Nadezhda sat in an old wicker chair on the veranda, sorting the raspberries she had picked in the morning. The June sun played through the apple tree leaves, casting whimsical shadows on the wooden floor. From the open window, the cheerful laughter of children could be heard. Nadezhda’s niece and nephew, Dima and Katya, were running around the yard with water pistols, soaking each other and squealing with delight when the cold water splashed down their backs.
Nadezhda smiled, watching the children. This was exactly the kind of summer she had dreamed of all winter — peaceful days at the dacha surrounded by family, slow conversations with her sister, the scent of fresh vegetables from the garden, and the aroma of fragrant tea on the veranda. Now her dream had come true.
«Yulia, would you like some more tea?» Nadezhda called toward the kitchen where her sister was preparing lunch.
«No, thanks!» came the reply. «I’m planning to bake a pie with your currants. Do you think it will turn out okay?»
«You know, everything you make always turns out delicious,» Nadezhda put the bowl of raspberries down and stretched. «I even envy your culinary skills.»
Yulia peeked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Her light hair was tied up in a messy ponytail, and a smile played on her face.
«You know a lot of things, sister. Like growing this wonderful raspberry,» Yulia walked over to Nadezhda and picked a few berries from the bowl. «Mmm, sweet! And anyway, thank you for the invitation. The kids are thrilled, and I finally feel like I’m relaxing.»
Nadezhda nodded. When she called her sister three months ago and suggested coming to the dacha for the summer, she never imagined it would turn out this well. Yulia and the kids arrived in early June, and the dacha immediately became lively. The kids helped as much as they could — watering the beds, pulling weeds, picking berries. Yulia cooked dinner for everyone in the evenings, and they sat on the veranda, drinking tea and talking until late at night.
«How’s Viktor? Is he coming for the weekend?» Yulia asked, sitting down in the chair next to Nadezhda.
«He’s supposed to come,» Nadezhda sighed. «Although lately, he’s been a bit tense. Probably work.»
«Or maybe he doesn’t like that we’ve been here for so long?» Yulia frowned. «Let me know if that’s the case. We can leave.»
«What are you talking about?» Nadezhda jumped slightly in her chair. «Vitya’s fine with you being here. He even played football with Dima last weekend, remember?»
Yulia smiled, recalling how her son kicked the ball with Uncle Vitya and then proudly told everyone he scored three goals.
«Yeah, that was great. I just feel like sometimes men hide their discontent, and then it comes out at the worst possible moment.»
«Well, my Vitya isn’t like that. If something bothers him, he says it right away,» Nadezhda shrugged. «So don’t make things up. Better tell me, how’s Sasha? Has he called?»
Yulia’s face darkened slightly.
«Once. He asked how the kids are,» she ran her hand through her hair. «You know, sometimes I wonder if we did the right thing. Maybe we should have tried to save the family for the kids?»
«And then what? Spend the rest of your life tolerating his indulgences?» Nadezhda took her sister’s hand. «No, you did the right thing. The kids need a healthy environment, not all-night arguments.»
Yulia nodded and looked at her children, who were now sitting under the apple tree, intently examining something in the grass.
«You’re right. They’re so happy here. Dima even stopped stuttering. And Katya finally started eating properly. In the city, she would always pick at her food, but here she’s eating two portions.»
«See!» Nadezhda smiled contentedly. «Everything’s for the best.»
In the evening, when the children were already asleep and the sisters sat on the veranda watching the stars, the phone rang. Nadezhda looked at the screen and frowned.
«Mother-in-law,» she whispered to Yulia and answered. «Hello, Galina Petrovna! How is your health?»
Yulia watched as her sister’s face slowly changed, becoming more tense.
«Yes, of course… No, it’s not a problem… Yes, but… Okay, I understand…» Nadezhda responded with short phrases, and then said, «Goodbye,» slowly putting the phone down on the table.
«What happened?» Yulia asked, sensing something was wrong.
«Galina Petrovna has decided to move to the dacha for the whole summer,» Nadezhda’s voice trembled. «She said it’s too stuffy in the city, and the air here is fresh. And she’s already packing.»
«But we…,» Yulia didn’t finish her sentence.
