Marta Valeryevna went to work earlier today. On weekends, the youth always leave a lot of trash. Today, she came at 4 AM to manage to clean everywhere. Marta had been working as a janitor for many years. Once, her life was quite different.
Holding a broom in her hands, she remembered her beloved son, whom she had given birth to at the age of 35. She had no luck with men, so she decided to live for her child. Marta adored her son. When he grew up, he always made his mother happy. The boy was clever and handsome. The only concern was that he didn’t like living in this area.
“Mom, I’ll grow up and become a cool dude!” he told Marta. “You definitely will, how could you not?” his mother supported him.
As soon as the boy turned 16, he flew out of the house, moving to a dormitory closer to his technical school. Marta Valeryevna didn’t like that her son was now so far from her, but he promised to visit often.
At first, Slavik indeed visited frequently. Then he got a girlfriend, and he thought of his home less and less. And then Slavik returned forever, announcing that he was terminally ill. Marta could not understand why she and her son had to suffer so much? She had to gather all her strength to fight. The doctor said that Slavik would be better treated in another clinic. But that required a considerable amount of money.
Without a second thought, the grief-stricken mother sold her apartment. One night, the phone rang.
«Your son is no more!» the doctor informed.
Marta Valeryevna didn’t want to live. Now there was no point in her life without her beloved Slavik.
«Good morning!» greeted Semyon Lvovich, walking his dog. «Hello! Are you out so early today?» Marta responded. «Yes, it’s boring at home. I’ll walk the dog and chat with you at the same time,» the man cheerfully said.
Semyon Lvovich was a bachelor. Marta was a bit shy around him.
«Alright, let’s go with our Vityaz. We won’t disturb you while you work,» said Semyon Lvovich, continuing his walk.
The janitor continued cleaning. But what’s this? Someone left their phone on the bench! Marta looked around, no one was in sight? Taking the phone in her hands, she tried to turn it on. The screen lit up with photos. Apparently, someone had been taking pictures and forgot the device. Looking closer at the photo, Marta suddenly burst into tears.
«My son! My Slavik!» she began to lament.
Unexpectedly, music started playing from the phone, and the woman recoiled. She didn’t want to answer, but she still pressed the green circle.
«Hello! Hello!» a female voice spoke through the phone. «Is this my phone? Can I pick it up?» «Yes, of course. I found it in the park on a bench. Come to this address,» and Marta told her where to come.
They met at Marta’s apartment. After some time, a girl appeared at the door.
«Tell me, why do you have a photo of my son in your phone?» «Egor?»
A young man appeared behind the girl.
«Slavik!» exclaimed Marta Valeryevna and fainted. «What’s wrong with her?» asked the young man. «She probably mistook you for someone else. We need to call an ambulance.»
They called for medical help, and fifteen minutes later, Marta came to herself. Soon, the doctor left, and the woman finally learned how a photo of her son ended up on this phone.
«Are you Marta Valeryevna?» asked the girl. «Yes, how do you know me?» «My name is Oksana. I once dated your son. But he left me pregnant,» the girl sighed. «How did he leave? He never told me about you.» «We were friends with Slavik for several months, then I found out I was expecting a child and told him the news. And that’s it. He disappeared somewhere. I didn’t look for him. I realized: he chickened out,» Oksana continued. «Dear, now I understand everything. My son didn’t want to be a burden to you. He got sick. Our Slavik has been gone for many years!» Marta Valeryevna burst into tears.
The girl’s eyes widened.
«What do you mean he’s gone?» she exclaimed. «He’s no longer with us. I even sold my apartment to treat my son, but I was too late. There was no chance.» «I understand now. Slavik just didn’t want to upset me further. He protected me in this way!» Oksana guessed. Then she called her son:
«Egor! Come here!» «Yes, mom.» «Egor, I once told you that your father abandoned us. It turns out it’s not true at all! He became ill with an incurable disease and died before you were born,» the mother told him. «Now, meet your grandmother.»
Marta Valeryevna boiled the kettle, and soon they were happily munching crispy gingerbread with fragrant tea. «Maybe you’ll move in with us?» Oksana suddenly suggested. «We have enough space. The apartment is spacious, my husband won’t mind. And we need a grandmother.»
«No, Ksyusha, what are you thinking! I’m used to my area.»
And then someone knocked on the door.
«May I?» On the doorstep stood Semyon Lvovich, holding a large bouquet of flowers. Then he handed them to Marta. «This is for you, Marta Valeryevna. The weather is nice today, shall we go out?» «Yes, of course.» «I suggest a movie and a café!» the man declared.
From the kitchen came Oksana and Egor. «Will you take us?» mother and son asked in unison. «Will you behave well?» laughed Semyon Lvovich. «I didn’t know there were guests. I would have brought some treats.»
Two months later, Marta had a lawfully wedded husband. The dog Vityaz rejoiced at his owner’s wedding. He was even happier about Egor’s visits. The young man often walked with the dog in the park, while the happy grandmother baked delicious pies for the whole family.
