My mother-in-law had a big appetite. And I’m not talking about an appetite for food, but an appetite for money and other people’s achievements. My mother-in-law’s audacity knew no bounds, but I didn’t let her destroy everything.
It all started when I married Vadim. We were young and naive. There wasn’t much money, but it didn’t matter to us at that time. Walks in the parks, attending free events, exhibitions, flowers from the garden or someone else’s flowerbed—this was the basis of our romance.
I didn’t interact much with Vadim’s mother because our relationship was strained. Elena Vladimirovna was a strict, somewhat rough, and occasionally annoying woman. I tried to time our conversations so they would last no more than ten minutes, as I would start to feel bored and uncomfortable after that.
‘Lyudochka, when will you give me a granddaughter?’ my mother-in-law would constantly ask.
‘Elena Vladimirovna, it’s still too early,’ I would respond. ‘Vadim and I don’t even have our own apartment yet.’
‘So what? Does that prevent you?’
‘Of course! I don’t feel like raising a child while moving from one apartment to another. When we have our own, we can be sure it’s permanent, not until the landlord decides to stop renting it out.’
‘What an excuse. The main thing is to have a roof over your head; the rest doesn’t matter. As they say, if God gives you a rabbit, he’ll give you a field too.’
I completely disagreed with my mother-in-law, so I just ignored her constant hints about grandchildren. Vadim and I didn’t earn much, but it was enough for rent. Then, a year later, Pasha was born.
When I became pregnant, I didn’t know how we would manage, given that we had no place of our own. However, Vadim assured me that everything would be fine. Diapers, baby toys, and clothes—that became my life.
‘You finally gave birth to a grandson for me!’ my mother-in-law rejoiced. ‘Now you’ll be useful.’
I rolled my eyes, indicating that I wasn’t in the state to argue or respond to her provocations.
‘Are you breastfeeding him yourself?’ asked Elena Vladimirovna.
‘No.’
‘How come?! The baby needs mother’s milk, not all this formula.’
‘There’s no formula, Elena Vladimirovna. I don’t have any milk.’
‘What’s with the youth today? You’re all so lazy and weak. In the past, people coped, and everything was fine, but now everyone suddenly has some problems.’
My mother-in-law often bothered me with her unsolicited advice and moralizing. Whether I was caring for the child incorrectly, cooking tastelessly, or just sitting at home doing nothing, she always had something to say. Of course, it irritated me, and I often pretended to be sick just so she would leave me alone, but even then, she managed to say something.
Besides all this, Elena Vladimirovna siphoned money from my husband. Every time she visited, she left with some amount.
‘Sonny, give me a couple thousand, I need to buy groceries.’
‘Vadimushka, transfer some money to me, I need to pay for the internet and phone.’
‘Come on, son, send me seven thousand, I need to buy winter boots.’
It always bothered me that she constantly asked for money. And it’s not that she had a small pension. No, she worked as a secretary at some company and earned good money. I was always amazed at how her salary could be insufficient for her almost daily requests for money from her son.
‘Vadim, maybe you should talk to your mother?’ I insisted. ‘She asks you for money too often.’
‘Katya, she said her salary is small, barely enough for anything.’
‘I understand, but she shouldn’t ask so often! We have a child, and we spend a good portion of our income on him. We’ll never save up for our own apartment this way, living like nomads.’
‘Why do you think so? It’s not that bad.’
‘Vadim, you’re too naive. Your mother calls you at least three times a week asking for money. Imagine how much you’ve sent her from our joint budget?’
‘Well…’
‘Half of your salary goes just to her, and your mom, by the way, works. And I highly doubt she’s that short on money because I’ve noticed her wearing expensive jewelry that you can’t buy on just your salary.’
‘I get your point, Katya. I hadn’t even noticed how much money was going out.’
‘But I notice. Please, talk to her. I hope she understands that you need to provide for your own family, not a capable mother.’
After a couple of months, I noticed that my mother-in-law didn’t ask to transfer money as often. Either my husband had spoken to her, or I just didn’t know if he had given her something on the side. At least financially, everything was okay.
Then one day I learned that my grandfather had passed away. I was deeply saddened, as I had a very good relationship with my grandfather. I always spoke with him with special warmth and felt how he rejoiced every time I visited him. For example, when I came to the cottage, he would always pick a bucket of raspberries for me, even though he himself wouldn’t eat a single berry.
‘I pick these especially for you, it’s a hobby of mine. You love raspberries, and I don’t like them. But I want to please my granddaughter,’ my grandfather would always say.
I always cherished these gestures. My grandfather’s kindness and love influenced my upbringing, and I was very sad that I would never see him again. But then every time I saw or ate raspberries, I remembered him.
As it turned out, my grandfather left me a private house in the suburbs. I didn’t expect such a gift, but I was infinitely grateful to my grandfather for such an opportunity. He still cared for me.
This news sparked an idea. Now my family would have their own home where they could live peacefully and easily.
