Old John slowly made his way into the general store and muttered a quiet curse under his breath. Once again, all the town gossips were gathered at the counter. Didn’t they have anything better to do than chatter away?

He couldn’t stand those whispering hens, and he hated gritting his teeth in frustration. At least he saw them very rarely these days. When they offered him the job as a forest ranger with a cabin at the nearby station, he agreed without a second thought, since he was alone anyway, so why not?

In fact, that was what bothered the women the most. He was a free man, you could say a bachelor, and even he had fled the town. But it hadn’t always been like that.

Back in the day, he wasn’t Old John yet, but Johnny, the tractor driver, the top guy in town. And he had a fiancée, Annie. He’d noticed the girl back in school, and after graduation, she returned his feelings.

She promised to wait for him during his military service, and she kept her word. Johnny came home from the army on wings of happiness. Right away, he and Annie filed for marriage, had a big wedding, and started living together.

Then, in the eighth month, Annie went into labor. She gave birth to a weak little boy, but he was viable enough. Bad thoughts started creeping into Johnny’s head.

But he pushed them away. Annie couldn’t have cheated on him; their love was too strong. But there were kind folks who hurried to open his eyes about how his fiancée had waited.

And Johnny believed it. He couldn’t not believe it. It wasn’t the gossips who whispered it.

His best friend revealed the secret. And he wouldn’t lie. They were sitting in the sauna at the time.

Johnny had just decided to fix the roof there. So Pete offered to help. After work, they wanted to have a drink to unwind.

Annie and the baby had been home for a week already. But for some reason, she couldn’t stand Pete. Knowing that, Johnny went home first.

He grabbed a bottle and some simple snacks. There was plenty of space in the sauna. So they settled in there.

They had one drink. Then another. That’s when Pete casually asked…

So, how do you like being a dad? Johnny even grinned widely. But he didn’t get it yet.

He’s so cute and tiny. I’m afraid to hold him. Pete didn’t hide his smirk.

Well, yeah, all little ones are cute. Both yours and others’. Johnny got alert.

He poured another round. They drank. And what, you’ll put him under your last name?

Pete smirked again. Johnny couldn’t take it. He grabbed his friend by the collar.

Stop beating around the bush, Pete. If you’ve got something to say, say it. Don’t spread rumors like some eavesdropping granny.

Pete barely freed himself. And he snorted offendedly. Then he started telling Johnny.

How Annie fooled around while he was in the service. How she came home at dawn. Either tipsy or happy.

Everyone knows about it. He said, moving closer to the exit. And if you’re a fool, raise someone else’s kid.

Johnny even jumped up. He slammed his fist on the table. Who did she fool around with? Tell me.

But Pete was already gone. He’d vanished into the gathering dusk long ago. And Johnny, in anger, downed a whole glass of whiskey.

His legs wouldn’t carry him home. They had moved into that house right after the wedding. It had come to Johnny from his parents.

They didn’t live to see their grandson. They perished in a forest fire before his service. And Annie was an orphan raised by her aunt’s family.

In the neighboring town. She was so happy to have her own family and her own home now. Johnny drank till morning.

And when dawn broke, and the town folks drove their cows to pasture, the man stood up swaying and dashed to the shed. There, in a chest, he kept his shotgun. So with the shotgun at the ready, Granny Nora saw him heading back to the house.

The top gossip in town. And soon after, onlookers started pouring into the street. Johnny burst into the house and pointed the barrel at his sleeping wife.

Get up, I said! Annie opened her eyes but wasn’t scared at all. She stood up, shielding the crib with the sleeping son from the drunk.

John, go to bed, you’re barely standing. But he just smirked evilly. Get dressed! And take your bastard with you!

The woman’s brows shot up in indignation. Bastard? You mean your own son? Johnny went berserk…

He’s not my son! Thanks! People opened my eyes. The woman stared long into the man’s eyes.

Then she started dressing hurriedly. Was it Pete, those people? But then it all makes sense.

She frantically threw diapers and bottles into a bag for the son. She picked up the child in her arms. So John led the barefoot Annie with the child in her arms through the whole town.

He led her at gunpoint, like a vile criminal. She walked with her head held high. Even though the barrel poked her in the back.

And a crowd of onlookers followed them. People tried to reason with the drunk. But where?

At the town outskirts, the man with a twisted face turned and fired at the onlookers’ feet. And pushed his wife with the butt. Get out! If you show up in town again, I’ll kill you!

And he staggered back home. Crossing the threshold, he collapsed on the floor and fell into a dead sleep. Only by lunch did John start coming to.

He drank rarely. So he couldn’t get up on his own. Annie, give me some water! He pleaded pitifully, opening his eyes.

Right then, his gaze hit the shotgun lying nearby. And memory helpfully restored the night’s events. John spent the whole week like in a delirium.

He didn’t drink. But he couldn’t do anything. Heavy longing piled on.

Who knew it would be so miserable without the cheater. And that day, he decided to get rid of his wife’s things. Maybe it would ease up.

He swept various trinkets off the shelf with his hand. Look! And at the bottom lay the son’s medical card. Annie’s son’s.

He wanted to throw it without looking. But caught a strange note. Child premature.

Born at 30-31 weeks. John’s jaw even dropped. How premature! But he was conceived elsewhere! Born on time!

Like a madman, he rushed to his friend Pete. And he hadn’t sobered up for two weeks. Come on, repeat, who did Annie fool around with?

