Tyoma lay with the blanket pulled over his head, trying his hardest not to cry.
While he was doing a poor job of it, tears streamed down on their own and disappeared into the blanket. He didn't want his mum to hear him and get upset. Actually, he was already quite grown up—all of six years old—and he should look after his mum. That's what Dad always says, and Tyoma completely agrees. Besides, he'd accidentally overheard Mum telling Dad:
I'm worried about Tyoma, he'll be upset tomorrow! I don't even know how to tell him!
Tyoma understood everything at once. His beloved Chara was gone. Chara, Charushka, Charunichik—a small funny poodle, or rather a female poodle—had come back from her walk this morning in Dad's arms. He burst into the flat like a hurricane, grabbed the car keys, shouted something to Mum, and rushed off with Chara in her carrier. Tyoma was so surprised he even sat down on the floor. For Dad to run like that!
Even Mum always called him a "beloved slowpoke" for his eternal unhurriedness and calm.
Tyomochka, Chara got hit by a car! Dad took her to the vet.
Tyoma knew how the puppy could race down the road, completely oblivious to everything around her in a fit of some mad joy from the huge space, sounds, smells—everything that wasn't in their small flat.
His parents knew this doggy habit too and never let her off the lead in the courtyard.
She'll calm down when she grows up!—Dad would joke, and they'd only let the puppy off the lead in the park next to the house.
Today, Tyoma knew, Dad was in a real hurry for some meeting. He probably decided to walk in the courtyard. Something cold and evil pushed at Tyoma's chest. It seemed to him that some nasty voice whispered right beside him:
That's it! You don't have your little friend anymore!
Still sitting on the floor, he himself whimpered in quite a dog-like way…
Chara appeared on Tyoma's birthday: it was just like in his favourite cartoon about Karlson. In the morning, his parents woke Tyoma right in bed, kissed both his cheeks, and Dad gently tugged his ears. Presents were already piled up in the middle of the room. He jumped out of bed and was just about to sort through them when Mum said:
Sonny, who's ringing the doorbell so insistently? It must be for you!
Probably Serega, though he's early!
Tyoma ran to open the door. On the threshold in a blue soft basket sat a fluffy curly black ball and squeaked thinly. Who's this? Is this for me? Tyoma squealed like a wind-up toy and spun around the room, holding the basket with both hands. The puppy pressed her round ears down in fright and hid deep in her shelter.
What a darling, Charochka, Charushka—let's call her that,—Mum suggested.
Need I say that from that day on Chara and Tyoma were inseparable. As soon as her little paws grew stronger, she raced around the flat with funny yapping, playfully tried to nip everyone's heels, then scampered under Tyoma's bed. The poodle won herself a place at Tyoma's feet on the bed in her battle with Mum, and at night she rarely returned to her basket.
He even persuaded his parents to buy him a special little backpack and often carried Charushka with him on walks and visits. The puppy was with Tyoma almost always: when he bathed, she sat on the washing machine and squeaked nervously if he tried to dive underwater. When Mum taught him to read and write, she lay quietly on the pouffe by the table and was always very patient in her waiting.
But when they got outside, there was sometimes real chaos! Chara raced around Tyoma with loud barking, deliberately growled when he tried to catch her, and had even learned to bring him the thrown tennis ball. Yes, he was happy! This was his first real friend, one who couldn't be offended, betray, or forget…
And now this friend was gone. And it was because of some cursed car, one of many that raced around the courtyard paths all day, sometimes scaring the residents! It seemed to Tyoma now like some huge angry octopus, stretching its tentacles right into his flat. He waited almost until night for Dad to come back and bring Chara home. He couldn't believe she was really gone.
Finally, Mum put him to bed on the condition that she'd wake him as soon as Dad appeared. Tyoma waited and waited, then unexpectedly dozed off. And then he dreamed that Dad whispered to Mum:
I couldn't leave her there, I buried her myself by the lake.