«Exactly,» Nadezhda rubbed her forehead tiredly. «And there’s not that much space. You and the kids are in the big room, Vitya and I are in the small one. Where will we put Galina Petrovna?»
«Maybe just say it’s inconvenient right now?» Yulia suggested. «That you have guests, and there’s no room.»
«I tried hinting, but it’s like she didn’t hear me,» Nadezhda shook her head. «She said she’d just move the bed in our room, and Vitya and I can move to the fold-out bed in the summer kitchen. And that she needs peace and order.»
Yulia pressed her lips together.
«So what now?»
«I don’t know,» Nadezhda looked up at her sister. «I need to talk to Vitya. Maybe he’ll come up with something. He’s coming home from work tomorrow evening.»
The next day, Nadezhda was on edge. She kept glancing at the clock, waiting for her husband’s arrival. When she finally heard the sound of the car pulling up outside, she ran to meet Viktor.
«Hi,» she kissed him on the cheek. «How was the drive?»
«Fine,» Viktor looked tired. «What’s new here?»
«Well,» Nadezhda hesitated, «your mom called yesterday. She said she’s moving to the dacha for the whole summer.»
Viktor stopped and looked at his wife.
«And so? Is there a problem with that?»
Nadezhda didn’t expect this reaction.
«Vitya, but we have guests. Yulia and the kids. We had planned for the whole summer.»
«So what?» Viktor shrugged. «It’s not like mom visits every day. We’ll figure it out.»
«But it’s already cramped,» Nadezhda tried to explain. «Where are we going to put her?»
«Our room, of course,» Viktor said as if that was the most obvious solution. «We’ll sleep on the veranda or in the summer kitchen. It’s summer, it’s warm.»
«What about Yulia and the kids?» Nadezhda felt her anger rising. «Your mom talked about peace and order. That’s hard to guarantee with kids around.»
«Listen,» Viktor suddenly started getting irritated too, «this is temporary. Mom comes first, you know that. She’s not getting any younger, she needs rest.»
«And my sister isn’t a priority?» Nadezhda asked quietly.
«Don’t exaggerate,» Viktor waved his hand. «We just need to respect our elders. If mom’s coming, then she’s coming. End of story.»
Nadezhda felt a knot tighten inside her. She didn’t expect such a firm response from her husband.
«Okay,» she finally said. «I’ll talk to Yulia.»
In the evening, when the kids were asleep, Nadezhda told her sister about the conversation with her husband. Yulia listened silently and then asked:
«Do you want us to leave?»
«No!» Nadezhda exclaimed. «Of course not. I want you to stay. We planned to spend the whole summer together.»
— But your husband…
— Vitya will get used to it, — Nadya tried to speak confidently. — He’s just very attached to his mother. This will pass.
Yulia looked at her sister with doubt but didn’t argue.
A couple of days later, a message came from her mother-in-law: «I’ll come the day after tomorrow. Prepare the room. And tell your children not to make noise.»
Nadya showed the message to Viktor.
— Vitya, she thinks the children are ours. I didn’t tell her that Yulia is staying with us with her nephews.
Viktor frowned.
— And you should have told her. Now Mom will come and be surprised.
— Should I warn her? — Nadya suggested.
— Why? — Viktor waved his hand. — She’ll come and find out. What difference does it make?
In the evening, Viktor’s mother called. Nadya heard him talking to her outside, and when he returned inside, his face was angry.
— Mom found out everything. She said she’s not going to live in the same house with strangers, — Viktor looked at his wife with clear reproach. — Why didn’t you tell her right away?
— I tried, but she wouldn’t listen, — Nadya defended herself. — And besides, you yourself said it didn’t matter.
— It does matter, — Viktor snapped. — Now Mom is upset. She says she feels unwelcome in our house.
— But we’re not against her coming, — Nadya objected. — It’s just that it’s inconvenient right now.
Viktor pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
— Mom, it’s fine, come as we agreed. We’ll prepare everything.
Nadya listened to the conversation with growing confusion. After the call, she asked:
— And how do you plan to handle this? Where will we put everyone?
— That’s not my problem, — Viktor cut her off. — Mom is going to the dacha to relax, not to look at strangers’ faces. You’ll figure something out.
— What do you mean «strangers’ faces»? — Nadya couldn’t believe her ears. — This is my own sister and her children!
