Su lax score. Syracuse vs Duke Men’s Lacrosse 2023: A Thrilling Match-up

How did the Syracuse vs Duke men’s lacrosse game unfold in 2023. What were the key moments and standout performances in this intense collegiate rivalry. Who emerged victorious in this high-stakes Atlantic Coast Conference showdown.

Game Overview: Syracuse Takes on Duke in ACC Lacrosse Clash

On April 29, 2023, the Syracuse Orange men’s lacrosse team faced off against the Duke Blue Devils in a highly anticipated Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchup. The game took place at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, with 2,977 spectators in attendance. This clash between two lacrosse powerhouses promised to be an exciting affair, showcasing some of the best talent in collegiate lacrosse.

First Quarter Fireworks: A Back-and-Forth Battle

The game started with a bang as both teams came out firing. Duke’s Dyson Williams opened the scoring at the 13:48 mark, assisted by Aidan Danenza. Syracuse quickly responded, with Alex Simmons finding the net just 33 seconds later, assisted by Michael Leo.

The first quarter continued to be a seesaw battle:

• Brennan O’Neill put Duke back in front at 8:28
• Joey Spallina equalized for Syracuse at 7:54
• Andrew McAdorey gave Duke the lead again at 7:18
• Griffin Cook tied it up for Syracuse at 5:39

In the final minutes of the quarter, Duke managed to pull ahead with goals from McAdorey and Tommy Schelling, ending the period with a 5-3 lead.

Who were the standout performers in the first quarter?

Andrew McAdorey of Duke stood out with two goals, while Syracuse’s balanced attack saw goals from three different players: Alex Simmons, Joey Spallina, and Griffin Cook.

Second Quarter Surge: Duke Extends Their Lead

The second quarter began with Duke looking to build on their advantage. Dyson Williams struck again for the Blue Devils at the 14:01 mark, extending their lead to 6-3. However, Syracuse refused to go quietly, mounting a comeback effort:

1. Luke Rhoa scored for Syracuse at 9:17, assisted by Owen Hiltz
2. Cole Kirst found the net at 8:24, with Alex Simmons providing the assist
3. Luke Rhoa notched his second goal at 6:49, bringing Syracuse level at 6-6

Just when it seemed Syracuse had regained momentum, Duke unleashed a devastating run to close out the half:

• Charles Balsamo scored at 6:07, assisted by Andrew McAdorey
• Brennan O’Neill added two quick goals at 5:53 and 5:10

This late surge gave Duke a commanding 9-6 lead heading into halftime.

What tactical adjustments led to Duke’s second-quarter dominance?

Duke’s ability to win face-offs and control possession played a crucial role in their second-quarter success. Additionally, their efficient shooting and ability to capitalize on Syracuse’s defensive lapses allowed them to build a significant lead.

Key Players: Impact Performers Shaping the Game

Several players made their presence felt throughout the first half:

Duke Blue Devils:

• Brennan O’Neill: 3 goals
• Andrew McAdorey: 2 goals, 1 assist
• Dyson Williams: 2 goals

Syracuse Orange:

• Luke Rhoa: 2 goals
• Alex Simmons: 1 goal, 1 assist
• Joey Spallina: 1 goal

These players’ performances were instrumental in shaping the flow and outcome of the game.

Statistical Breakdown: Analyzing the Numbers

While the full box score is not provided, we can infer some key statistics based on the scoring summary:

• Total Goals: Duke 9, Syracuse 6
• Assists: Duke 4, Syracuse 3
• Shot Efficiency: Both teams demonstrated high-level finishing, with multiple players scoring on unassisted efforts

How did face-off dominance impact the game’s momentum?

Although specific face-off statistics are not provided, Duke’s ability to go on scoring runs, particularly in the second quarter, suggests they may have had an advantage in this crucial aspect of the game. Winning face-offs allows a team to control possession and dictate the pace of play, which Duke seemed to do effectively.

Tactical Analysis: Strategies and Adjustments

Both teams showcased their offensive prowess throughout the first half, but Duke’s ability to make key adjustments proved crucial:

• Syracuse’s balanced scoring attack kept them competitive early on
• Duke’s transition game and quick-strike capability allowed them to build leads
• The Blue Devils’ defense tightened up in the latter part of the second quarter, limiting Syracuse’s opportunities

What defensive strategies did Duke employ to stifle Syracuse’s offense?

Duke likely focused on limiting Syracuse’s assisted goals, forcing them into more challenging one-on-one situations. Their ability to cause turnovers and quickly transition to offense also put pressure on Syracuse’s defense, leading to scoring opportunities.

