— Gena, are you absolutely sure about this?
— Mom…
— You do realize she’s only with you for the money, right?
Gennady sighed softly.
— Mom, you are mistaken, but I’m not going to argue with you, because it’s pointless. You can think what you like. We’re not aiming for a lavish wedding.
— Gena, stop it. I’m sure she’s just using you. You know it yourself. This girl…
— Mom, please, don’t continue. Lena and I have known each other for over five years, and we’ve thought this decision through carefully.
— I just want you to understand: no matter what, you are a highly eligible bachelor. Any woman would go for you. You know our status.
Gennady closed his eyes, weary.
— Mom, what’s more important to you—our status or my happiness?
Anna Nikolaevna looked helplessly at her husband.
— Sasha, why are you silent?
Alexander, setting aside his newspaper, smiled.
— Anna, you have one trait: you only remember me when you hit a dead end. Otherwise, you make all the decisions yourself, for 27 years now. By the way, when your decisions lead to problems, you always blame me.
Anna Nikolaevna squinted.
— Are you finished? Now say something relevant.
— Gena is an adult and sensible man. I don’t see why we should obstruct his marriage to Lena. She seems quite decent.
— What do you mean, decent! There can’t be decent people without money nowadays.
— You didn’t always have money either, ever think about that?
Anna Nikolaevna was clearly on the verge of exploding.
— Sasha, you are irresponsible! Our son is about to ruin his life!
— Calm down. Nothing terrible is happening. He will continue his treatment, and maybe his young wife will even have a positive influence on him. I can’t understand what you’re so upset about.
Anna Nikolaevna stormed out of the room, while Gennady struggled to his feet.
— Thanks, Dad.
— How are you feeling?
— Fine, don’t worry.
When Gena was 17, something strange happened to him, and the doctors couldn’t accurately diagnose it. They switched from one assumption to another, but the treatment only helped partially. As one professor said:
— It feels like your son has lost the ability to resist diseases. If it were the last century, I’d say it’s some sort of curse. But we live in the modern world, so all we can do is throw up our hands and watch.
Alexander knew that not all problems could be solved with money, but still spent large amounts on treatment in the best clinics until Gennady asked:
— Please, let me rest. I’ve forgotten what our house looks like, and when I last slept in my own bed.
Unexpectedly, his mother, who had insisted on various treatments, supported her son:
— Sasha, maybe we really should let Gena rest? We’ll follow the doctors’ recommendations.
Alexander waved it off. He would argue if he saw even the slightest improvement. But there wasn’t any. At home, Gena actually felt better: his appetite returned, and he even gained a little weight.
Since then, he was hospitalized twice a year for examinations, then returned home with new medical recommendations.
Gena eventually graduated from university, largely thanks to financial support from his father. It wasn’t that he was a poor student, but regular absences weren’t welcomed, and his health often kept him away.
He and Lena had met during their college years. They had been friends all this time, and only recently Lena had confessed her feelings, which made Gena feel as if wings had sprouted behind his back.
As he had expected, the wedding turned out to be even more lavish than one could imagine. His mother organized such a celebration that it seemed the whole town was invited. Lena smiled all evening, trying not to pay attention to the tense atmosphere.
Relations between Lena’s mother, Galina Ivanovna, and Anna Nikolaevna did not start well. Anna believed that Galina, without proper status and money, should have bowed down to their family. However, this did not happen, and Galina tried to keep her distance from the groom’s parents.
The climax of the evening was the gift-giving. When Lena’s mother announced that she was giving the young couple a small house that had belonged to her grandfather, located in a nature reserve area, Anna Nikolaevna couldn’t hold back:
— My God, how can you present a shack at the edge of the earth as the greatest gift?
Gena looked at his mother:
— Enough, Mom.
— What do you mean, enough, Gena? We can’t change anything now!
After Galina Ivanovna left, Anna immediately turned to her husband:
— Look at her! She’s nobody, yet so full of pride.
A few days after the wedding, Gena told his parents:
— Mom, Dad, Lena and I have decided to live in the house that Galina Ivanovna gave us.
Anna Nikolaevna nearly fainted:
— Are you insane?! Is Lena influencing you like this? She wants to take you away from treatment so you die sooner, and she takes the inheritance!
Alexander frowned:
— What are you saying, Anna? Have you lost your mind?
Anna burst out:
— I think quite rationally! You know that Gennady needs to be under constant medical supervision. He’s planning to move to the wilderness! I won’t allow it!
— We already have the tickets, — Gena calmly replied.
— Well, — Anna said coldly, — in that case, don’t come to me for help anymore. Let your new family take care of you.
— Gen, don’t be mad at Mom, you know her. She’ll come around. If you need anything, call me, I’ll help however I can.
— Thanks, Dad.
— Can you tell me why you decided to go there? Mom is right about one thing—it’s really remote.
