How to quickly discourage an unwanted person from the house with the help of salt. How to get rid of unwanted guests Unwanted guest

Unwanted guest

Masha was sitting in the kitchen and leisurely drinking tea. It was a warm summer evening. Masha once again thought about the problem that had arisen in her life. In any case, she believed that what happened to her was really a problem. However, a little more, and the problem will be solved. Very soon - tomorrow morning. But all the same, she had doubts: to go or not to go? To do or not to do?

The child was not and is not included in her plans. She's not ready for this. Slava broke off relations with her as soon as he found out about the pregnancy. Doesn't call, doesn't write, doesn't come. The other day she called his mother, but she said that Slava was in another city. Escaped, disappeared from her life. Goat.

She needs to study and work. You have to pay for the second higher education. There is not enough money for a child. Or they will not be enough to pay for tuition. You will have to quit school. Then it turns out that the money spent on education in previous years will be thrown away. No, now you have to study, work, and you can give birth to a child later. People give birth, and after abortions give birth ... Mom took the news without enthusiasm, and she is right: what kind of children are she now? There is no husband, studies are not over, pregnancy is not planned - an ordinary "flight". Well, she will give birth, so what? Will stay at home with the baby, and who will support them? There is nothing to expect from parents for help, especially since they are no longer young to sit on their necks. And they are not obliged to support an adult daughter and grandson, strictly speaking. Sometime later, she will certainly give birth to children. Someday, when she is ready for this, when she has a diploma of second higher education, a good job, a beloved and responsible husband. In a word - everything that will create decent conditions for the birth and upbringing of children. Not like now ...

However, the conscience was not silent and maintained its own.

After all, she is already twenty-seven, with every year her youth and health is not increasing. And the husband - when he will still be, is unknown. She is young and healthy now, which is a big advantage. And since it so happened, let it be born, let it be this child.

Come on, I’ll have time. Several years won't solve anything.

Studying ... This is not the most important thing in life. At the end of the day, one higher education she already has. And you don't have to quit - you can take an academician. Then the child can go to a nursery, and she will transfer to correspondence courses, and will work and study again. Others, after all, study, despite the presence of children, including in the daytime department.

But then it turns out that she will have to pull on herself and study, and work, and a child, and all this - one. No, she's not a horse.

Mom - yes, she disapproved of her "flight". But dad said he would support any decision she made. And he even promised to provide all possible help if she decides to give birth. Parents, of course, are not young, but they are not old either ...

Not old, but just at this age, many men have heart attacks and strokes. So dad must be taken care of. You can't strain him so much.

Strain? A small financial aid to his daughter and grandson will not bring him to a heart attack. Moreover, his health, thank God, is strong.

Well, no, it's all the same, somehow it's wrong. You need to rely only on yourself. And in general, if she is not ready to give birth to a child, she does not have to! Now this is very out of topic, and she does not need it now. Why on earth would a child she didn't want ruin her plans ?! Slavka left her anyway, and all because of him, because of the child! True, she doesn't need Glory anymore. He turned out to be a scoundrel - this situation showed his true face. But all the same, it is unpleasant. And the child, if born, will be a constant reminder of him - of this cowardly traitor, this infantile peasant, who can hardly be called a peasant after that.

But the child is not to blame for anything. And if a woman, divorced from her husband, raises children, do not the latter remind her of her ex-husband? The husband is the husband, and the children are the children. They are different personalities.

Well, that's different. In this case, the children have already been born ...

So what? What is the fundamental difference?

It’s simple, it’s different, and that’s all. Different situations. Newborn babies are one thing, early pregnancy is another. No, she will not give birth from him.

This is already a tiny living person. Even if it is still an embryo, an embryo, but it is alive, it grows and develops.

Oh, well, alive, not alive - what's the difference ?! This is also a collection of cells, in fact. He still does not understand or feel anything! They'll pick it off, that's all. As if nothing had happened.

The little living man will be ripped out of the mother's womb ...

No, it's all! Enough! All this is complete nonsense! You have to go, do and forget. This is the only correct decision. Thousands of women have gone and are going through it, and nothing.

On the appointed day, at the appointed time, Masha came to the obstetric and gynecological department of the city hospital.

- Who is last? She asked the women sitting by the operating room.

Masha took a turn. There were three people in front of her. She sat, trying not to think about her hesitations anymore, so as not to question the correctness of her decision.

- Next! - came from the operating room.

Masha came in and handed the nurse a referral.

- Have you eaten anything since morning? The nurse asked.

- No, - answered Masha.

- Take off your clothes!

Masha undressed and lay down on a chair. The doctor and nurse were preparing for the operation. Maybe get up and leave before it's too late? Take another week or two to think ... Where to rush? The deadline is not running out yet.

No, everything is already. Decision is made. She is already here, and now everything will be done. Get up and leave, saying, "Sorry, I changed my mind"? Who does that? The doctor and the nurse will only twist a finger at the temple.

The nurse drew the medicine into a syringe. Now she will be immersed in anesthesia. There is still a chance to get up and leave! Until she is under anesthesia, it is possible to change her mind! This is a tiny child, alive, and he will be torn out, torn apart, killed ...

No, no, not a child yet. And now is not the right time for his birth. And in general, she is not ready. The child should be desired, and so ...

“Give me your hand,” the nurse ordered.

Withdraw your hand, stand up and refuse abortion! And don't care what others think!

No, what nonsense. It's all already, the decision has been made, stop hesitating!

The nurse injected a narcotic substance, and Masha began to sink into unconsciousness.

“Lie on the bed,” the voice ordered again. Masha, with the help of a nurse, crawled onto the bed. She had not yet recovered from anesthesia and simply lay in silence, not thinking about anything. "OK it's all over Now!" - flashed through her head. Coming to her senses, Masha felt relief. The problem is solved, everything is behind. The operation was easy and painless. Only blood was flowing and there were unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen. But it will pass.

The day was warm and sunny. Masha arrived at the dacha. This was her grandmother's house, where she lived permanently. Grandmother had to visit the doctors, in connection with which she left for the city for a week, asking Masha to stay on the farm. At that time, Masha had a vacation, for which her grandmother had adjusted in advance and planned her affairs.

- That's good, - said the Machine's mother. - Go, rest. After recent events, it will not hurt to unwind and be in the fresh air.

And Masha drove off. She settled down in the house, walked around the garden, tasted the first berries of currant and raspberry. Then she visited chickens and rabbits. She liked the rabbits. For a while, she stood silently in front of the cage and watched them. One rabbit jumped on top of the other. “Look what you are! - thought Masha. - What free love you have! And you are not ashamed of anyone! And be fruitful at a breakneck speed. " Give birth as much as possible. No contraception, no abortion. Everything is natural. And they cope with it. But then - rabbits, and people in a different way. And the needs are different. And life is different. And in general, a person is not an animal, he must be able to think with his head. Unlike an animal, a person can decide whether to give birth or not. And it is a great blessing that there is such an opportunity. Why would she give birth now? She now has completely different affairs and concerns. I did everything right.

