— Valentina Nikolaevna, this is for you. A gift from Anya and me. — Anatoly, the son-in-law, handed the gift to his mother-in-law. The guests looked at the birthday woman with interest, and she satisfied their curiosity by opening the envelope.
— Wow! — the mother-in-law’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected such a gift. — Is this for real?
— Yes, Valentina Nikolaevna. It’s for you.
Anatoly had thought for a long time about how to express his gratitude to his mother-in-law, Valentina Nikolaevna. Since he and his wife had children, she had been an indispensable support without which their family would hardly have managed. While Tolik’s mother was working, the pensioner Valentina Nikolaevna took care of the grandchildren: helped with the little ones, cooked, cleaned… When the kids started going to kindergarten and Anya returned to work, it was the mother-in-law who picked up the grandchildren from kindergarten and was the first to rush to help when any of the children got sick. She was not just a mother-in-law — she became like a second mother to her son-in-law.
— What should we give her? — he asked his wife the day before Valentina’s birthday.
— I don’t know, probably money. — Anya answered.
— She’ll spend money on nonsense. Or buy something for the grandchildren. But I want the gift to be memorable for her.
— You want to buy a figurine or a vase? — Anya smirked.
— No. Not even a set of pots.
— Then what?
— I have an idea. I need to discuss it with mom… — Tolik winked conspiratorially.
The man noticed that his mother-in-law had been terribly tired lately. She had worked at a factory all her life. It seemed she retired early and could now rest, but no! Valentina was once again busy with housework.
Every year, she and her husband, Roman Pavlovich, went to a sanatorium. Usually, Roman got vouchers from the government organization where he worked.
By fate, they didn’t get vouchers this year, and buying one themselves was expensive. As a result, Valentina Nikolaevna and Roman Pavlovich risked spending the whole summer in a stuffy city.
Anatoly thought this wouldn’t do and made a gift for his mother-in-law — vouchers to a sanatorium with treatment included.
— Mom helped organize everything, — he proudly told his wife. — She arranged for a good room. Everything will be first class.
Tolik’s mother worked at that very sanatorium. Through her, they managed to book a spacious two-room luxury suite at a reasonable price. Tolya paid for everything himself. He wanted to make a surprise — a true gift from the heart. And also to say thank you for everything Valentina Nikolaevna had done for him and his wife. He didn’t consider himself obligated but sincerely wanted to please his beloved mother-in-law.
When Valentina Nikolaevna learned that she and her husband were going on a trip, her happiness knew no bounds.
— Tolya, what! That must have cost a fortune… Where did you get that kind of money?!
— Don’t think about it, Valentina Nikolaevna, — he smiled. — You deserve it. Rest. Without worries, without fuss. There’s a pine forest, good food, a pool…
— Pool? — Valentina’s sister, Tamara, asked again. — A pool is good. Healthy. Oh, dear, you’re going to live in a suite? Isn’t that a bit much, Valyusha? Two rooms for two people? And how much does such a voucher cost nowadays?
— No matter the cost, it’s all for the birthday woman, — the son-in-law was quick to reply. He didn’t like Tamara Nikolaevna’s close attention to the gift.
A little later, when Anya went to help her mother with the dishes, Tamara Nikolaevna approached her sister’s son-in-law and unabashedly asked:
— Tolya, did your mother help with this?
— Why do you ask?
— I would also like to go to the sanatorium. Maybe your mommy can get me a voucher too?
— Tamara Nikolaevna, it’s not the last century anymore. No one “gets” vouchers. They’re bought. Mom just helped choose a good room. I paid for it myself. No freebies. If you want a relative’s discount, I can ask for a promo code. You pay on the site; it’s all easy and clear.
— What discount? I want it for free. Otherwise, what’s the point? — Tamara Nikolaevna almost took offense.
— Free cheese is only in a mousetrap, — Anatoly snapped, making it clear the conversation was over.
The evening of the celebration ended, the mother-in-law thanked the children again for the gift and soon began packing. On the appointed day, Anatoly took his mother-in-law and father-in-law out of town. To that very sanatorium.
The first day, the guests got settled. Anatoly’s mother helped with the check-up, the resort doctors prescribed treatment. Valentina Nikolaevna enthusiastically shared her impressions with her daughter and son-in-law.
— You can’t even imagine how nice it is here! I wish the grandchildren and you were here with us! The room is like a house! Huge! Everyone would fit.
— Mom, relax. Tolik specially bought you such a room so you could rest not only from us but from each other too, — Anya smiled. She didn’t know that Valentina Nikolaevna was destined to rest only a few days. Then… something unexpected happened.
A few days after the mother-in-law’s arrival, Anatoly received a call from his mother.
Her voice was wary:
— Tolya, it seems there are extra guests in Valentina Nikolaevna’s room. A woman came with some man and children. At first, I thought friends came to visit the in-laws. But then it turned out they weren’t going anywhere. They all showed up for breakfast. Now they live there as a whole group.
— Really?.. — Anatoly gasped. He even thought that maybe Valentina Nikolaevna got bored with her husband and purposely invited someone.
But then, when Anya reached Valentina Nikolaevna by phone, she let it slip:
— Tamara came, — Valentina’s mother quietly said. — She says it’s nice here, but she can’t afford vouchers. She claimed our room is big and they’ll stay for a few days.
— And you? What did you say?
— What could I say? She’s my sister, after all. I couldn’t kick them out… Besides, she came with children. The grandchildren really wanted to see the pool with the waterfall. They don’t have much; everything is a joy for them.
