A huge, simply huge, huge pile of documents does not fit in my hands. Why on earth did Demyan feel the urge to show secrecy?! It was clear from his face that someone called whom he was not happy at all. Well, okay, suppose he didn't want to involve me in this. But, I didn’t hire him as a loader, by the way. I go to the door, manage to open it, but then the secretary comes running to my aid just in time.

Oh, let me help you. Be careful! - she walks around me and closes the door, picks up a few folders that are about to slip out of her hands.

Thank you, you are my savior! Can you open my door too?

With pleasure ... - Karina smiled sweetly and with a broad gesture opened the door to my office. She did not go herself, for which one more many thanks to her. Then I'll manage myself.

Maxim Alekseevich, can I bring you some coffee? Or do you want something else?

Probably not ... I won’t have time for coffee now ... - I quickly get to work, making it clear to Karina that she is wasting her time and can return to her workplace. After about a few moments, the door closes.

In less than half an hour, the phone calls begin to pester me too. But, it's easier for me. Friends gather in a company and call to the recreation center. An interesting idea, given the fact that it's the beginning of March and I think for the first time in several years there is no snow at this time of the year. I am in no hurry to refuse, because, as you know, I always vote for any such undertaking. But, and somehow I don’t feel like going to have fun while the park is in business with my family.

Stephanie .

Evening came unexpectedly. I didn’t even have time to figure out what was happening, and outside the windows the sunset. I really, really like to do ordinary household chores. I used to do the same thing, but now I could not be afraid. My house was always clean, fresh, and smelled of happiness and security. After feeding Katyusha dinner, I began to wait for Demyan. He returned on time and I went out to meet him in the hallway. He, as always, kissed me, and I helped him take off his coat and the story on a hanger.

I cooked dinner. Katya has already eaten and is now playing in her room. I'll heat up a casserole for you. I made your favorite! - she happily ran to the kitchen, being sure that ours was waiting for an absolutely ordinary family evening.

By the way, how was your day? What's new? Dem, will you tea? - I turned around and saw my husband standing on the threshold and looking at me with his gloomy and attentive look. All this tension made me feel cold inside.

Something happened? - we are so frozen being at a distance. Demyan sighed heavily and I recognized his habitual behavior in some especially difficult life circumstances.

Stephanie, it so happened that I will have to leave. I will be gone for about a week, this is an urgent business trip. I can't cancel.

Ah... I see... So everything is all right?

He nodded uncertainly at my question.

And nothing terrible happened?

Damian nods again. Only now I was able to exhale and somehow smile. I just don’t understand why Demyan is so tense. Did he think that I would start a tantrum and not let him go on a business trip on urgent matters ?!

Demyan, I understand everything. You need to go, okay. We will miss you, but it's not the end of the world...

After my words, he somehow calmed down. But, I still felt that he was going through. And, most importantly, does not tell me what's wrong. Don't want to upset? Maybe something happened at work? Okay, it will be necessary to somehow ask Max what happened to them there. Demyan refused dinner and immediately began to pack.

Are you leaving tomorrow? - I stop cautiously in the doorway and watch how he walks along our room and folds things.

Yes. I got a call and... actually... We need to go immediately. So I will leave early in the morning. If anything is needed...

Don't worry, we have everything. After all, I'm not a helpless child. Sometimes you forget about it ... - I go up to him and deliberately slowly take off my tie.

In the morning Demyan left at the crack of dawn. He kissed the sleeping Katya on the forehead, said goodbye to me and closed the door behind him. For a few more moments I stood on the threshold, inhaling the trail of his expensive perfume, and then returned to the bedroom. But, it was already somehow dreary and lonely there, so I went to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast. Katyusha got up, as always, after eight in the morning. She was a little offended that Demyan left and did not wait for her to wake up. But then, when I said that dad just didn’t want to wake her up and asked me to tell her that he loves her very much, my daughter smiled and calmed down.

Mom, will you play with me? Well, please, please ... - Katenka begged. She had such eyes that it was simply impossible to refuse.

Of course, the sun! What do you want to play?

I want to collect puzzles! Katya said with childlike enthusiasm.

Okay, let me finish my business, and then we'll put your puzzle together. Agreed?!

Yeah ... - Katyusha smiled and turned on the TV while I washed the dishes. I don't know why, but something on the screen caught my attention.

Katya, please, make the sound louder! - I ask my daughter as soon as possible and she quickly fulfills the request. And I, as if distraught, look at the news release, which reports on the accident. And I feel like the ground is slipping from under my feet, because the correspondent calls the name of the victim. Likhanov. Maxim Likhanov. The sound of breaking glass brings me to my senses. I look at the floor. I dropped the plate and it shattered into smithereens. I quickly pull myself together so as not to scare Katya even more, who is already looking at me so frightened. I manage to hear which hospital the victims were taken to, and then very quickly I collect all the pieces and call our neighbor. Fortunately, Olga Ivanovna agrees to sit with Katya.

Mom, where are you going? May I come with you?

Sunny, mom needs to leave. Aunt Olya will stay with you. We will definitely play with you later, okay?! You are not offended by me?!

Katya runs up to me and wraps her arms around my knees, hugging me in a peculiar way. I lean towards her and kiss the top of her head. I don't have much time and I can't even imagine what could happen. I frantically get dressed and run out of the entrance . Crash ...I don't understand how this could happen?! Maxim is a great driver. Recently, he does not violate the speed limit at all and never exceeds the speed limit within the city. I hope he wasn't badly hurt... I get into my car and take a deep breath and start the engine. Now the main thing is calmness ... It was still not enough for me to get into an unpleasant situation. On the way, I call Max several times, but he is not available. God, the nightmare has just begun...

I literally break into the hospital and run to the front desk. The nurse is talking on the phone and gesturing for me to wait. Wait?! Is she joking?! The ground is slipping from under my feet, the same frightening thoughts are pulsing in my head, everything is mixed up before my eyes. I can't wait a minute...

In what chamber is Likhanov? He was supposed to be brought after a car accident ... - I'm on edge now and the calm face of the worker irritates me to eerily, like her slow movements.