The day has come to evening. The fresh air made Masha sleepy early. She fed the animals, herded the chickens into the barn, and went to bed right after supper. Masha woke up in the middle of the night in complete darkness: she was awakened by a noise coming from the second floor. She thought it was probably the window frame knocking. Masha looked out the window: the street was completely calm. What can knock there? Probably, the neighbor's cat climbed up to the second floor and makes a noise. Suddenly she heard someone's footsteps upstairs. And it was clearly not a cat, or even a dog. There was a man walking there. She heard it and understood it. Robber? But the grandmother on the second floor has nothing of value, as well as on the first. There is not even a TV - my grandmother preferred radio, books and newspapers to him. Masha lay motionless. Go and see who's there? Call the police? There was a crash overhead: something fell. Masha was seized with horror. However, after the rumble, there was silence. The robber must have gone away. I climbed out of the window without finding anything of value. Well, if anything - the house is closed, the phone is at hand. Masha lay down for a while, and then went into the kitchen, took a large kitchen knife and put it under the pillow. The noise did not resume again, but Masha could not sleep for a long time. She felt uneasy in her soul.

Masha woke up quite late in the morning. With the onset of morning, her nightly fears disappeared. Now you don't have to be afraid of anyone. Masha first of all decided to go upstairs and see what was going on there. It was scary, but Masha decisively opened the door to the room. There was no one. Silence. Furniture and all things were in their places. Masha looked into the attic. It was also quiet there. There were no traces of anyone's visit.

Masha went to the store and made herself lunch. The day passed calmly and serenely. But in the evening, when Masha went to bed, she began to feel anxious. She could not sleep for a long time. She turned on the sconce and began to read the magazine. At two o'clock in the morning Masha turned off the light and again made an attempt to fall asleep. Soon footsteps were heard upstairs again. Definitely, someone was walking around the room. Then a creak was added to these sounds. There was something eerie, frightening in this creak. It sounded rhythmically, at regular intervals, and this made it even more terrifying. Creak, creak ... creak, creak ...

Masha grabbed the phone and called the police.

- Someone entered the house and walks up the second floor! - she explained to the dispatcher. Then she gave the address. The challenge was accepted.

About twenty minutes later the police arrived. They went up to the second floor and examined it.

- Girl, we all looked. There is no one, - they stated.

Masha went to bed. Well, no means no. But what was it? However, if there is no one there, there is nothing to worry about. There was no more noise upstairs, silence reigned in the house, and soon Masha fell asleep.

For the next two nights, everything was calm. There was silence in the house, and Masha sighed with relief: it seems that there are no more reasons for alarm. However, on the third night, history repeated itself. Again steps. Heavy, peculiar only to a person, namely a man. The creak is just as eerie and frightening, from which trembles go through the body. Bolt. Steps again. What if it's a killer maniac who is waiting for the right moment to attack ?!

Hello! Someone is walking on the second floor again! There is someone making a noise, a creak is heard ... No, I am alone in the house ... No, no dogs, no cats ... Yes, it does not seem! ...

The dispatcher accepted the call, and Masha waited. The police arrived - the same ones as the last time.

- Girl, we searched everything again. Nobody here. Go and see for yourself.

The police went upstairs again, this time with Masha. They have clearly demonstrated to her that there is no cause for concern. Indeed, everything turned out as they said.

“Either you’re just having fun like that because you’ve got nothing to do, or you should see a psychiatrist,” said one of the policemen. - Drink a sedative - what if it helps?

The police left.

Masha went to bed in confusion. Is she really paranoid? Yes, it seems, no, she's not crazy. Eh, I would rather return to the city ...

The next day Masha called her grandmother and told her the whole story. To what the granddaughter told about, the car grandmother reacted with suspicion.

- Come on, stop, who can make noise there? Do you keep your windows closed? She asked.

- Yes, I have never opened them. And I close the house for the night.

- Well, that's all. There is no one there to make noise. And it's too early for you to fall into insanity. This is already possible for me due to age, and you are still a young girl.

- But I heard! Do you think I'm just making this up ?!

- Well, you dreamed or fancied half asleep! Maybe crows walked on the roof or someone's cat. Do not pay attention. Yes, I might stay a little longer in the city.

Yes ... Crows, a cat ... I dreamed of how.

Masha woke up. It was two in the morning. Again this noise, again footsteps, which were still heard very clearly. Masha was seized at the same time by fear, and despair, and anger from the fact that no one believed her. Creak. Knock. It seemed that someone on the second floor was hitting the floor with a large stick. Panic seized her. What to do?! It was scary to go upstairs, it was out of the question. Call the police? She was afraid that if she called the police again, they would call the brigade - for her. They already hinted that it would not hurt her to see a psychiatrist when they came a second time. So what to do ?! Panic seized her more and more, she jumped up and ran out into the street in horror, putting on a light summer jacket and thrusting her feet into her sandals on the run. In the garden, she felt a little calmer: now she is free. If this is still a maniac killer, and he suddenly comes down and wants to attack her, she will have the opportunity to run, shout, call for help. It's just a pity that she didn't grab the phone while running out of the house. Masha wandered along the fence, trying to stay close to the gate. What to do? Where to go? Be outside all night? In the morning and in the afternoon, there is no noise upstairs, which means that the main thing is to wait for the morning. But it is logical that if there is noise, it means that someone is creating it. Someone walks there and does something. But the policemen examined the floor themselves and showed her to make sure that there was no one there. This has only happened in horror films, and if this continues, she will definitely go crazy. Leave here! But the grandmother will come, at best, only in two days - she said that she might have to stay. Who then will water the garden, feed the chickens and rabbits? If they are wrong, these birds and rabbits! In such anxious thoughts, she paced back and forth. It was cold, but she did not pay attention to it: her mind was too agitated. Suddenly she saw a stranger in the garden. He walked slowly along the path towards her. Everything went cold inside her. In a daze, like a rabbit on a boa constrictor, she stared at the stranger. Meanwhile, the man, without a word, walked over to a bench near the house and sat down on it. He gazed intently at Masha, but not in the eyes, but as if somewhere through her. Masha thought that if he wanted to kill, rob or rape her, he would hardly sit so calmly in front of her on the bench. He looked about fifty years old. He was dressed old-fashioned, and the clothes were heavily worn out. He wore light, wide and slightly flared checked trousers, a beige raincoat, brown shoes with rounded and heavily worn toes with small heels and a black hat. This is how men dressed in the seventies. He was not like the killer maniac from American horror films who runs around with a knife in a scary mask in search of new victims. However, there was something gloomy, cold, chilling in his gaze, and this made Masha uneasy.

- What are you doing here? - Masha asked, recovering a little.

“I will now be your constant companion,” the man replied. His voice sounded cold, unfriendly, and was as unpleasant as his gaze.

- What does "constant companion" mean?

- That is what it means. This is not the first day I have been with you. And now, behold, we have met face to face.

- So ... is it you who make noise at night on the second floor?

A sneer appeared in the man's eyes.

- Exactly.

- What you want from me? Someone hired you to watch me?

- How primitive. Come on, who needs you? To the authorities? Oligarchs? Mafias? Secret admirers who have money - chickens do not bite? Leave this megalomaniac.

- Then what is it? Who are you?

The man's gaze became even more ironic.

"Are you sure you want to know this?"

- Yes, I want to know what kind of person is invading my territory and what

you need me!

“And I’m not human at all. I am the Angel of Death.

“But in my opinion, you are crazy,” thought Masha.

“No, I'm not crazy,” the man replied to the Thought Machines.

- Not. I say - the Angel of Death. And what you think about is clear from your look. Besides, sometimes He reveals to me the thoughts of some people. Sometimes, on special occasions like this.

- Who is he?

“The one you don’t know.

- Your boss?

- Not really. I have a different boss. But both my boss and myself are compelled to obey the One about Whom I said. More precisely, we can afford exactly as much as He will allow.

- Who are you talking about?

- I won't tell you that. I came here by His order, but not to tell you about Him. I have completely different functions. And there is no desire.

