–Which payment is overdue? You must be mistaken; we have no credits… Yes, it’s the Yudin’s, yes, our address, but… How much? That can’t be. And in whose name is the credit taken out? – Yulia wondered.
–In the name of Ilya Andreevich Yudin, – they replied.
–Yes, that’s my husband, but how could he do it? And why? – the woman was completely bewildered.
–I sympathize, – the interlocutor’s voice softened, – But the rules are the same for everyone: deadlines have been missed, today is a reminder, and then further measures will follow.
Yulia couldn’t recall how she entered the room or ended up in front of the computer; evidently, the shock of the news had taken its toll. No, she needed first to figure out where this debt had come from.
She had never seen her husband’s credit card, so it turned out that the money wasn’t taken out for the family. What on earth was happening? Work had to be forgotten as her thoughts spun only around that strange conversation. Yudin could barely wait for Ilya to come home:
–For whom is the money? Who asked you to take out a credit?!
–I didn’t have time; they called, after all, – her husband grumbled irritably. And, realizing he had let it slip, he launched at his wife, – What are you staring at? It’s money for mom, money for mom. She asked for help; she lives alone…
–And where does she need such a sum? We manage with less, even though we both work?
–For a vacation, obviously?
–Where is she going—to the United Arab Emirates or to the Seychelles?
–My mom raised me on her own; she has the right. And I never expected this from you…
Frowning, Ilya walked into the room, demonstratively plopped into his armchair, and turned his back to the wall. He always did this when he needed to put pressure on his wife. But now his “sulking like a wounded child” act did not yield the desired results.
Yulia simply chose not to speak. There were, as they say, too many mothers-in-law in her married life. Iveta Pavlovna loved to demand—and she had begun from the moment she met her son’s chosen partner. Barely having seen the earrings on the girl’s ears, she immediately exclaimed with raised hands in admiration and inquired whether the stones were genuine or merely costume jewelry.
Upon learning that Yulia did not wear fakes, she immediately applauded:
–And why throw away such mounds of money? It would be better to buy something useful for the home…
–It’s a gift, – Yulia was unpleasantly shocked by such a reaction.
–Ah, well then, that’s fine, – the soon-to-be mother-in-law quickly calmed down.
A week later, Ilya sheepishly asked Yulia not to wear the earrings when they went to see his mom. You see, she was too upset that she didn’t have such an ornament, and her son couldn’t buy her a similar one.
Even then, thoughts about the strangeness of such behavior began to surface. But the enamored Yulia tried to brush away the unpleasant notions. And then came the wedding. Iveta Pavlovna shone: stylish outfit, a wonderful gift. And only a month later did the daughter-in-law accidentally learn that everything had been bought by Ilya. Otherwise, the mother had refused to appear at her son’s wedding.
And then it went on: first, mom demanded a new television—like the one her friend had; then she insisted on a hairdryer, the same as her sister’s; then payment for beauty salon services, and even treatments… And everything was needed immediately, urgently. Otherwise… Iveta would burst into tears and complain about her health as soon as she realized that what she desired was slipping away. Ilya couldn’t stand his mother’s tears and rushed to fulfill all her whims:
–After all, it’s mom… How can that be!
However, he now also had a family—and funds for its upkeep were catastrophically insufficient. His wife was puzzled: how is it that both of them work, earn quite well, yet they still lack even the most essential things? To all her questions, Ilya merely waved his hands:
–Apparently, Yulenka, you simply haven’t learned how to manage a household budget yet. You should learn from my mom…
But Yulia did not wish to learn from her mother-in-law; from the very first moment their relationship had been off. The “mama” type turned out to be too familiar to the bride, and later to Ilya Yudin’s wife. And she preferred to keep as far away from such personalities as possible.
And then the last straw: mom demanded money for a vacation. And the sum that Ilya withdrew for his mother shocked his wife. With that money, not only could three mortgage installments be paid off at once, but the apartment could also be furnished with decent, non-cheap furniture, and appliances purchased. And the remaining funds would more than cover the expenses for a celebration—at the best restaurant in town, no less.
