Anton returned home, cooked some eggs, and put the kettle on.
Pouring himself a cup of tea, he was just about to start his dinner when the phone rang.
The name of his former classmate, Yura, lit up on the screen. Slightly surprised, Anton picked up the phone.
«Hey, Anton!» Yura greeted him. «Are you busy?»
«Not really,» Anton replied. «What’s up? Something happened? We don’t usually call each other.»
«Exactly, Anton. I don’t even know how to tell you this… It’s about your family.»
«What about my family?» Anton asked, gripping the phone tighter.
«Anton, are you aware that your parents are planning to send your grandpa to a nursing home?» Yura asked cautiously.
«What? Yura, are you serious? Where did you get this information? My grandpa is in great shape; he’d send anyone else there before he’d go himself!»
«I don’t know, but my mom said your parents have already gone through all the necessary arrangements. Apparently, Viktor Anatolyevich will be moving to a senior care facility soon.»
«That’s absurd. They can’t do that without his consent. Or have they convinced him already?» Anton’s voice grew more uncertain.
After talking to Yura, Anton decided to call his grandpa right away.
«Grandpa, how are you doing?» he began.
«All good, grandson,» Viktor Anatolyevich replied. «Just cleaned the chicken coop, checked on the pigs, and now I’m about to shovel some snow. You wouldn’t believe how much snow we got today! Cleared it all in the morning, and by lunchtime, it’s back again.»
«And your health, grandpa?»
«Thank God, everything’s fine, Anton. I even went to a health retreat recently, although it wasn’t my idea—your father insisted.»
«So you don’t know anything about this? Maybe Yura was mistaken,» Anton sighed in relief.
But to be sure, he decided to call his mother.
«Hi, Mom! How’s everything?»
«Great, son. Your dad and I have finally decided to settle down in one place. Age, you know.»
«Good for you! Switching to desk jobs?»
«Exactly, Anton. Your dad got a great position, and I found something nearby.»
«That’s wonderful. So we’ll see each other more often.»
«Of course, son. We missed out on so much of your childhood.»
«And how’s Grandpa?»
«Oh, Anton, he’s getting forgetful… We’re worried he might neglect the house.»
«Forgetful? Are you sure? He’s still working, and they’re waiting for me to finish college to take over his position. I’ve never noticed anything like that.»
«You’re just not paying attention.»
«And where’s he supposed to live if you think he can’t be alone?»
«Your dad and I are still working, Anton. We can’t take him in. That’s what these facilities are for.»
«So you’ve decided to send him to a nursing home?» Anton clarified.
«What else can we do, son? We’ll have to. We’ll sell his house; we don’t need it anyway.»
«Really? I was planning to live there…»
«Enough joking! We’ll find you something in the city. And the money from selling the house will be useful.»
«For what exactly, Mom?»
«We’ll buy a car, a garage, maybe a vacation home. And you can join us for trips.»
«Mom, I’d rather go to my village for a vacation. Actually, to live there. I’m used to it, you know?»
«Son, do you know how hard your father and I have worked? We couldn’t even raise you ourselves.»
«But Grandpa raised me. Alone. It was hard for him, but he managed.»
«Anton, this conversation is pointless. Your father and I have already decided.»
After ending the call, Anton contacted the manager at his grandpa’s workplace.
«Viktor Anatolyevich? He’s our chief mechanic! Keeps everything in perfect order. We haven’t noticed anything unusual about him,» the manager confidently stated.
«Thank you. I’ll take him with me for a couple of months; I need some help. He’ll come back after that.»
«Only for you, Anton.»
Calling his grandpa back, Anton said:
«Grandpa, pack your things. I’ll come for you this weekend.»
That weekend, Anton brought his grandpa to live with him. They stayed together for six months. During that time, Anton’s parents called several times, urging him to sell the house, but both refused.
After Anton graduated, he and his grandpa returned to their village. Twenty years later, Viktor Anatolyevich continued to help the family, staying active and happy.
Recently, Anton’s father called, asking for help. Anton paused, wondering if he could forgive…
