In the dashing nineties, when good books were not available, a lottery was held in our city right on the street. Played 25 volumes of the Adventure Library.
There were a lot of people willing, but I decided to take a chance. I bought a lottery ticket and filled it in with my children's birthday numbers. A girl of about six was pulling tickets out of the drum. And suddenly I heard my name. It was, perhaps, the greatest success in my life.
I decided that this was a sign from above. Enrolled in a book lovers club, and from there got a referral to a bookstore. Once a week, I was given popular science literature for distribution. And as a reward for essentially free work (I handed over all the proceeds to the store) they sold a dozen of scarce art books at cost. So I replenished my home library.
Then a great idea came to my mind. I asked the head of the local grocery store to let me sell books on the sales floor. The word “rent” was not even known then. They put a table for me in the hall, and I laid out books on it. The first buyers were the sellers of the deli. My trade was brisk. And by the evening from the sale of popular science (not even fiction!) Books, a substantial amount was collected.
And then one day, shortly before the grocery store closed, I noticed that I was being “herded”. A flock of teenage drug addicts rubbed against my counter. Several guys were standing on the porch. They were obviously waiting for me to go home with the money. Even the grocery store sellers noticed the surveillance and warned me. But what could I do? Do not spend the night in the store.
It was very scary. Recently, in our area, teenage drug addicts attacked a postman carrying pensions. They broke the man's arm and took the money. I also knew that an old beggar was sitting at the same grocery store, begging for alms. And he was recently found dead. It was rumored that drug addicts beat him to death, taking the proceeds.
I frantically went through different options in my mind. Cell phones did not exist then. And in any case, my husband could not have met me - he was still at work. It was getting dark outside the window. The closing time of the grocery store was approaching inexorably. All that was left was to hope only for God.
The drug addicts were sitting on the porch at the entrance to the store, waiting for me. I began to pray. I read the prayers: "Our Father", "Mother of God, Virgin, rejoice." Then she folded the unsold books in two piles, tied them with string, and hid the money in the inside pocket of her coat.
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“Lord, I only rely on you,” I whispered and stepped into the twilight. The teenagers were waiting for me to come out. And suddenly they shied away in fright in different directions. I went home without hindrance.
I walked along the dark alley, listening in fear to the booming sound of my steps. From time to time I looked around - was there someone sneaking after me? And then I saw in the light of a street lamp that Eleonora Petrovna - my colleague - and her husband were coming towards me. Apparently they were returning from the guests. We said hello.
Twenty minutes later I flew into the entrance of my house. The next day I came to my main job and saw the sly smile of Eleanor Petrovna.
- What kind of gentleman was with you yesterday? she asked. - Haven't you got a lover?
- What kind of lover? What are you talking about? I asked in disbelief.
- You will not get out! My husband and I saw you. You walked arm in arm with a tall military man. Well, confess, who was it?
- What are you? I exclaimed. - There was no military man. I was alone. All this seemed to you.
But Eleanor only grinned. And I thought. Who was it next to me? From what guide did the flock of drug addicts shy away? This case remained a mystery to me. It turns out that my prayers were answered!
Lyudmila YURCHENKO, Nakhodka