Doesn’t anyone see that my life has turned into an endless Groundhog Day?» — a lock of ash-colored hair fell over the face of an exhausted woman leaning over a sink full of dirty dishes.
«Marina, are you almost done? I need a clean shirt!» — an impatient male voice called from the bedroom.
Behind her, teenage slippers shuffled restlessly, accompanied by irritated muttering:
«Mom, where are my sneakers? Did you lose them again? And did you wash my jeans?»
Tuesday morning began just like all the previous ones — an early rise at five a.m., while the whole house still slept. Outside, the gray haze was just starting to thin, giving way to the timid rays of the autumn sun. In the silent kitchen, Marina Alekseevna stood by the stove, stirring oatmeal for her daughter automatically, while frying eggs with bacon for her husband and slicing fruit for herself. Yesterday’s caramel cake crumbs stuck to her slippers, and every step was accompanied by the characteristic sound of the sole sticking and peeling off the linoleum.
At home, the financial director of a large company turned into a service machine. Fifteen years of marriage, and every day was a repeat — wash, iron, cook, pack, find, remind. The elongated oval of her face with fine wrinkles near the eyes revealed fatigue that even expensive makeup couldn’t hide.
Lida, her sixteen-year-old daughter, appeared in the kitchen looking displeased.
«I want coffee. And put some cottage cheese with berries for me,» the girl grumbled, burying her face in the phone. «And where are my jeans? I told you I need them today!»
Motherly hands automatically reached for the coffee machine. The bitter drink with milk and vanilla syrup was ready in a minute.
«On the chair in your room, I ironed them late last night,» her mother continued arranging breakfast on the plates.
Heavy footsteps were heard from the corridor.
«Marish, have you seen my blue tie? The one with stripes?» Yegor Dmitrievich, a tall man with a beginning beer belly, appeared in the doorway. «And make my coffee stronger. I have a meeting today.»
Half an hour later, the apartment emptied. The husband left for the meeting, the daughter — to school, and Marina Alekseevna stayed behind to quickly clear the table and load the dishwasher. Before leaving, she glanced in the mirror — dull eyes hidden under a layer of foundation, dark circles, loosely gathered light brown hair.
At work, she was met by a different world — a world where she was important and respected. Marina Alekseevna transformed as she immersed herself in financial reports, tables, and charts. Here they called her by her first name and patronymic, here her words were listened to, here her time was valued.
«Marina Alekseevna, the documents for the quarterly report you requested,» a young intern placed a folder on the desk.
«Thank you, Slava,» a smile touched her lips. «How is the profitability analysis progressing?»
«I’m preparing a presentation for tomorrow’s meeting. Wanted to discuss a few contentious points with you.»
The office overlooking the city’s business center felt like a safe refuge. At this desk, she was not «Mom, where are my socks?» nor «Honey, what’s for dinner?», but a person making strategic decisions.
Her meeting with Yana Borisovna, an old university friend, happened by chance. Marina Alekseevna ran out during lunch break to a nearby café for a salad when she noticed a familiar profile at a distant table.
«Marisha? Is that really you?» came the clear voice.
A bright blonde in a burgundy suit got up to meet her. The years seemed to have passed her by — still slender, energetic, with lively eyes and a light gait.
«Yana! So long, no see!» warm hugs melted the usual restraint.
The friend stepped back and carefully looked at Marina Alekseevna’s face.
«Sit with me. You look terrible.»
Over lunch, memories and news flowed. Yana Borisovna, it turned out, ran her own company producing eco-friendly cosmetics, raised a university student son, and recently returned from a trip to Japan.
«And how’s your family life? Daughter, husband?» the blonde asked, sipping green tea.
«All good,» Marina Alekseevna replied automatically, but something in Yana’s expression made her add, «Honestly, I’m very tired. At home, it’s like a second job.»
The friend slowly set down her cup.
«Tell me, how does your usual day go? From waking up to going to sleep.»