- Maybe you have already explained to me what's what? Who are you really, and why did you come?

“I've already told you twice who I am. I will not repeat it for the third time. You're smart, you're getting a second higher education. So don't pretend to be a fool.

- You are making a fool out of me.

- Not at all.

- Then tell me, finally, what you need! If you need money, name the amount. And I'll figure out how to get it.

- No, I don't need money. I just now will always be present in your life, whether you want it or not. You yourself made me your ally, and you voluntarily made me.

- What?! I don’t know you at all!

- You know. You just never saw me in human form before.

- This makes no sense.

- Not nonsense. You made me your ally a few days ago when you voluntarily gave me your child.

- But I have no children and never have.

- Stop doing that. You know what this is about.

- Are you talking about an abortion?

- Certainly. In fact, you have already given me more than one child. I entered your life much earlier - when you started taking these pills. But then you did not deliberately give me the children, so I did not show myself so clearly. And now it will be different.

- What pills are you talking about? About birth control?

- And what do they have to do with it?

- Did not your conscience tell you that you are committing a sin by accepting them?

- There was something like that ...

- Exactly. This is also infanticide. If you only knew how many children's lives I take thanks to these pills ... and not only because of them.

- Why is it infanticide?

“Well, you know, I'm not going to preach to you here. You can find the information yourself if you want. Until then, just know that from now on we are inseparable.

"Will you always scare me at night now?"

- How primitive. Playing hide and seek is not my rule. I will no longer walk on the second floor. As a rule, my presence in the life of people like you, who killed your child, takes other forms. Death soon after an abortion, when bleeding or sepsis occurs; oncology; infertility and miscarriages; depression, guilt, nightmares; suicide. And this is not yet full list... I separate the soul from the body only when I receive an order, or rather, permission to do so. In other cases, I am present in people's lives to one degree or another. For this, an order is not needed - people themselves, consciously or not, turn to me and conclude a deal with me.

- Tell me bluntly: did you come for me? Where is your braid? - Masha decided to joke.

- Yes, I have no braid! This is all people invented. People love to fantasize. I have no human form at all. Only sometimes, on occasions like this, do I appear in human form. I am death, and death is not a man.

- So, death has come for me?

- Not. Not now. There hasn't been an order about you yet. But he can do it at any time.

- And what should I do now? What will become of me?

- What, what ... We will be friends! The man burst into angry, pitiless laughter. - Although it is difficult to call it friendship. You cannot wish such friendship on an enemy.

- I do not want it. I want to break such an alliance.

- It's impossible.

- At all? Are you saying that I am doomed?

- Well, there is one way, but I won't tell you anything about it. It’s not in my best interest.

- At least give a hint! What should I do?

The man, still with the same cold gaze, shook his head. Masha realized that it was useless to ask. She lowered her head and gazed thoughtfully at the ground. Then she turned to the man again.

“Maybe…” The phrase she wanted to say ended abruptly. The man who had just sat on the bench disappeared without a trace. Masha was seized with horror, even stronger than at the moment when she rushed to flee the house. So it really was the Angel of Death ?! Death came to her ?! What to do now? Where to go? Where to hide? What if she doesn't live to see the morning? Stop: like, he said "not now." This means that while she has time, and there is an opportunity to fix something. But how to fix it? You can't return pregnancy ... But then what? Tell everything to parents and grandmother, and consult with them? They will not believe and put him in a psychiatric hospital. Find a wise man? Talk to old and experienced people? Read on the Internet? Contact an anonymous service? What to do? What?…

Masha opened the gate and entered. She went up the porch and knocked on the door. An old woman opened it.

- Hello, Baba Anya, can I see you? - Masha asked.

- Hello! Yes, of course, come in! It has been a long time since you were here!

Baba Anya Masha knew from childhood. The old woman's name was Anna Grigorievna, but most of the inhabitants of the village called her simply "Baba Anya". She was a deeply religious, kind, friendly and affectionate elderly woman with everyone. She radiated love and warmth, could not stand gossip and never spoke ill of anyone. Baba Anya knew how to help with a kind word, wise advice and just her optimistic attitude and smile. All the inhabitants of the village who knew her respected and loved her. All - small children, adolescents, middle-aged men and women, and the same as herself, elderly people. Earlier, when she came to her grandmother's dacha, Masha always went to see Baba Anya. Then, having entered the second higher education, she stopped coming. It was not up to that: she was too busy for this. And this time, when she arrived, she did not want to come. Subconsciously, Masha felt that it was somehow connected with the abortion she had performed, but she did not want to think about it, analyze it, delve into herself. But now, after the events of the night, Masha, as if on wings, hastened to the house of Baba Anya.

- Do you want some tea? The old woman asked.

- Perhaps, yes. Baba Anya, I came to talk. I need your advice.

- What's happened?

- Here, tell me: what to do if I have committed an irreparable deed? How to be?

- It depends on what kind of act.

- Well ... if I have done a great harm to a person, but it is already impossible to fix it.

- First of all, you need to ask this person for forgiveness. It doesn't matter how he reacts. It is necessary to ask in any case.

- And if this person is no longer there?

- If he died, come to his grave. Treat him as if he were alive. Ask for forgiveness, pray for him. This is the most that you can do for the departed.

- And if he has no grave?

- How is it not? Somewhere it is, try to find out. But this, in fact, is not the main thing. You can do it all at home. Well, go to confession, repent so that the Lord will forgive. You, therefore, offended someone and did not have time to make peace with him?

- No, not at all. I, you know ... I had an abortion.

Baba Anya's expression became very serious. Sorrow appeared in her radiant eyes.

- Well, that is a given. It is a sin. A great sin.

Masha and Baba Anya talked for another two hours, and then Masha went home. Despair gave way to hope. A ray of light appeared in the pitch darkness reigning in her soul.

The little temple was quiet. The evening service has just ended. The lights were extinguished, but the lamps and candles were still burning. The last parishioners, one by one, were leaving the church. Several women started cleaning the church: they washed the floors and wiped the icons. On the right hung a large icon of the Mother of God "Vladimirskaya". Masha came up to her. She recently began to church, and so far knew only three prayers. She put down a candle, crossed herself and whispered: "Our Father, Who art in heaven ...".

The candle-maker at the counter was finishing her business. The sexton put things in order at the altar. The women mopping the floors were actively working with mops and rags and heard a young woman standing on the side whispering a prayer and crying softly.

Such work

Galya finished her work and was slowly getting ready to go home. Suddenly the door opened and a woman entered the service room.

- Oh, it's you, - said Galya. - Well, come in, sit down. Would you like some tea?

- Not. You know ... - the guest answered with a light sigh.

- Well, yes. And I think I'll have some tea. Otherwise it’s an hour and a half to get home. I hate public transport. What's with the money, by the way?

Galya poured herself some tea and took out a bag of cookies.

- Tomorrow will be, as I promised. The due amount in due time.

- This is good. Finally, I can borrow a car. If I get the money tomorrow, then the first installment will be collected. Got enough already for public transport ride. It takes so much time and effort! I have long wanted to get a car.

- Now you will have such an opportunity. I keep my word. You know what the minimum must be. But any overfulfillment of the plan will only be welcomed and rewarded.

- Yes I know. So far, I like everything. It was unpleasant at first, but now I'm used to it. In the end, this is also a good deed.

- Of course. Okay, I'll go. I still have a lot of work to do. I work tirelessly, around the clock, without rest and days off. And you need to rest. Till tomorrow!