‘Pashka will now have his own room! He won’t have to sleep with us in the same room anymore,’ I rejoiced. ‘We won’t have to constantly wander through rental apartments, we have a whole house for the three of us.’
‘Grandpa really took good care of you,’ my husband said.
‘Shall we move there? I know it will be a struggle to find a new job and a new kindergarten for our son, but what an opportunity!’
‘Of course, dear, it’s a wonderful idea. Just in time.’
I was excited about the upcoming event. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, as we could now live peacefully in our own home. No more paying for someone else’s property, and I would always find time for the garden, as it was my grandfather’s legacy.
However, the news that we had our own place reached my mother-in-law. I thought she was a somewhat reasonable woman, but that was not the case.
‘We’ll rent out your new house, and you can live in a rental. I need the money,’ declared my mother-in-law.
I was speechless at Elena Vladimirovna’s statement.
‘What do you have to do with it, Elena Vladimirovna?’ I inquired.
‘What do you mean? I’m your mother-in-law, you’re obligated to help me just as my son does.’
‘Really?’
‘You already live well enough in your rental apartments. How many times have you told me that you couldn’t live like that with a child? And yet, you managed! You don’t need that house. You’ll rent it out, and transfer the money to me. I’ll clean there and personally handle the renting for those interested.’
‘I see you’ve thought it all through?’
‘Of course! I already know what kind of renovations to make, where to post the ad. I have experience dealing with clients. And since I’ll be cleaning there, I deserve to earn the rental income.’
‘You think I’ll adjust my grandfather’s house to suit your needs?’
‘Yes, Katya, you understand correctly.’
‘And it doesn’t bother you that the house was left to me, not your son? Personally, I owe you nothing, especially not to give up my grandfather’s house. I’m not going to rent it out because Vadim, Pasha, and I are going to live there.’
‘Why bother with all this hassle? Moving to a completely different place, changing jobs. Do you need this? You’ll still have time to save up for your own apartment, you’re still young. But I’ve already done my part, I want to finally rest. And I don’t have that much money, but the income from this house would be good.’
‘You don’t understand me, Elena Vladimirovna. I’m not going to adjust to your needs. We’ll move into my grandfather’s house as soon as possible, so you can forget about your plans.’
‘You decided to disobey me, daughter-in-law? I’m offering you a great idea, and you’re being stubborn?’
‘Mom, you’re being too greedy,’ Vadim intervened. ‘This house belongs to Kate, and it’s up to her what to do with it.’
‘Am I deciding anything? I’m just suggesting. And by the way, son, you’re obligated to help me. And since Katya is your wife, she owes me too.’
‘I owe you nothing. I’m not going to fulfill your whims. We couldn’t save up for our own place for a long time because of you, as you shamelessly pull money from your son.’
‘What? I pull money from my son? Do you even understand what you’re saying?’ Elena Vladimirovna got upset.
‘What are you doing? You call Vadim several times a week. Not to ask how he’s doing, but to ask for money. Where do you spend it, care to explain?’
‘Don’t stick your nose into other people’s business, girl! It’s none of your business!’
‘Actually, it is my business, since you’re taking not only Vadim’s money but mine too. Our joint budget has suffered enough from your endless requests and desires. Vadim owes you nothing.’
‘You think you’re the smartest? The fact that my son sends me money is our concern! You don’t need to interfere.’
‘But I want to. Instead of being happy for us, you’ve already devised the perfect plan to make your life even better. Isn’t your salary and your son’s money enough? You want to take my house too?’
‘How you twist my words amazes me! You don’t even think about your mother at all? Am I nobody to you? You don’t care about your mother?’
‘I do care about you. But you’ve set your desires too high. We’re not going to rent out the house, and you won’t get any money,’ Vadim stated.
‘Live in your decrepit house then! And don’t even contact me, you’re no longer a son to me after this!’
My mother-in-law stormed out of our apartment after a scandal. Even the neighbors came out to the stairwell because Elena Vladimirovna could be heard on several floors. I was, to put it mildly, dumbfounded by her statement and such behavior. It felt like all she wanted from her son was money. She couldn’t genuinely rejoice for him.
Nonetheless, a month and a half later, we finally moved into our house. Vadim was transferred to a branch of his company, and I switched to remote work so I could look after our child and tend to the garden. Finally, we could relax and not worry about an uncertain future.
My mother-in-law never spoke to us again. Moreover, she even stopped communicating with her own grandson. Little Pasha asked when grandma would come, but Elena Vladimirovna didn’t care. By doing so, she wanted to hurt both Vadim and me. It shocked me, but it didn’t surprise me. Anything could be expected from that woman.
Nevertheless, I was glad about the outcome. No one bothered me with their senseless advice, no one pointed out every mistake I made, no one turned a positive atmosphere into a tense and uncomfortable one. My husband, son, and I were starting a new life, one where there was no place for greed and avarice.»