Venue and Atmosphere: Koskinen Stadium’s Impact

Koskinen Stadium, with its capacity crowd of 2,977, provided an electric atmosphere for this ACC showdown. The home-field advantage for Duke may have played a role in their strong performance, especially during their second-quarter run.

How does the venue’s layout and crowd support influence the game?

Koskinen Stadium’s intimate setting allows for a passionate crowd to have a significant impact on the game’s energy. The close proximity of fans to the field can boost the home team’s morale while potentially intimidating visiting players, affecting their decision-making and performance.

Looking Ahead: Second Half Expectations

As the teams headed into halftime with Duke leading 9-6, both squads faced crucial decisions and adjustments for the second half:

• Syracuse needed to find a way to slow Duke’s offense and create more high-percentage scoring opportunities
• Duke aimed to maintain their momentum and continue their efficient shooting
• Face-offs and possession time would likely play a crucial role in determining the final outcome

What key adjustments might Syracuse make to mount a comeback?

Syracuse could focus on improving their face-off success rate to gain more possessions. Additionally, tightening up their defense and looking for more assisted goals could help them close the gap. Utilizing their depth and potentially changing up their offensive sets could also catch Duke off guard.

As the second half approached, fans eagerly anticipated whether Syracuse could mount a comeback or if Duke would continue their dominant performance. The intensity of this ACC rivalry ensured that regardless of the final score, spectators were in for a thrilling conclusion to this high-stakes lacrosse battle.

Men’s Lacrosse vs Duke on 4/29/2023 – Box Score

Box Score

Date:

4/29/2023

Start:

12 p.m.

Time:

2:13

Attendance:

2977

Location:

Durham, N.C.

Stadium:

Koskinen Stadium

Officials:

Brian Abbott; Christopher Bynum; Derek Murray; Meredith Rieder

VIEW

Match History vs Duke University

Scoring Summary

Penalty Summary

Penalty Summary

Per. /Time	Team	Period	Time	Player	Min	Type
2nd – 03:13		2nd	03:13	Leo, Michael	01:00	UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS
2nd – 03:13		2nd	03:13	Rice, Carter	00:30	OFFSIDE
4th – 14:05		4th	14:05	Jake Caputo	01:00	“> SLASHING
4th – 10:31		4th	10:31	Aviles, Brandon	01:00	SLASHING
4th – 04:20		4th	04:20	Thomson, Finn	01:00	CROSS-CHECK
4th – 02:45		4th	02:45	Aidan Maguire	01:00	“> UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
4th – 01:26		4th	01:26	Dwan, Billy	01:00	UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS
4th – 01:26		4th	01:26	Caccamo, Nick	01:00	UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
4th – 00:32		4th	00:32	Charles Balsamo	01:00	“> UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

syracuse Vs maryland Lacrosse Scores & Stats 2023

syracuse
VS
maryland

FINAL

syracuse
–
12

maryland
–
15

• Scoring

• Jackson Birtwistle
  (
  3
  ,
  0
  )
• Owen Hiltz
  (
  1
  ,
  2
  )
• Michael Leo
  (
  2
  ,
  0
  )
• Joey Spallina
  (
  1
  ,
  1
  )
• Alex SIMMONS
  (
  1
  ,
  0
  )
• Luke Rhoa
  (
  1
  ,
  0
  )
• Griffin Cook
  (
  1
  ,
  0
  )
• Jake Murphy
  (
  1
  ,
  0
  )
• Cole Kirst
  (
  1
  ,
  0
  )
• Finn Thomson
  (
  0
  ,
  1
  )

• Daniel Kelly
  (
  4
  ,
  2
  )
• Jack Koras
  (
  3
  ,
  1
  )
• Kyle Long
  (
  2
  ,
  2
  )
• Owen Murphy
  (
  2
  ,
  1
  )
• Dante Trader
  (
  2
  ,
  0
  )
• Daniel Maltz
  (
  1
  ,
  1
  )
• John Geppert
  (
  1
  ,
  0
  )
• Eric Spanos
  (
  0
  ,
  1
  )
• Braden Erksa
  (
  0
  ,
  1
  )
• Luke Wierman
  (
  0
  ,
  1
  )

• Shots

• Jackson Birtwistle
  6
• Owen Hiltz
  3
• Michael Leo
  2
• Joey Spallina
  5
• Alex SIMMONS
  3
• Luke Rhoa
  2
• Griffin Cook
  3
• Jake Murphy
  1
• Cole Kirst
  1
• Max Rosa
  3
• Paul Lamonaca
  1

• Daniel Kelly
  12
• Jack Koras
  3
• Kyle Long
  4
• Owen Murphy
  7
• Dante Trader
  4
• Daniel Maltz
  6
• John Geppert
  1
• Eric Spanos
  7
• Braden Erksa
  3
• Ajax Zappitello
  2
• Marco Signorello
  1

