Feeling completely helpless, the crying Lily had been wandering the streets for half the day. A light drizzle had not stopped since morning, and the cold pierced to the bone. Why such a fate for her? Nowhere to go, no one to talk to, no place to warm up. Lost in thoughts of her misfortunes, the girl had completely forgotten about the dacha. And yet, that was salvation! The old country cottage had long fallen into disrepair. But even if dilapidated, it was still shelter.
Calming down a bit, Lily arrived at the train station. About fifteen minutes later, the right bus pulled up. There weren’t many people in it. The girl settled comfortably by the window and, gazing at the dreary landscape, began to recall the events.
When tragedy struck and the girl was left without parents, life lost its meaning. Lily sank into depression. But fate gave her a meeting. The cheerful, handsome guy Nicholas swore eternal love, proposed, and soon the young couple got married. The emotional pain subsided, serene days arrived, and the future seemed wonderful.
Unfortunately, the calm family happiness didn’t last long. Nicholas wanted change. “We go to work every day, but there’s little money. Let’s start our own business, we’ll trade. Profits will flow like a river. Then we’ll really live.”
Enthralled by the new idea, her husband described the prospects so vividly that poor Lily believed him and made a big mistake. She agreed to sell her parents’ apartment. But alas, no businessman came out of Nicholas. After that, the guy’s character soured; he constantly got irritated over trifles. At first, Lily endured it, then scandals began. A few months passed, and Nicholas met someone else. He filed for divorce and kicked Lily out the door. “Enough crying, you’ll manage somehow. You’ll find yourself a man with an apartment.”
Immersed in heavy thoughts, the girl almost missed her stop. She came to her senses in time, jumped out, and looked around sadly. The settlement seemed lifeless. And no wonder! Who would go to the dacha in early spring, and in such weather?
Lily’s dacha was very close to the stop. “Finally, at least I’ll rest a bit, pull myself together, calm down,” the girl thought, unlocked the lock, and yanked the handle sharply. But an unpleasant surprise awaited Lily—the old door had sagged and stubbornly refused to open. In helplessness, she sank onto the porch and burst into bitter tears. And suddenly, very close by, a hoarse elderly voice sounded:
— Let me help!
Startled, Lily jumped. Right in front of her stood a real homeless man in dirty, tattered clothes. Who knows what he had in mind? And not a soul around.
— What are you doing in my yard? Leave immediately!
— Calm down, I’m not planning to break into your house. I built a little stove nearby to warm up. No need to fear me; I just want to help.
Limping, the ragged old man approached the door, lifted it slightly, and pulled. A loud creak sounded, and the stubborn door finally opened.
— Thank you, thank you so much, — Lily exhaled with relief.
Now she understood that she had been scared for nothing. The old man, though a vagabond, looked completely harmless. His eyes were kind, and his face friendly.
— You need to warm up after the trip. And probably no firewood. Wait, I’ll bring some.
A couple of minutes later, the elderly man returned with an armful of firewood, silently handed it to the girl, and left. Watching him go, Lily sighed sadly. How bitter to realize—she herself was almost homeless.
After resting a bit, the girl started cleaning. Then she decided to light the stove, but she had no matches. “Why didn’t I think of them earlier? And to the nearest little shop, probably at least a couple of kilometers. I’ll go, walk around the area. Maybe some neighbors are at their dachas.”
Lily went out into the dark street and quickly walked along the houses. But no windows were lit. Noticing smoke, the girl rejoiced and turned that way. Soon she was by the fire and saw the same old homeless man.
— You again? What a meeting! — the girl exclaimed loudly. — And what are you doing here?
— What am I doing? Warming up. That’s how I live! Where else can I go now? — the vagabond smiled sadly.
— Maybe lend me some matches? I need to light the stove.
— Here, take the box! And can you manage it yourself? Do you know how to heat a stove?
— Honestly, I’ve never heated one myself before, — Lily answered confusedly.
— Then let me help. It’s no trouble. I’m sitting here, bored with nothing to do.
— I’d be very grateful! Tell me, what’s your name? I’m Lily.
— Nice to meet you, Lily. And I’m Frederick James.
The old man lit the stove effortlessly. Then he explained what to do next and got ready to leave.
