Sunlit oak tree

Morning car horns could be heard through the windows of her and Alex’s apartment. Augustine got out of bed, and, stretching his neck and tidying up his hair, sleepily, trudged to the kitchen. It was necessary to put the kettle on. Alex, judging by the sound of the water, is still in the shower. Today is a very important day — he has an interview, and Agnes is probably waiting for his call, this is the best chance to take the younger ones with her. During the time they are traveling, he will have time to find an apartment. Or at least find a suitable option. Augustine rubbed his eyes and finally stretched. The water in the kettle boiled, Alex, coming out of the bath, immediately rushed to the kitchen, put two mugs and poured tea. — Well, are you ready today? he asks, and Augustine nods his head. Alex, still wet, sits in front of him in his shorts. — You should at least get dressed. It’s already eight, won’t you be late? It seems like there are more candidates to get a job in a car showroom than in a gallery. Alex comes to his senses and, taking a sip of tea, swearing, runs to get ready for the room. His haste will never lead to anything good, but Alex is clearly glad that he has such a friend. — What would I do without you, thank you. By the way, if your sister comes, will you introduce us? Alex shouts for Augustine to hear from the kitchen and quickly grabs his pants. Augustine is amazed that Alex has the audacity to say that. — Hardly. — Augustine laughs. “She doesn’t like making acquaintances,” he says, sipping his tea. Agnes, like him, suffered failures on the love front. — Oh please! — Alex peeks out from behind the door, revealingly making a sad face. — Let’s see. Alex grabs his jacket and, hugging his friend, runs out of the apartment. Augustine gets up and goes to the bathroom, waiting for the tea to cool. Since childhood, he cannot tolerate anything hot and waits until everything cools down to the desired temperature. The bathroom was a mess. Augustine carefully stacks the jars and wipes down the sink. Alex is still a slob. Opening the tap, he hears neighbors from the top floor quarreling, discussing something and not giving rest to all the other residents. The morning newspapers are again full of sad headlines, and the gray sky does not add any color. *** The art gallery was located on one of the main streets of the city, and upon entering the building, Augustine quickly found the director — a short man with large eyes like an owl. They wandered around the gallery, and the director pointed out the paintings and explained what to do. “To begin with,” he said matter-of-factly, “all transactions will take place under my control.” You are good at art, and it shows, but whether you understand sales is another question. — Augustine was not at all embarrassed. It was also easy for him, and he can help with sales. It was important for him to get this job by any means and under any circumstances. — My father worked a lot with antiques and fakes in the field of art. — Augustine feels that the owner likes it, and he is ready to learn more about Augustine. People love it when they find something in this world that resonates with their inner world. - Is it true? It’s clear from you that you were raised in an intelligent family. — The man paused. Augustine looked him up and down and raised his head — he was ten centimeters taller than the director. “I will give you an advance, as promised, and today we have a sale and purchase scheduled for the evening.” But today I don’t need you, you can go and rest. Tomorrow you will need to come only at noon. Understood? — Augustine answered positively, and on that they parted. Augustine received his advance and, almost jumping with happiness, ran to the first city telephone booth he came across. The time was approaching noon. He managed everything and did the right thing in what he told Agnes about the gallery yesterday. It would obviously be too late to talk about this today. He dialed the number and waited, putting coins into the phone. — Agnes. — Augustine heard the phone being picked up. — Augustine! Well, did you pass? — The voice seemed a little forced, but cheerful. — Yes, I passed. Pack your things and take your first tickets to Munich. I’ll arrange everything, how’s your mother doing? Agnes sighed. — Well, how can I say… — The girl paused. — Okay, I’ll tell you everything when we meet. I went to gather Yuma and Yunna, they will be delighted, they were buzzing all their ears about you. I barely laid it down. Still, they miss you here. — Oh, they will be glad. I can already imagine their faces. Okay, I’m waiting. I think you will arrive no earlier than in the morning, and maybe late at night. “Most likely in the morning,” said Agnes. — I’m waiting for you anyway. — Augustine said goodbye and hung up. Agnes, sitting in her room, waited for the younger ones to return from school and at the same time collected their things, taking out one suitcase for them and one for herself. The most necessary and nothing superfluous. Only things — it’s summer outside, but August, right now, was cold and windy, and the end of summer was felt in the autumn air. After making sure that her parents were asleep, Agnes looked out of the room and put out the suitcases, placing them behind the cabinet — so that it was not visible. All that remained was to wait. If she does everything right, she will have enough money for her first time in Munich. And then she’ll come up with something. *** At dinner, which took place in silence, Agnes sat with excitement and constantly looked at the younger ones. The clock was approaching three. Yum and Yunna, returning from school, were hungry, but not tired and not unhappy, as was usually the case. Apparently, yesterday’s conversation still gave them strength. — Sister, why are there suitcases there? — Agnes removed the plates and squatted down next to the younger ones. — Yunna and Yum, remember you asked when the elder brother would come to us? — Both