- Bye Bye.

The next day the meeting was repeated. At the end of the working day, Galya was again visited by her friend.

- Hey! Did you bring it?

- Certainly. Here, take it, ”the woman said with a sly smile, holding out a thick envelope to Galya. - Here is the entire promised amount.

- Oh, how great! Thank you!!!

The expression on the woman's face changed dramatically: the smile faded, and irritation and anger appeared in her eyes.

“Don't say that word to me. Never, ”she demanded icily.

- Why? - Galya was sincerely surprised.

- Do you know what it means? Come home, read it. Then you will understand.

- Okay, whatever you say. It's just incredibly nice to receive such envelopes!

- And then! Did I offer you a good job?

- Good. The work is not dusty, I even began to get pleasure from it. I don’t know how to explain this, at first it confused me. But now I like it.

- You fulfill my conditions, and I give you money for this and add a feeling of euphoria to them. In my opinion, we worked well together.

- In my opinion, excellent. And the clinic is so good - large, well-known, attracting many clients.

- Patients.

- Well, I mean, yes. Patients, of course. More precisely, patients. I just perceive them as clients. So it is, in fact, it is.

- It's all the same: watch your tongue. Words are very important both for the reputation of the clinic and for your own reputation.

- If you don't mind, I'll pour myself some tea, - Galya, as usual at the end of the working day, poured herself some tea. - Oh, Ely-Pali ... and the cookies are over!

- Here you go, - with these words the woman with a smile handed Galya a package of chocolates. - I bought it on the way.

- Thank you! ... That is, I wanted to say, thank you.

Galya sat down at the table, climbed into the bag and began to unfold the first candy.

- Oh, what is it ?! - she exclaimed. - There is blood on it!

- Well, how did you want? Blood will be on everything I give you. Everything that you buy with this money. And on the money itself - too.

- So ... you mean it is THEIR blood?

- Naturally.

Galya looked into the envelope: the money was indeed stained with blood.

- Listen, is it possible somehow without it?

- It is forbidden. This is a side effect and is inevitable. But don’t worry: you will not feel the taste of blood. And soon you will get used to it and stop noticing. You will just know that this blood is on everything that you buy.

- Oh ... Well, somehow it's still unpleasant. And the napkins are over. You haven't, by any chance?

- There is. Take it, - the woman handed Gala a colorful package of napkins. - Only I would advise you to try not to pay attention to it. You will get used to it faster.

Galya took a napkin and rubbed the candy. After that, she noticed that something was written on the napkin.

“This is my job,” she read. - What's this?

- Your words and thoughts.

Galya looked at the napkin again. It was not a pleasant sight. There were blood stains on the paper and the inscription: "This is my job." She tossed aside the napkin and quickly put the candy in her mouth. Then she reached into the bag again. The next candy was also bloody. Galya took a clean napkin. “I need to feed my family,” read another inscription. The sweets turned out to be delicious, and Galya began to swallow one after another, wiping each one with a clean napkin. And each time I came across different inscriptions:

"This is the choice of the clients themselves, and I am only a performer."

"I have to raise my son."

"We need to make repairs and buy new furniture."

"We urgently need a car."

"It's just an embryo."

“Almost all of my colleagues do it. This is our job. "

"This is life now."

"This is the right and personal choice of every woman."

"If she has a criminal abortion, it will be even worse."

"We help women."

Galya looked through the packaging and was convinced: how many napkins - so many inscriptions.

- Yes ... - she sighed, clearing from the table.

“Nothing can be done,” the guest replied. - We'll have to endure for a while. Remember the reward and pleasure of work.

- I remember, do not hesitate ... But I just don't understand: this pleasure ... where is it from? Why do I like it? When I do this, I begin to experience some kind of euphoria and an incomparable feeling of power and superiority over the patient, as if I were the arbiter of destinies.

- Certainly. Well, I say: in addition to money, you will regularly receive this feeling from me. You help them, after all. You get rid of the problem. And you do it very well.

- Oh, I beg you ... You and I know perfectly well the consequences of such "help". This is the illusion of deliverance. It's just that most people don't understand this.

- They get relief for the first time. Let it not be long, let it be an illusion, but still there is some benefit in it. You can see for yourself: many come. And they will come. They want it so much, they insist on it. Yes, many are mistaken, but what is it to you? This is your earnings, on which the material well-being of your family depends. So do not bother and do not particularly delve into yourself. Just do your thing. Otherwise, if you start listening to your conscience, you will come to the monastery. So keep it simple, my advice to you. Sometimes you need to make deals with your conscience. It can't be helped, that's life. Just think: you yourself, if you gave birth to everyone, how would you live? What would feed such a number of offspring? Where would you place everyone? You don't need a soccer team instead of a family, do you?

- Truth. What the fuck is a soccer team? God forbid!

- So He just gives, - the woman smiled ironically.

- Here I am about the same. And your patients don't need it - just like you.

- Okay, I'll go. We must not forget to wash the suit ...

- Listen, maybe you can throw mine into the car at the same time?

- Come on, of course.

The guest took off her black robe and handed it to Galya.

- If you want, I can disinfect the scythe, - Galya suggested smiling.

The woman touched the blade of the scythe.

- What's the point? She asked with a shrug.

At this question, both women burst into loud, hysterical laughter.

Masechka

So the morning has come. How bright and sunny it is! She will wake up now. Until then, I'll just look at her. My beloved, my dear. I won't give it to anyone. And I know for sure: she will always love me. Gorgeous. And what a gorgeous breasts she has ... And by the way, I want to eat !!!

- Now, my little one, now I will feed you. Come to me…

That's better. Hold me in your arms a little longer: I like it so much!

- You are my massechka! You are my bite-bite-bite!

It begins: masechka, bite-bite ... I'm a man, actually! But so be it: I agree to be a mask for you. Well, that's all, now she will kiss.

Played enough, finally. That's right: take everything off me, otherwise I'm in clothes all day and night. And why do I need these clothes? I felt so good without her there, inside you. I liked it there in general. It was so comfortable. Why did they just get me? True, if they hadn't got it, I would not have seen your face, your eyes, your smile. And this milk ... it tastes so good! No, there are still advantages to living outside.

Eh, where are you taking me? Wash again? So what, what if you crap? Am I somehow suffering from this?

- Lie down, get some air. Let the skin breathe. For now, I’ll go away for a little while.

Where are you going? Well, okay, go. Probably, now there will be breakfast. You there it, eat better! Everything you eat will be needed for me too. I need a lot of good milk ... Yes, and also in this world I like that everyone here loves me. But it was not always so. No, she always loved me. But those around him treated differently. For what? What wrong have I done to them? Why didn't they like me? They didn't even see me. So weird. I am already beginning to slowly forget my life before birth. But I probably won't forget those days. I still remember the day when she found out that she had me.

At first she was confused, and I felt it. But it took me a while to realize that this confusion was connected with me. She called someone, and then went somewhere. And then there was a conversation with some guy. How rude he spoke to her! If I grow up, I'll beat him in the face for that!

- You wanted to talk about something?

- Yes. Nikita, I'm having a baby.

It was then that I realized that it was because of me that she was confused.

- And what do you want?

- I do not know what to do.

- I do not know either. This somehow did not enter into my plans at all. I think yours too. What to do in such cases, you yourself know.

She was silent.

- Do your parents know?

- Not. I haven't told them anything yet. I found out myself only this morning.

- Is that for sure?

- I think yes. Delay and test positive.