Mum was crying, and Dad awkwardly shuffled around her and secretly wiped his eyes. And suddenly Tyoma realised he wasn't asleep but actually hearing Mum sobbing, and Dad hugging her shoulders and whispering something in her ear. And again these words:
How do I tell Tyoma?... Maybe we'll say we sent her to a special doggy sanatorium for long-term treatment.
His parents finally went to the bedroom, and Tyoma pulled the blanket over his head and tried to be a real man. Sleep wouldn't come to him at all. Suddenly he desperately wanted to jump out of bed, run to his parents, climb into their bed, and cry, cry, cry…
He hugged his fluffy soft teddy bear and took a breath. He was terribly thirsty. But he didn't want to get up and drag himself through the long corridor to the kitchen. And he was a bit afraid of the dark, though he'd never admit it to anyone. He was still thinking about what to do, but his thirst was growing.
Tyoma sighed, quietly got out of bed, and padded barefoot down the corridor. Suddenly some strange sound reached him from the kitchen. It wasn't really a sound, but a light rustling, like the flutter of little wings. As if a small bird was fluttering near him. Tyoma froze. The sound stopped, but then something lightly clinked, and it seemed he heard the splash of water. And suddenly it dawned on Tyoma: It must be Mum—she's also worried and drinking water in the kitchen.
He didn't want to meet his parents now. To avoid showing that he knew everything and breaking down again, but this time uncontrollably, sobbing, hysterically. He crept back to the bedroom and, standing behind the door, waited for Mum to return. Minutes dragged on, but no one came. Tyoma started to get cold: barefoot, after all. And the kitchen had gone very quiet again. Strange, surely Mum isn't sitting there alone in the dark!—he thought.
And suddenly that fluttering sound again! That's it, a bird must have flown in through the window—I need to save it,—flashed through his head. Tyoma rushed to the kitchen. He turned on the light, expecting to see an ordinary sparrow on the windowsill, but froze. Under the ceiling right by the lamp shade fluttered a strange creature. At first it seemed to him like a huge white butterfly, but then he realised it was… a small girl with transparent wings on her back!
Tyoma stood frozen on the threshold, unable to tear his gaze from this creature. He'd read the fairy tale about Thumbelina, he really liked that fairy tale girl, and he wanted to play with her and protect her from nasty toads, but he was already quite a big boy, knowing that miracles don't really happen in life! Of course, Father Christmas came to him on New Year's with presents, but once Tyoma found his Dad's watch on the man's wrist and, looking more carefully, realised that… it wasn't Father Christmas at all!
He didn't love New Year any less, but he completely stopped believing in fairy tales. And now this! The fluttering figure meanwhile landed on the fridge. Busily straightening her semi-transparent dress, the girl settled more comfortably and, dangling her legs, stared at Tyoma. And only now did he notice that on her head was a huge white bow with small black speckles.
Like a cabbage white butterfly,—he thought. —Some kind of Kapuska!—Tyoma chuckled to himself.
The girl wasn't scary at all and continued to examine him with big shining eyes.
Who are you?—Tyoma whispered. She, swaying her wonderful bow, squeaked thinly in reply:
Kapuska! You named me yourself.
Can you read my thoughts?
Well, I don't know, I just understand everything you think. We always do…
How?—asked Tyoma.
Well, when we're sent to people.
To people? Where are you from anyway?
I don't know,—the girl swung her legs and smiled.
I can't explain to you where I'm from. Where I live, we're not like I am now. We just spin lightly and freely in a transparent and clean world. We always have peace and light. But there comes a time for each of us when we're sent to people. And people give us names.
When does that happen?—Tyoma was amazed. And why?
It happens… How can I explain… It happens when someone loses their one true friend. And that friend really loved you. We are Messengers of Love. I don't know anything else,—the girl finished. And I don't know what Love is either, but we're supposed to replace it, that's all…
Tyoma sat down on a chair and fell silent. He examined this miracle on the fridge and waited for him to wake up and the magical vision to disappear. But he suddenly realised he really didn't want that. It seemed to him that it had become a bit easier in his heart.
