Did mom come by?»
«Yes. And you know, I’m just shocked! How could you discuss transferring our apartment into her name? Behind my back?»
«Zhanna, wait…»
«No, you wait!» – Zhanna struggled to keep her voice steady. «We’ve been saving for six years. Together! My mom is contributing a third of the money. And she suggests transferring it into her name. And you… you seriously discussed this?»
«Zhanochka, just don’t get worked up! I just want what’s best,» Albina Alexandrovna sat on the edge of the kitchen chair and sighed. «Think about it: I have benefits as a disabled person. You’ll pay less for utilities!»
«Albina Alexandrovna, what nonsense is this?» – Zhanna froze by the stove with a ladle in her hand. «So, my mom gave a third of the money for the apartment, and you’re suggesting it should be in your name? Why?»
«Well, the rest of the money is Boris’s!»
«What do you mean ‘Boris’s’?» – Zhanna’s voice rang out. «We’ve been saving for six years. Together!»
«Oh, she was saving!» – her mother-in-law threw up her hands. «Who sat on maternity leave for three years? Boris worked hard alone!»
«Enough, I don’t want to listen to this,» – Zhanna slammed the ladle onto the countertop. «Think whatever you want.»
«Since time immemorial, the man has been the master! And you’re making a fuss…»
«Alright, fine – the man. But what does that have to do with you?»
«I’m the oldest in the family! You’ve turned Boris against me!»
«I didn’t turn him against you. We never even considered transferring anything to you. Where did this idea come from?»
«Well, I talked to Boris, and he wasn’t against it. He just said you’d object.»
Zhanna stood frozen, unable to believe her ears. How? How could her husband discuss such a thing behind her back? Her temples throbbed, and her hands turned cold. She took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
«You know what, Albina Alexandrovna… Let Boris and I decide this ourselves. Without any intermediaries.»
«See! – her mother-in-law pressed her lips together. – You’re pushing him away from his mother again!»
After her mother-in-law left, Zhanna couldn’t focus on anything. The borscht on the stove boiled over, but she didn’t even seem to notice. Pieces of the conversation swirled in her mind, and every word from Albina Alexandrovna felt like a blow.
Somehow, she snapped back to reality: she moved the pot to the cold stove, turned off the heat, and began wiping up the spilled borscht. But the thoughts kept running wild in her head.
Six years. Six whole years she and Boris had lived with the dream of having their own apartment. How much they had gone through! First, they rented a small flat on the outskirts, saving on everything. Then, when little Yegorka was born, they found a two-room apartment closer to Boris’s work.
Then, three years of maternity leave. Night feedings, colic, first teeth, first steps… She made lunches carefully so that her husband could take food with him to save on the cafeteria. She remembered her knitting hobby, and she learned to make soft toys, selling them online. It wasn’t much, but it added up for the family budget. Boris worked hard, taking on extra projects. He was exhausted but never complained.
Then, they got a spot in the daycare for Yegorka. Zhanna went back to work but didn’t stop knitting. Financially, things got easier, physically… She didn’t immediately adjust, but eventually, she found her rhythm. Boris now had to work less and help more around the house and with their son.
And now, just when they were so close to their dream, when her mom had unexpectedly decided to help with the missing funds, her mother-in-law shows up with her «whims.» Zhanna bitterly smiled. Albina Alexandrovna hadn’t really liked her before, thinking that her son could have found a «better match.» And now even more so… But the worst part was Boris. How could he even seriously discuss such a foolish idea with his mother?
The sound of building blocks from the kids’ room broke her train of thought – Yegorka was building something again. At least today she had the day off to be at home. She needed to pull herself together. There would be a serious conversation with her husband in the evening, but now it was time for her son. Zhanna squared her shoulders and smiled, although the smile was a bit crooked.
«Mummy, look what I built!» – Yegorka was already running towards her with a construction piece in his hands, and her heart warmed a little.