- Okay, let's do it. I'll talk to my parents. Let's see what they have to say. And then we will think about what to do.

He said nothing. I felt how worried she was going home. But I knew I was safe. For some reason, I guessed, felt that despite the anxiety and confusion, she would not give me offense and would be able to protect me. Deep down, she already fell in love with me.

In the evening her parents came. She told her mother about me.

- Well done! Just in time"! Her mother exploded. - And you have not heard anything about protection ?!

- We didn't succeed that time ... It didn't work out with the protection ...

- It didn't work out for her! Get an abortion, what can I tell you ...

- How about an abortion?

- So. Just like everyone else. What kind of child are you now? We definitely don't need him here. We ourselves have little space, we barely fit in this apartment. My grandmother is already in poor health. It was not enough for the baby to scream under her ear day and night! And my father and I need to sleep at night. After all, we are working to support you!

- We can live with Nikita ...

- Well, talk to him. But I very much doubt that his parents will be happy with such a prospect. And in general, now you do not need to babysit the children, but to study.

- We have girls on the stream who have given birth to children and continue to study. I also plan to continue. And I want children for a long time. I always dreamed of a family and children.

- Why are you looking at others? How do you know what their circumstances and living conditions are? Maybe they have a bunch of helpers, rich husbands, big apartments. And you have none of this. Don't expect help from my father and me. We have enough dependents. And my worries are enough. As for children, before having them, you need to get a diploma and find a good job with an opportunity for career growth. Get on your feet so that you don't depend on anyone. And when you get up, then you can already think about family and children. Learn to think with your head and rely only on yourself in this life. Or are you going to breed poverty? Only marginals breed poverty. Therefore, do not invent nonsense, Irish. Go to the antenatal clinic, take a referral for an abortion and go ahead. Do not be afraid. I did it myself, and more than once. It’s unpleasant, of course, but nothing, you can survive. Moreover, now they always do anesthesia.

- But this is a child! I don't want to kill him. And I will not!

- The child is not there yet. This is not yet a man. So far, this is just a collection of cells. So the sooner you solve the problem, the better. I won't tell dad anything, but don't hesitate.

"This is not a man yet" - it should have been such nonsense! And who, if not a man? A toy, or what? Or some kind of fruit?

Then, a few days later, for some reason she again went to this Nikita.

- Nikit, my parents are totally against the child. They won't let us live with them. Mom demands that I have an abortion.

- Well, do it. I also think that it is necessary to have an abortion. What's the question? We already talked about this.

- What does it mean to have an abortion ?! I want this baby! And abortion is murder!

- What "murder"? Murder is to stab a person. And there - not a man. There is just an embryo, which is still very far from a person!

- But the embryo is already a tiny man. He's alive, how can I kill him?

- Listen, have you ever made scrambled eggs? In chicken eggs, embryos are also often found. So we are all murderers.

- No, that's different. Don't you understand that chicken and human are not the same thing?

- You can't argue ... Well, now is not the time to give birth to children, you must understand! What do you want problems?

- Don't you remember how we dreamed that we would have a family and children? You said you were marrying me. Well, since it happened, why not get married now and start your own little family?

- I wanted to get married, but definitely not now, and certainly not "on the fly." Where will we live? You yourself say that your parents are against the child and will not allow you to live with them. Mine would not agree to that either. So, as you can see, we have nowhere to live. And I don't need children now. I am not planning to get married in the near future. I also need to learn, just like you. Or should I drop everything and cross out all my plans for the near future? This is not what I dreamed of. So get rid of it and do not create problems for anyone.

- Get rid of what?

- Well, stop pretending to be a fool! Get rid of pregnancy, what's not clear ?!

- Do not shout at me.

- In general, so. Or me, or a child. If you want to give birth, give birth. But in this case, it will be all over between us.

- But you said that you love me!

- You know, if I love you, this does not mean that I have to break my life. So think and decide for yourself. And stop shedding tears You know I don't like it. If you need money for an abortion, I'll give it.

“No, don’t.

Arriving home, she cried for a long time. Why did she go there at all? Why go to the place where they spoil your nerves and say nasty things?

- Well, did you go to the doctor?

- Not yet.

- Why are you pulling ?! Have you talked to Nikita? Is he ready to marry you?

- What did he say to you?

- He is also against.

- Here you see? If you don't want to listen to me, listen to your young man at least!

- We broke up.

- I see ... What are you going to do? Sit on our necks?

- Not. But you know, mom, I decided everything for myself. I'm not going to have any abortion. I will save my child and give birth to him.

How firmly and decisively she said it! Good girl! From that day on, I knew even more firmly and did not doubt at all that I was under reliable protection.

- Well done. I decided everything, you are our clever. And who will support you?

- I have some thoughts on this. I can arrange my life.

- You are a fool. Why do you need that? You have no husband, you broke up with Nikita. I doubt that with a child you will be needed by someone. You ruin your life. And bear in mind: we don't need a screaming baby here.

“Nothing, kid, nothing,” she told me after this conversation, putting her hand on her stomach. - We'll figure something out.

Then there was a lull that lasted quite a long time. True, her mother still complained, but not with such force. I really thought that now everything will be fine with us. But it was not there…

- Pregnancy, ten weeks. Get up.

Why did this doctor touch me? What did she want from me ?! What kind of unceremonious treatment? And if they touched her like that, would she like it?

- You came to us late. They would have come right away, it would have been possible to have a medical abortion. If you drank a couple of pills and that's it, the problem is solved. And now - only scraping.

- What scraping? What for?

- Why, why ... As if I was born yesterday, honestly. To terminate a pregnancy, that's why!

“But I'm not going to terminate the pregnancy.

- That is, as? Thinking about giving birth?

- Wait. You are twenty years old, you are a student, you do not work, and you are not married. Right?

- Well, where will you give birth? You study at a good institute, so you continue to study. And now you don't need a child.

- I will not have an abortion.

- I advise you to think carefully. You've already got ten weeks. An optional abortion is done only before twelve. So you have little time. Think faster.

- Not. I am not considering this option. I said that I would give birth.

- Your business, of course.

Then another lady joined in the conversation.

- You're just so young! Quite a girl! You need to live for yourself. Then you will give birth, you will have time! Listen to Elena Arkadyevna: she's talking business.

- Larisa Anatolyevna, let him do what he wants.

- Let, of course. I just feel sorry for her. Not married, the child will be raised alone. Do you have a young man?

- And where is the child's father?

- We parted with him.

- Here you go. And what are you going to do with this child? Do you really want to be a single mother?

- I said everything. I will keep my child.

- You need to save the brains, not the child.

Yes, her nerves were frayed pretty well. Why are they doing this to her? Is it all because of me? But why did they all hate me so? I didn’t do anything bad to them. It's good that now everything is over. She doesn't go to these wicked aunts anymore. He does not communicate with Nikita. Her parents realized that my birth was inevitable and gradually got used to it. And now they do not like me at all. I wonder why? Why did they not love me so much when I was with my mother inside, and then, when I was born, they suddenly fell in love? They probably didn't recognize me. Mistook for someone else. Well, they accepted it, and it's good. Let them continue to think that I am not the boy who was in my mother’s belly, but a different one. It only makes me better!

- Well, honey, let's go for a walk? It's warm outside, the weather is good. Let's get dressed!

Dress? Oh no ... No, just not a bonnet !!!

- My masechka, why are you shouting like that? I understand that the cap is awful, but what can you do? Have a little patience!

Fuuu, finally. Has put on. Now let's go for a walk. This is good: I like to walk.