Why aren't you drinking?—Kapuska suddenly squeaked,—you wanted to, I've already poured it.
Tyoma indeed saw a full transparent glass and understood where that strange sound of water pouring had come from. He grabbed the glass and… suddenly pulled his hand back.
What if it's enchanted!—the thought flashed. And brother Ivanushka, who turned into a little goat, came to mind rather inopportunely.
The girl burst into ringing laughter.
Drink, don't be afraid, you won't grow horns. By the way, what kind of boy is that? And why did he turn into a goat?
Tyoma blushed—even though she's a fairy tale girl, he still didn't want to look like a coward in front of her. He drank the water in one gulp.
The goat is because that boy drank water from his hoof, don't you know that fairy tale?—he said angrily, frowning.
What's a fairy tale?—asked the girl. —And can people also manifest?
Manifest? What's that?—Tyoma didn't understand.
Well, I manifested water for you,—answered Kapuska. And here's another example.
Her bow swayed smoothly and a large red car appeared on the table, gleaming with shiny details and winking with its headlights.
Just like a real one!—Tyoma gasped. He remembered that he'd been dreaming of something like this for a long time but hadn't hoped to ever get one. He'd seen such toys in some TV programme. And the programme wasn't about Tyoma…
And suddenly he darkened: —A toy, so what! But Chara's gone! Tears welled up in his eyes again. If she laughs now, I'll throw her out the window,—he thought angrily, looking at the quiet girl. What does she know about friends, a magical doll!
The girl suddenly flew lightly off the fridge and landed on the table in front of Tyoma. She was about the size of Thumbelina, it turned out.
Don't cry, you know, your puppy died, but she loved you very much and wouldn't want you to be unhappy and cry about her. You won't forget her, I know, but her love will always be with you too.
Tyoma wiped his tears and reached out to Kapuska.
Even though you're a girl, you're a good friend, probably,—he touched her bow. It seemed to him that he was stroking a silky butterfly wing.
You know, you have an interesting imagination! Thank you for imagining me like this!—she said.
I imagined you?
Yes, we appear to people the way they see us in their imagination.
But what are you really like?
I don't know how to explain it to you. We are NOTHING. We take form only when we come to people.
What do you eat? How do you even… live?
Eat? Oh, that's about energy. Yes, I'll show you now.
Kapuska flew up again and began to circle around the lamp. Then she landed back on the table.
That's all, I won't need anything for a long time now.
It seemed to Tyoma that the girl became brighter, and a pleasant warmth came from her.
And you, did you… stay with me for long? They let you go for a while, your… well, parents?
Kapuska laughed quietly.
Parents? Oh, well that's only for you… We don't have parents like that. We just exist, that's all. And I'm with you only until the time when you have a TRUE FRIEND or LOVE.
A true friend? I have loads of friends!—Tyoma jumped up from his chair. Serega from the second entrance, Mishka from my class…and suddenly he fell silent.
Friends… He'd gotten used to calling all his mates friends. But what's a real friend? Did Mishka help him last winter on the hill when Tyoma crashed his sledge into prickly bushes and scratched his whole face? He even laughed, standing at the top of the hill and pointing at Tyoma. Tyoma hit him on the neck for that. And did Serega take him to the lake recently when the boys went to see the white swans that had arrived for a short time? True, Serega was two whole years older than Tyoma, but who asked him to call Tyoma a greenhorn? No, Tyoma really didn't have true friends and he had to admit it.
So you're my friend now?—Tyoma asked again.
That's for you to decide,—came the quiet whisper.
****
The sun was shining quite summery through the window when Tyoma opened his eyes. For the first minute he couldn't understand why he felt so heavy-hearted. Then he jumped up and sat on the bed, dangling his bare feet.
Charushka died! How could I forget. Tyoma felt something heavy pressing on his chest again, and the sunlight in the room became blurred and scattered into rainbow spots. Tears started falling on their own.