At first reluctantly, then more emotionally, Marina Alekseevna described her days — an endless chain of duties, searching for things for her husband and daughter, cooking different dishes to individual requests, washing, cleaning, solving all household problems.
«And you hold the position of financial director?» Yana shook her head. «Dear, you’re doing the work of several people. How did you let this happen?»
The question caught her off guard. Marina Alekseevna blinked in confusion.
«How did I let it?»
«You turned into a servant in your own home. Your husband and daughter are adults capable of taking care of themselves.»
«But that’s just how it is…»
«Is it? Maybe in the nineteenth century! My Kirill has been cooking for himself, washing his clothes, and never asking where his socks are since he was twelve.»
«How did you manage that?» There was genuine surprise in Marina Alekseevna’s voice.
«I just stopped doing for him what he could do himself,» the friend shrugged. «And for my ex-husband, too. Maybe that’s why he’s an ex — not all men like it when a woman stops being a housemaid.»
On her way home, Marina replayed her friend’s words in her head. «Have I really allowed myself to become a servant? When did it start?» The taxi driver had to call her several times to confirm the route.
At home, she was met by the usual chaos. Her husband’s boots stood in the middle of the hallway, his jacket thrown over the back of a chair. The kitchen table was piled with morning dishes — Yegor Dmitrievich apparently came for lunch but did not bother to clean up after himself.
«Mom, where are you? I’m hungry!» Lida shouted from her room, not even bothering to come out. «What’s for dinner?»
Marina’s hands automatically reached for the apron. And suddenly she froze. «What if I just… don’t do it today?»
«Lida, there are pasta and sauce in the fridge. Heat it up yourself,» Marina said, surprised at the calm tone of her voice.
«What?» The daughter appeared stunned in the doorway. «Mom, what are you doing? I don’t know how.»
«Perfect time to learn, you’re sixteen already,» Marina took off her coat and went to the bedroom, leaving her daughter with her mouth open.
In the evening, when Yegor came home from work, he was met by an unusual sight — his wife sitting in the living room with a book and a cup of tea.
«Hi. What about dinner?» the husband looked confused at the empty table.
«Good evening. Tonight, everyone cooks for themselves,» Marina turned the page without looking up.
«Are you joking?» Yegor smiled nervously. «I had a hard day, I’m tired and want a proper meal.»
«I had a hard day, too. And I’m tired too. And I want a proper meal too. But more than that, I want to rest.»
«What’s gotten into you?» The husband came closer, studying his wife’s face as if trying to find signs of illness. «Are you sick?»
«No, I’m just tired of being a servant.»
That night, Marina barely slept. Next to her snored an offended husband, and in her room probably a hungry daughter lay awake, but for the first time in a long time, the woman felt a strange relief. Something important happened today — she took the first step toward freedom.
In the morning, Marina did not get up at five. She slept until seven, and when she came into the kitchen, her husband and daughter were already bustling — confused but trying to make breakfast for themselves.
«Mom, I can’t find my white blouse!» Lida was on the verge of tears.
«Look in the closet. Or in the laundry basket if you didn’t wash it yesterday,» Marina calmly poured herself coffee.
«But I don’t know how to wash!»
«Then today you’ll wear something else, and in the evening, I’ll show you how to use the washing machine.»
Her husband watched the scene with undisguised surprise.
«Marina, you seriously rebelled?» His voice mixed indignation and bewilderment. «Is this some kind of female crisis?»
«No, Yegor. It’s called fair division of duties. From today on, everyone in this house will take care of themselves.»
«But you’re a woman! Housework is your responsibility!» Yegor waved his hands.
«And I’m also a financial director who works no less than you,» Marina’s voice was soft but firm. «I’m not refusing household chores. I’m refusing to do absolutely everything.»
The first week of the new life was difficult. The house gradually sank into chaos — the pile of dirty dishes grew, laundry baskets overflowed, but Marina was adamant. She washed and cooked only for herself, explaining to her daughter and husband that they could very well do the same.
«This is ridiculous!» her husband complained when he found the house out of clean shirts. «My mother never behaved like this!»