— Wait, Frederick James. Maybe have some tea. And I have sausage, cheese. I’ll make sandwiches now.
The vagabond smiled joyfully:
— I won’t refuse sandwiches. And I’d drink some hot tea!
Settling by the stove, the old man warmed up with pleasure, while Lily bustled over dinner.
— Frederick James, don’t be offended that I’m so curious. But I really want to understand how you ended up on the street. You don’t look like an ordinary homeless person.
The elderly man sighed bitterly and told the girl the sad story of his life. He got a higher education, started teaching at a university, became very passionate about science. Spent a lot of time at work, didn’t think about personal life. And only in old age did he realize what a mistake he had made—condemning himself to complete loneliness.
Unexpectedly, his own niece remembered the lonely pensioner. She brought tasty treats, talked, supported, comforted. Then she promised to help the old man if he left her the apartment. Not sensing a catch, the trusting Frederick James gladly agreed. And the cunning Irene began to carry out her plan. She visited her elderly uncle more often, worried about his health, advised moving to the countryside for fresh air. Then she said she had already found a little house—sturdy, beautiful, with a gazebo. All that was left was to sell the apartment. It didn’t take long to persuade the naive pensioner. He really wanted to live in peace and nature in his old age!
After the successful sale, Irene advised the old man to open an account so no one would steal the money. They went to the bank together. There was a bench near the entrance.
— Sit here for a bit, uncle. I’ll go in and find out everything myself. Give me the money; let me hold it. What if someone was following us.
Irene went into the bank, and Frederick James stayed outside. He sat for a whole hour, then another two. But Irene didn’t come out. “Maybe there’s a queue; I should go check.” Strangely, there were almost no visitors in the branch. Irene had disappeared somewhere. The confused man looked around and noticed another exit. Not daring to believe what had happened, he went to his niece’s home. An unfamiliar woman opened the door and told him that Irene didn’t live there. She had sold that apartment a year ago.
— And that’s how I turned into a homeless man, — the old man said quietly and sighed again.
— But you’re not the only one, Frederick James. I haven’t been lucky in life either. Lost my apartment because of my husband. And I dropped out of university. I regret it so much now, — Lily answered sadly and told the old man in detail about her unenviable fate.
— Yes, it’s all sad. I’ve at least lived my life. But don’t lose hope. Everything will work out. Let me help you with the university; you’ll get reinstated, get your education. Then we’ll see. I have many acquaintances there; I’ll ask them to take you on a scholarship. Of course, I won’t go to the rector in person looking like this. But I can write a letter.
— Thank you, thank you so much! — said the cheered-up Lily. — I really want to study.
— Well, I’ll go slowly; it’s late. You fed me deliciously!
The old man headed for the door, but Lily stopped him.
— How can I let you go out on the street? It wouldn’t be right. I have three whole rooms. So stay. It’ll be easier for me with you. I don’t want to live alone. I’m afraid I won’t light the stove. You won’t abandon me here, so helpless?
— Of course not. One needs to help someone. Otherwise, I lived my whole life for myself. No children, no grandchildren.
— How wonderful; now I have a grandpa! — Lily said cheerfully and offered Frederick James another cup of tea.
Two years have passed since then. Thinking about the upcoming vacation, the content Lily was riding from the dormitory home. She had passed her exams successfully, and a whole summer in the settlement lay ahead! I’ll rest, regain strength, and then back to studies!
— Lily, hello! Finally! — Grandpa Frederick shouted joyfully. — How was your session?
— I got all A’s, and they even praised me, — the student reported proudly. — So we’ll celebrate! Look what cake I bought.
— I’m running to put the kettle on, and you rest after the trip. I’ll finish the gazebo soon, and we’ll sit in the garden. And I’ll plant grapes. Imagine how cozy it will be.
— You’re so great, Grandpa. It’s good when there’s a man in the house!
The old man who had endured so many hardships looked very happy. He had transformed, regained his spirit, and no longer felt lonely. Now he had his own home and a beloved granddaughter Lily. The girl always came on weekends; now she had come for vacation. Frederick James had become family to her, supported her, got her into studies. And her difficult life had also filled with meaning.
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