- Hey! Will you come? ... What time should I expect you? ... Ok, we are waiting! ... See you!

Who is she waiting for? Oh yes. She told someone the other day that her parents and grandmother would leave for the weekend and he would be able to come to her. I wonder who it is? And the weather is really good. It seems that I will fall asleep now ...

Why did you put me on my stomach ?! Feed me! I don't want to lie on my stomach! I want to eat!!!

- Well, well, don't shout like that! You need to lie on your tummy before eating. At least five minutes! So the doctor said.

The doctor said ... Is this the aunt who touched and felt me? At first, in the maternity hospital, every now and then they felt and turned back and forth, now this ... doctor. What do they all want from me? I don’t touch them, even if they don’t stick!

Well done now! She fed. How good it is to live in the world! Everything is so interesting here!

- So, Misha will come soon, you need to put yourself in order.

Is Misha the one she is waiting for? Yes, I remember one Misha. Mom talked to him when I was still in her stomach. With him she felt good and joyful, and her joy passed on to me. The other day she told her grandmother about him. She said that he would come to visit. And my grandmother also protested: she said that I was after the vaccination, so guests can only be brought in a month after being discharged from the hospital. But my mother objected. She explained that Misha was healthy and had just recently made this one, how was her ... flu ... what is it called? Okay, it doesn't matter ... Nice dress! Why do you paint? For Misha, or what?

- Hey!

- Hey! You look great!

- Trying…

- Where's the kid?

- In the bed lies. Let's go and show you.

- Oh, how small! Hello Arsyusha!

- Not so small! He was born with a weight of three seven hundred. Such a child is considered to be quite large. Now he probably already weighs more than four kilograms. They gain weight very quickly.

- Cute baby.

- Do you want to hold it?

- I'm afraid.

- Do not be afraid. Come here, Arsyush.

What, do you like me? And I'll also look at your behavior. And I'll think about whether to smile at you or not. After that Nikita, I will now very strictly evaluate all the men who will be next to my mother.

- What a miracle! A wonderful boy. And it’s good that you didn’t have an abortion!

- Still would! I can't even imagine that he would not be born. I can't imagine my life without my Arsyusha! I love him so much! ... Well, come here. You are my bite-bite-bite! ... I'll put him to bed now, and let's go sit in the kitchen.

- Does he want to sleep? Something doesn't look like it.

- These babies sleep a lot and get tired quickly. And he hasn't slept for a long time.

Hmm ... He praised her for not having the abortion. What is abortion? Probably something very bad. I heard this word more than once, when THEY expressed their hatred towards me. When they said that she didn’t need me, that she didn’t need to give birth to me, but that she needed to get rid of me. What arrogant and cunning! They themselves were born and live, and from me, then, get rid of?

Mum! I woke up! Just think: everyone is still sitting and chatting! What can you talk about for so long? She is laughing. It means everything is OK.

- Arseny woke up. I'll go and feed him.

- Yes of course.

Well, she said that she would feed me, but she herself was carrying to wash again ... Why did she wash me so often? I'm fine anyway ...

We went to the kitchen again. What are they talking about there? ...

- I wanted to ask: have you already registered it in the registry office?

- Not yet. I'm going to do it next week.

- And what patronymic will you give him?

- Nikitich. Are there options?

- Yes. There is.

I wonder: are they about me? Who should be registered there ... how is he there? ...

What?! She called him "favorite" ?! I disagree! The beloved is me! She called me “beloved”! It's not fair!!!

- Masechka, why are you shouting? Do you miss one here?

No, I'm not bored. I'm just outraged!

- Well, come to us.

- And how are you with your studies?

“I’m doing it.” The girls bring me notes, send me something by e-mail. You will have to go to exams and tests with your baby.

- When necessary, tell me - I'll give you a lift. And it's hard in public transport with such a tiny one.

- Thank you! It will be very good if you can give me a lift. And it will be easier for me, and the baby will not have to be transported in public transport again. He is still small.

Leaves. This means that my mother will spend the rest of the evening with me ... And what are they doing? She kisses him! Or he her ... No, I do not agree to that! I want her to kiss only me! But what about my cheeks, nose, forehead, back and tummy, arms and legs, which she regularly kisses? Am I not enough for her, and needs to kiss someone else? However, Misha seems to be good. I'll take a look at him, but for now I like him.

Mom, at last we are alone! And what kind of beautiful and bright object appeared on your hand? He was absent. Did he give this? Grandparents also have these in their arms, and are worn on the same fingers.

- Arsyusha, I'm so happy! You and Misha are my dearest and most beloved men in the world! You are best. Probably, God sent you to me. You know, Misha is so caring! She wonders if I need help, if I have everything I need, and if I need to go to the store or somewhere else. I don't remember Nikita showing such concern for me. Soon, Arsyusha, you will have a dad ... Yes, masechka, I'm getting married!

Get married? I have no idea what "married" means. But I can see that you are smiling. Your eyes are shining! So you are happy. Which of us two makes you so happy: me or him? Or are we both? ... You know, I decided: the next time he comes, I will smile at him. If, of course, I can.

Cherie Lapena

Unwanted guest

Shari lapena

UNWANTED GUEST

© Shari Lapena, 2019

© Kartsivadze L., translation, 2019

© AST Publishing House LLC, 2019

* * *

Dedicated to mom

Acknowledgments

I am still terribly grateful to be working with the best people in our business. Thanks again to my American publishers - Brian Tart, Pamela Dorman and the amazing Viking Penguin (US) team - you are doing an amazing job. Thanks to Larry Finley and Frankie Gray of Transworld (U.K.) and their fantastic team - you are the best. Christine Cochrane, Amy Black, Bhavna Chauhan and the great team at Doubleday (Canada) - thanks again for everything. I am incredibly lucky to be supported by so many truly talented, passionate and responsible people. I couldn't have done it without you.

Thanks again to Helen Heller - words cannot convey how much I appreciate you. Also thanks to everyone at Marsh Agency for their excellent worldwide representation.

I am especially grateful to Jane Cavolina - she is a wonderful editor.

Thanks also to Lieutenant Paul Pratty of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office for his generous assistance.

I would like to emphasize that all errors in the manuscript are on my conscience.

And finally, as always, I want to thank my husband Manuel and our children Christopher and Julia - your support and enthusiasm are dear to me than anything else in the world.

Friday, 04:45 PM

The road twisted and twisted in unexpected turns, leading ever higher into the depths of the Katskil Mountains. It seemed that the further away from civilization the path became more and more dangerous. Shadows were gathering, the weather was deteriorating. The Hudson River came and went. The forest loomed on both sides of the road with a mute threat, as if plotting to swallow them with giblets. It was a fairy forest, but the softly falling snowflakes gave the landscape a postcard charm.

Gwen Delaney gripped her hands tightly on the steering wheel and squinted at the windshield. She preferred dark fairy tales to luscious postcard views. It was already getting dark, and it was about to get dark. The snowfall made it harder and harder to drive, more and more tiresome. The flakes fell on the glass so profusely that she felt like she was stuck in some kind of endless video game. And the road was clearly becoming more and more slippery. Gwen was grateful that her little Fiat had good tires. The world was blurred with blind whiteness, and it was difficult to distinguish where the road ends and the ditch begins. She was impatient to get to the place as soon as possible, and she began to regret that they had chosen a hotel in such a wilderness - literally by the devil on the horns.

Riley Shooter sat silently in the passenger seat beside her, tense as a stretched string. It was impossible not to feel her tension, and Gwen was already turned on by being with her in a cramped car. She hoped she was not mistaken in bringing her here.