• Ground Balls

• Owen Hiltz
  1
• Griffin Cook
  1
• Caden Kol
  2
• Max Rosa
  2
• Johnny Richiusa
  3
• Landon Clary
  4
• Nick Caccamo
  3
• Saam Olexo
  4
• Dylan Sageder
  1
• Will Mark
  4

• Ground Balls

• Daniel Kelly
  5
• Jack Koras
  1
• Kyle Long
  1
• Dante Trader
  3
• John Geppert
  3
• Eric Spanos
  1
• Braden Erksa
  2
• Luke Wierman
  12
• Donovan Lacey
  1
• Colin Burlace
  2
• Nick Redd
  1
• Brett Makar
  5
• Ajax Zappitello
  4
• Jack Brennan
  1
• Jack McDonald
  2
• Teddy Dolan
  2

• Turnovers

• Owen Hiltz
  1
• Michael Leo
  2
• Joey Spallina
  2
• Alex SIMMONS
  4
• Billy Dwan
  1
• Johnny Richiusa
  3
• Saam Olexo
  1
• Will Mark
  1

• Turnovers

• Jack Koras
  1
• Kyle Long
  3
• Owen Murphy
  3
• Daniel Maltz
  1
• John Geppert
  1
• Braden Erksa
  3
• Eric Kolar
  1
• Ajax Zappitello
  3
• Jack Brennan
  1

• Caused Turnovers

• Joey Spallina
  1
• Jake Murphy
  1
• Caden Kol
  2
• Nick Caccamo
  2
• Saam Olexo
  2

• Caused Turnovers

• Kyle Long
  1
• Dante Trader
  1
• Luke Wierman
  1
• Brett Makar
  1
• Ajax Zappitello
  3
• Jack McDonald
  2

• Faceoffs Won

• Johnny Richiusa
  7

• Faceoffs Won

• Luke Wierman
  24

• Faceoffs Taken

• Gavin Gibbs
  1
• Johnny Richiusa
  30

• Faceoffs Taken

• Luke Wierman
  31

• Saves

• Will Mark
  18
  (
  0. 55
  )

• Saves

• Teddy Dolan
  9
  (
  0.43
  )

• Current Records

• syracuse
  8
  –
  7

• Current Records

• maryland
  8
  –
  7

Calorie lax. Chemical composition and nutritional value.

Chemical composition and nutritional analysis

Nutritional value and chemical composition

“lax” .

The table shows the content of nutrients (calories, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals) per 100 grams of the edible part.

Nutrient	Number	Norm**	% of normal in 100 g	% of the norm in 100 kcal	100% normal
Calories	182 kcal	1684 kcal	10. 8%	5.9%	925 g
Proteins	20 g	76 g	26.3%	14.5%	380 g
Fats	11.2 g	56 g	20%	11%	500 g
Carbohydrates	0.2 g	219 g	0.1%	0.1%	109500 g
Vitamins
Vitamin E, alpha tocopherol, TE	2. 39 mg	15 mg	15.9%	8.7%	628 g
Macronutrients
Magnesium, Mg	23 mg	400 mg	5.8%	3.2%	1739
Sodium, Na	7.62 mg	1300 mg	0.6%	0. 3%	17060
Trace elements
Iodine, I	0.06 mcg	150 mcg			250000 g

The energy value of lax is 182 kcal.

Primary source: Created in the application by the user. More.

** This table shows the average norms of vitamins and minerals for an adult. If you want to know the norms based on your gender, age and other factors, then use the application
“My Healthy Diet”

lax is rich in vitamins and minerals such as:
vitamin E – 15. 9%

• Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, is necessary for the functioning of the sex glands, heart muscle, is a universal stabilizer of cell membranes. With a deficiency of vitamin E, hemolysis of erythrocytes and neurological disorders are observed.

You can find a complete guide to the healthiest foods in the My Healthy Diet app.

