— So, she spent the entire bonus? All of it? Such a large sum? — Lidia Gavrilovna asked, surprised. — You said that Galya would pay for our trip to the Shishkins! I already promised them we’d come. What’s going on?
— I don’t know if she spent all of it or just half. Mom, why are you starting this again? — Artem asked, displeased. — Galya doesn’t even report to me about where she spends her money. You should be grateful that she’s putting up with me while I’m trying to find a decent job and paying my bills. And about your trip, I only assumed that Galya would help. Whether she gives you money or not is her business.
— Well, this is not right. Son, you should know where your family’s money is being spent. Or better yet, not just monitor it, but guide it. You should take the leading role and decide where and on what to spend your wife’s money. And helping parents is a sacred duty.
— It’s easy for you to talk, mom. But does it matter that I’m not even bringing home half of what I used to? All because I was let go from my main job, and I’m picking up odd jobs here and there.
— It’s nothing to worry about. This is temporary, your Galya should understand that. And you are the head of the family. You should be managing all the expenses, — Lidia Gavrilovna argued with her son.
Her son Artem was weak-willed. Not the way she wanted him to be in family life. He had been living with Galya for five years, and everything had been fine until the last year. Until Artem was laid off from a good job, where he earned as much as his wife at her company.
And then the troubles started — constant arguments between the son and daughter-in-law over money shortages, endless reproaches. Lidia Gavrilovna had always been able to count on help from her daughter-in-law or Artem, but now he himself was constantly borrowing money from his mother. This annoyed her. The woman tried to talk to her daughter-in-law about it, but she refused to discuss finances in their family.
The mother-in-law knew that Galya worked as a department head in a sales equipment company. Her salary had always been good, and lately, it had been excellent. While Artem was still working full-time, Galya even occasionally helped her mother-in-law with money.
In particular, she had helped quite a bit last time when Lidia Gavrilovna decided to take care of her health and went to an expensive resort. Galya paid half the cost of the ticket for her.
Now, no talk of resorts could be entertained. Artem’s marriage was at risk because he couldn’t find a decent job.
Recently, he had given his mother some hope with good news — they promised him a managerial position at a company famous for its high market ranking. Artem was excited and even hinted to his mother that maybe Galya would help them with her bonus. They were planning to visit Lidia Gavrilovna’s sister in a neighboring city, who had recently become a grandmother and was joyfully inviting the whole family.
— Oh, son, that’s a lot of money! The tickets for both of us, a nice gift for the newborn, and treats for everyone we haven’t seen in years. I can’t even figure out where to get the money, — she lamented. — No, we won’t be going. How can we afford it?
— Galya will help! — Artem replied joyfully, already anticipating his new position with the corresponding salary.
— You think so? — his mother asked skeptically.
— Yes, I’m sure! I’ll tell her that you need help with the money. She got a good bonus recently, she even boasted to me about it. I don’t think she’ll refuse.
— Well, that would be nice, son! So, we can hope? Then we’ll start preparing.
This conversation took place a couple of days ago. And today, a distressed Artem called to report that once again, his job opportunity had fallen through. The position that had been promised to him went to someone else, a friend of the boss.
— Well, it’s okay, son, don’t get upset. It means it’s not meant to be. You just need to wait. You’ll get a decent job, — Lidia Gavrilovna hurried to console her son.
— I’m already tired of waiting! Everything is just exhausting! — Artem couldn’t hold it in anymore.
— Don’t shout. Just tell me, did you talk to Galya? Will she give us money for the trip? — Lidia Gavrilovna asked.
— You can forget about that! No money!
— What do you mean? What does that mean? Did she refuse to help us? — his mother asked, surprised.
— Yes, she refused. She said she spent all the money, — Artem answered angrily, beginning to get frustrated with the conversation.
— How can that be — all of it? You told me two days ago that Galya got a really good bonus. Was that true? So, what did she spend it all on in such a short time? Did you even ask? — Lidia Gavrilovna insisted.
Artem hung up the phone — the conversation was pointless and empty. He hadn’t forgotten that his mother and father were expecting financial help from his wife. He had even mentioned it to Galya yesterday. But he got such a sharp response that he was slightly surprised.
— Listen, who told them that I’m supposed to help? I already have to feed our little son and practically an unemployed husband. And now these people want to latch onto our family budget too! Isn’t it enough that I’m already the one supporting everyone? — Galya yelled.
— Why are you so upset? No is fine. I’m not insisting. It’s just that you said this time the bonus would be good, so I thought…
— You’d better think about something else — like where to find a real job with a real salary! — Galya snapped. — And I’ll handle my bonus, okay? If I want to spend it, I will, and if I want to save it, I will. My money, I can do whatever I want with it.
— But this is our family budget, — remembering his mother’s teachings, Artem tried to argue.
