Alexy woke up with a cell phone. Touching him under the bed, he leaned his phone to his ear.

Leah is healthy! What are you sleeping, right?

Called Igor, a colleague of work with whom they have been friends over the past year and often spent time together.

I can’t sleep anymore, Alexis.

Are you going to the parade? In other words, with portraits. We’re all here in the office, are you with us?

No, I will probably be at home.

In the sense? The answer surprised Igor. Day of Victory, of course.

I have no photos. How shall I go?

Well and what? If you want, I’ll give you a picture of my grandfather and you’ll go with it. I had two struggles, one on my father’s line and the other on my mother’s.

“Yes, Igor, what are you saying like that? They are your ancestors.

What about passing by with mine? What difference? Come and gather. After the parade, we head to the forest. Let us celebrate.

Alexis looked out the window. The May sun was already gaining strength, and filled the green trees with light and heat.

“Igor, don’t be upset, but I’m home today.

Why is he there? I heard someone’s voice in the dynamic. It goes, isn’t it?

— Wait, now — replied Igor to someone. Leah, let’s get up. What are you really? Or... he took a break. Do you hear? Has anyone fought with you?

Igor, let’s go without it. Alexis breathed up.

“Well, it’s all clear then,” Igor said somewhat ironically. Everything is understandable with you.

What do you understand?

It is all! I went to your page this morning, and there is not even a tape. Okay let me. Stay at home in sorrow.

And here...

Alexei did not have time to finish the phrase, as the trumpets were spread short, and there was silence behind them. He laid the phone on the floor and, dropped on the pillow, closed his eyes. After a few minutes, he breathed and got up from bed. After washing and brushing his teeth, Alexei dressed up and, putting on a light jacket, left the house.

Oh my neighbor! The Leha! I heard a familiar voice from the playground.

Alexey turned around and saw that his neighbor, Victor Romanovich, was mastering his hand on the staircase. He and his friends sat next to the sandbox. A few steps from him there was a small mangal on the ground, across which there were several shampoos, with pieces of meat on them. Alexey hugged him in response and was already going to go further, but the neighbor was determined.

and Leha! Come to us!

Alexei pointed his finger to the wrist of his left hand, trying to explain to Victor Romanovich that he was late, but he did not take care.

May you succeed! Go here!

Realizing that it was so easy not to get rid of him, Alexey walked towards the sandbox.

Congratulations to you, Lech! The neighbor tightly grabbed Alexei’s hand.

“And you with a celebration,” he replied.

This is Leah, my neighbor. Meet you guys.

The neighbor introduced each of his friends, and then stretched Aleksei a drink, half-filled with a transparent liquid.

Let’s drink for the victory.

“I don’t drink much, Uncle Witt.

Let it, let it. Today can be.

I am driving, I can’t.

There will be nothing. What there? and 10 grams. Even the smell will not remain.

Alexey took a drink in his hand and put it on a bench that replaced the table.

– Uncle Vitty, thank you, but I need to go.

Did you get it, and you put it back? Suddenly one of Victor Romanovich’s friends spoke. Or are you one of those?

From Which?

All, all have calmed down. Vadik, what are you doing? Victor Romanovich stood up between them, spreading his hands to the sides. He does not want to drink, let him not drink.

“I know that,” Vadiq whispered, “has anyone fought with you? Why are you silent?

“Vadik, get tired,” another friend engaged in the conversation. Why did you hit the boy? You see, young man. He probably doesn’t know what a celebration is today.

That is what I am talking about! When he turned, Vadik rounded his eyes. He wanted to add something more, but only shrugged his hand and, bringing out a pack of cigarettes, smoked.

“I’ll go, Uncle Vit,” said Alexey quietly.

“Aga, go, Lesh, go,” Victor Romanovich, guiltyly turning his eyes to the side, sneered. Don’t get offended by Vadik, okay? He takes this celebration very seriously. Both of his grandparents died in the war.

“Nothing,” Alexis cried, “I understand.

He came out of the courtyard, reached the parking lot and, tapping the alarm barrel in his pocket, opened his car. Starting the engine, he put his hands on the steering wheel and lowered his head on them. When the engine warmed up, Alexei turned on the transmission and went to the road leading out of the city.

*** by

“And I say to him, ‘I don’t have pictures,’ what am I going to do? He said to me, “Everything is clear with you.” What does he understand? If I really don’t have them? Some hints are still stupid... He thinks I probably have something to be ashamed of. I think some of my ancestors were traitors, or something like that.

Alexey shrugged his hands and sat down on the trunk of the fallen tree.

The one in the yard. Also a strange person - once you don't drink, it means one of these. Which “these”? I don’t understand... – he shrugged his shoulders and wiped the sweat off his forehead with the rear side of his palm. - I didn't put the picture on my page - it turns out that you are ignoring the holiday. The tape was not attached to the antenna - a traitor. I did not drink for Victory - it means something is wrong with you, something is wrong with your soul. Is it right? You know, even someone felt guilty today.

He silenced and, breaking the grass, began to turn it in his hands.

Even at school I was sometimes called a fascist. In a joke, of course. By May 9, all classmates brought photos of their grandparents. They talked about them, about their actions. Sometimes even medals were shown. I never told anything. What had I to say? What did they all lose in that war? Everyone, like one, has disappeared. Who is interested in such stories? All the heroes... What am I telling you? You know it better than me.

Alexis looked at the side. The trees of the old forest stood around him silently, as if they were listening to his words. He turned his eyes and looked at a small hill in front of him, on which a small, no more than a meter high, metal obelisk with a bended star on top. There was no name or date. Alexey stood up and, gathering the grass pulled from the tomb of the nameless soldier, took it aside. Then he came back and sat down on the barrel again.

I will sit with you a little longer. Both will always be more fun. Who knows, maybe somewhere now and with my grandparents someone came to talk. It would be good. They would probably be pleased.