Tatiana had always been known for her punctuality. In particular, she could not allow herself to be late for her mother-in-law’s family celebration, especially on the day when Galina Petrovna, her husband Sergey’s mother, was celebrating her sixtieth birthday. Galina Petrovna was a woman of iron principles who considered punctuality a sign of good upbringing. Therefore, Tatiana left early, prudently allowing time for possible traffic jams or other unforeseen circumstances.
However, the roads turned out to be remarkably empty for a Saturday, and now she stood before the familiar apartment door a full forty minutes earlier than the scheduled time. In her hands she held a bouquet of peonies and a box containing an expensive tea service that she and Sergey had spent almost a month choosing.
Tatiana had just raised her hand to ring the bell when she heard loud voices coming from inside. She froze. There was clearly a tense conversation occurring in the apartment, and Tatiana involuntarily became its witness.
“Mom, you can’t keep treating her like this all the time!” Sergey’s voice, usually calm and reasonable, sounded unexpectedly sharp.
“I’m just telling the truth, son,” replied Galina Petrovna in a tone that Tatiana knew very well—a sweetly venomous one. “Five years of marriage, and she still hasn’t given me any grandchildren. What’s there to talk about?”
“It’s our own personal business, Tanya,” Sergey’s voice took on a steely edge. “We already explained that first we want to get on our feet, finish the apartment renovation…”
“Excuses!” his mother snapped. “In my time, children were born under far tougher conditions. And your Tatiana is always thinking about her career. What kind of mother can she be?”
Tatiana felt her face flush with color. She and Sergey had indeed postponed the issue of children, but not only because of career concerns. For the past year, they had been secretly visiting doctors, trying to sort out problems that they had not yet shared with anyone.
“A wonderful mother,” Sergey said firmly. “And I ask you to stop these conversations behind her back.”
“Behind her back?” Galina Petrovna laughed. “I even say all this to her face. She knows my opinion.”
“She does,” Sergey sighed. “And every time she leaves you upset, even though she tries to hide it.”
“Too sensitive,” his mother snorted. “Not like Larisa.”
Tatiana froze. Larisa? Had she been Sergey’s former girlfriend before they met?
“Just don’t start again,” Sergey said, tiredly. “Larisa and I broke up seven years ago, and I am happy with Tanya.”
“You could have had three children by now,” Galina Petrovna continued relentlessly. “Larisa always said she wanted a big family. And she cooked better, and she had such a pleasant temperament…”
“Mom!” Sergey abruptly interrupted her. “I love Tatiana. She is my wife. And I will not let you talk about her in such a tone—even on your birthday.”
A tense pause ensued. Tatiana stood still, afraid to move so as not to reveal her presence with the accidental creak of the floorboard.
“You know,” suddenly another female voice began, one that Tatiana did not immediately recognize, “Sergey is right, Galina Petrovna.”
It was Natalia, Sergey’s sister. Tatiana had not known that she had already arrived.
“You are being unfair to Tanya,” Natalia continued. “She is a wonderful woman who makes Sergey happy. Isn’t that what matters most?”
“Just don’t lecture me on how to treat my daughter-in-law,” retorted Galina Petrovna sharply. “I simply see that she does not fit into our family. With her city manners, that job with constant business trips… What sort of housewife is she?”
“Wonderful,” Sergey replied. “And she is smart, kind, and patient. Especially if you consider how you greet her every single time.”
“Ah, don’t exaggerate,” his mother waved off. “I’m always polite with her.”
“Polite?” another voice interjected, and Tatiana recognized Pavel Ivanovich, Sergey’s father. Usually silent, he rarely involved himself in family disputes. “Galya, let’s be honest. You never liked the girl from the start and you don’t even try to hide it.”
“Pasha, and you too?” Galina Petrovna objected indignantly. “I just want my son to have a normal family, not this… equal partnership they call it.”
“That is exactly the kind of family I have,” Sergey answered. “And I am happy in it. Why is it so hard for you to accept that?”
“Because she betrayed you,” Galina Petrovna said bitterly. “Before, every weekend you came to us, helped with the country house, with the renovations. And now you’re always busy, always with your own plans…”
“Mom, I’m thirty-four years old,” Sergey gently reminded her. “I have my own family, my own life. It’s normal.”
“Is it normal to forget about your parents?” Galina Petrovna’s voice trembled.