John clenched his fists. Pete smirked crookedly, not taking his heavy gaze off the bottle. But then Pete’s mother arrived.

She threw herself at John. Hung on his arms. Your wife didn’t fool around with anyone.

Just don’t hit him, sonny. He said it out of spite. He tried to court the girl.

While you were in the army. And she hit him with a poker. And Pete laughed mirthlessly.

She was supposed to be mine. I love her more than life. I’d make her happy.

And she saw no one around. Waited for you. Fool!

But John didn’t hear the last words. He flew, not feeling his feet. Need to go urgently to the town.

Where Annie’s aunt lives. Fall at his beloved’s feet. Beg for forgiveness…

But John was too late. Annie had moved out from relatives. Maybe to the city.

Or maybe further. The grim woman dropped through her lips. And slammed the door in the man’s face.

John searched for his wife long. He rallied all acquaintances in the city. Visited there many times himself.

Combed the whole county. The whole state. And nothing.

And by spring, he moved to the woods. Grabbed the ranger job. Like a lifeline.

In town, people looked at him like a beast. Almost twenty years passed. And only half greet him.

People’s memory is long. And malicious whispers behind his back. But today, he needed the store no matter what.

Tomorrow, the supervisor from the state capital brings the long-awaited assistant. Need to stock up supplies. Even if the kid is just for summer internship.

But still. What a help. As long as he walks fast and tireless.

John himself can’t keep up anymore. Poachers have been rampant for two years. Oh, how he needs a partner.

And the next morning, a green Jeep pulled up to his cabin. The burly supervisor heavily got out of the car. And stretched with a crunch.

Nice here, Old John. Air you can eat with a spoon. John even frowned angrily.

Where’s the promised help, Greg Thompson? Why alone? The supervisor smirked into his mustache.

The guy got out at the fork. Said he wants to walk. Old John fussed.

Hope he doesn’t get lost. But the supervisor waved his hand. This one won’t get lost.

Persistent. Peppered me with questions the whole way. And here he is.

Feed us, or what. The young man liked John right away. Tall, broad-shouldered.

Open gaze, without wariness. Introduced himself as Chris. Washed his hands at the sink.

Sat at the table without fuss. Ate with appetite. In conversation, told what he noticed on the way.

John even chuckled. Smart kid. Talks sense…

And mainly, loves the forest. Visible even without glasses. God willing, we’ll get along.

And they really hit it off great. In a month, John called Chris nothing but sonny. They talked little.

Mostly business. But the guy managed to say he lives with his mom in the state capital. Has a girlfriend and a cherished dream.

What kind, though, he didn’t reveal. Old John also kept quiet about personal. Though he liked the young man a lot.

Nothing to brag about. Ruined his own fate to the root. And then the terrible happened.

On patrol. They stumbled on a poachers’ camp. Drunk men tumbled out of the tent.

Grabbed their guns. A verbal skirmish started. Then a shot rang out.

Apparently, to scare the rangers. But it turned out like this. Only John noticed in time where the hunter aimed.

Shielded Chris with himself. Realizing what happened, the criminals panicked. Hastily loaded into the truck and left.

Left John bleeding in the woods. Chris bandaged Old John himself and called the ambulance. Then held his hand the whole way.

Begged not to pass out. On the road, John asked to find his wife. Ask for belated forgiveness.

After all, he always loved Annie and the son. But such fate. Young have internet and all possibilities.

Maybe Chris can do it. And the ranger’s wound is severe. Lost a lot of blood.

Even the doctor averts eyes. Will they make it? And the guy promised, swallowing tears.

Promised and kept shaking the older comrade. If they deliver conscious, there’s hope. When John opened his eyes again, the ward was in twilight.

Only the nightlight’s diffuse glow cast vague shadows. And at his headboard lurked a barely visible female silhouette. The ranger strained his eyes.

Annie? But this just couldn’t be. So he did die after all…

And Annie died too. How sad. It’s all his fault.

And then the machines connected to him beeped loudly. A tall doctor burst into the ward. Outsider out of the ward.

He commanded and smiled. Woke up. Great.

He stopped John’s attempt to rise and cold steel of the needle entered the vein. And now rest. The man twisted his head anxiously.

Annie’s ghost vanished. How sad. He was already sinking into sleep when a female face leaned over him.

Annie. A bit different from how he remembered, but recognizable and very, very beloved. With last willpower, John grabbed her hand and completely happy, passed out.

With the first rays of sun, John emerged from viscous sleep. Nearby on a chair dozed a beautiful woman, holding his hand. Hello, Annie.

John’s lips were chapped. But he kept whispering. Just don’t go.

I have so much to tell you. I’m so guilty. Annie opened her eyes and smiled.

Don’t waste strength. I know everything. He shook his head.

You know, but how? The woman glanced aside. From our son…

He told everything. Just as you wanted. John stared puzzled at Annie and Chris peeked into the ward.

Hi, Old John. Oh, sorry, Dad. The guy smiled joyfully, and unbidden tears streamed down John’s cheeks.

Lord! How to comprehend all that happened and not go mad? Is this even possible?

And a month later, John proudly walked through town arm in arm with Annie. No, rumors didn’t lessen. But now they didn’t touch him at all.

Beside him was his beloved woman and equally beloved son. And the rest he couldn’t care less about from a high bell tower. He got his life back and others’ gossip meant nothing.

Yes, they didn’t have a new wedding. Over the long years, they never bothered with divorce. And good thing too.

Fewer gossips that way.