Agua bendita

Loveliest grandpa was swearing that internet is soaring "cosmo un cóndor andino". Either the old man was an atheist, or condors weren't the same nowadays. Almost new washing machine "Balar" was standing in the corner - couldn't google how this beauty works. Nate was trying to negotiate. In vain. This chic was way out of his league. Standart "open - load - powder - mode - temperature - time - start" didn't work. Balar was staying in monosyllable silence. It did rattle for a couple times, but didn't move any further. He punched the lid out of pure interest - nothing (special). Drake wanted to deal with a little blood, using soap and water. Good, old manual labour. Sister Bernadette was an  adherent of theory "work, beaten into young minds, will prevent from jail and even worse". Quite often this dogma failed to do so, but orphans nailed it in early years, or, better to say, it was nailed into them. Thus, once a week the kids were taken to the bathhouse, where under strict shouts they were washing their stuff. This was all nice and fine - an acquired experience. The thing was, they didn't have any soap, Nathan checked. Quirky Chilean told them, the villa had all conveniences. Apparently, the soap and internet are extra-class facilities, available for an extra pay. The plain water wasn't going to save this clothes. Even holy water wouldn't redeem them. Poor hobos didn't want to stand by Nate, and they seemed to be an experienced folk. One of them actually suggested burning this t-shirt: away from sin and better for bonfire. Drake had to say a polite no. Classic, swear, blood and other fluids didn't pass this wear. Cat, bastard, made it on his pants. On principle or revenge? Of course, there are a couple or three of those who would be thrilled to see Nate's blood on his clothes (preferably from knife or gunshot), but no, thank you, not this time. At the days of dawn Sully and Nate would threw clothes out, buying normal ones. But it turned out, that this is wasteful. Besides, you kinda get used to this tissues. Hand didn't rise to dump this jacket, which had been replacing pillow, sleeping bag, bandage and own mother. Now this good enough, if it keeps its shit together. After two months of the constant fuss called "they want to kill us again" over Cordillera organism waned some human joys of life. Sleep. Some food. Clothes, that didn't smell like piss. *** Yesterday's noon they got to Curacavi, and this could be counted as a rest. Dusty town with palms, what can you take out of it? Right - imaginary recess just for a week. Or for a night, as luck would have it. Angry and stinky they were roaming round the outskirts in attempts to find some night stand. Sun was roasting like crazy: eyelids were sweating. Forged fences with announcement of leasing/sending came across often, unlike the tourists, willing to rent them. When the ninth lady turned around and left on the question about a dwelling, it started to make sense why the business didn't run. Surely, with such an attitude. Also they recked of homless, maybe that is the case. Even bag with a cat couldn't convince housewifes in their good intentions. The fellow-sufferers were leaving usual house and fighting because of heat and exhaustion, when stomp of slippers and cheerful call caught them up. Señor jumped to men, presentet himself, took them up. Mr. Olivers asked whether a lovely little villa for 15 dollars per day is good enough. What a rustler. Making money in bucks. Fuck it. If only bed and shower were there. They payed for a week, and enterprising man got away, promising not to bother. He only asked to watch for cat's piss and warned about stray dogs. Villa, indeed, was precious. The kitchen took the first floor with the corridor, which led to the small garden. On the second floor were bed and shower. Blessed. First thing they did was closing of all doors and windows of the lower flour. Second: took all clothes off and threw them away. Third part for Nate was sleep, for Sully it was shower, brushing of teeth, tying of his sick knee. Old bones need care, dang. *** If naked sleep is good, naked breakfast is refreshing, how to go on a balcony like that? Venerable neighbors wouldn't understand. Sully found Nathan on the fourth stage, depression as it is. - Remember, if it's standing, world's not ending, - Victor yawned at his reflection. - Don't talk to me when you don't have your pants on. - What happened? - Washing machine doesn't work, we don't have soap. I'm not into nudism yet. Sally changed in a second, forgot about his knee and started to smirk hideously. Nathan just puckered at that. - Move and watch, - Victor got to the room, brought back his bulk, thrusted into machine. And magic started. Drake didn't notice any difference from his own actions, but Sully knew how to persuade ardent ladies. Comes with ages. "Balar" resurrected, water flowed. Happiness has never been so close. - Now you owe me one month of cleaning after mr. Whisker. - Fine, - Nate felt so good, he could agree on two. - It's easy to rob you blind, and this is supposed to be you job. Get out. I'm going to shower. *** Sole bad was pure heaven. It didn't pressed too much, springed as it should, stood beside the balcony. Sun and wind had their way to it. Nate was lying again. Spine was over the moon, crackled few times and relaxed. Whisked jerk was letting to pet him. Curtains were swelling and covering from vigilant Chileans. Sully was soaking in the shower, Nate was making his way to sleep. - Hey, kid, - sudden voice broke the peace. - Can you toss a soap. Second drawer under the sink. You'll see. Nathan shook the cat off and stood up. Life doesn't teach anything. "Fuck you, Sully. You got your month now quit". He opened the door and took a soap (it was actually there). Hand leaned out of a thin curtain. Stupid habit to enclose himself, to shut all doors/windows/blinds. Comes with ages. It's good only for thiefs and those, who scared. Sometimes it might harm, like now. - Thank you, kid, - senior's voice was filled with complacency. How cute is that. - Besa mi culo. My pleasure, Sully - Nate took one of the toothbrushes and dipped it in the toilet, - My pleasure. He put brush back and closed the door. "Smile for life", as they say.