“No one forgets you,” Sergey sighed. “We visit regularly, we call. It’s just that we really have many things to do and our own concerns.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” his mother persisted. “Especially with your Tatiana and her important work. I heard how late she was discussing a project over the phone with some Mikhail. So busy, one can’t say a thing.”
Tatiana covered her mouth with her hand. Mikhail was her boss, with whom she indeed often had work calls. Was her mother-in-law hinting at something unacceptable?
“Mom!” Sergey’s voice took on notes of anger. “You are crossing all the boundaries right now. Mikhail is her supervisor, and they are working on an important project. And yes, Tatiana is a professional who is valued at work. I’m proud of that; I don’t feel jealous or suspect her the way you do.”
“You’re too naive, son,” Galina Petrovna sighed. “Women who spend so much time at work…”
“Enough!” It was Pavel Ivanovich’s voice again, but this time sounding unexpectedly firm. “Galina, today is your birthday, and I won’t allow you to turn it into another scandal. Tatiana is our son’s wife, and we must respect his choice. Period.”
The quiet was broken only by the sounds of bustle in the kitchen.
“Alright,” Galina Petrovna finally said, clearly hurt in her tone. “Do as you please. But when she breaks your heart, don’t say later that I didn’t warn you.”
“Tanya loves me, Mom,” Sergey replied quietly. “And I love her. More than anything, I wish that the people closest to me could get along with each other.”
“I tried,” sighed his mother. “But she is so… unreachable. Always with that polite smile. You never know what she’s thinking.”
Tatiana felt a pang of guilt. She often hid her true feelings behind a mask of politeness, fearful of worsening her relationship with her mother-in-law.
“Maybe it’s because you don’t give her a chance to open up?” Natalia gently suggested. “Every time she tries to get closer, you push her away.”
“That’s not true!” Galina Petrovna objected indignantly. “I’m always polite to her.”
“Polite, yes, but cold,” observed Pavel Ivanovich. “Galya, you don’t even notice how your tone changes when you speak to her.”
“And what do you propose?” the mother snapped defiantly. “To pretend she’s perfect?”
“No,” Sergey replied. “Just give her a chance. Get to know her better. See what I see.”
There was a pause, and then, with a heavy sigh, Galina Petrovna said reluctantly, “Fine. For your sake, son, I’ll try… to be more open. But she must also make an effort with me.”
“Thank you, Mom,” Sergey said with relief. “That’s all I’m asking.”
Tatiana still stood at the door, feeling confused. The festive mood had evaporated, and the hands clutching the bouquet and the gift seemed to be numb. Part of her wanted to turn around and run away, while another part wanted to burst inside and tell her mother-in-law everything she thought of her behavior. But neither option resolved the problem.
After a minute of hesitation, Tatiana took a deep breath, mustered her courage, and pressed the doorbell.
Immediately, the voices behind the door fell silent. The sound of hurried footsteps approached, and the door opened. Standing in the doorway was Sergey, his tense expression quickly changing into a smile at the sight of his wife.
“Tanya! You’re early,” he said as he bent down to kiss her.
“I decided to come early in case you needed help with the preparations,” Tatiana replied, striving to keep her voice natural.
Sergey let her into the apartment, where she was greeted by Natalia and her husband, Pavel Ivanovich, and, of course, the birthday woman herself—Galina Petrovna, in a festive dress with impeccably styled hair.
“Tatiana,” her mother-in-law smiled with that familiar polite smile that the daughter-in-law had learned to recognize—it never reached her eyes. “As always, punctual.”
“Happy birthday, Galina Petrovna,” Tatiana said as she handed over the bouquet and the gift box. “These flowers reminded me of your garden, and I hope you will like the present.”
Something flashed in her mother-in-law’s eyes—surprise? She accepted the gifts, and for a moment Tatiana thought that warmth had appeared in her gaze.
“Thank you, dear,” Galina Petrovna said, and for the first time in all the years they had known each other, Tatiana did not hear any insincerity in her voice. “Come in, we’re just setting the table.”
Tatiana entered the living room, exchanging looks with her husband along the way. In his eyes was an unspoken question: “Is everything all right?” She nodded slightly, even though inside she was still storming from what she had overheard.
At the dinner table, the conversation flowed unhurriedly and, to Tatiana’s surprise, peacefully. Galina Petrovna behaved unusually restrained, avoiding her habitual caustic remarks. Perhaps the conversation with the family had indeed affected her, or, more likely, she simply did not want to spoil her own birthday.
When the main courses were finished and it was time for tea and dessert, Galina Petrovna opened the gift from Tatiana and Sergey. Seeing the delicate tea service, she froze for a moment.
