For my father, the locals would say that the good soul is of a man. I would add - it used to be. The combination of circumstances affected the person, life simply did not follow the desired course. Mostly because of that damned war that caught him while he was in the fourth grade of high school electrical engineering. He never even graduated, he didn't need to. After the war, he got a job because he participated in it. He thought that he would work until his retirement in that now-defunct company, where he had progressed quickly thanks to his expertise and hard work. But like most companies, the situation suddenly became worse and worse.
At first, the wages became miserable and then more and more later until one day the company closed and people lost their jobs. He took the loss of his job very hard and the fact that no one took care of finding other jobs for people. Although he knows how to do multiple jobs, he could never find a permanent job in our rural area. He worked occasional jobs to earn something, and he didn't hesitate to do anything, but he still spent more time unemployed. He spent more of that time in cafes and inns than at home. He became a drunkard, which was to be expected. Of course, there are many of them in the village, I guess it's a normal thing here, so no one was worried about it.
However, my father Goran, was not a typical peasant man worn out by the war. True, he has not completed high school, but his knowledge of general culture is at an enviable level. He is computer literate, knows English, knows literature, and in his knowledge of history and geography, not even people with completed faculties are equal to him. In addition to all that, his knowledge of construction, installation, and agricultural work was not enough for a man to stand on his own feet.
Mother got a job in a local store, which brought us a small but reliable income to survive. Even though my father had a modern worldview, the fact that my mother supported us worsened his mental state even more. His ego and morals would drown in every glass he drank. Mom put up with his drunkenness and provocations and arguments that were caused by it. He was aware that every day he was sinking deeper and decided to change. It was not easy. He dedicated himself to the work around the house, He almost renovated his parents' old house where we lived, upgraded part of the house, installed central heating, and reduced socializing with alcohol to about once a month.
It turned out that once a month he would get so drunk, do shit in a cafe and then continue home. He would argue with everyone and then he would be at home for days, withdrawn. Full of guilt. He would apologize to everyone. He would do something, try to earn money but to no avail. Then he would find a way to get drunk again and so on and on.
The only person who could somewhat influence him is his best man and best friend Filip, with whom our family is very close because he is also my mother's distant relative. Their grandfathers were brothers. More or less, everyone is somehow connected in this village, but we are most connected to Filip, and Mom and Filip's wife are good friends.
Christmas and New Year's time in all regions is traditionally the time when people relax a little more, especially in this village of ours. At Christmas, Dad made a scene in front of the church, he was drunk, but no one blamed him because everyone knows him and knows that he is a very good man. For a long time, he did not go to the village, either because of shame or because of penury.
Between Christmas and New Year, some snow finally fell, but the temperatures are high for this time of year, so it melts quickly. Still, there was some left on New Year's Eve. Mom worked on it in the morning on New Year's Eve, and Dad did some work around the house as usual, but he visited the neighbours on several occasions. It was obvious that he couldn't resist drinking a glass, but he still controlled himself. When Mom came home, we had lunch and Dad was nervously waiting for a chance to drink something. Since he hadn't been drinking at home for years, even though we have a house full of all kinds of drinks, he was looking for company or constantly going to the neighbours.
"Goran, have a drink, it's New Year's. Just don't overdo it, because we have agreed with Tanja and Filip to go to the village to wait for midnight." Mom said.
He didn't need to be told twice. He took the wine and drank it while Mom cleaned the kitchen.
We mostly stayed in the old part of the house where the kitchen and most rooms are. The living room was in the new part. We didn't spend much time in it, except when guests come, or when there is a football match because there is a big screen TV.
"We should warm up the living room a little because maybe Filip and Tanja will come by sooner." Mum commented.
Dad was going to open the radiators and mother was cleaning the living room and preparing cold meats. I saw that Dad had emptied the bottle and it was clear that he was drunk, but he was still under control. He wandered around the house nervously because his desire for another bottle was strong and he knew that he had to avoid drinking alone at home as much as possible.
"I-I'll go to visit them and bring them here..." Dad said.
He took his coat and ran out of the house, and Mom and I just looked at each other and laughed.
"He will hardly last until midnight." mum said laughingly.
"It seems to me too." replied Vedran.
I helped Mom with the preparations and time passed and soon Dad and Filip appeared at the door. They shook their feet on the carpet and entered.
Taking off his coat, Dad spoke, "Tanja is a little ill, she has a fever, so she went to bed..."
Filip continued, "She didn't feel good this morning, so she went to rest. She might recover by tonight. She said she would call you."
"Well, let her rest. It's better to stay lying down if it's not feel good. Come on, go sit in the living room."
We went to the living room and mom brought wines, beers and spirits. The food was already prepared. We sat down at the table and talked. It was ok. Dad was slightly drunk, and Filip was also noticed to be tipsy, but he tolerates alcohol very well. He never gets drunk like Dad.
"Good. If Tanja doesn't come, why don't we have a drink a little earlier in Srce (English translation is 'heart', that's the name of the local inn) and then go to the fireworks? Filip suggested.
"Um. I didn't plan to go to the inn..." Mom replied.
Dad immediately said, "So what now, get ready and let's go. Let's have a drink, welcome the new year and go home."
Dad was already slurring his speech.
"Come on, you're never going anywhere anyway."
Filip said this to Mom with the best of intentions, but he was not aware that he had just hit my dad in a sore spot. He felt guilty because they weren't going anywhere, they had no options, and Filip's words disturbed him. They came as a trigger for his condition, but he still controlled himself.
Mom sighed and said, "Well, I'll go get ready then."
Mom left and we continued talking, eating and drinking. Dad seemed to calm down again. Mom was gone for almost an hour, and during that time Dad and Filip drank quite a lot. I drank beer lightly. I heard walking on the stairs and I knew mom was finally here.
The door opened. We were all mildly shocked. Mom who never dresses up, never wears make-up, always dressed normally, her hair tied in a ponytail, now she looked, I won't lie if I say, like an actress going to a party. I honestly couldn't believe it was her. Her hair was down and reached halfway down her back. Red lipstick on her lips, painted eyes... she was beautiful. I couldn't believe it was my mom. Her shoulders were bare and her tight red dress ended at her breasts, most of which could be seen. Only her nipples were covered and her waist looked very narrow. The dress was half-length, and underneath she had black pantyhose. The complete figure was rounded off by heels that made her legs stand out and lift her butt. Truly, I have never met a more beautiful woman in person. She stood at the door and smiled. You could see the happiness in her eyes.