— So what? To Mom, they are strangers, — Viktor raised his voice. — Be glad that she even agreed to come under these conditions.
Nadya felt tears welling up in her eyes.
— You know how I’ve been looking forward to this summer with Yulia and the kids. We’ve been planning so much…
— Plans change, — Viktor cut her off. — Kick your relatives to the neighbors! Mom’s coming to the dacha to relax, not to look at those faces!
Nadya froze, unable to believe her husband had said these words. The same Viktor who had always been so attentive and caring. Now, there was something foreign and cold in his eyes.
— Do you even hear yourself? — Nadya asked quietly, trying to keep her composure. — Kick out my sister and nephews to the neighbors?
— What do you suggest? — Viktor crossed his arms. — Should I put Mom in the shed?
— I suggest we think about it, — Nadya walked to the window and looked into the yard.
On the swing Viktor had built last summer, Dima was rocking, while Katya sat beside him on the grass, weaving a dandelion crown. Yulia was bending over a flower bed, planting some flowers she’d brought from the city. A typical, peaceful dacha scene. Exactly what Nadya had imagined for all these months.
— You know, I think I’ll go for a walk, — Nadya said without turning to her husband.
— A walk? Now? — Viktor looked at the clock in confusion. — It’s already eight in the evening.
— I need to think, — Nadya threw on a light cardigan and stepped outside, carefully closing the door behind her.
The evening air was filled with the scent of herbs and flowers. Nadya walked slowly along the path next to the fence, absent-mindedly noting that the leaning board needed fixing. Her thoughts were tangled. On one hand, she understood her husband’s concern for his mother; on the other, his attitude toward her sister and nephews felt unacceptable.
Reaching the small pond near the dacha, Nadya sat on a bench and stared at the water for a long time. Gradually, things began to clear in her mind. Why should she sacrifice her plans because of her mother-in-law’s sudden decision? Why should Yulia and the kids, who had been looking forward to this summer, leave just because Galina Petrovna suddenly wanted peace and quiet?
Nadya returned to the house when it was already dark. Viktor was sitting on the veranda, reading something on his phone.
— Nadya, where have you been? I was worried, — Viktor said, putting down his phone.
— I went for a walk. Thought things over, — Nadya sat across from him. — And I made a decision.
Viktor looked at his wife questioningly.
— Yulia and the kids are staying, as we planned, — Nadya said firmly. — They’re my family, and I’m not sending them away.
— And what about Mom? — Viktor frowned.
— If Galina Petrovna is bothered by people at our dacha, she doesn’t have to come. Or she can come later, when Yulia and the kids leave.
— Do you realize you’re insulting my mother? — Viktor raised his voice.
— I’m not insulting anyone, — Nadya remained calm. — I’m just speaking the truth. We live here, and we decide who to invite. I invited my sister and her kids for the whole summer. They’re staying.
Viktor stood up and started pacing the veranda.
— And my opinion doesn’t matter, huh? I’m nobody here?
— Your opinion matters, of course, — Nadya looked at her husband. — But not when you make me choose between your mom and my sister.
Viktor stopped abruptly.
— Don’t you understand that your stubbornness could tear our family apart? — His voice carried a threat.
— It’s not stubbornness, Vitya, — Nadya shook her head. — It’s my decision. This is my home, my family, my summer. And I have the right to choose who I want around.
— So, you’re choosing your sister over your husband’s mother? — Viktor looked at Nadya with distrust.
— I’m choosing those who respect our boundaries, — Nadya replied. — I’m not saying your mom can’t come. I’m saying she can’t demand that my sister and kids be kicked out. That’s the difference.
Viktor was silent for a long time, then sighed.
— Fine, I’ll talk to Mom tomorrow. Maybe she’ll agree to come later.
The next morning, Viktor called his mother. Nadya didn’t hear the conversation, but from her husband’s grim expression, she understood that Galina Petrovna wasn’t happy with the news.
— So? — Nadya asked when Viktor came back inside.
— Mom’s upset, — Viktor shrugged. — She said a thankless woman doesn’t deserve her presence. And she’s going to her sister Klavdia’s in the Moscow region.
— I see, — Nadya nodded. She felt a little sorry for how things turned out, but at the same time, she felt relief.