— Mom. You do understand this was all paid for you, right? That Aunt Tamara illegally brought her family?
— Oh, well. We paid for their breakfast, so no one said anything.
— Do you understand why? Because Tolik’s mom works there! You’re putting her at risk.
Silence fell on the other end.
— I hadn’t thought about that, — Valentina Nikolaevna said guiltily. — Okay, I’ll tell Tamara…
Another day passed.
— So how’s the situation? — Anatoly called his mother.
— The same. Your mother-in-law’s relatives don’t seem to be leaving. They’re enjoying vacation at someone else’s expense. Tamara and her boyfriend go to procedures, while Valya stays with Tamara’s grandchildren.
Anatoly got angry:
— I paid for the room and treatment for two only!
— I know… But Valya asked me to give a discount, promising to pay for her sister. She’s ashamed. But you can see it’s no vacation. She walks tired, gloomy, hasn’t been to a massage once. And that man with Tamara… uses her voucher. They say he has a bad back. He needs it more.
— Bad back? Really?! — The next morning Anatoly got in his car and drove to the sanatorium. He was bursting with anger. In the lobby by the reception desk, he saw a plump man in a robe and slippers. The man lounged in a chair, loudly discussing with the administrator how to sign up for baths.
— Listen, I live in the suite! I am entitled to full treatment! And if I want baths, you must provide them.
— Sorry, but only two treatment places are allocated for the suite. Besides, baths are paid separately. If you want, I can sign you up. FOR A FEE.
— What nonsense! I’m going to complain! — the man flushed with anger.
Anatoly, silently watching the scene, stepped closer:
— Excuse me, sir, did you come here on a voucher? — he asked sternly.
— What’s it to you? — the man frowned.
— It’s my business because I’m the person who paid for the suite you’re living in. And you’re shamelessly freeloading.
The man faltered.
— I… well, Tamara invited us. Valentina’s sister said the room was big; we’d fit. We’re only here briefly.
Anatoly looked at the administrator and asked:
— What do you do in such cases?
— According to the rules, each extra guest pays 100%. For children, 50% of the voucher cost.
— And if they don’t pay?
— Then eviction and a fine.
— Maybe it’s time to call security? — Anatoly asked. — I don’t want to pay for freeloaders, and this man doesn’t seem to plan to pay either.
— In any case, at check-out, payment for extra guests will be required. The amount depends on how many days they stayed.
— I won’t pay. My mother-in-law and father-in-law live here on vouchers. And you, sir… either pay now for yourself, your children, and Tamara, or the administrator calls the police.
— Why call the police? Let’s settle this amicably… — the man suddenly panicked.
Soon Tamara, steamed after the pool, was wandering around the sanatorium. Her face showed displeasure at her sister’s son-in-law.
— Tolya, come on! Family! We only came for a couple of days. The kids just wanted the pool…
— Let them go to the sports palace nearby. Children’s passes are affordable. This is a sanatorium, not a thoroughfare. You stole Valentina Nikolaevna’s gift and rest. She shouldn’t be a nanny here but a guest!
— Valya, tell your son-in-law! Why is he attacking us? — Tamara complained.
— What can I tell him? He’s right, — said Roman Pavlovich. — Tamara, you’ve always been greedy for other people’s things. But this time, enough is enough. You’ve stayed long enough.
— What about dinner? — Tamara asked quietly.
— You’ll have dinner at home, — Anatoly replied.
An hour later, Tamara, the man, and the grandchildren left the sanatorium. Anatoly personally saw them to the exit. Tamara’s companion muttered:
— You should be more polite with family.
— I agree completely, — Anatoly answered calmly. — By the way, here’s the card number. You’ll need to transfer the money for your three-day stay here.
— Isn’t it shameful? Charging family money?! — he snapped.
— May I ask, what kind of family? Parallel family?
The man didn’t answer. He just gripped the car door handle tighter. They had arrived in a foreign car, so they weren’t poor. But greed, as they say… destroyed them.
Valentina Nikolaevna sat in a chair, looking out the window. Hearing a knock on the room door, Roman Pavlovich hurried to open it. Seeing Anatoly, Valentina stood and lowered her eyes guiltily:
— Forgive me, Tolya… I didn’t know how to stop them. My sister says: you gave us the suite as a gift, so we can do what we want with it. I should have kicked them out immediately…
He sat beside her and took her hand.
— Valentina Nikolaevna, I did this for you. Not for them. You deserve peace, care, and rest. Relax. And know — I’m always on your side.
— Thank you, son… I didn’t know how to handle Tamara’s man. He’s terribly rude… And Roman… was lost.
— The important thing is that now you can breathe easy and finally start resting. All’s well that ends well.
— That’s for sure!
A couple of days later, Anatoly’s mother sent a message:
“Valentina and Roman came to all the procedures today. For the first time during the entire vacation.”
“I’m glad.”
“You’re great, Tolik. Now they joke here: ‘Valentina Nikolaevna’s son-in-law is the best candidate for the sanatorium security service!’”
“I’ll think about it, Mom,” Anatoly laughed. He was satisfied with his own job. But if necessary… anything’s possible.
Valentina Nikolaevna and Roman Pavlovich came home after 21 days. Rested, refreshed, and a bit different. Valentina didn’t respond to Tamara’s calls and complaints. She realized one can’t be kind at others’ expense; you must learn to say “no,” even to close ones. And Tolik was sure this gift to his mother-in-law would be remembered for a long time.