The whole point of this little escape was to give Riley a little rest and dissipate, Gwen thought and, biting her lip, peered intently into the road. She was a city girl - born and raised in the city - and was not used to driving in such a backwater. The nights are too dark here. Gwen was beginning to worry that the trip had taken longer than planned. Shouldn't have stopped for a cup of coffee at that nice old diner along the way.

It’s not clear what she was expecting, suggesting to go away for the weekend, except for a change of scenery and spend a couple of quiet days together in a place where nothing would remind Riley that her life was in ruins. Perhaps it was naive.

Gwen had her own problems that followed her everywhere. But she decided that she would put them out of her head at least for the weekend. Luxurious little hotel in the hinterland tasty food, pristine nature and no Internet - this is exactly what they both need.

Riley peered nervously into the dark woods outside the window, trying not to think that someone might jump out onto the road at any second to stop the car with a wave of his hand. She clasped her hands in the pockets of her down jacket and reminded herself that she was no longer in Afghanistan. She's safe at home in New York State. Nothing bad will happen to her here.

Work changed her. After everything she had seen, Riley had changed so much that she didn’t recognize herself. She glanced furtively at Gwen. Once they were inseparable. She herself was not clear why she agreed to go with her to this distant hotel. Riley watched Gwen focus her full attention on the winding road climbing the slippery slope into the mountains.

- Are you okay? Riley asked suddenly.

- I AM? Gwen asked. - Yes, everything is fine. We'll be there soon.

At the journalism department of New York University, where they both studied, Gwen was considered a balanced and practical girl. But Riley was distinguished by ambition - she always wanted to be in the center of events. Gwen did not like adventure, preferring books and peace. After her studies, Gwen was unable to find a decent job in the newspaper, but she quickly found application of her skills in a good position in the field of corporate communications and, apparently, never regretted it. And Riley was constantly working in hot spots. And she managed to stay afloat for quite a long time.

Why is she doing this? Why think about the past again? Riley felt herself starting to lose her composure. She tried to breathe more evenly, as taught. She cannot be allowed to come back from the past and get the better of her.

David Paley pulled up in the cleared parking lot to the right of the hotel, got out and stretched. The weather made it take longer than he expected to get out of New York, and his muscles were numb, reminding him that he was no longer so young. Before grabbing his bag from the back seat of the Mercedes, he froze for a moment in the thick falling snow, staring at the Mitchells Hotel.

A well-built three-story building of red brick with gingerbread trim was surrounded by a forest on all sides. The facade of the small hotel was open to the eyes: in front of it was a snow-covered area, which must have turned into a wide lawn in the summer. The building was surrounded by tall conifers and bare trunks wrapped in snow-wool. A huge tree growing in the middle of the lawn stretched powerful branches in all directions. Everything was covered with the purest white snow. It was so quiet and serene all around that David felt his shoulders begin to relax.

All three floors had large rectangular windows at an equal distance from each other. Wide steps led up to a wooden porch and double front doors decorated with fir branches. Although dusk was just beginning to deepen, lamps were burning on either side of the entrance, and soft yellow light fell from the windows of the first floor, giving the house a warm and cozy look. David stood motionless, ordering to retreat all the experiences of the day, and at the same time of the week, and of the past years. Snow fell on his hair and tickled his lips. He seemed to be in the old, more innocent and merciful times.

David decided that for the next forty-eight hours he would try to forget about work. A reboot from time to time is necessary for everyone, even the busiest people. Even - and maybe especially - successful criminal lawyers. He rarely managed to squeeze a day off, much less an entire weekend, into his schedule, and he was going to enjoy the rest one hundred percent.

Friday, 17:00

Lauren Day looked at the man sitting next to her: Ian Beaton drove masterfully in rather extreme conditions. Looking at him, it seemed as easy as shelling pears. He smiled at her with his disarming smile, and she smiled back. Ian was handsome, tall and thin, but it was his smile that caught her eye, the calm charm that made him so attractive. Lauren rummaged in her purse in search of lipstick and began, looking in the mirror on a protective visor, carefully paint her lips. A pleasant shade of red refreshed the face. The car pulled slightly and she froze, but Ian skillfully straightened the steering wheel. The road began to twist more, and the car kept skidding.

“It's getting slippery,” Lauren said.

“Don't worry, I can handle it,” Ian grinned, and she smiled back again.

She also won over his self-confidence.

- Wait, what's this? She asked suddenly.

A dark spot appeared to the right of the road. Snowfall and cloudy weather made it difficult to see something, but it looks like a car got into the ditch.

As they drove past, Lauren peered intently at the car, and Ian began to look for a suitable place to stop.

“It looks like someone is there,” she said.

- Why didn't they turn on the emergency gang? - Ian grumbled and slowly pulled to the side of the road, fearing that they themselves would not fly out of the way.

Lauren climbed out of the warm car and her feet plunged into virgin snow a few inches high. Snow immediately crammed into his boots, tingling his ankles. She heard Ian, too, slam the door and get out of the car.

Without an invitation or prior notice, it is considered a rather rude act. After all, the landlord may be busy, working from home, cleaning, having a high fever, or being in a bad mood. Some people, obsessed with the thirst for communication and confident in their own irresistibility, sincerely believe that their appearance at a party is a reason to drop everything and start having fun. Convince these visitors that they don't always choose the right time difficult, but real.

An unwelcome guest can be persuaded to leave right from the doorway. To do this, come up with some simple, but tedious business outside the apartment. In this case, a trip to the store is not suitable, since the visitor will decide that you are trying for his sake and will volunteer to help. But queuing at the clinic or visiting are good options. Your visitor will not want to turn his sparkling visit into a visit to a hospital or housing department. Naturally, for believability you have to get dressed and go in the right direction. On the other hand, it will give you the opportunity to complete some boring tasks that you have been putting off for a long time. For example, actually make an appointment with a doctor or submit documents.

Most people take the hints, but some have to hint more directly. If you are not just not happy with the guest, but are really busy or feel bad, you can say so. Moreover, this should be done not in the form of opposition: “I have a headache with a temperature, but you are passing by, make yourself at home,” but as strictly and unambiguously as possible: “I feel bad, come another time”. Thus, you may darken the visitor's radiant mood, but at the same time teach him to warn him about his intention to come in in advance.

If the unwanted guest has already entered your apartment, settled down on the couch and requires small talk, try to inform that in the near future someone will join you whom your visitor, for one reason or another, cannot stand. Try to demonstrate how excited you are about the future visit of the second guest, how long you have been waiting for, and how, finally, everything coincided. There is a high probability that your intrusive visitor will simply run away.

Sometimes guests will sneak into your home pretending not to take a hint. You can play the same game and push the unwanted visitor out the door using his own methods. Try not to behave like the poor Rabbit from the cartoon about Winnie the Pooh ("The rabbit was very smart and very well mannered"), but use the methods of a rude teddy bear. If a guest hints that he is hungry because he did not have time to dine, do not rush to offer him the first, second and compote. Say that it is in vain that he treats his stomach that way, that you need to take care of yourself, that you, for example, just ate an hour ago, and now you do not want anything until evening, or even until morning.

I really love books from the genre of detective, thriller, mysticism and horror. Such books most often have an excellent intricate plot with their secrets, riddles and characters, hiding something unsightly, mysterious behind their excellent manners and life.

Shari Lapena is a Canadian writer. Cherie Lapena worked as a lawyer and teacher in English before moving on to writing fiction. Lives in Toronto.