Calorie content and chemical composition of other products

• Barley oats
• oatmeal
• cottage cheese 0% president
• Minestrone soup
• activia 9 yoghurt0181
• Salmon meat aquaculture
• honey cake
• drinking yoghurt 2%
• noodles with vegetables
• Nesquik sweets
• Anniversary traditional cookies
• Milk chocolate “Yashkino” with pineapple
• Beer “Obolon” light
• Puree 24. 10
• cottage cheese Vitebsk 1%
• Curd casserole with raisins
• Black raisins
• Romashkino cream 20%
• cocoa gold label
• Cake House
• Whole Grain Bread “Amateur”
• Salad with capelin
• Rosehip syrup natural
• Stewed carp
• leaf spinach Vitamin
• cod liver Red price
• low-fat cottage cheese
• oatmeal
• cottage cheese
• fiber rye
• cheese sandwich
• processed cheese – my recipe
• pilaf with chicken and mushrooms
• amlet with milk
• Boiled veal
• Gomel honey bread
• flakes 5 cereals
• oatmeal
• Baklava
• risotto
• sorbet
• funchose according to box
• aspic
• roll almi
• Gilde Beef Chop
• Georgian salad
• baked potato
• homemade champignons
• kissel
• Apple_chips (20g pack)
• jelly dry
• Fluffy pancakes
• Crispy muesli bar with apple
• cod soup in tomato sauce
• Bulgarian pasta
• cod liver salad
• buckwheat porridge
• Diet mashed potatoes
• Salad
• breast in yogurt
• Cod fillet in foil
• mackerel
• oatmeal
• hot dog Bavaria
• pumpkin porridge with millet on the water
• Ukrainian eggplants in adjika melena
• New recipe
• Martini
• Cod liver salad
• Bread “Kefir”
• lebkuchen strunz
• turkey and spinach roll
• Vegetable mix from 10/25/14
• smoked ribs
• Cheesecakes on quail eggs with bran
• buckwheat soup
• Curd casserole. Option 2.
• 2014-10-24 Tomato stew
• Mozzarella Bonfesto in brine
• dumplings with potatoes
• Millet 2
• squid salad
• trout soup
• green salad
• Porridge Wheat with Pear
• Durum wheat spaghetti – cooked (makfa)
• Fazer Liqueur Fills
• whole grain bread
• Chicken cutlets
• red bean and squid salad
• my croutons
• banana mousse
• banana mousse
• vitamins A to zinc
• winter salad
• bystrov with raspberries
• New product
• pancakes
• peptamen
• marinated squid

org/BreadcrumbList”/> Tags:

lacs

Calculators

Read online “Get Away from You”, Irene Lux – Litres

Prologue

It is already late evening outside the window… The whole body is aching with fatigue, and the head is buzzing like a disturbed beehive. Too many impressions for the last few days. I don’t know how miraculously I’m still on my feet. Did the liters of coffee you drink do the trick? Or enthusiasm, coupled with stubbornness and hopelessness ..? I just don’t have the moral right to be sloppy. Especially now, when a spark of hope appeared ahead and circumstances began to take shape in my favor.

I would like to stretch out on level ground, even on the floor, without a single movement, but I still need to collect toys and wash the dishes that have gathered all day. With toys, I cope in two counts. Now, when the little robber is calmly snoring, it is not difficult to remove the disgrace. And I wash the dishes automatically, without thinking about my actions. I dry my hands on a towel. That’s enough for today, I look at the phone screen. 23-45. No, I smile. It’s not even evening, but night … The phone slips out of wet fingers and falls to the floor. And in the message box that opens, I see the text:

“Well, bitch, did you get a good job at the new place?”

I’m pierced through with fear, and my forehead is covered with cold perspiration. As if in reality, I hear his voice and see the look of dark brown eyes: one eye is screwed up a little more than the other, and this look does not bode well for me. I freeze in place without moving and stare at the phone screen without blinking until it goes blank. I gather my courage and lift it with trembling fingers, inhale until my chest hurts and open the message. The letters dance like crazy in front of my eyes, and only a minute later it dawns on me that this is an old message. I look at the date, peering over and over again at the numbers that have passed into the past, and I sigh with relief. A huge stone falls from my soul. I thought I had already erased all the messages from the phone memory. Destroyed all his angry messages, obscene, breathing malice and hatred. But it turns out that among the weather reports and advertising mailings, one thing was lost that frightened me, like a draft that suddenly opened a closed window.

I delete the message and scroll down the message feed to make sure there is nothing else. One single omission, an unfortunate inattention on my part. I put the phone aside and repeat to myself that he doesn’t care about me and Sashenka. All in the past. I convince myself of the correctness of this statement until it becomes an axiom, and straighten the blanket that has slipped down, which covers the sleeping son.

Chapter 1

I have never experienced panic or fear in the face of crowded cities. Growing up in a small town of barely fifty thousand living souls, I absorbed the noise and rhythm of the big city where I happened to study with curiosity and a thirst for new things. Big… I laugh… Compared to the cities I’ve visited before, the current one seems just huge. Over a million inhabitants. Just think… And now, having stepped off the train, standing at the station, I feel some kind of inexplicable horror in front of the crowded indifferent crowd. Waves of people rushing around me, frozen motionless, like a cliff. Fear. Sticky, nasty to the point of madness, it climbs up the legs, penetrating under the skin. I hear his raspy voice and feel him scratching inside me, carving out a place for himself. He whispers to me that it’s useless. You are all alone… You have no one to rely on… Drive away and hide in a corner without sticking your nose out…

– Maaaam…

The warm hand in my hand squeezes a little tighter. Sashenka tightly grabs my fingers, pulling me out of the terrible paws of a nightmarish obsession with one of his touches. One gesture of a three-year-old child drives away the clouds and fills me with determination.