Here we go again!—he suddenly heard from somewhere on the bookshelf. I could die from this! You're taking so much energy from me!
Tyoma rubbed his eyes and peered at the semi-transparent figure.
So you didn't dream me?
No! I'll always be with you, only you won't always be able to see me,—Kapuska flew in the sunbeam, her wings sparkling in it, and even her bow with speckles seemed to glow. Mum didn't notice anything.
The flat was very quiet, and Tyoma thought his parents had gone out. He peeked out the door—no one in the corridor. On tiptoe he crept to the kitchen and… froze! On the table, gleaming with all its polished parts, was the wonder-car.
What do I tell my parents? Where did it come from and anyway…!
Tyoma grabbed the car and rushed back to the bedroom.
Kapa! Do something! I can't show it to anyone! Then I'd have to tell them about you too!
Kapuska stared at Tyoma with her huge eyes and said nothing. The car suddenly disappeared, but Tyoma felt its weight and coolness in his hands.
What's happening? Where did it go?—he said in confusion.
It just became invisible. When you want to play, just think about it and it'll appear again.
Can you make it disappear again?
Kapuska shook her bow:
No, I can't do that. I can only create, not destroy…no, I'm not allowed to. I'm what you'd call a CREATOR! Making invisible what I've created—yes, I can do that, so use it!
Then it needs to go under the bed, or Mum will see it—there'll be trouble!
Tyoma quickly shoved the toy in a hidden spot and just in time—careful footsteps sounded in the corridor. Mum looked in the door.
Tyomochka, you're already awake, it seems. We thought we heard you talking?
Tyoma took a deep breath and, glancing at the shelf, almost gasped. Kapuska, as if nothing was wrong, was swinging her legs and wasn't about to disappear.
Mum will see her now and something will happen!
He couldn't even imagine what Mum's reaction would be to such a girl.
But Mum, entering the room, seemed not to notice anything strange or unusual about the semi-transparent fairy tale creature on her son's bookshelf.
Tyoma, why are you quiet?—Mum began again in an artificially cheerful tone. —I want to tell you not to worry about Chara, we sent her to a doggy sanatorium for treatment. It might be for a long time…
Mum, don't, okay?—Tyoma muttered. —I know Chara died, don't worry—I'm a man…
Tyoma pronounced the last words already whimpering slightly and wiping tears from his cheek.
Mum grabbed him and sat on the bed, pressing him to her chest and whispering in his ear:
We'll get you a new puppy, really, you'll see, just don't cry! And we'll never forget our Charochka!
Tyoma fell silent, then, pressing against Mum's chest, slid to the floor.
Never! I don't want any other puppy! There won't be another like Chara! And I already have Kapuska!
Who?—Mum was taken aback.
Ka…,—Tyoma stopped himself. —Well, no one, I just…,—he looked at the shelf again. Kapa was there and already spreading her wings, bathing them in sunlight. They sparkled and shimmered like mica. Mum didn't notice anything.
Alright, dear, come on, wash up and we'll go wake Dad.
Yeah, right, like he's sleeping!—Tyoma chuckled,—Tell him I'm… well, okay…
***
Summer soon ended, and Tyoma started first form. So much news: new classmates, school assignments, responsibilities—Tyoma didn't have enough hours in the day, and only the fairy tale girl-child never left his side for a moment. She sat on his shoulder when he went anywhere, played tricks on his shelves when he did his homework, slept there and greeted him in the mornings with a quiet rustle of wings. She seemed unaffected by winter frosts, rain, or wind. She only needed to flutter in the lamp light or bask in the sun's warmth.
Tyoma played all his favourite games with Kapa: he raced his favourite cars on the floor: there were now many more of them—Kapa had created so many that he didn't know how to fit them under the bed. But now he washed the floors in his room himself—so Mum wouldn't accidentally stumble on invisible piles of toys. Mum was simply amazed when he told her about this.
Such a big boy he's become, and so serious!—she proudly told Dad.