Book

Cherie Lapena
Name:Unwanted guest
Year: 2019
Pages: 320

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Blizzard, cozy old-fashioned hotel in the mountains, warm company. Everyone dreams of such a weekend: here you can ski, drink delicious cocktails or get a job in the library with an interesting book ... But the dream quickly turns into a terrible nightmare. The hotel has no internet or mobile connection, and electricity is cut off due to a snow storm. And at night, at the foot of the stairs, they discover the body of a dazzlingly beautiful girl - the most attractive guest of the hotel. I would like to believe that this is just an accident, but soon another corpse appears. And the frightened, chilled guests can only huddle together and wait for salvation. In her new novel, Cherie Lapena combines the features of a modern thriller with the tradition of a classic detective story in the spirit of Agatha Christie. A skilfully constructed, chilling plot and an emphatically old-fashioned atmosphere create a special, unique flavor of the book.

Plotmany may recall horror films or other detective stories, many authors and filmmakers have more than once gathered their heroes in confined spaces with wielding maniacs, avenger friends, etc., but despite such a common cliche, the plot of the book is interesting and unpredictable ...

Each hero hoped to spend the weekend calmly, someone alone indulging in thoughts and memories, contemplating and rethinking life, and someone with their halves tried to retire and spend time, someone hoped to save their marriage. But subsequent events will turn everyone's life upside down ...

Early Saturday morning, Dana Hart's dead body is found near the stairs, everything looks like she fell down the stairs,

but attorney David Paley suspects it is murder. Suspicion falls on the groom Matthew Hutchinson, many do not believe that he slept all night and did not hear Dana leave the room, especially their quarrel late at night. What caused the quarrel and whether he really killed his girlfriend becomes everyone's obsessive thought.

The cozy hotel turns into a trap. Due to the Friday snowstorm and ice, the electricity is cut off, there are no mobile connection and the internet. There is no way to get to the city either, and everyone has to be hostages of the elements and hopes for a miracle ...

Each hero becomes a suspect, someone gives a true reason for their behavior and appearance, and someone with their past.

What secrets does Riley keep, who seems strange to everyone. Her isolation and lack of communication only add suspicion.

Lawyer David Paley, who was the main suspect in the murder of his own wife.

Dana Hart, who seemed very familiar to some...

The atmosphere is compounded by a new sacrifice. All this leads to growing psychological stress and panic. Suspicions are becoming more acute, everyone begins to seriously fear for their lives. The search results in unusual finds that make people think of an "uninvited" guest.

Storytelling

the Mitchels hotel has 12 rooms, but only 6 have been booked this weekend.

main characters

- Gwen Delaney and Riley Shooter

Gwen wanted to spend the weekend with her friend Riley, thinking that it would be good for her friend and she would fade a little. Riley, a war reporter who has visited many hot spots, does not mind leaving the city and spending a few days in seclusion.

The criminal lawyer came to rest and think about life.

- Beverly and Henry Sullivan

A married couple in a family crisis. Beverly has high hopes for a reunion with her husband on this trip.

A couple in love who came to spend time together away from the pre-wedding hustle and bustle.

Opinion about the book

The book is quite interesting, the plot is not bad either. Heroes with their oddities, insane sympathy did not cause, but Riley regretted from the bottom of the heart. The book, of course, will not give strong emotions and impressions, but it will not be boring either.

I liked the atmosphere, you immerse yourself in the snow-capped landscapes, evenings by the fireplace are all so pleasant and romantic. With the plot twisting, you begin to plunge into an atmosphere of hopelessness and paranoia, suspecting each and every one, comparing the evidence and drawing conclusions)

Several people stay for the weekend at the secluded old-fashioned Mitchells Hotel. Of the attendants, only father and son are the owners. Others could not get there due to the beginning of the snowfall.

Soon the weather turned bad, the roads were covered with snow and covered with an ice crust. The Mitchells were isolated. The guests at first perceived it as a highlight, but when one of them was found dead, they were frightened. It is impossible to leave, the telephone and the Internet do not work. The police are not coming soon. In addition, the electricity went out. They can only suspect each other or hope that the murder is the work of an intruder who sneaked into the hotel.

Obviously, the idea is borrowed from Agatha Christie and it is also clear that Lapena will not plagiarize. The identity of the killer, his motives and methods will differ from the original source. From the first pages one could feel the atmosphere of classic detective stories of the "Golden Age". Readers take turns following the actions and thoughts of all the characters. It is interesting to find out their opinion about those present, their intentions, pieces of their life and inner world. Before the first murder, I really liked everything. If it seemed that the characters were not sufficiently revealed or too stereotyped, I explained this by the fact that the book was only gaining momentum. The tension was coming too. The hotel and the area are described in an atmospheric way. Full immersion in the location.

After the first murder, I suspected that the writer was realizing her dream: "Create unloved characters and make them either victims or murderers." The second murder confirmed my guess. But at first I was glad that Lapena introduced different characters and did not limit herself to one type often used in psychological thrillers. It turns out that this was necessary to separate the "wheat from the chaff". Someone is assigned to the role of a victim or a murderer, and someone will definitely not suffer in any way, because the way the writer wants to see him. And how, then, to feel the atmosphere and experience? Yet it is clear in advance.

Yes, and there are problems with suspense. It is not enough to cut off the electricity and make the heroes freeze. There must be some other psychological tricks. They are most effective. Sometimes something broke through, but this is not enough to create tension. Besides, I predicted all the moves. With the template "You are from the victims or the murderers, and you will not suffer" is understandable, but other moves are also familiar. There were two unexpected moments: there is no clear indication of the guilt of one of the guests, the possibility of outside interference remains; the last plot twist. I would not like a deviation from the canon, because the whole point is in tightness, but ambiguity attracted. Are they really alone in the hotel? Although the answer to this question is known even before reading the book. As for the last turn, it does not fit with the psychology of the character, therefore, it is helpless. In general, Lapena did not cope very well with the disclosure of heroes and psychologism.

The denouement was disappointing. I was expecting something more difficult, something more inventive. Both in the idea and in the disclosure. And not that the police came, looked around and hop - and here is the evidence and it definitely points to the culprit, we are arresting, the case is closed. No logical conclusions, no analysis of the testimony of suspects, no psychological traps, nothing. One of the guests also understood everything (without the evidence found by the police), but was silent because he was not sure. How, why, when did you understand? Why write about it. Better to just tell the story on behalf of the killer and that's it. The motive is generally complete garbage. It seems that everything was selected by Lapenya for the victims planned in advance. And where it did not dock, she scored for that.

From the very beginning, I carefully read the thoughts of the characters, knowing that one of them was a killer. I looked for indications of it, memorized what they were thinking and how they presented it. But Lapena slyly threw out all the important moments for subsequent events from the thoughts of the heroes, and when it was impossible, she did not finish speaking or deliberately lied. I went the easy way. If it were not for the author's desire to beat the unwanted and reward the right ones, then I would not have any ideas who could commit crimes. Information and keys are lacking. Some lines end up nowhere. They are for confusing readers. If you work hard on the theme, it could create a tense story. And so this is a distracting garbage.

The thriller contains a minimum of trash, is not based on everyday life and violence against women, but Lapena exploits several annoying cliches. I liked the style, but the riddle was weak, and its solution was ill-considered and uninteresting. There is little suspense, the characters are genre cardboard and do what the writer wants, and not what is consistent with their character. Nevertheless, I do not regret reading and will get acquainted with other books by Lapenya.