Soft but Solid by Tatiana Vyuzhanina

Monday was like a far
from gloomy start of a week. Yes, it was usual morning, 7 am, and I was already going down on moving staircase, being determined to the last metro wagon taking me to work. No, I did not feel exhausted, despite the wish to have one more day off. Each time when I am squeezed into the crowd of gray dull faces, it makes me ironically smile. That day, except featureless people around, something soft but solid under my right leg made discomfort to me. Sooner curiosity than uneasy sense pushed me to raise the object of my inconvenience. Five seconds and in my arm I held a dark-red leather wallet. After some time of stupefaction, my being filled with ambitions to find the wallet’s owner.
The whole day at work passed with thoughts about this little thing recently appeared in my bag. I was tormented by the desire to find out what is hidden inside and whom such an important thing belongs to. It happened as an entertainment when I came home and had a cup of hot tea and piece of chocolate cake, and took out a wallet in order to research it better. I lifted it closer and light notes of perfume came to my abyss. Woman. Tenderness and wisdom blended in one smell. It seemed so familiar that my eyes closed reflexively and my mind brought me back to childhood, when I played soccer with bosom friends on yard near my house. Mom. Her deep kind eyes, her hair like ears of wheat. I remember how I used to look forward to her return when she went to work for a long time. I was scary like a little boy to feel her absence. I used to hug the home bathrobe, she always worn, to feel she is near, cause its perfume smelled like her. Smell of her. My interest warmed even more than before and I wanted to see that woman, whose wallet I held. She got the same smell.
After opening the wallet, I felt like a detective trying to figure out the owner due to not many evidences: credit card, money, some business cards and a photo of young girl. The kid on picture seemed cute and innocent that on my face appeared a glimpse of a heartwarming smile. It took me around three hours to face with hope that I will solve that situation, which rapidly kicked in the course of my everyday life.
Two loud beeps and “Hello” in a gentle voice broke from the speaker of my phone.
“Good evening, Madame. Sorry for my late call” I answered with excitement.
“Do not worry. But, um, who is asking?” blandly continued woman’s voice, that I could imagine her gentle smile.
The next day we met. I told her all that funny story happened with me because of her wallet and she laughed. I looked at her and understood that it was not an accident got exactly into that metro wagon. She was like her. She was exactly whom I looked for.