The day dragged on endlessly. Zhanna paced around the apartment, unable to settle. A few times she thought about calling her mom – Ulyana Gavrilovna always knew what to say, how to calm her down, support her. But right now… No, first, she needed to talk to her husband.
Yegorka, sensing his mom’s mood, quieted down. He climbed onto the couch, turned on cartoons. Only occasionally did he ask for a drink or wonder when dad would be home.
As if on cue, Boris came back later than usual. The sound of the door unlocking, followed by the rustling in the hallway – he was taking off his shoes and jacket. Zhanna took a deep breath.
«Dad!» – Yegorka rushed to the hallway and clung to his father. «I built a castle! With blocks!»
«Good job, son! Let’s go see what you’ve made. Then it’s time for bed!»
«I don’t waaan’t toooo…»
«Yegor,» – Zhanna tried to keep her voice steady, «It’s already late. Let me tuck you in and tell you a story.»
Half an hour later, her son finally fell asleep. Zhanna closed the nursery door and went back to the kitchen. Boris had already eaten and was now flipping through something on his phone.
«We need to talk.»
Her husband looked up, and a shadow of understanding crossed his face.
«Did mom come by?»
«Yes. And you know, I’m just shocked! How could you discuss transferring our apartment into her name? Behind my back?»
«Zhanna, wait…»
«No, you wait!» – Zhanna struggled to keep her voice steady. «We’ve been saving for six years. Together! My mom gave a third of the money. And she suggests transferring it into her name. And you… You seriously discussed this?»
«I didn’t discuss anything!» – Boris irritably put down his phone. «She came to me at work with this idea. I immediately said no. I explained why it’s nonsense. Well, among other things, I said you’d be against it.»
«And she only heard about me, right? And then came to convince me?»
«Seems like it…» – Boris sighed loudly. «Look, you know my mom. She always does this – comes up with something and gets it into her head…»
«I know,» – Zhanna smiled bitterly. «And I also know she doesn’t like me. But the apartment, Boris! This is too much.»
«I’ll call her. I’ll tell her not to bring it up again.»
«Do you think that will help?» – Zhanna shook her head. «She’s convinced I’ve turned you against her.»
«Let her think whatever she wants!» – Boris stood up and hugged his wife. «The important thing is we’ve decided. The apartment will only be ours, no alternatives.»
Zhanna rested her forehead on her husband’s shoulder. She felt a weight lift from her chest, but a nagging feeling of worry still gnawed at her inside. Something told her – this wasn’t the end of the story.
And it turned out that way. The very next day, her mom called…
«Zhann, don’t worry,» – Ulyana Gavrilovna’s voice sounded anxious. «But Albina called me…»
Zhanna slowly sat down on the chair. Just what she needed!
«And what did she say?»
«Well, a lot of things…» – her mom paused. «In short, she thinks I’m mismanaging my money. That I should have bought a car or a trip somewhere, instead of interfering with their plans with her son.»
Zhanna felt everything inside her boil. “Their plans with the son?” Seriously?
– Mom, I’m sorry, we shouldn’t have dragged you into this, but I never imagined she’d call you.
– Wait, – Uliana Gavrilovna interrupted. – That’s not all. She said that if I insist on helping with the apartment, the money should be given to her. She’ll “supervise” that you do everything correctly.
There was a heavy silence on the phone. Zhanna sat there, her fingers white from gripping the phone, trying to process what she had just heard.
– Are you there?
– Yes, mom… And what did you say?
– What do you think I said?! – Uliana Gavrilovna was outraged. – I told her right away – these are my money, and I’ll decide who and how to give them to. I’m giving them to you, not her. And she started shouting…
Zhanna closed her eyes for a second. Oh God, how embarrassed she was that her mother had to hear all this…
The front door slammed – Boris and Yegorka had returned. They had gone to the park to feed the ducks. The son was happily chattering, and her husband was laughing in response. Meanwhile, Zhanna sat in the kitchen, trembling with anger and resentment.