“This… pattern,” she murmured, carefully running her fingers over the fine design on the porcelain. “It’s exactly like the one on my grandmother’s tea service, which broke many years ago.”
Tatiana nodded:
“Sergey told me how much you miss it. We looked for something similar for a long time.”
Galina Petrovna looked up at her daughter-in-law, and Tatiana, with surprise, noticed tears in her eyes.
“You… remembered that story?” asked her mother-in-law.
“Of course,” Tatiana replied simply. “You told me about it last year at Easter.”
A strange silence fell over the room. Everyone looked at Galina Petrovna, who, it seemed, for the first time in a long while, was at a loss for words—a phenomenon unheard of in this family.
“Let’s try out the new tea service,” suggested Pavel Ivanovich, attempting to lighten the mood.
While the men poured tea and Natalia distributed the cake onto plates, Galina Petrovna suddenly sat beside Tatiana.
“You know,” she said softly, “maybe I haven’t been the best mother-in-law all these years.”
Tatiana froze, hardly believing her ears. Never before had Galina Petrovna admitted her mistakes, let alone in front of her.
“We all have our shortcomings,” Tatiana replied cautiously.
“Don’t play coy,” her mother-in-law offered with a faint smile. “I know I’ve been unfair to you. It’s just… it’s hard to let go of my only son.”
Tatiana took a deep breath, deciding to be honest:
“I never wanted to take him away from you, Galina Petrovna. I only wanted to become a part of your family.”
Galina Petrovna looked at Tatiana attentively:
“And what about the children…? Sergey said you’re not planning any yet?”
Tatiana felt a lump rising in her throat. If she truly wanted to improve their relationship, perhaps it was time to be honest.
“In fact, we really want children,” she said quietly. “It’s just that… we’ve been facing some difficulties. We have been undergoing examinations for over a year now.”
Galina Petrovna’s eyes widened:
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“We didn’t want to upset anyone prematurely,” Tatiana shrugged. “Especially not you.”
“Me?” Galina Petrovna asked in surprise.
“I know how important grandchildren are to you,” Tatiana explained. “And I didn’t want to disappoint you even more.”
Galina Petrovna was silent for a long while, contemplating the news. Then, to Tatiana’s astonishment, she took her hand:
“You know, Pavel and I had our own problems too. Sergey was born only four years after our wedding, when we had almost lost hope.”
Tatiana looked at her mother-in-law in surprise:
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
“No one knows,” Galina Petrovna said with a slight smile. “In our day, these things weren’t discussed. But… I could tell you what helped us. Of course, if you want to hear.”
“I’d very much like to,” Tatiana replied sincerely.
Sergey, watching them from the other end of the room, raised his eyebrows in surprise as he noticed how engrossed his mother and wife were in conversation. He approached them:
“What are you two whispering about?”
“Women’s talk,” Galina Petrovna responded softly. “Stay out of it.”
Tatiana smiled at her husband, and he saw in her eyes something new—hope and calm that he had not noticed before in their interactions.
The evening continued in an atmosphere of conversations, memories, and, for the first time in a long while, genuine family warmth. Tatiana thought about how sometimes an accidentally overheard dialogue can change everything. Perhaps her being forty minutes early had turned out to be the most fateful moment of her life, if in those minutes one hears what is usually kept behind closed doors.
When it was time to say goodbye, Galina Petrovna, to everyone’s surprise, embraced her daughter-in-law tightly:
“Come again next weekend,” she said. “I still have my grandmother’s recipes. I’ll teach you how to make her famous pies.”
“With pleasure,” Tatiana replied, and this time both women shared an honest smile.
On the way home, Sergey couldn’t help himself:
“What happened between you two? I’ve never seen Mom talk to you so warmly.”
Tatiana smiled mysteriously:
“Let’s just say that we finally heard each other. Truly.”
“I’m so happy,” Sergey squeezed her hand. “You have no idea how much I wanted this.”
Tatiana nodded. She didn’t tell her husband about the conversation she had overheard. Some secrets are better kept in one’s heart, especially if they help bring peace to a family. Sometimes one must hear a bitter truth to find the path to understanding.
And the following weekend, they actually went to Galina Petrovna’s place, and for the first time Tatiana stepped inside not as a guest, but as a full-fledged member of the family. Because sometimes, forty minutes can overturn years of relationships if, during those minutes, you hear what is usually hidden behind closed doors.
