Heaven Tastes Like Peaches

"Listen" Konrad turned to Sławek "do you know any Julia?"

"No. There is no girl by this name in the neighborhood or in my class. Only my mother's name was that."

"Mom?"

"Yes. Three years ago, she died of cancer."

"I'm sorry."

"Cool. And why do you ask?"

Konrad felt a little uncomfortable.

"I sent my mom a picture of the view from the porch, you know, it's a really nice place, and she wrote me to say hi to Mrs. Julia from her. I don't understand why," he said.

Sławek continued eating, although he seemed to have no appetite

"Maybe your mom knew mine? You know, in their youth. We also lived in Lublin and my grandfather's farm has not changed much for several dozen years."

"Maybe," Skalski admitted, resuming his soup.

His mom's friend? Konrad would never have thought that his mother might have some friends. I mean, of course, she should have, but she never went out for coffee or shopping with any of them. They also only hosted people who were invited by their father. But on the other hand, if mom ordered to send greetings to Julia, it means that she did not know about her death. Sławek's mother died three years ago, so if they knew each other, they were not a close relationship, since Skalska did not know that her friend was dead. So it was probably an acquaintance from very old times. Maybe twenty years ago?

"When you're done" Sławek's voice broke him out of his thoughts "put the bowl into the sink. I'll clean up later. Now I'm going to the studio."

"Will you work on your pieta?"

"Uhm ... I'll try."

Sławek threw his bowl into the sink and left. He looked a little bad. Konrad got the impression that it was him. He did it accidentally, but he brought back memories of his mother's death, and a few days ago the boy buried his grandfather. It was clear that he was not in a good mood.

Konrad suddenly lost his appetite. He poured off the leftovers for the dog and went to the sink. There was no hot water in the taps, but he had learned that having the right amount of washing up liquid and washing it up immediately after eating worked wonders. Putting the dishes down on the dryer, he had already made up his mind that he would call his mother and ask for Mrs. Julia. If they were really friends, mom should know that Mrs. Domejczuk is dead.

Konrad went outside, where the sun was warming again, drying the puddles. It wasn't as intense as it was before the downpour, but enough to make him want to find some shade for himself. He looked around and saw a wooden bench in the orchard. Admittedly, she was quite close to the dog, but the dog apparently chose to ignore him and did not even look up when he saw him. Konrad decided it was worth the risk. He walked past the bored animal and sat down on the bench.

The mother answered almost immediately and her cheerful voice made the boy's heart spread with warmth.

"Mom ..." he began after the greetings "when you wrote about Mrs. Julia, did you mean Julia Domejczuk?"

"Of course," she admitted. "I knew her still as Lasota, it was her maiden surname. After her husband, Domejczuk. How is she? Was she surprised that you are my son?"

"Mom ... I don't know how to say this ... Mrs. Julia is dead. She died three years ago."

He did not know what impression his message had made. He thought his mother was sad.

"And Mr. Sławoj?" She asked.

"He died a few days ago."

"So ... who do you live with?"

"At Julia's son, Sławek. Because you see, mom..."

Konrad did not plan it. He just wanted to know if their mothers knew each other and if so, to inform mother friend about the death of her friend. However, the warm and caring voice of his mother in the receiver made him feel strange at the mere thought of Sławek being all alone. He wanted to help him in financial matters and that's why he came here, but now he realized that his friend needed something more. Someone else's help. And no one could be better than his mother.

"Remember when my father took me on one of his business trips a few days ago?"

"Yes. You were not satisfied with it and left shortly after."

"He brought me here then. It was on the day of Mr. Sławoj's funeral. Father wanted to collect the debt. Sławoj is dead, so the debt was transferred to Sławek, his grandson. I wanted to help him somehow and ..."

"Who's looking after him?"

"What? Sławek?"

"Yes."

"No one. He lives alone. But he is an adult," Konrad added quickly, sensing that his mother was very concerned about the boy's fate and did not want to disturb her too much. "I think he's getting grandpa's pension until he finishes school."

"You're not disturbing him, are you?"

"Well, not really," he felt offended. He decided to prove to his mother that he could be of some use. "You know, he is a very talented sculptor. Apparently more so than his grandfather. I put him in touch with Henryk and he took some of his works. Apparently, the only thing they lack to sell well is advertising. Mom ... I'm sorry I lied to you where I was going."

He was afraid she would be angry and he really didn't want to cause her any additional worries. Not when it wasn't good between her and her father. The woman, however, did not seem angry or upset.

"I am not angry. You wanted to help someone in need, right?"

"Of course," he admitted vigorously. His mom was really wonderful. "Do you know why my father did this to Sławek?"

"I don't know the details, but he certainly had a reason. In business, he can be very demanding."

Not only in business, Konrad added mentally, remembering the brawls he had had with his mother.

"That's why, Konrad" she added in a tone that does not bear any objection "although I'm glad that you are helping my friend's son, I forbid you to go into open conflict with your father. He may not be perfect, but he is your father."

"I know but…! The way he treats you, the way he treats other people…!"

"He's still your father. You don't know his motives."

"Stop defending him! Can't you see he's a bad man ?!"

"Konrad!" She raised her voice at him and immediately led to the vertical. He couldn't remember the last time she did it. She was always so gentle and warm. "Don't go against your father!"

"Leave it to me," she no longer screamed, but her voice was oddly firm. "Julia was my friend. Sławek is her son."

He didn't quite understand his mother's current behavior, nor her words. What does it mean to leave it to her? After all, she never went against her husband. Never!