Heaven Tastes Like Peaches

Konrad was so upset by what was going on between his legs that when he felt vibrations in his pants, he started in surprise. He exhaled with relief as soon as he realized that someone was trying to reach him. He took out the phone and, surprised, checked who.

"Hello?"

„Good morning, Konrad, Kowalski here. Are you still at Domejczuk?

"I'm away from home at the moment, but I still live with him," he replied. "Did something happen?"

"Possible. How is his work on the pieta going?"

"Probably good. I haven't seen her yet, but Sławek closes up with her and works. I think so."

"That's good" Kowalski sounded relieved.

"Why are you calling? Did something happen?" Konrad repeated the question. The call from an art dealer was actually starting to bother him.

"You know all his sculptures have been bought?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Their merchant appeared in Poland. He is very interested in the rest of the sculptures. And Sławek. He wants to meet him."

The interest in the sculptures was good news, but Sławek? A red warning light came on in Konrad. Someone who bought all the sculptures in bulk (such sculptures!) And wants to meet a young artist simply cannot have pure intentions.

"Why?"

"I do not know, but…"

Kowalski apparently had some suspicions too. His voice was not entirely sure.

"You don't really need to worry," suddenly Henryk sounded more cheerful. "I convinced him that such a meeting would disturb Sławek's creative process, and the client cares about pieta. He shouldn't have bothered him for now. And in the future, who knows, maybe he'll change his mind at all. Anyway, don't tell Sławek that the client wanted to meet him. Why mess with his head?"

"I understand."

"I should come over to you soon for the rest of the figures. My schedule is a bit tight so I'll let you know when I'm free. Fine?"

"Sure. Sławek will be pleased."

Although Kowalski underestimated the problem of possible customer visits at the end of the conversation, Skalski felt that it should not be underestimated. Sławek has attracted the attention of someone wealthy and apparently eccentric, which can be as good for him as it can be very bad. Such an interest in his art and person may turn his head. And the worst thing will be if a young, sensitive artist is seduced by money and the prospect of fame and ends up in the arms of some old slime ...

Bueh… The very thought of it made Skalski feel sick. He imagined an older, bald guy who greedily hugs Sławek ...

No, no, no, he shook his head, pushing away unpleasant thoughts. Domejczuk's works are alluring and intriguing, so is it really so strange that someone wanted to meet the author? There is no need for something unhealthy to follow this interest.

Such Kowalski, for example, was interested in young artists, he met with them, took care of them, but although he was old bachelor, Konrad never, never in his life would accuse him of any inappropriate contacts with one of the artists he looked after. Konrad's mother also recalled that their ancestors ran an open salon in Lviv, helping young artists and had never been involved in any scandal. Yes, people can be accused of the worst, but they can also be trusted.

Anyway, Sławek may be sensitive and a little naive, but he's not stupid. In addition, the issue of debt will surely make him keep his feet firmly on the ground, so even if a merchant shows up with some morally questionable proposition, the boy shouldn't be so fooled at once. Probably Kowalski thought similarly, since he told Skalski not to worry.

But it's true that at this point, the most important thing for Sławek is the pieta. Skalski wondered how the work on it is progressing? Konrad saw the sculpture only twice, but he remembered it perfectly well. She was just beautiful.

Sculptures of this type are not common. The subject matter itself, which was still fashionable in the Renaissance, was rarely seen in churches now. It looked like one of the stations of The Wey of the Cross, a removal from the cross, so I guess the station was enough. Pieta, however, was more intimate, or at least that was how Konrad perceived her. In addition, the material and style of workmanship were also unusual.

Skalski was unfamiliar with sculpture, but all he had seen in wood so far were coarse and bore clear traces of a chisel. Only those by Sławek had realistic smoothness and fluidity. Created by his hands, Mary was alive, and a small earring in her ear made her absolutely unique.

Konrad only broke away from thoughts about Domejczuk and his work when two kids almost ran into him. It was then that he realized that people were watching him curiously. They were smiling. Some of these faces seemed familiar to him, and he figured that in such a small, closed-off community where everyone knew each other, someone new had to be sensational.

A one-off meeting may suggest that he is just a passerby - nothing special - but a second meeting may suggest that he is here more often or for longer, which is already arousing curiosity. However, no one accosted him, only the shop assistant did not ask him about the document when he put beer cans at the cash register.

He wondered if they gossip about him? Do they know that he lives with Sławek, and if so, are they spinning any conspiracy theories about it? Who is this young, handsome boy with the charming eyes? Mysterious stranger ... Skalski felt like James Bond and, feeling into his imaginary role, he started to show more nonchalance and cast a seductive smile to one of the shop assistants, clearly impressing her.

It was nice, as was the whole neighborhood. The village was really charming. Konrad Skalski had seen many beautiful small towns and villages in his life, mainly in Italy, Spain and France, and each was pleasant, but this one here was definitely unique. Those were full of sun and vineyards, olive plantations and orange trees. Those places were exotic, although they were so close to Poland, they had something close, familiar and mysterious at the same time.

The Polish countryside was not the dark romanticism of the North, it was filled with the sun, but the abundance of forests, bushes and ordinary single trees made it easy to find a respite in the shade. In the morning it resounded with the singing of birds that carried on the dew, during the day with the buzzing of insects. The fruit trees bent not under the weight of oranges, but apples, pears, cherries and peaches, showing great variety and abundance - just like in these Sarmatian tales from olden times. The difference was that now this idyll did not concern the nobility, but all.

Of course, there was also hard work, as he had recently found out. Although he did not do anything himself, he saw the dedication that Sławek is working with, just to be able to collect the straw before the rain. He now understood why the others had tried so hard despite the sun and heat that might have caused the stroke. The crops of this land were still bread for the farmer, the only source of income. The idyllic nature of the village mixed with hard work meant that this place had an unusual atmosphere in which Konrad could easily find himself.

With a bag full of groceries, he returned to the Domejczuk family's yard. He immediately noticed a girl under one of the trees, staring at the branches above her head. He knew the little one. It was she who helped with the transport of straw and then brought them soup.

"Hi," he said. "What are you doing?"

"I wanted to pick cherries for jams, but I do not reach for the prettiest."

Only now did he notice that she was carrying a large plastic bucket half filled with juicy, so dark almost brown fruit.

"If you wait a moment, I'll help you," he offered.

"Sure! I'm just taking the groceries in the fridge. Will you wait?"

"Sure! Thank you!"