– Let’s go. ..

I put my backpack on my back and grab my bag. You need to move away, get your phone and call your great aunt. She promised to meet me at the station. The train was a little delayed on the way, but I don’t see Aunt Nadya in the crowd that has gathered. I put Sashenka on a bench, taking out his favorite toy from my backpack. He joyfully hugs the blue police car from the cartoon “Robocar Poli” and starts buzzing under his breath.

Beeps, beeps, beeps… I’ve been trying to get through for five minutes now, but I hear only indifferent beeps. Finally, Aunt Nadia picks up the phone.

– Hello…

The voice sounds unhappy, but I try not to pay attention to such trifles.

– Good evening, Aunt Nadia. And I arrived, waiting for you at the station.

– Kat, is that you? Well, congratulations, congratulations… And I thought that you were jokingly saying that you were going to move…

– No, – I forced a smile in response, – what jokes? We talked last week. ..

“Ahhh…” Aunt Nadia draws. And is silent.

I swear to myself. I am aware that Aunt Nadia is not eager to see her niece and son on the threshold of her house, but didn’t she herself agree to meet me, cordially declaring at the funeral, they say, it will be difficult – come, we are not strangers for tea. Not strangers. No. But sometimes relatives seem further and more incomprehensible than the seemingly stranger himself. And after all, I didn’t come like a bolt from the blue, but called up in advance, having secured her consent. But now I understand that it was only elementary politeness, no more …

I don’t like to ask… And in my head are the words of a mother whispering in an undertone: “Ask and you will be given, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. whoever knocks will be opened.” (The Holy Gospel of Matthew 7:7,8)

All of you will perish with your sermons!.. I inhale deeply and say as calmly as possible:

– So you won’t meet me as agreed? I’m sitting with Sashenka at the station. ..

– I would like your worries, – my aunt reluctantly squeezes out of herself, – up to my neck. And the son was already tired of walking with friends …

“OK,” I agree, and add before she turns off, “if you can’t do it, then I’ll drive myself.” Just tell me the exact address…

I brush aside the scraps of my pride and push my shyness and bashfulness far away. We spent three days on the train. I have a three year old child in my arms. It’s already half past ten in the evening, he’s hungry and wants to sleep.

– So you came to live with me? – Aunt Nadia is amazed.

“Don’t live,” I answer as peacefully as possible, “Aunt Nadia… We agreed that you and your son would meet me at the station… It’s already late now, Sashenka is tired. I do not know the city at all and I have nowhere to stay except at your place. I won’t stay with you for long. I would just like to sleep.

“I myself have seven shops…” the aunt squeezes out reluctantly.

“Mom said that you can be relied upon,” I do not back down. It may not be very good to hide behind the words of the deceased, but there is no other way out.

“Okay,” Aunt Nadya agrees with a sigh, “I’ll put you in for the night. Still not strangers…

She gives me the address and hangs up. We are not strangers. No. But I have to upholster thresholds as if I were a parasite or a leech who wants to cling to her forever and ever.

The taxi driver drops us off at a high-rise apartment building. New building, actively inhabited by residents. The intercom in an indifferent voice asks who we are and lets us inside. The elevator instantly takes me and my son to the sixth floor. And we find ourselves in front of the door of Aunt Nadia’s apartment. She doesn’t open the door for a long time. As if he did not hear the trill of the doorbell. But I get the impression that she is standing near the door, contemplating whether to let us on the threshold or not.

Lock clatter – door opens.

– Well, hello!..

A hurried dry kiss on the cheek and a distant hug that smells of indifference. Sashenka gets a little more indulgence, but he is not particularly welcome either. The son, as if feeling the mood, kisses my leg, hiding his face.

– So big – and a nurse, – Aunt Nadia grins, – come in, make yourself comfortable …

I carefully put our shoes on the shelf and put our bags in the corridor as inconspicuously as possible. I wash Sashenka, noting how tired, a little dazed his eyes are.

“We’ve already had dinner… We weren’t expecting guests,” Aunt Nadya says a little abruptly, frozen in the corridor leading to the kitchen. She seems to be afraid of the invasion of two alien termites on her territory and is preparing to defend her property from strangers.

– Thank you for that. You can just put the kettle on, at least I’ll steam the porridge, feed my son.

