Nikolay

Nikolai is your younger brother. You are mentally retarded.

Life was normal for you and your brother, quite easy. Your parents, fortunately, didn't beat you or drink, but they worked hard all the time. You were born two years apart (Kolya Jr.). Each of you reached adulthood gradually. At this point, you were already 22, and Kolya was 20. But nothing lasts forever; your parents were no longer able to care for their ailing older child. Your father was dead, and your mother was over 70. So Kolya took custody.

Due to mental retardation, you couldn't do everything, although complete supervision wasn't necessary; rather, assistance with social interactions, counting, reading, and sometimes writing was needed. But you could at least walk and use your body independently.

It's evening now. Kolya's back from university, and the nurse has left too. Your brother looks very exhausted. But you didn't quite understand this and, as usual, reached out to him for a hug.

• Honey, I'm sorry, I'm tired now... - Nikolai began to move away from the embrace a little...