Gena smirked:
— Dad, you probably won’t believe this, but there are healing springs there. Lena and her mom are sure this place will help me get better. Honestly, I don’t really believe it, but why not try?
— You’re too skeptical. Sometimes what can’t be explained really works. Good luck to you both.
When they arrived at the house, Gena was surprised:
— Everything here is overgrown.
Lena smiled:
— Well, of course, no one has lived here for five years. Don’t worry, we’ll rest and then get to work.
Lena opened the door, and they entered. The house was cozy, almost dust-free, which seemed strange to Gena. He was so tired that he sat down on the sofa and fell asleep within minutes.
For the first time, Lena got the house in order, and Gena helped as much as he could. Surprisingly, he began to feel better, as if he had more energy. A week later, Gena, for the first time in a long time, finished his entire dinner and was amazed:
— I don’t understand how, but I managed to eat it all!
Lena smiled:
— Trust me, miracles happen in these places.
Gena looked at her curiously:
— Why do you say that?
— I used to come here often as a child and saw a lot of unusual things.
— Probably, the local boys chased after you!
— Stop it, — Lena laughed. — By the way, there’s a surprise waiting for you tomorrow!
The next day, something interesting was supposed to be delivered, but Gena couldn’t find out what it was, no matter how much he questioned Lena. They fell asleep with smiles on their faces, happily embracing.
— Sasha, I don’t understand why you’re doing nothing? It’s been six months since Lena took our son away, and you seem indifferent to everything, — grumbled Anna Nikolaevna.
Alexander Semenovich looked up from his papers:
— What do you suggest? Call the rescuers and forcibly bring him home? Don’t forget, he’s now married and has his own life.
Anna Nikolaevna stamped her foot indignantly:
— You’re talking nonsense! He needed to be hospitalized a month ago, but as soon as I start talking about treatment, he immediately insists he’s fine and hangs up. How can he be alright without treatment? — she exclaimed angrily.
Alexander understood that behind her apparent dissatisfaction, Anna was hiding her concern for their son. He put aside the documents and suggested:
— If you’re so worried, let’s visit them. We’ll see how they’re living.
Anna paused for a moment, then smiled:
— That would be wonderful.
— Then pack your bags, I’ll check the route with Gena, and we’ll leave tomorrow morning.
They reached the village just in the evening.
— Lord, what ruins! — sighed Anna Nikolaevna.
Alexander remarked with a smile:
— I like it. Pure nature, no trash, nothing extra. Oh, look, a rabbit just ran by!
Anna watched in astonishment as the rabbit raced ahead of the car:
— This is just like a zoo! I wouldn’t be surprised if bears walk through the yards here.
Sasha laughed.
— Looks like we’re here.
At that moment, the gates swung open, and Gena came out to meet them. Anna Nikolaevna froze in astonishment, and Alexander simply opened his mouth. Before them stood a healthy, robust young man, nothing like the skinny youth of before.
— Mom, Dad, how I’ve missed you! — exclaimed Gena.
They embraced for a long time, and Anna Nikolaevna even teared up.
— Genochka, look how you’ve changed!
— Mom, it’s all thanks to Lena. And also—bees. You wouldn’t believe how fascinating this is.
Lena came out onto the porch, smiling shyly as if glowing from within. She also hugged her husband’s parents.
— Thank you, dear. You’ve done what the best doctors couldn’t, — said Anna Nikolaevna with tears in her eyes.
After exchanging pleasantries, they finally unloaded the car and handed over all the gifts. Lena invited everyone to the table. Anna examined the dishes with interest, reminiscent of her childhood: everything looked so tasty and appetizing. Gena brought out a bottle:
— Dad, here’s some homemade mead for you.
Alexander laughed:
— You’re like real masters here, you have everything!
Everyone tried the mead, except for Lena.
Anna Nikolaevna noticed this and said disappointedly:
— What, still upset with us, won’t even drink to our arrival?
Lena blushed:
— I can’t.
Anna looked at Gena in surprise:
— Are you sick?
Gena smiled:
— We’re having a baby. So, Mom, get ready to be a grandmother!
Anna couldn’t understand where all the tears were coming from. They cried, hugged, then cried again. Then, unexpectedly for everyone, Anna resolutely declared:
— That’s it, I’m staying here for a couple of weeks. I need to buy something and help out. Sasha, you’ve been offering me a car for a long time, right? So buy it! And make it big, so I can bring something useful for my grandchild before he arrives. We’ll take Lena to the city, let her give birth in a good clinic.
She would have continued issuing orders, but everyone around laughed. Anna Nikolaevna was a bit embarrassed:
— Well, I just want what’s best!
Lena approached and hugged her:
— I will listen to you. Genka doesn’t understand these matters at all, and I’m a bit scared myself.
Anna smiled and, gently pressing her to herself, said:
— Don’t be afraid, I’m here.