Aunt Nadia nods in agreement, letting us go ahead. She puts a couple of cups and mugs on the table, takes a couple of slices of bread from the breadbasket onto a plate and dives into the refrigerator so hastily, blocking the doors with her body, that it becomes ridiculous to me. I do not have time to suppress a chuckle and hug Sasha to me, as if rejoicing at something he said or did. Another carton of milk and a butter dish with a couple of pieces of cheese under a glass lid appear on the table.

– Thank you…

I go into the corridor and take out packs of porridge from my backpack, which do not need to be boiled, but only poured with boiling water.

“I won’t have porridge,” Sasha frowns. He pronounces the words so funny, not yet pronouncing all the letters. “N-a buuu kau” – comes out of him.

– It is necessary, the sun. And then we’ll lie down to rest…

Sashenka grimaces, his chin begins to tremble. There are trembling pools of tears in brown eyes.

– Capricious? asks Aunt Nadya, who is standing by the window.

“Tired,” I retort. Sashenka does not hysteria and does not yell with a good obscenity, she whimpers softly, burying her face in my chest. He refuses to eat porridge, fed up with these several days of travel. Spreads a spoon on a plate, picks and hardly eats a couple of spoons.

“I’ll make a bed for you in the hall,” sighs Aunt Nadya and goes home, rattles for a long time in the pantry and appears in the corridor with a cot in her hands.

My aunt’s three-room apartment is spacious. Two large bedrooms and a huge hall. She lives here with her husband and three children, the eldest of whom is now eighteen. Aunt Nadia’s husband, Mikhail, judging by her story, is now on duty, will return in a couple of days … There is enough space, but Aunt Nadia allocates a folding bed for my son and me, covering it with a mattress and a thin flannelette blanket.

– I can’t put a bed in another place. The girls sleep separately. My back hurts. And the son usually sleeps on the couch in the hall.

“Mom, Pashka said that today he will spend the night at Vitka’s,” the middle daughter Nastya speaks from the bathroom.

“You know a lot,” Aunt Nadya scolds her, “he didn’t tell me anything like that…

I wash Sashenka, who is already almost asleep in my arms, and put her on a folding bed, and I myself lie down on the floor next to me. For some time the TV is on in the house, and then the aunt turns it off. And the apartment is drowning in the night, viscous darkness, burying everyone under a thick veil.

Chapter 2

Pashka never showed up at night. The sofa rose invitingly off the floor. But I didn’t want to occupy the territory on my own. I’ll manage. You never know what kind of grimace will be displayed on the face of the aunt if she notices an unauthorized invader.

Early morning ruthlessly breaks into consciousness with a loud clatter of dishes in the kitchen and the sound of a running mixer. I’m not the only one awakened. The disgruntled and sleepy youngest daughter, Anyuta, who recently turned ten, walks into the kitchen.

– Mom, it’s holidays now…

– Of course, my bunny. Go sleep.

“And you’re rattling…” Anyuta draws capriciously.

– Be patient. You asked for pancakes yesterday.

– I didn’t ooo in the morning, I wanted to in the evening…

– That’s it, go to the bedroom and close the door if the noise bothers you…

The aunt’s next words are drowned in the roar of a powerful mixer. Sasha shudders uneasily in her sleep. I, unlike Anyuta, cannot close the door to reduce the noise level – there is simply no door in the hall.

– Good morning! – I say to my aunt as affably as possible. She pretends not to hear me, pressing the mixer button again. I patiently wait for her to finish whipping the dough and repeat the greeting.

“Good,” she grins and turns her back. A frying pan is already heating up on the stove. And after a couple of minutes, the first portion of the dough is poured onto the bottom of the pan.

– How did you sleep in the new place? Did the grooms dream? – ironic aunt.

– Like falling into a well. I didn’t dream of anything.

This is a lie. I could not fall asleep for a long time, lying on the cold floor, feeling the hard fibers of the synthetic carpet digging into my body. Above me, over and over again, the dark grinning sky toppled over, crushing me from above with a thick layer of doubt. Sometimes it became difficult to breathe, the air became heavy, as if made of transparent cast iron, and pressed painfully on the chest. The dream was short and jittery, now and then interrupted by the feeling that an abyss was opening up under me and I was flying down, unable to hold on to the razor-sharp edges of reality. Only the calm breathing of my son pulled me out of the icy paws of the nightmare and reminded me of the other side, the bright side, for which it is worth living and fighting with all your might.

– So, you had a good rest and gained strength… Will you stay with us for a long time?

– To Novosib?.. Haven’t decided yet, but would like to settle in one place.

– Where are you going to live? – the aunt asks sharply, scraping the first pancake from the bottom of the pan.

– I will look for housing. Hope to rent an apartment soon.

