
Its me. Sasha must have arrived, Mikhail apologized, taking Tatianas phone.
She thought, Hell leave soon and Ill never see him again. The dull, monotonous days will return.
The car is downstairs. Thank you so much, Mikhail said, placing the phone on the table and standing up.
I have your number. So you wont look for me, Ill be known as Mikhail from the train. I guess you wont call, he asked, eyeing Tatiana.
If you ever need help, you can count on me. Thanks again. Ill return the clothes, dont worry. Tell my mother Im sorry; she probably thinks Im some shady person, Mikhail said, his eyes sad, and Tatiana almost started to cry.
A random stranger, yet she didnt want him to leave. Who was she, and who was he? Tatiana smiled.
Dont end up in situations like this again.
No more trains for me. Ill travel by car or plane from now on, Mikhail replied, smiling.
Tatiana watched him disappear into the dim winter dusk, stepping out of the building, walking to his car, waving through the window.
Thats it. Tomorrow he wont even remember me.
Did you let him go? her mother asked from the doorway when she returned.
Youre annoyed that I brought him in, now you ask why I let him go, Tatiana tried not to show her disappointment.
Hes a good person, you can see that.
Why did you run off with the jewelry?
Because Im not smart her mother sighed.
Three weeks passed. On the eve of New Year, Tatiana felt as if Mikhail were a dream. Everything seemed surreal.
She worked on December31st. The owner kept apologizing, promising to help her personally because there would be many customers.
Tatiana looked out the window and saw a real Santa Claus standing by the shop, shouting something to passersby, handing out candy, heading straight toward the entrance.
The doors opened and she saw him: a redtrimmed coat, a hat, a white beard, a huge sack on his shoulder. He talked to the owner, his voice familiar to Tatiana.
Finally Santa approached her.
I knew you worked here, so I came to surprise you, lift your spirits. Did it work? Mikhail, now looking hopeful, asked.
It did, Tatiana laughed.
I guess Ill have to work alone today, the owner sighed dramatically. Go home, Tatiana, with Santa. Ill manage here. Enjoy life.
She didnt need any persuasion.
A month later she quit her job and moved to Kharkiv, to be with Mikhail.
Her mother was happy.
Shes settled now, can finally relax. Maybe kids will come later. Who else can help but grandma?
Bad things are often called fate, good things a lucky break. One rarely comes without the other.
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Wait a moment,” he said. “I stepped off for just a second at your station, and when I returned to the carriage, my belongings were gone.