One thing worried his parents: for some reason, Tyoma had no close friends. Just schoolmates who stayed at school and never came to his house. And he didn't want to go with them to the river, the ice rink, or just to the courtyard.
He usually walked alone in the small park next to the house or sat in his room with the door firmly closed. This, it must be said, worried his parents greatly. Once Tyoma overheard a snippet of their conversation in the kitchen. Mum was speaking very quietly to Dad:
Tyoma has changed a lot since Chara died. I'm afraid he'll become withdrawn completely—he doesn't want to be with anyone. And I've noticed several times—he talks to himself! Maybe we should take him to a doctor?
Dad reassured Mum and said everything would work out, that summer would come soon, and they'd go to Grandma's in the village. There's a river there, forest, horses, dogs, and plenty of boys. The boy will get over it, nothing scary!
Tyoma just smiled to himself. You don't understand anything, parents: I have such a friend! Even though she's a girl, she knows everything, understands everything, and it's so interesting with her, more than with any boy! And she does such wonders: as much ice cream as you want, and toys, and even computer games that aren't on any website!
Summer finally came. Dad and Tyoma went to the village. Kapuska travelled in his little backpack, though Tyoma suspected she didn't really need to. She calmly disappeared and appeared wherever she needed without any trouble. But she was beside him, he could whisper to her secretly, she joked with him, and he, forgetting himself, sometimes laughed at her jokes so much that he scared Dad.
***
In the first days in the village, Tyoma wandered around the area, afraid to go far into the forest, though he really wanted to run to the forest lake. Local boys said there were big carp there, and he absolutely loved fishing. He'd only been on a real fishing trip with Dad twice on their river and now he was waiting for it impatiently.
And so early in the morning they were finally on the lake shore. The sun hadn't risen yet, and white mist hung over the water, though some forest birds were already beginning to chirp timidly. Something splashed in the lake, and sleepy dragonflies were testing their wings. Kapuska sat in the backpack waiting for the sun, wrapped in Tyoma's scarf. Good thing Dad didn't see it, or he'd be amazed why his son had a winter scarf with him in summer!
The fishing was in full swing, Tyoma had caught five carp and one small pike, when a boy emerged from the thick bushes on the shore with a large bag in one hand and a rolled-up fishing rod in the other. The bag seemed quite heavy.
Hello,—he greeted Dad and Tyoma very politely. —Are you still catching? I'm done—nothing's biting anymore!
And he swung the bag importantly to show off.
I caught enough for Grandma's whole lunch, I think!
Tyoma was at first annoyed: here's another one to show off! But the boy smiled so sincerely and came closer to the water.
What's your name?—he asked Tyoma. —I'm Misha,—and he held out his hand.
Tyoma answered and held out his. And suddenly he wanted to just plop down on the grass next to Misha and chat, chat about everything! And he'd show him his cars, and then they'd play the new Tyoma game on the computer "Sea Pirates" that Kapuska had loaded recently.
They went to the village together, especially since the fish really had stopped biting. Misha turned out to be from the same city, and lived in the next house. Time in the village flew by unnoticed. The boys ran to the forest, fishing, ate small but amazingly sweet meadow strawberries. And once they were even allowed to ride on a real horse. True, the village uncle Semyon led it by the bridle.
All this time Kapuska was with Tyoma, of course. Her mica wings rustled near his ear, he saw their golden glint, but it seemed to him that she had become quieter and paler.
But the day of departure home came. Tyoma and his new friend agreed to meet in the city on the first weekend and go to the cinema. In the evening of the day they returned, Tyoma sat in his room and for the first time didn't invite Kapuska to play with the cars. He was chatting with Misha on the computer, and they were very enthusiastically reminiscing about the village trip and making plans for the first school days.
Misha did wrestling and invited Tyoma to think about sport too. Tyoma got so caught up in talking to his new friend that he only remembered the air girl in the evening. Turning to her favourite spot—the bookshelf—he didn't see anyone there. Something stabbed his chest—that feeling of sharp loss suddenly returned with new force, like that terrible evening when Chara died.