– That is, until that moment you hope to stay with us? – the remains of the burnt pancake fly into the trash can.

“I don’t want to embarrass you,” I smile.

– Of course. We have a mouth full of our worries. Why didn’t you live there, in the same place? After all, everything was. ..

– Circumstances have turned out this way, Aunt Nadya.

– Circumstances… You rich people cannot be understood! – the aunt grunts under her breath and continues to struggle with the pancake dough.

I ignore her injection. I don’t care about her opinion, superficial and wrong. I train myself not to react to the opinions of others. It doesn’t always work out, but I try.

– This is how all pancakes will burn. The dough is too runny. Add more flour, aunt Nagy.

She looks over her shoulder at me with displeasure, but still reaches for the flour, pours in one handful and stirs it again. The new pancake is again fried in the pan.

– Let me.

I don’t have enough time to watch how my aunt translates the dough. She reluctantly hands me the bowl and sits down at the kitchen table, watching my movements intently.

– Will you start looking for an apartment today? she asks after a couple of minutes.

– Yes, as soon as Sasha wakes up, I feed him and start searching.

– Will you carry him around the city with him?

– I wanted to leave him here. Are the girls still at home?

The aunt purses her lips in displeasure.

– We have enough worries of our own, we wanted to go to the store today…

I smile to myself. She does not want to see me and my son in her apartment. Wouldn’t it be easier to open the door wide open and ask them to get out somewhere?

– Do you need a one-room apartment? – decides to continue the conversation aunt.

– Of course, why do we two have a mansion?

I remove the pancake from the pan, golden, warm, with openwork edges.

– You make good pancakes. I never get out the first time. I’m translating a bunch of dough…

My aunt is silent, and then she speaks a little more softly.

– I rent an apartment, I got it from my grandmother. One-room Khrushchev. The area is certainly not central. She is now empty. If you want, I can give it to you.

– Thank you! – I smile, one less problem. And it’s not a stranger who will have to rent housing ….

– We can go after lunch. See if it fits or not. But I say right away – do not wait for European-quality repairs. And you have to get out. The previous tenants moved out as if they were in a hurry to the fire…

– All right, all right. And how much will you have to pay?

Aunt Nadia names the price without hesitation. Judging by the ads that I looked at while riding the train, the price is not below the market level. Even a little more. My aunt correctly interprets my confusion.

– So you need a residence permit? With a residence permit is always more expensive …

– Yes. I would like a residence permit.

– Then only this option. Here, in this apartment, I will not enter you and your son, excuse me. I help as much as I can…

Well, thanks for that too. I am aware that she could not even do the minuscule thing that she is offering me now. Indeed, in fact, we saw my aunt only a few times in our lives, at common family celebrations or funerals. That’s why I accept the offer.

The apartment is located in one of the sleeping areas of the city, as far as I can tell. We get there for a long time, even though my aunt has her own car. My aunt was not lying – the apartment really needs cleaning. It feels like a herd of untidy pigs lived here – dishes sour in the sink, stains on the table, and footprints on the floor. There is some furniture, all from Soviet times. The same ancient refrigerator and an old washing machine.

– There is no phone or internet. TV too, – says the aunt, watching me walk around the apartment, – but the apartment is dry and warm, not a corner one. Yes, and the floor is normal, the third…

I nod in agreement. I decide to stay here, clean out this viper as soon as possible, tear everything out and bring Sasha. I don’t want to live on my aunt’s mercy even for a couple of days.

– Okay, I agree. I’ll put things in order – and it will be more pleasant to be here.

– Well, that is, that is, – the aunt draws and hurriedly adds, – only an advance payment for two months in advance is needed . ..

I didn’t expect anything else, to be honest. Already from the first phone call, it became clear that the aunt just did not intend to help. We discuss the details for a few more minutes, and then we leave the apartment. My aunt intends to cook everything up as quickly as possible, and I support her in this decision…

Chapter 3

I did not leave my son at my aunt’s house. As soon as the paperwork was over, she took her son and went to explore new housing. He’ll have to mess with me while I clean up. And he is happy with all this – he runs around the apartment with a wet rag, waving it over all surfaces. For him, the whole world is still a huge and fun playground. And involuntarily I am infected by his good mood and sunny smile.

After an hour and a half, a knock on the battery is heard. Someone unhappily beats on the cast-iron sections, and after a few minutes there is a knock on the door. An old woman stands on the threshold, pursing her lips in displeasure.

– New lodgers, or what?

– Hello to you too. To what do I owe this honor?

– Is this a rumble around here? It’s as if a herd of elephants is running overhead … I’ll complain to the district police officer about the illegally residing tenants, the old woman points in my direction with a manicured finger.

