Heaven Tastes Like Peaches

It's a little funny, Konrad thought. Like in some manga, where the hero and the heroine promise to get married in kindergarten and then become a couple in high school. Well, they probably didn't promise each other a marriage (they were boys after all) but still something sparked between them dangerously.

Oh, it sparked and it was very much.

Skalski did not even notice that he smiled like a cat that had just swallowed a canary and the blame fell on the neighbors' dog.

"I think you two get along well," Kowalski said.

"Okay, cool," he admitted and regained his fantasies. Kowalski's visit reminded him of something. "Mr. Henryk, and as for this client..."

"Did he appeared?" the attorney worried.

"No, but... He's not an ordinary customer, is he?"

Kowalski looked into space as if weighing in his head what to answer.

"He's not ordinary," he admitted. "If I say that he is from another world, I will not exaggerate. He has so much money that buying this whole village, indeed commune, is like a snap of a finger for him. He wouldn't even feel a loss in his account."

"Yeah, sure, like some Arab prince," Konrad smiled wryly.

"Exactly. He earns as much a day as I will not earn in a few years. For him, a country sculptor like Sławek is a local curiosity, but if Sławek at this age comes face to face with such a big world and with such money, it may end badly for him."

Konrad was deeply shocked. If he himself were within the reach of such a great world and such money, he would probably have choked on splendor himself, and he was not one of the poorest. Such an Arab prince (are they really like those who walk the earth? It's not a joke or a fairy tale?) Can completely change someone's life. One snap of his fingers is enough for Sławek to forget about his debt forever.

But what would he request in return?

Blood suddenly rushed to Konrad's head. He began to imagine some old, skinny bearded man smiling devilishly at the young, inexperienced Sławek, whose golden hair and blue eyes set in a pale face evoke the most lustful desires. The filthy old guy puts his hand on Sławek's pants...

Oh no! In life!

Konrad gritted his teeth and kept the terrible sight away from his eyes. He won't let anyone get to that treasure. Sławek is only his.

"As soon as he shows up, I fast Kędzior on him," he muttered passionately under his breath.

"What did you say?" the art dealer had clearly missed it.

"E… I asked, do you think we can get the right amount?"

Kowalski nodded.

"Sławek hit the current trends well. Actually, I came for his other works."

"Really?"

"Yes. He is extremely lucky. Not only has he hit a niche, he has a talent that makes his work truly art. This is not easy. As for the money... I'm working on a project that may help him financially, but it's still in its early stages. In fact, you could help me a lot with it."

"I? Really?" Skalski rejoiced. He was surprised, but the prospect of supporting Sławek in another aspect was very attractive. "What can I do?"

"It's about promoting Sławoj's works. There is someone who could help us a lot with this, but the problem is that this person is not convinced of her participation in the project. I'd like you to convince her."

"Me?!" Konrad was completely surprised. "But I can't!"

"Exactly what the person said. You are supporting Sławek at this point, so you cannot deal with the promotion of Sławoj, but you have exceptional competences to persuade someone who will be perfect for this task."

"What are these competences?"

"You're her son."

***

Mrs. Skalska appeared before Sławek's eyes so suddenly that as soon as he heard who she was, he almost fell. If this nice-looking elegant lady had found out what he was doing with her son half an hour earlier, she would probably have had a heart attack. Ashamed, he blushed all over and did not know where to look.

It was even more difficult for him because Konrad's mother turned out to be very polite and nice and from the first meeting she treated him like her own son. Her weather and warmth were the same as those of her son and Sławek immediately felt a certain bond with her. He would have given a lot to go back in time and erase what had happened in the ruins.

However, he could not do that and he had to face reality, that is, that very nice woman who took him to the orchard and began to share with him memories of his grandfather, father and mother. Her stories showed his parents' youth and the love that blossomed between them, like mirabelle trees in early spring. He devoured every word she said, wishing he had spent little more time with his parents, and glad that there was someone who could tell him about them.

"Slawek," she said suddenly after another completed story, "what my husband is doing, I want you to know that I do not approve of it."

The boy shook his head.

"I have no grudge against him. It is obvious that he wants the debt to be paid. It's my grandfather who missed the deadline."

"After all, it all fell on you so suddenly..."

"But it's not your husband's fault. Grandpa didn't tell me anything. I know he meant well, that he didn't want to worry me, but he must have felt bad and suspected that he would not live forever. If he had told me about this debt, we would have thought about paying it off together."

"I think it was only love that caused him. Sławoj has never been very practical."

"It's true," Sławek admitted. "Sometimes I wonder how he was doing before I came to live with him."

***

Krystyna couldn't help but smile at that sweet, young man, who turned out to be her friend's son. In appearance, he was very similar to Julia - just as slender, blue-eyed, blond, blond with some fleeting, ethereal charm. He could easily work as a model to delight countless ladies. He was also strong like Julia, who had to raise her baby son alone after her husband died prematurely. Sławek looked after his old, impractical grandfather.

"You must have helped him a lot," she replied to his last statement. "I wish you could have been more of a child."

"I've always wanted to be an adult," he smiled shyly at her.

And which child does not want, she thought, remembering how adult and responsible Konrad now feels. He even looked more mature now. He grew up after meeting Sławek, a boy who at a young age was greatly affected by the losses of his loved ones and now fought with all his might to save his heritage, otherwise he would be left without a roof over his head.

"Well, it's not a bit," he admitted.

"Konrad does not bother you? He's a little spoiled, but he's a good boy."

"No, no," Sławek said quickly. He blushed and looked away from her.

Have the boys had an argument lately? Or maybe her son is teasing Sławek in some way?

"If he misbehaves, just throw him out," she advised.

"No, no," he repeated. "Really, everything is fine. At least," he lowered his voice, "I'm not alone.".

Krystyna felt her eyes moisten. Without asking, she embraced the boy and hugged him like her own son.

"You may find it strange because you see me for the first time in your life, but I was really close to your mother. Like sisters. That's why I think of you as my nephew. That's why I feel so bad at the thought that my husband is putting such pressure on you. I wish you too would think of me as family. How about an aunt. Therefore, let me pay back the missing amount for you."

"Thank you," Sławek replied, "but that won't be necessary. I mean…"