– Mom, look what I found! – Yegorka burst into the kitchen, holding a colorful feather in his hand.
– Beautiful… – Zhanna forced a smile. – Yegorushka, go play in your room for a while, okay? We need to talk with dad.
Boris, noticing her tone, frowned:
– What happened?
– Your mother called mine.
– Why?
– She said that mom should give the money to her. Can you imagine? – Zhanna almost shouted in a whisper. – She wants to “control” our spending!
Boris sat down on a chair, running his hand through his hair in confusion:
– This is nonsense…
– Exactly! And then she claimed that my mom and I were interfering with her and your plans. YOUR plans, Boris! So I’m no one here? Just an accessory to you?
– Zhanna, calm down…
– I won’t calm down! – Zhanna jumped up and started pacing around the kitchen. – Six years down the drain? Was I just sitting on maternity leave? Didn’t work before or after, didn’t sell these damn toys, didn’t save on everything I could? And now my mother’s money is supposed to go to her? She…
Zhanna stopped herself when she noticed her scared son standing in the doorway. Yegorka was holding his stuffed rabbit to his chest and batting his long eyelashes.
– Mommy, why are you shouting?
– Sorry, baby… – Zhanna squatted down in front of him and hugged him. His head smelled of autumn leaves and caramel. – It’s okay. We’re just talking.
– Will Grandma Albina come again? – her son suddenly asked. – She’s mean. I don’t want her to come.
Zhanna’s eyes welled up. Even the child could feel it…
– Okay, – Boris said firmly. – This has to end. I’m going to my mother. Right now.
– I’ll go with you.
– No. Stay with Yegorka. I’ll handle it myself.
Zhanna shook her head:
– We’re going together. No more backstage games. We’ll call my mom and let her stay with the grandson.
An hour later, they parked in front of Albina Alexandrovna’s house. They had been silent the whole way – each thinking about their own thoughts. Zhanna kept glancing at her husband. She hadn’t seen him so determined in a long time.
Her mother-in-law didn’t open the door right away. She was rattling the locks for a long time, as if hoping they’d leave. But they didn’t.
– Borya! – Albina Alexandrovna exclaimed, raising her hands. – Why didn’t you warn me? I’d have made some potatoes… And you’re here too, – she gave Zhanna a cold look. – Well, come in.
They entered the small living room, which was covered in old photographs. Borya in kindergarten, Borya as a first-grader, Borya as a graduate… Zhanna suddenly thought: for her mother-in-law, time had stopped. In that place, her son was just her son. No wife, no child, no life plans…
– Mom, – Boris’s voice was flat. – Why did you call Uliana Gavrilovna?
– What’s wrong with that? – Albina Alexandrovna sat down in an armchair, smoothing out the folds in her robe. – I have the right to talk to your… wife’s mother.
– You can talk as much as you want, but dumping your assumptions about our life on her isn’t right. Why does she have to give you the money?
– Don’t talk to your mother like that! – his mother jumped up. – It’s all her! – She pointed an accusatory finger at Zhanna. – She turned you against me! With her whims, her pride! And I only wanted the best! I wanted everything to be done properly, like a good housekeeper…
– Like a good housekeeper – so that the apartment would be yours? – Zhanna asked quietly.
– So what if it is! – Albina Alexandrovna turned red. – I’m a mother! I have the right…
– No, mom. – Boris stepped forward, standing in front of Zhanna. – You don’t have the right. Not to the apartment, not to the money, not to our life. Enough. You won’t interfere with our life, our plans, you won’t insult my wife and yell at her mother. And if that means cutting off contact with you, well, I swear I’ve tried to do this nicely.
– Cut off contact?! – his mother almost screamed. – Your mother-in-law is more important to you than me?! Then let her help you with everything, and don’t come to me for help anymore!
They left silently, followed by her shouts. They walked down the stairs. It was drizzling outside, but Zhanna didn’t care. She held her husband’s hand and felt his fingers trembling.