– Complain. We are registered here. It won’t be too hard to check. This is all? Or is there something else you wanted to say?

– Don’t make noise. You make it difficult for people to live peacefully.

– At four o’clock in the afternoon? Now, if you hear noise at the wrong time, then come. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I don’t have time to talk to you.

I don’t listen to what else the neighbor is going to say and close the door. I don’t like apartment buildings for this very reason. There will always be someone whom you interfere with living, even if the only source of sound in the apartment is the rattling refrigerator. The harmful old woman will have to get used to a new source of noise, which is a normally developing three-year-old child. I’m not going to shush Sashenka or tell him to sit still just because some old woman is disturbed by the clatter of children’s feet, which is heard not so often.

The day flies by. And by ten o’clock in the evening, the son turns off sitting at the kitchen table with a spoon in his hands. I carefully transfer him to the sofa, covering him with a thin quilt. And I turn in my head a list of what else needs to be done, bought, brought into a divine form. The list is huge. I want to cover everything at once, bringing it to perfection. But then I urge myself to stop with the Napoleonic plans. Stop, take a breath and focus on what is really important and necessary in the first place.

For a brief moment I am overcome with panic and a wave of doubt. I don’t know anyone in this huge city. Aunt? Doesn’t count. It is unlikely that you can get sensible advice from her. Will I be able to settle down and settle down here? Wouldn’t it have been better to stay there, in his native town. And then I answer myself – no, not better. The last events leading up to my departure flash through my head, and I sigh with relief. Compared to those problems, the current ones seem like a trifle, childish babble. I can handle. At least for Sashenka’s sake. I have no right to give up and feel sorry for myself or fantasize about the impossible.

***

First of all, I arrange for Sasha to go to kindergarten. The choice is huge, but I need such a garden to pick up my son after seven. Hoping to find a job. After several days of wandering around the area, I opt for a private kindergarten. It only takes a couple of stops on the bus. Sasha went to kindergarten before, but that was not here. I worry about how he will settle in a new place and whether he will like it there. The first day I stand idle for a short couple of hours in the courtyard of the kindergarten, barely able to resist going in and seeing how he is there. It does not do without tears and small whims. But by the end of the first week, Sashenka is happy to go to kindergarten in the morning. He grabs his backpack and pulls on his shoes, confusing his left foot with his right, sniffs with zeal and funnyly wipes his nose with his fist.

– Maaa, let’s go! – he impatiently stomps near the door and runs down the stairs almost skipping. I am pleased to look at him, so joyful and carefree. The heart is filled with quiet joy and faith in the best. It’s probably a little wrong to draw strength and confidence from such a small crumb. And I am aware that I stay afloat only because I have it. Otherwise, I would have vegetated in the black fog of depression.

One day my aunt comes to the apartment. Allegedly on a visit, but she looks around the apartment with a tenacious glance.

– Well, it became so good in the apartment, it’s clean … The main thing is that your Sasha doesn’t draw on the walls. And then the wallpaper is a pity …

I smile to myself – the wallpaper is long overdue for replacement. They lag behind the wall below, and bubble in some places.

– Don’t worry, Aunt Nadia. If Sasha paints the wallpaper, I’ll paste new ones.

– In principle, if you want, you can replace it right now. You rent an apartment for a long time, not for a couple of months. You don’t care to live here…

I nod in agreement and hasten to change the topic before my aunt charges me with cosmetic repairs. I’m not up to it now. I am trying to find a job, but there are few suitable options. Like my work experience. Virtually zero. I devoted most of my time to my family and there was no time left for work …

– Aren’t you going to get along with yours? – Aunt’s question brings me out of my thoughts.

“No,” I answer. It comes out abruptly, but I can’t do otherwise, – why do you ask?

– Yes, just like that. How long has it been since the divorce? Six months..?

“Seven months,” I smile. Adding to himself: seven months and one week. Every day it goes further and further.

– And how? Not bored? Not pulling home?

– No, it doesn’t. My home is where Sashenka is.

I don’t understand what all these questions are about. After all, she had never been interested in this before, she was on duty asking “how are you?” and that was where her attention to my family life ended. And now she’s just bursting with curiosity.

– Many of them will scatter in different directions, push around one by one, and then converge again …

The proposal hangs in the air. The intonation is set half affirmative, half interrogative. She seems to be trying to ask me and convince me of the correctness of her words.

– That’s right, Aunt Nadia. And even more of those who do not disperse, but live and tolerate each other, cultivating hatred. It’s best to leave before it’s too late.

Aunt chuckles and starts a song about her family life, telling how they almost got divorced. And the message is the same again – endure, fall in love, close your eyes to what does not suit you, and live on.

I fundamentally disagree with her.