Grandmother’s gift

I don’t know my friend’s father, and I don’t think Inka has ever seen her biological parent before, either. And what the hell with it, her stepfather is normal – a good man, works as an engineer, doesn’t drink. In general, everything is just like everyone else, an ordinary family.

Recently Inka turned 18. Naturally, we celebrated the occasion and wished her all sorts of things: a rich fiancé, a cool car, and a summer house in the Canary Islands. And then one weirdo (change the first letter) wished her to see her own father. Inka was all twisted up – and I get it. Does she need that kind of happiness? What if he’s an alcoholic, or a convict, or even a bum?

Inkin’s mother didn’t say much about him when she asked. She said that he was from the local village, his mother stayed there, and that he had gone to work and disappeared. In short, he was declared missing or dead. Inka’s mother didn’t tell her anything else, and she didn’t insist. She lived quietly until she was 18 without her father, and she will go on without him. Uncle Volodya suits her fine.

Inkin’s mother didn’t say much about him when she asked. She said that he was from the local village, his mother stayed there, and that he had gone to work and disappeared. In short, he was declared missing or dead. Inka’s mother didn’t tell her anything else, and she didn’t insist. She lived quietly until she was 18 without her father, and she will go on without him. Uncle Volodya suits her fine.

About a month ago Inka got a call. You guessed it: her birth father showed up. He complained about his difficult fate, said that he and his mother wished to see their daughter and granddaughter (in their village). Inka was stunned and sent the father to the erotic hike. She had never seen him in the eyes, why would she go somewhere to visit him? Daddy was offended and hung up on her.

The next day he called again. He wept that his grandmother was very ill and wanted to see his granddaughter before she died, to hold her close to his heart. He insisted, “Just come, that’s all. Inka denies that she has sessions, psoriasis, maxillitis, and, in general, she has lice.

And when Inkin’s mother found out about it, she turned all green. I was there at the time, and I saw it. She had such fear on her face, her lips were trembling. I was scared, too. What was there to be afraid of, though?

Inkin’s father began to call every day, persuading, insisting, pressing pity, promising her grandmother’s inheritance – the house and land. And invites her to visit. But he does not come himself. Inka tried to negotiate with him, maybe she could Skype with her grandmother, communicate through social networks. But he does not want her to come.

Then Inka had a dream. It was as if she had agreed to come to the village, walking down the street, counting houses. And on the bench near the porch she sees an elderly woman. Inka comes up to her and asks, “Where do such and such live? And the woman begins to cross herself, spits at Inka and shouts: “Witch doctor, you spoiled woman!” Inka runs away and suddenly finds herself in the house. A man and an old woman are sitting there. They look at her and the old woman suddenly, in a creaky voice, says: “Have you come, the shift? I’ll give it all to you, take it, it’s all yours”. And worms come out of her mouth. In fact, her whole face begins to crumble with these worms.

Inka screams and tries to run away, but the man holds her and says, “Are you afraid you don’t recognize your grandmother? And his eyes are cloudy, dull, and his lips don’t move… The old woman keeps gurgling: “Take it, it’s yours, I’ll give it all, take it!” And he stretches out his hands, trying to touch her.

Yesterday Inka’s father called again. Her grandmother has fallen ill, asking her granddaughter to come. The grandmother wants to give her a present before she dies. So that her granddaughter would remember her and not hold a grudge. He said that her grandmother had prepared a good gift, come here, you will like it. On the 31st he is waiting for her to visit, just like that.

A friend doesn’t know what to do. Neither do I. And her mother and stepfather haven’t spoken to her for two days. Because their beloved dog died. Either it jumped from the balcony, or someone threw it away…