It seemed that Ilya had no intention of changing his habitual ways: for him, it was always and everything for his mom. And even though Yulia would have been ready to accept that—as it was her mom, after all, and she would go to great lengths for her—this time, to do it without even saying a word… And if something happened? Who would bear the burden of that very credit? Her! And Iveta would be blameless once again.
It seemed time to have a serious talk with her husband. It was time to choose who was more important to him. Or at least have him explain to his mom that her demands needed to be tempered. But the conversation didn’t go well: Ilya got angry, accusing his wife of indifference and mercantilism:
–I’ve already paid off that debt; I’ll pay for everything, but you’ve pushed it too far! How much longer can this go on! Yes, mom doesn’t want cheap sanatoriums—she needs first class. But that’s just the way it is! She gave me life and did everything for me! And I can’t provide her with a vacation?
–And what about the fact that her whims are beyond our means? Maybe you should explain that to her?
–Better yet, let me explain it to you: mom is a sacred person…
Yulia realized that Ilya was not planning to change anything in their life. And she fully understood why Iveta was so jealous of her son over his wife: after all, mom called every day, begging little Ilya to come to her, otherwise she was so lonely… And the son would drop everything and rush to the opposite end of the city—mom was asking!
After yesterday’s argument, the Yudins went to work without reconciling. Later, closer to lunchtime, Yulia felt extremely unwell.
Her colleagues, alarmed by her appearance, insisted she go to the doctor. And there, the woman learned that she was expecting a baby. And how could she not share such news with the future father? Incidentally, Yulia anticipated that this would be a good reason to revise the budget.
However, the expecting mother rejoiced prematurely. Ilya complained that he hadn’t anticipated this. He begged his wife to postpone the baby and insisted on an abortion. Then he began calling his mother. But unlike her son, she did not plead—she demanded:
–I do not wish to become a grandmother! What were you thinking? To attach a child to yourself? No way—you won’t be able to keep him, Ilya will leave anyway…
–Leave? What do you mean?
–Oh, come on, I am a mother; I know my son. He has long been looking for a way to get away from someone like you. So do as he says, or you won’t get any alimony anyway.
Yulia felt the light dimming before her eyes. She regained consciousness only in the hospital.
–Yulyachka, you’re finally awake, – Yudin heard a familiar voice. When she opened her eyes, she saw a medic sitting nearby—the neighbor of her mother-in-law.
–Oh, Anna Evgenievna, – the patient managed to say weakly, – I didn’t know that you worked here…
–And it would be better if you still didn’t know, – she smirked, – I thought you’d have to choose: you or the baby.
–What?!
–Just calm down, everything is all right. Now, tell me what happened to leave you in such a state?
After hearing her story, the woman frowned. Then she offered Yulia some advice:
–Leave that family; Ilya won’t change, and his mommy will always torment all his chosen partners. She’s convinced that her son owes her everything. Iveta wore out your husband: she demanded and demanded, and he simply burned out at work. And the son is just like his father; he won’t go against his mother.
–But he got married…
–Frankly, I don’t understand how he ever decided. If you only knew how many girls ran away from him after the very first visit to Iveta! In short, decide. By the way, what does Ilya think about fatherhood?
After hearing Yulia’s answer, Anna muttered something unflattering under her breath about the mother’s boy. And, as if it were a magic spell, after that Yulia made her decision. She would manage on her own. And Ilya, it seemed, had already made his choice without even realizing it.
Yulia filed for divorce as soon as she got to work. Ilya did not insist on saving the marriage. She also kept quiet about the fact that she had managed to keep the baby.
… A year passed since she gained her freedom. Yulia was leisurely strolling with her daughter through a park near her home.
–Well, what a meeting – she heard a still-familiar voice, – Why won’t you let me see my granddaughter?
–Because that’s not your granddaughter, – Yulia replied calmly. That child… As you and Ilya advised, was never born. And this one – is my girl and mine alone. And yes, she already has a grandmother.
–How can you…
–I dare. And do you need the status of a grandmother that badly? So what’s the problem? Find your son a suitable partner.
Yulia walked away with a smile on her lips, ignoring the curses hurled after her. She understood that she had left a husband dependent on his mother just in time, and that losing him would have meant so much more.