— I hope you’re happy, — Viktor mumbled and went outside to chop firewood.
All day, Viktor was gloomy and spoke little. In the evening, when Yulia and the kids went swimming in the pond, Nadya approached her husband, who was sitting on the veranda steps.
— Vitya, I’m sorry things turned out this way with Galina Petrovna, — she sat next to him. — But you know we can’t just kick out people we’ve invited?
Viktor silently stared ahead.
— And besides, the dacha is small, — Nadya continued. — It would be cramped and uncomfortable for everyone. Your mom would be unhappy with the noise, the kids would be shy about playing, everyone would be nervous.
— Yeah, I get it already, — Viktor sighed. — Mom’s just upset.
— She’ll calm down, — Nadya put her hand on her husband’s shoulder. — And besides, Klavdia Petrovna’s house is big; she’ll be more comfortable there.
— Probably, — Viktor smiled slightly for the first time that day. — By the way, I’m leaving tomorrow. There’s a crunch at work; I need to finish a project.
— Okay, — Nadya nodded. — Will you be back next weekend?
— If I manage to finish the work, — Viktor looked at his wife. — Listen, I probably overreacted yesterday. I’m sorry.
Nadya hugged her husband.
— It’s all right. The important thing is we worked it out.
The next day, Viktor left for the city. Nadya was worried that her husband was still upset, but gradually, her concerns eased. Every evening, Viktor called, asking how things were, even inquiring if Dima and Katya were helping in the garden.
A week passed unnoticed. To Nadya’s surprise, on Friday evening, she heard the sound of a car approaching the yard.
— Viktor’s back! — Nadya shouted, looking out the window. — Earlier than he promised!
Yulia and the kids were preparing dinner. Dima and Katya rushed to wash their hands to greet Uncle Vitya, while Yulia smiled at her sister.
— See, everything worked out. I told you.
Nadya went out to greet her husband. Viktor looked tired but no longer as gloomy as a week ago.
— Hi, — Nadya kissed him on the cheek. — How was work?
— Finished the project, — Viktor pulled a bag from the car. — Decided to come earlier, to rest.
The dinner was warm and friendly. Viktor even joked with the kids, and Yulia treated him to a special salad she had made from her own recipe. After dinner, when the kids went to bed and Yulia went to her room, Viktor and Nadya stayed on the veranda.
— How’s Galina Petrovna? — Nadya asked cautiously. — Have you talked to her?
— Yeah, I called, — Viktor nodded. — She’s settled in at Aunt Klava’s. Says it’s nice there, the air is fresh. And there are a lot of people around; she likes it.
— I’m glad, — Nadya said sincerely.
Viktor was silent for a moment, then unexpectedly said:
— You know, I thought about it. You were probably right. Mom really would have been cramped with all of us. And Yulia’s kids are good, energetic.
Nadya looked at her husband in surprise.
— And besides, — Viktor continued, looking at the well-kept yard, — I see you’ve all done a good job here. The beds are weeded, the raspberries are picked, a new flower bed has appeared.
— Yes, we’re trying, — Nadya smiled. — Yulia helps a lot. And the kids too.
— All right, — Viktor sighed. — Do what you think is best. Looks like I really overreacted.
Nadya took her husband’s hand.
— Thank you, Vitya.
The rest of the summer went as Nadya had dreamed. Yulia and the kids stayed until the end of August. Viktor came every weekend, sometimes even taking time off to stay for a few days. Galina Petrovna never came, but called her son frequently. Nadya felt that her mother-in-law was still upset, but she decided not to dwell on it.
On the last day of August, when Yulia and the kids were packing to return to the city, Nadya stood on the porch, watching her nephews swing one last time on the swings.
— What are you thinking about? — Yulia asked, approaching her sister.
— I’m thinking that this was the best summer, — Nadya answered. — Exactly how I imagined it.
— And I think you’ve become more confident, — Yulia remarked. — You probably would have given in to your mother-in-law before.
Nadya nodded.
— Probably. But I’ve realized something important. My home is not a place for anyone’s dissatisfaction. It’s a place for love, laughter, and those who are truly welcome.
Yulia hugged her sister.
— Exactly. And you know what? Next year, we’ll definitely come back.
