There was a time when my morning started with a little exercise. Eventually a cup of coffee replaced the exercise. It turned me on just as well as charging. But for a few days now, as soon as I open my eyes, I switch on my computer. I'm not interested in weather forecasts, sports news is not my thing either, even fashion news is no longer interesting. There's only one thing on my mind: How are my pictures online? Are there a lot of views, are there new comments. And so on. Today, for example, I discovered a new option. Clicking on my photo with the right mouse button, I saw the item: find with... I realised that you can search for this photo on the net, in case it appears somewhere else. That would be interesting. Let's see. But there was no miracle. The search engine only gave me one address. So, nobody is interested in my work yet. Let's wait!
We have a phrase: the award found its hero. Four months ago, my husband became a pensioner. And only now his office has managed to give him a trip to their departmental recreation centre. But he took offence and demanded another voucher.
- I will not go without my wife, - said Ivan and he conceded.
The base, of course, is not a resort in Antalya, but it is not a shithole. Two weeks in nature is not bad! Especially for free. Even though we're not needy, it's still nice. I've got some books with me, you won't believe it. I switched off my smartphone and left it at home. I took an old button phone for communication. I'm thinking about taking a camera. I decided to take it. But beforehand I deleted all the photos from my memory, they are all duplicated on other media. I left one picture of me alone in my negligee. I particularly liked it. Let it be, it won't hurt! I also brought a tripod, though I hesitated for a long time. I didn't take a car, so we came by taxi. I didn't want to go into the city unless I had to. And here I am sitting on the terrace in a chaise longue, breathing fresh morning air, reading. I love detective stories, I can't help it. I go to the beach once a day. I go in the afternoon, so the water is warmer. I say I go, but we don't go because I go alone. My husband found like-minded people here pretty quickly and they formed a circle. For days on end, they either play chess or argue to the point of madness, analysing old games of some champions. But I don't take offence. He has his own life, as you have already realised, and I have mine. Ivan hasn't mentioned our fundamental dispute lately. Besides, he doesn't know that I've already done part of my work, and a significant part, almost half of it! But I'm trying not to think about it myself right now. I need to take a time-out, so that I don't become satiated. I know that's a peculiarity of mine.
Time passes imperceptibly but inexorably. It's past the equator of our "holiday." I lead a measured life. But here is my husband is constantly in a whirlwind of events, then he has a tournament or away session of simultaneous play in a children's sanatorium. Not a minute of peace!
Three days of calm and measured existence remain. I am already trying on my bag, in which I will pack my things. But, as it often happens, chance intervened. I'm walking down the beach. I'm walking and I'm humming a tune I've been singing since last night. Suddenly I hear a man's voice calling out loudly. I don't pay attention, I don't know anyone here, but the voice is insistent.
- Madame Milovani, stop, please!
I stare dazedly at the tall, bearded man smiling broadly at me.
- Yes, I am Milovani. That's my surname. But I'm sorry...
- Luda, don't you recognise your friends?! I'm Lob, you remember him.
I took a closer look, mentally removed his beard. I think it's Kostya, Kostik Lobov. That's him.
- Kostik! No way!
- That's him. In person!
- What are you doing here? I've been here ten days and I haven't seen you.
- I went to see some friends yesterday. I'm leaving now. How long has it been? Fifteen years?
- No, Kostya, ten years," I replied smiling.
- It's a pity I don't have time now, I'm in a hurry, - Kostya smiled back at me. - Come with me, I'm on wheels. We'll sit and remember the past! And tomorrow I'll bring you back. In one piece, so to speak.
- I don't mind if you don't bring me back in one piece!" I agreed, unexpectedly, even for myself.
I must say that Kostya and I were close. No, we didn't have an affair, we didn't have a reverent relationship. But I won't hide it, Kostya and I fucked. Not every day, sometimes once a week. But most of the time it was less frequent.
I didn't have long to pack. I wasn't packing, I just grabbed my bag and went! I tried to call my husband on the way, but I remembered that he had another chess "tour" today. So Ivan won't miss me, at least not today.
- So tell me, how are you doing?" Kostik asked, when he saw that I'd finished my manipulations with the phone.
