Вадим Иванович Кучеренко
Life is Boundless
–I’m afraid I can’t, – her husband protested categorically. When it came to his scientific researches shifting the calculus in their favor, he was unyielding. – My job… You know it! There’s a high probability for us to finally make a breakthrough and create an engine, which… but let’s not run before the hounds. Touch wood!
–I see… – She nodded not even trying to argue, as she was experienced enough in a happy family life in addition to her acting experience. – What about you, Gleb?
–Mom, I’ve just told that I’m preparing for the astronomy competition, – the boy mimicked his father’s tone,– and I hope to be the winner. The winner gets a ticket to the Space session at National Children Centre “Ocean”. I’ll spend three weeks with guys that are keen on astronomy just like me, from all across the country. What could be better and fascinating more that this?
– A lot of things, I guess… – The woman sighed with amazement at her son taking after his father. The older he gets, the more this resemblance becomes obvious. – But, of course, I’m not going to impose you my opinion.
– Thanks, mother! I really appreciate this! – Laughed the boy. He came to his mother and kissed her, softening her resistance up to an end. – Then it’s settled! You’re leaving for your Tashkent tour, father is leaving for his laboratory, and I’m leaving for “Ocean”! Good stuff!
– Dmitry!
– What is it, honey?
– Speak up like a man! – Said the woman with a sad reproach. That was the only thing she had vigour to do.
– Help me!
– Um-m… Son!
– Yes, dad?
The man cleared his throat and made himself severe-looking, as if he was up to giving a speech at a scientific council, but it was only a single phrase he managed to say.
– Yet I know from my own experience… By the way, do you know that I met your mother there, when we were teenagers?
– I’ve heard this story for about a million times, –the boy nodded with sigh, – but if you insist, I can listen to it once again.
– Oh, there’s no need in it… Until next time… So, a shift in “Ocean” is three weeks long, while summer is three months long.
– Yes, I thought about it, dad, hoping that you will help me.
– How come? – Father asked interestedly, having had completely forgot about what he was about to say.
– I want to spend these two remaining months as a trainee at your laboratory. I’m really keen on the stuff you’re doing there. Those engines, able to coil the bounds of space and time, are the future of great promise in cosmonautics. If successful… You wouldn’t believe, mother, what it will become to the humanity! Mankind will be able to reach even the distant stars!
– Yes, I heard this before, – she said with a hopeless look on her face, – and I was hoping that I will never hear it again. But, I guess, around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns… There’s only one thing that soothes me.
– What is it? – asked the man with innocent look, giving his son a quiet wink.
– That our son is only fourteen years old. And he is still too young to work, even as a trainee, at your laboratory. Growing up, he might drop the idea of cosmos…
But she hadn’t given any hope on the healing power of time.
– You’re mistaking, mom, – Gleb claimed stubbornly,– firstly, I’m not only, but already fourteen, and I’ve got a passport, if you remember. That means that I am able to work, even at dad’s laboratory as a trainee. But I suppose only in case if he puts in a word for me. Actually I’m against such patronage things, but we’re talking about science, not about some white-collar stuff, am I right, dad?
The man grunted with satisfaction.
–You know, honey…
– What? – Obediently sighed the woman. She looked like a lamb at the slaughter, but hadn’t decided how to play a flourish yet.
– Our son has an old head on young shoulders. Like, really, he is grown-up enough for…
– For what? – She asked with sincere perplexity.
– For making his own decisions, – he said unflinchingly, – so we have to accept his plans. But with a certain correction, if you don’t mind, son.
– What is it going to be?
– I’ll help you to become a trainee at my lab. We do need hands and wise heads. Upon the sole condition…
– I agree with this condition in advance, dad.
– Don’t hurry, my boy, – father stopped him with a resolute gesture. It was unusual for him to be like this at home, but in cases like that everyone obeyed without notice. – So, you will spend three weeks at “Ocean”, one month – at my laboratory, and one month – on tour with your mom. Before making a final choice, you are to experience all these activities. This is going to be fair, don’t you think so?
– But I don’t want to be an actor, dad! – The boy exclaimed almost in imploration – I don’t want to be anyone exсept…
– You’re not the one who makes the decision.
Both of them turned their faces to the woman and looked at her with identical eyes. Those loving eyes forced her to surrender.
–Biting the bullet, I must say – yes, it will be an honest deal.
– All right, dad, – the boy decided not to argue anymore, – I agree with your condition. And now I must go and prepare for the astronomy competition, if you don’t mind. Time is getting on.
Whistling happily, Gleb left with a highly contented look, as if he gained a victory that turned out to be unexpectedly flawless.
For some time everyone remained silent. Then the woman humbly said:
–Will you forgive me?
– For what exactly, honey? – Asked the man with sincere amazement. He thought to hear different words from his wife, who was, without any doubt, disappointed in her dreams.