«And how is your mother doing? Still treating hypertension and a sick heart?» Marina asked, silencing her husband awkwardly.
Lida stopped talking to her mother on the second day of the “revolt.” Yegor accused his wife of selfishness and rarely appeared home in the evenings. On the third day of heavy silence, Marina made a decision.
«I took a two-week vacation,» she announced over the sparse dinner that everyone had prepared for themselves.
«And what are you going to do?» Yegor asked with poorly hidden irritation.
«I’m going to a sanatorium with Yana.»
«What Yana?» the husband frowned.
«My university friend. We met by chance recently.»
«So you’re just abandoning us?» the daughter protested, speaking to her mother for the first time all day.
«No. I’m leaving two adults to take care of themselves and their home,» Marina replied calmly. «The fridge is full, the washing machine and vacuum cleaner are working. You’ll manage.»
The sanatorium in a pine forest by the lake greeted the women with silence and the scent of needles. Marina allowed herself to completely disconnect from worries: spa treatments, swimming pool, leisurely walks along the shore. Yana turned out to be the perfect companion — cheerful, easygoing, but respectful of her friend’s right to silence and solitude.
«You’ve come back to life literally before our eyes,» Yana noticed on the fifth day. «And even look younger, honestly.»
Marina only smiled, looking at her reflection in the mirror. The dark circles under her eyes disappeared, the wrinkles between her eyebrows smoothed out, and her skin gained a healthy tone. Without constant tension and rush, she really looked much younger.
Phone calls from home were rare. Short messages came from her daughter: “Everything’s fine,” “The fridge is almost empty,” “How do I turn on the second wash mode?” Her husband called twice — the first time demanding explanations indignantly, the second time asking tiredly when she would return.
At home, Marina was met with a surprise. Opening the door with her own key, she froze on the threshold. The apartment was surprisingly clean, smelled like homemade food, and a bouquet of her favorite peony roses stood on the hallway table.
«Mom!» Lida ran out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. «You’re already back! We thought you’d only come in the evening.»
The daughter looked more mature, even her makeup was more restrained than usual.
«We’re cooking dinner,» she turned toward the kitchen, «Dad, Mom is back!»
Yegor appeared in the kitchen doorway — unusually homey, wearing an apron and holding a wooden spatula.
«Hi,» he smiled shyly, «come in, almost everything’s ready.»
During dinner, Marina watched her transformed family with surprise. Lida proudly talked about how she learned to cook pasta carbonara, and Yegor about how they figured out laundry sorting together.
«You know, I never thought sorting and loading laundry took so much time,» the husband said, pouring wine for Marina. «And that’s just a small part of what you did every day.»
«Mom, I’m sorry I was so selfish,» the daughter looked guilty. «I never even thought about how much you do for us.»
«We all rethought a lot these days,» sighed the husband. «And made some decisions.»
Marina raised an eyebrow, waiting for more.
«First, we made a household chore schedule,» the daughter pulled out a brightly colored chart from the table. «Everyone is responsible for certain tasks. I’ll wash my laundry, clean my room, and cook dinner twice a week.»
«And I’ll take out the trash, clean the bathrooms, care for the cat, and make weekend breakfasts,» Yegor added. «Plus all the small repairs around the house I kept putting off.»
«The rest we’ll do together or take turns,» Lida finished. «How do you like that idea?»
«I like it,» she answered simply.
After dinner, the daughter went to her room, leaving the parents alone.
«You know, I thought a lot these days,» Yegor took Marina’s hand. «I’m ashamed it took so many years and your leaving to realize how we exploited you. I was a selfish lout.»
«Not only you,» Marina shook her head. «I allowed it myself. And I needed to meet Yana to finally wake up.»
«I’m glad you woke up,» Yegor squeezed her hand.
That night, lying in bed next to her already sleeping husband, Marina thought about how much had changed in this month. She felt like a woman again, not a function. She had time for herself, for slow morning coffees, books, yoga.
“Groundhog Day” was over, and life — real, full life — was just beginning.
