In the bed, his wife was sleeping with a guy.
He went to the shed and took an axe.
“Vasya, what are you doing with that axe?” — the local police officer stopped him at the fence.
“Thought I’d heat the bathhouse and wash up before coming to see you with a report and get registered.
Didn’t want to stink.”
“Better we go right away. People have already informed me of your arrival.
I’m afraid you might chop some firewood in the yard, and your parole will vanish.”
“Got it, Mikhalych. Can’t hide from you.”
Vasily threw the axe in the middle of the yard. The officer was clever and understood everything.
What firewood, when the woodpile by the shed was full and there was a barrel of kindling in the shed?
Vasily’s father had taken care of that, and the officer knew it.
Already in the precinct office, the conversation turned serious.
“Vasya, think about it first. You ended up in prison because of Ninka.
Why be so jealous of a woman who doesn’t love you?
Remember how you got married. She didn’t want it, but you couldn’t be stopped.
She married you because she got pregnant. Tried to leave you, but you tied her down with a second child, and she had signed up for an abortion.
Then you caused a scene at the clinic. Ninka was always afraid of you, and when they took you away, she breathed freely.”
“What freely, Mikhalych? Ninka is my wife. I won’t allow cheating in my house.”
“I deliberately sent paramedic Roman to board with her.
She’s a beauty, and you ruined her life, Vasya. I desperately need that paramedic.
The post stood empty for two months. No one stays here, and the district center is far.
Scare him off and he’ll leave. And he and Nina are in love.”
“And my kids see this debauchery? Mikhalych, even though you’re my father’s friend, this is too much.”
“Your son and daughter were taken by your parents. Ninka works all day at the store, and the kids need attention.
Your mother takes care of them. Everything was fine, and then you arrived, bringing trouble.
Maybe we should send you somewhere early before you ruin everything?”
“If that’s the case, then lock me in your cell. My blood is already boiling,” — Vasily offered his hands to Mikhail Mikhailovich, assuming he had earned the handcuffs.
“No reason yet, Vasya. Can’t do anything in advance.
Live with your parents for now, and I’ll arrange housing for Nina and Roma in a few days.
Didn’t expect you so soon.
You behaved well enough to be released. Do the same with Nina.
She didn’t visit you in prison. I’ll deal with your parents about why they didn’t tell me about her.”
“Use your brain. I can only imagine what you did there.”
“Mikhalych, can I just crash in your cell for a bit? I can’t calm down. I love her.”
“You convinced me. Think until morning about what to do. I’ll relocate that couple.”
“Let them stay in my house. The kids are used to it there. They visit Ninka anyway.”
Mikhail Mikhailovich locked Vasily up and left the precinct.
He needed to visit Vasya’s parents. He didn’t want the man to mess things up again.
“Hello, Polinka!” — he saw Vasily’s mother by the fence.
“Where’s Vasya? I ran to Ninka’s, but he wasn’t there. They said you took him to your station.”
“They released Vasya early. What are we going to do with your daughter-in-law now?
I couldn’t convince them. We have to settle things peacefully to protect your son.”
“You shouldn’t have settled that Roma with Ninka.”
“What, you wanted her locking up the store from the inside in broad daylight and doing it with him in the back room?
Tried to prevent gossip, and it ended worse.”
“Andrey disapproved of her behavior and forbade her from seeing the kids.
And they don’t even miss their mother. They’re happy here.
I’m getting Maxim ready for school, and Lenochka loves playing with dolls.
Andrey brings new toys from town every time he visits.
Ninka never bought anything for the kids from her store.
She floats in her love. I feel sorry for Vasya. She teased him and led him on.”
The officer was taken aback. He had a different opinion of Ninka. Now he felt sick himself.
“Misha, Roma’s not even her first. I know exactly who she had from the settlement in her back room.
She’s worn out the mattress there. Is that love? Wake up!”
“Did Vasya know?”
“God forbid. No one in the settlement even dared mention it.
Everyone knows Vasya’s hot temper.”
In the morning, the officer released Vasily. Roman had gone to the district for medicine, and Ninka was in the store.
There were always customers, so nothing bad was expected.
But the couple still met.
Vasily entered the store. Ninka was prepared but still flinched in fear. She was afraid of her husband but guilty.
Vasily waited until the last customer left and locked the door from the inside. Ninka picked up her phone.
“Don’t call anyone, I won’t touch you. I don’t want to go back to prison. Let’s make a peace agreement.
Live with that boy, I won’t interfere or be jealous, but with one condition.
I can’t live without your affection. I’ll come to the store every day and fulfill my husbandly duty.
Agreed?”
“Yes, Vasya, even now,” — Ninka, delighted, led him to the back room.
“I missed this so much,” — Vasily smiled, putting on his pants.
“I wanted to file for divorce but was afraid to enrage you.”
“You’re my wife, and that’s how it’ll stay. Let that kid have his fun and be gone. I’ll come back to you.”
“He wants a child from me, but I’m afraid of you.”
“Is that so? Wanting isn’t a crime, but don’t act on it. You know how to behave now?”
“Yes, I got it. But Vasya, he uses protection. You didn’t today.
I can only get to the pharmacy in a week.
I’ll have to take a risk with you. You never used anything.”
“Too late to worry now. Go read online about male strength after long abstinence.”
Vasily still felt jealous of Roman deep inside, but he held back.
With Ninka, he relaxed in the back room and became kinder — to her and everyone around.
He worked at the sawmill owned by his father, and he liked it.
He could visit Ninka at the store anytime — and did, several times a day.
Something had changed in Vasily’s behavior. Ninka noticed he had become tender, and Roman didn’t seem so appealing anymore.
She was torn between two men. The scales tipped toward Vasily.
But pregnancy, with twins no less, kept her from making a firm decision.
She would only know for sure who the father was after giving birth — but likely it was her husband.
But what if Roman was involved? He was a paramedic. She couldn’t hide it from Vasily and confessed.
“Vasya, be careful. I went to the district yesterday. I’m pregnant, with twins.”
“That’s natural, Ninka. You’re my wife, and it’s time to give our kids a brother and sister.”
“Vasya, that’s four already. Why so many?”
“You thought I was just visiting for fun? Don’t even think about getting rid of them.
I’ll find out anyway, whether you did it on purpose or not.
The clinic will tell me the truth.
Everyone fears me, especially after prison.”
“You planned everything. But what if it’s from him — will you kick me out?”
“I love you, Ninka! Time you understood that. Let the paramedic pack his bags.”
“I’ll call him, Vasya,” — Ninka picked up the phone.
Nina gave birth to a boy and a girl. Vasily never doubted they were his.
He held them just like he had the first two and smiled.
They weren’t like that skinny little paramedic who disappeared from town like the wind.
And Ninka, though petite, was full of energy.
Ninka settled down. She said goodbye to the store for good.
Now they live with Vasily’s parents.
It’s hard managing two kids alone.
Her mother-in-law is pleased that Ninka settled down.
Vasily is over the moon. His wife is now under his mother’s watchful eye.