— Yes, you’re right. But I’m the one who manages it. That’s how it’s always been in our family, as social activists like to say. That’s it, the matter is closed. Tell your mother-in-law that there won’t be any more money from me!
But Lidia Gavrilovna decided to find out for herself why her daughter-in-law, having money, refused to help them. She wasn’t going to let the situation go without getting an explanation. There was money — she should spend it!
— Galya, we need to talk, — she called that evening, not wanting to delay the problem any further.
— About what? — Galya asked, already knowing what the conversation would be about.
— I thought we were a close family, and you always cared about what happens in it. And it’s been that way up until now, — the mother-in-law began cautiously.
— Can you be more specific? I don’t have time. I need to bathe my son and put him to bed, — Galya replied in a displeased tone.
— I think you know what I’m talking about. Your father and I need money, we were planning to go to the Shishkins’ for their celebration, for the birth of their grandchild, and…
— Well, go ahead! — Galya cut her off sharply. — What, did you think you needed permission? Oh, wait! Let me answer for you. You’re asking me for money, right?
— Yes, you got it. But why «demand»? That’s rude. Why not help your close family members if you have the money? My son told me you got a big bonus, Galya. So don’t be stingy, give us and your father money for the trip, — Lidia Gavrilovna continued, ignoring her daughter-in-law’s sarcastic tone.
— Why should I? What’s the necessity to go so far if there’s no money? Or maybe there is, and you’ve decided to take advantage of mine? After all, your daughter-in-law got a big bonus, but you didn’t get any. That’s wrong!
— Don’t talk back to me. What kind of manner is that, speaking like that to your husband’s mother? What happened to you? You were always polite and restrained. What’s changed? You think because Artem is temporarily unemployed, it’s a reason to quarrel with all his relatives? — his mother-in-law shouted into the phone. — You should show some respect!
— There’s no money for you! — Galya decided to end the conversation.
— Why not? Tell me, what did you spend such a sum on? Your husband Artem, for example, doesn’t know either! Be kind, answer us all! Open our eyes to where the family money is going! What kind of needs are these, we have no idea about?
— Aha. Sure! Why should I account for myself? I didn’t ask you where I should spend my money! — Galya snapped back at her mother-in-law. — I earned it, and I’ll decide what to do with it.
Deciding not to hold back anymore, Galya switched to “you” in the conversation. She wanted to show that she wasn’t going to bow to the whims of her husband’s mother.
— No, just listen to her! This is where your true character is showing! A rude person! She won’t account for herself! Oh yes, you will, you sweet little thing! If you don’t, I’ll tell my son, and he’ll leave you in an instant, and you’ll be left alone. Who do you think you are, princess? Look at her, a rich lady! — the mother-in-law screamed, no longer hiding her emotions.
Galya hung up the phone.
— My God, what kind of people! No matter how much good you do, they still end up kicking you in the dirt, — she said angrily.
— Are you talking about my mother? Don’t be mad at her. She’s not used to anyone saying no to her. And you’re the first one in all our family who dared to contradict her, — Artem said.
— I couldn’t care less about her habits! People should behave decently, and then everyone around them will treat them the same. I don’t need her tantrums. By the way, you’re also really interested in where I put my money? Your mother-in-law even mentioned you, saying you didn’t know about my bonus, — Galya asked her husband.
— Yes, I’m curious. Did you really spend it all? And on what?
— No, imagine this, I didn’t spend it all. This time I put it in a savings account with good interest. It’s time to start saving something. Otherwise, we might end up in a debt pit with you, — his wife answered.
— Really? That’s surprising. So, you decided to save? Are you planning to leave me later? Building a safety net? — Artem asked, with hurt and suspicion in his voice.
— Anything can happen in life. We’re not insured against anything. So a little cushion wouldn’t hurt. Smart people think about their children’s future in advance. And if I fulfill all the desires and whims of your parents, no salary or bonus will be enough.
Meanwhile, Lidia Gavrilovna, after hanging up from the unpleasant conversation, looked at her husband with an annoyed expression and said:
— What does she think she’s doing? It’s always been that way, from time immemorial, that a daughter-in-law should know her place! I remember when I married you, I gave all my salary to your mother for the first two years.
— Oh, now you remember. We were living with parents then, we didn’t have anything of our own, don’t you remember? And now, can you compare that to what we have now! Leave Galya alone before trouble comes, — said her husband, Pyotr.
— Teach me a lesson now!
Lidia Gavrilovna called the Shishkins to cancel her visit, citing temporary financial difficulties.
— Well, come without gifts, what’s all this nonsense? We’ll be happy to see you anyway! — her sister shouted into the phone.
— At least send us money for the tickets, and we’ll pay you back later. When my son starts earning well, we’ll return it, — Lidia Gavrilovna asked her sister, unwilling to spend her hard-earned money on the trip.
— Okay, we’ll give you some money, come on over, — the relatives agreed.