Kapuska, where are you?! Don't fly away! I feel bad without you! The room answered with silence… Oh, I'm a traitor!—suddenly became clear to Tyoma. She's my true friend, and me?! I traded her for some strange boy! I just happened to run into him at that lake—he was bored fishing alone, adults don't understand everything… And now I'm alone again—who knows if this Misha will want to be friends with me, maybe he has enough friends!
And Misha didn't become dearer to him than this amazing air girl, he felt. Tears welled up in his eyes, Tyoma sat on the bed and sobbed silently into his pillow. Sharp loneliness again wrapped everything around in grey tones, and the joy of meeting a new friend faded completely. Suddenly a thin, silvery sound rang out in the room.
It was like the sound of a thin, amazingly melodic string breaking. A soft glow spread over the shelf, and, oh, happiness, a silvery figure fluttered around the lamp! Kapa! Hurray! Tyoma rushed across the room to her and wanted to grab and squeeze this transparent weightless creature!
Gently, gently, what are you doing!—Kapuska flew higher, settling on the chandelier under the ceiling. I'm very weak still, I need energy—I came back to you too hard.
You came back to me? Did you leave? Why is it hard for you?—Tyoma rushed to turn on all the lights in the room at once.
I told you, we only replace the losses of very close beings. And only until a new friend or love appears. We feel this very keenly. We're not allowed to stay with them. We have our Call, which we can't disobey. And it called me because you have a new close person—your new friend. Right?
Tyoma thought. Kapuska was right: he really had spent almost all summer with Misha. And they were good and interested together. He even forgot about the miracle girl for a moment... And what? She disappeared. Everything was right—she had warned him. So why did she come back? Or is Misha not a friend at all? Not a true one, like all the previous acquaintances?
Why did you come back? You felt bad, they sent me to you again...
Tyoma sighed. Yes, he felt bad, lonely, Kapuska was here again, but… something was still missing…
The doorbell rang in the hallway.
Tyoma, Misha's here, come and greet him,—Mum called.
He didn't want to go. What if Misha scares Kapuska away again? He quietly opened the door to his room and somehow froze on the threshold. Silently, looking carefully at Tyoma's face, he finally asked quietly:
Tyoma, are you alright? I had a feeling something was wrong and decided to come by. Can I help?
Tyoma felt amazing warmth spread somewhere in his chest from these simple kind words from, essentially, not such a close and dear boy.
No… Just… I remembered my dog today, the one that died… It happens…
Misha sighed, awkwardly shuffling in the doorway.
You know, I collect stamps of dogs, want to see? I brought my album with me. Dad says it's not cool anymore, but I like it.—Misha smiled shyly.
The boys spent the whole evening together: first looking through Misha's album, then gradually Tyoma, who had warmed up, began to remember their summer adventures and soon they were laughing carelessly, remembering how Misha slid off the slippery shore into the water trying to pull out a big pike that had miraculously got on his hook. It was already dark when they finally realised it was late and Misha had to go home.
Already saying goodbye, standing in the doorway, Misha suddenly turned around.
Tyoma, did you really miss your dog?—Tyoma was confused… —Let's go to the cinema tomorrow, yeah?
Misha looked at him hopefully.
Yeah, of course,—Tyoma answered hurriedly.
The door had closed long ago, and he still stood in the corridor not understanding what was happening to him. Misha's a great guy. He felt that something strong and reliable was growing between them, something Dad had spoken about more than once.
Artyom, I'll be truly happy, and so will you, if you have a real loyal friend in your life!
But what about Kapuska?—Tyoma suddenly remembered. He realised he hadn't heard the gentle rustle of her wings for a long time. The room was empty. Empty was the shelf, the table, no one fluttered around the lamp…
Suddenly a quiet rustle sounded at the window. The window was open and a small butterfly was beating against the glass, appearing from nowhere at this time of year. Tyoma reached out to it, but the butterfly made one last loop and flew out into the night, flashing brilliantly white wings with round black speckles…