– Sorry, – Boris suddenly said. – I should’ve done this a long time ago. Stopped her…
Zhanna silently leaned against his shoulder. The rain was getting heavier, but they still stood there by the entrance, unable to take the next step. Somewhere upstairs, a window slammed shut. At that moment, they both understood – something had snapped, ended. And what happens next? It depends entirely on them.
Soon they signed the documents for the apartment. Everything went quickly and smoothly – as if fate itself was hurrying to put an end to this story. Zhanna and Boris silently walked out of the realtor’s office, slipping the folders of papers into her bag.
– Shall we stop somewhere? – Boris suggested. – Celebrate?
Zhanna shook her head:
– Let’s do it at home. With Yegorka. We’ll buy a cake, make some tea…
A quiet joy spread inside her from the purchase of the long-awaited apartment, only slightly seasoned with bitterness and shame. Mom had helped them so much, and in return, she had to hear Albina Alexandrovna’s complaints. At least it was over now.
That evening, after putting their son to bed, they sat in the kitchen. The initial joy had settled, and now their thoughts wandered not only around the upcoming move but also back to the past. Boris absentmindedly pushed a teaspoon around the table.
– You know, – he suddenly said, – mom wasn’t always like this.
Zhanna looked up:
– What do you mean?
– Back when dad was alive… She was different. She laughed a lot. She’d talk to the neighbors. She sang in the choir. And then… – He paused. – I spoke to a psychologist today. A specialist in family relationships, works with elderly people.
– And what did he say?
– She. He said this happens often. Losing a husband, the fear of loneliness, trying to hold onto control over something… I got the contact details. I’ll talk to mom.
– Do you think she’ll agree?
– She’ll have to, – Boris clenched his fists. – I’ll tell her straight: either you work on yourself, or we’ll only see you on holidays. I won’t drag Yegorka to her – the child already feels the tension, he’s scared of her.
– Harsh…
– What else can I do? She won’t stop. Today it’s the apartment, tomorrow she’ll come up with something else. I love her, she’s my mother. But I won’t let her destroy our family.
The phone rang in the hallway – a message had arrived. From his mother-in-law: “Have you completely forgotten your mother? You won’t even call?”
Zhanna handed the phone to her husband. He read it, sighed heavily:
– See? I’ll go see her this weekend. I’ll talk.
Zhanna nodded. Yes, it couldn’t be any other way. You can’t fight your whole life. You can’t keep defending yourself. Sometimes you just need to make a decisive move. Even if it causes pain.
– Just go on Saturday, – she said. – Mom asked to see the apartment on Sunday.
Boris smiled and pulled her to him. Outside, the streetlights flickered, Yegorka was softly snoring in the nursery, and the tea in their cups had cooled. An ordinary evening for an ordinary family. Except now, this family had their own home. And maybe just a bit more wisdom to defend their right to their own life.
Soon they moved. Yegorka was thrilled to explore his new room, Zhanna kept busy: hanging curtains, organizing things in cabinets, buying some home decor. Boris assembled and arranged the furniture. The most important thing was that it was their own home now. Not rented, where they could be kicked out at any moment, and where every step had to be approved by the landlords.
Albina Alexandrovna did eventually go to the psychologist. Not right away – first, there were tears, accusations, and attempts to play on sympathy. But Boris held firm: either work on herself, or rare visits on major holidays. And eventually, his mother gave in.
Uliana Gavrilovna came over every Sunday. She’d bring treats for Yegorka, play with her grandson, and help her daughter settle into the new nest. One day, as they were both putting dishes away in the kitchen cabinets, she suddenly said:
– You know, Zhanochka, I also once fought with my mother-in-law. Just in a different way…
– What do you mean?
– I gave in to her in everything. I thought – with patience and kindness… But then I realized: you can’t build happiness on someone else’s terms. Even if those “someone else” are the closest people.
Zhanna hugged her mother. How lucky she was – with such a wise, understanding mom. With a husband who wasn’t afraid to make a choice.