nodded. “He won’t come to us, but we will go to him today.” That’s why I packed your suitcases. We are now getting dressed and leaving the house, boarding the train and going to him. — Agnes looked carefully at how Yum and Yunna began to sparkle with happiness; nevertheless, Augustine was for them the necessary adult, hero and elder brother in one person. — Where are we going to go? — the eyes of the younger ones lit up with small lights. — We will go to Munich. Brother will meet us. — Agnes smiled like a child, copying the behavior of the younger ones. — Class! “I’ll go get ready,” said Hume. — Just be quiet! — Agnes threatened. The younger ones shook their heads. Agnes had not seen such joy in them for a long time — ever since they moved into this house. The girl washed the dishes, closed the windows and quietly left the house with the youngest, holding their hands on both sides. None of the neighbors should have seen them. She hoped they wouldn’t make a fuss about them leaving. Agnes was not gnawed by her conscience for leaving like that without saying anything, but she should have, but looking at Yunna and Yum, somewhere in the depths of her soul she understood that this was all right. *** Augustine stood on the evening platform — if he calculated everything correctly, then Agnes and the youngest were about to arrive. The train stops and people pour out of the train in a crowd. Augustine is looking for the dark blue coat that Agnes loved so much and has been wearing for many years. He notices a colorful piece of clothing in the crowd, quickly approaches his sister and calls out to her. Agnes, smiling, goes to meet him, and Yum comes running ahead of her, who grabs his brother by the leg and joyfully shouts about how he was waiting for the meeting. Agnes leads Yunna by the hand, and she also longs to hug Augustine. — Hurray, we have come to you! — Yum asks to hug his brother, and Yunna jumps on his neck. — Yes, I’m glad to see you too. — Augustine, puffing, greets Agnes at the same time. — How was the ride? Is everything quiet and calm? — Well, if you don’t count a bunch of young men and boys in uniform, then yes. They constantly pestered me, but I know what to answer them. — Augustine hugged his sister, and they left the station in full force. He didn’t specifically say anything to Alex; he probably himself understood that he had gone to the station to pick them up. The journey home takes less time than Augustine estimated. He found relatively inexpensive housing in an average area not far from the house where he lived with Alex. - So, here is your apartment! — Augustine brings the suitcases and puts them on the floor. At first glance, the apartment doesn’t look like a normal home, but more like a kennel: gray walls and cracked plaster here and there. Agnes sighed heavily, Yum and Yunna were the first to run to inspect the rooms. “Augustine, don’t say that you’ll leave us here alone.” — Agnes turns to her brother, he brings the suitcases into the poorly furnished living room. — No, I’ll move in with you. I didn’t have time to pack my things because I was running around looking for housing, but I think we’ll have enough for the first time. — Do you think so? — Agnes looked around the room with a skeptical look. — At a minimum, repairs need to be done here. — Agnes, I know you’re not happy, but, you know, at least this is the best I can offer, and it’s better than fearing that tomorrow you’ll be kicked out of your apartment. How is your father, by the way? Agnes takes off her coat, throwing it on the old shabby sofa. — Well, how can I say, he still sits and looks out the window. Mother was busy playing cards, I don’t know, maybe she won’t notice our absence. At least she didn’t notice yours, but I think you’re right. And, judging by the squeaking in that room,” Agnes pointed forward along the corridor, “they are definitely glad to come here.” — Augustine smiles, all worries and fears have gone somewhere into the background, but not completely — still, the fear that his parents will someday return will haunt him for some time. “Okay, I’ll go spend the night with Alex, and tomorrow I’ll start moving things around and settling in.” I think you’ll like it here. — Alex… is this your friend by any chance? — My friend, and he is eager to meet you. — Augustine said this calmly. — Well, let him get acquainted, I will still need to settle down here for the first time. — Agnes said goodbye to her brother and began to lay out her things. — Yum, Yunna, come here! — The children came running. — Here is your suitcase, put your things away. Today we’ll sleep lightly, and tomorrow I’ll get settled in, okay? — OK. — Yum stopped, while Yunna ran into the room. — Will your brother be here soon too? — Yes. — Agnes patted him on the cheek. The evening light of the lamps pressed on her, and she turned off the light. Augustine returned home in a gloomy mood. And as soon as he entered the apartment, Alex attacked him with questions. — Judging by the fact that you left for the station, you were hired. — Yes, they accepted. — Augustine went into the kitchen, took out cookies and began to eat them. — And you? “I also got a job, although I’m still on a probationary period, but I’ll still be able to pay the rent.” “She doesn’t mind meeting me.” “Suddenly, as if casually, Augustine drops in. Alex smiled and made a sly face. — Thank you. I’ll go think about how to arrange our first meeting. And, by the way, you also need to think about this,” Alex laughed it off and, wandering towards his room, slammed the door. Augustine understood perfectly well that something was gnawing at Alex himself and was not giving him peace, something very deep, but he did not want to admit it to himself or to him. The first stars fell on the city, and Augustine again remembered Irene, that time at the academy and that evening when he saw her for the first time. She was beautiful yesterday. I wonder if she still looks at the stars or has she forgotten about them now?