Loser

"He needs to run, run! Children in an armful, and legs! .. "

It was a cold January afternoon. Through the glass walls one could see the snow glistening on the paws of Japanese ornamental pines. And inside it was warm and cozy, carpets and low tables, the smell of coffee and ginger tea.

Roma and Kolya were sitting in the bar of Marabou, a trendy Moscow fitness center. They just rocked on the simulators, swam in the pool, had a massage, took a shower, and now, sitting comfortably in their chairs, they drank a light decaffeinated “latte” with coconut milk and waited for their friend Vasya, who for some reason was late.

Roma and Kolya were a little over forty. They were beautiful, healthy, vigorous and happy. Romin's wife was the vice-president of the MosMetroPass company, and Kolina was the director of ITEK (Institute of Trans-Asian Energy Communications). Both women earned very well and fully provided for their husbands and children. Roma's family had only one child, a boy of Palestinian nationality, while Kolya had three - two boys and a girl, all adopted from the Philippines. Having children for twenty years has become completely out of fashion. But having children was still mandatory, so they were adopted from poor countries.

Vasya had two children, both Creoles from Ecuador, blood brothers, nice guys, one is a schoolboy, the other is already in his first year. Good boys, but very insecure. It's clear that Vasya's wife was just a manager in some shabby trading company, with a very modest salary and an average apartment. It is not even clear how she was able to persuade such a handsome and smart man as Vasya as her husband. Plus, have two kids. And now their children were traumatized by the fact that they always have outdated gadgets, and in November - T-shirts from the October collection, and even September. Basically a nightmare.

Since Vasya was late, Roma and Kolya were just discussing this issue. They were very worried about Vasya. They knew that he could not afford a subscription to the Marabou, that he was trying his best to keep the style, saving literally on heel cream. They wanted to help him. But how? Pay for it? It might offend him. What could they do for him? Order him coffee, deceiving that this is a "compliment" from the cafe? Silly.

“We need to have a serious talk with him,” Kolya said. - That's it, directly. Sincere and friendly. Tell him to get away from this loser.

"Yes," Roman nodded. - Here we changed clothes, I looked at his shorts and T-shirt, it's a shame to look. And what a perfume! Yesterday! Shame is a shame. And in general: a woman who cannot provide for her man is not a woman!

- Loser, I'm telling you! — said, as imprinted, Kolya.

— Shhh! Roma whispered. - He's coming!

Vasya approached his friends, they hugged briefly.

He began to confusingly explain that the youngest guy at school sowed a tablet, he had to go, help search - that's why he was late. Vasya spoke with his head down and slightly turned away.

- So! - Kolya said sternly and sharply took him by the chin, turned him towards him. “And this, this, this—what?”

Under Vasya's eye there was a small, but quite unambiguous bruise.

Vasya turned away and muttered:

- Yes, in the morning I got up to go to the toilet, it was dark all around, and I cracked on the corner of the closet in the corridor. Guys, I'll go rafting, but you don't wait for me ...

He left quickly.

- What a horror! Roman threw up his hands. She hits him!

“Loosers, they’re all like that,” Kolya said. They take out their problems on the weak. For those who can't fight back. He needs to run, run! Children in an armful, and legs!

"Yeah," Roman sighed. - It's easy to say. Where to run? Outside? Especially with two kids!

“Wait a minute,” Kolya thought. - I'll tell Masha everything. Right tonight when she gets home from work. Explain the situation and ask for help. I will ask for money so that he can rent an apartment for the first time. She will definitely help. She understand. She told me herself that you need to save yourself from losers while you are intact. I got really excited. A friend dies in front of our eyes. I'll have a double espresso!

“They say that coffee spoils the skin of the face,” Roma warned thoughtfully.

- Don't care! What am I, not a man? - and Kolya waved his hand to the bartender.