— In an hour, your sister will arrive with her husband and children, so pack your things and leave.
— What do you mean — leave? Mom, where are we supposed to go at night? — Anton even stammered in surprise.
— Oh, come up with something! I don’t care at all: I need to prepare rooms for Allochka and the kids. Pack your junk, and I’ll, well, call a taxi for you, — said Lidiya Sergeyevna, grabbing a duster to wipe nonexistent dust off the shelves.
Yulia stood by the entrance with her bags, unable to grasp at what moment she had gone from being a wonderful daughter-in-law to an inconvenient lodger. And it all started so well!
Yulia was completing her final internship at a company, and as a young engineer, her supervisor especially singled her out. He constantly used Yulia as an example for her classmates.
— Yulka, Anton Palych really has it bad for you, — her classmates often teased.
— Oh, come on! Maybe I really am better than everyone else! — Yulia laughed in response, not embarrassed at all.
— Maybe you really are the best, — the class monitor, terribly nearsighted Nikita, would usually add. — You’re the only one from the whole course going for a red diploma; every employer would want to hire a young specialist like you!
— But actually, Palych isn’t much older than us, so he could well have a crush on Yulka, — Yulka’s best friend Natka replied playfully to Nikita.
Only when the internship ended did Anton Pavlovich gather the courage to invite Yulia to a café. The girl agreed. She liked the supervisor as a person: he gave advice to every student, helped out, and never brushed anyone off like other supervisors. Yulia felt he was especially strict with her.
— Yulia, I’m so glad your internship is over. You know, I really like you. Let’s go somewhere again?
— Where? — Yulia smiled.
— To the movies, the theater, a café… — Anton clearly struggled to find the right words.
— Are you asking me out on a date? — Yulia decided to encourage him.
— Yes, — Anton blushed slightly.
— Okay. Then instead of the movies or a café, I’ll invite you to my dacha.
— To the dacha?
— Yes, I really want some shashlik… But only if your intentions are serious. We’ll go with friends.
That’s how Yulia and Anton started dating. Love swept them off their feet, and the young couple couldn’t get enough of each other. Literally two months later, they moved in together into a rented apartment, and as soon as Yulia graduated, they got married.
— Yulichka, daughter, come over, I really need help, — the voice of mother-in-law Lidiya Sergeyevna trembled on the phone. Either the connection was bad, or she wasn’t feeling well.
— Of course, Lidiya Sergeyevna. Do you need me to buy anything?
— Yes, if possible. I’ll send a list by text now, — lately Lidiya Sergeyevna had been getting worse, and Yulia went to help her almost every day.
That day was no different: Yulia wanted to sleep in on her day off, but had to run errands for her mother-in-law from morning.
— Daughter, maybe you should move in with me? — Lidiya Sergeyevna asked while Yulia was measuring her blood pressure.
— To you? But how…
— How will we fit? Easily! I have my own bedroom, you have yours, and the living room is shared. There’s also a small room — it used to be Anton’s nursery when he was little. Now it’s an office. You once said you wanted to work remotely — well, that’ll be your office.
— Thanks for the offer! Anton and I will think about it, — Yulia was at a loss for words from surprise.
— What is there to think about? Move in!
Anton gladly accepted the offer but asked his mother to promise not to tell his older sister Alla about it. They had never gotten along since childhood.
During the year the young couple lived with the mother-in-law, no one ever regretted it.
— Thank you, daughter, these pancakes are delicious! — Lidiya Sergeyevna once praised her daughter-in-law in the morning.
— Enjoy your meal, Mom, — Yulia smiled. She had lost her own mother early and now enjoyed being called “daughter” by someone.
— Yulchik, maybe we should go on vacation? — Anton suggested, yawning. — To the sea… I’ve never been!
— Great! Let’s go! And we’ll take Mom! Lidiya Sergeyevna, have you ever been to the sea? — Yulia asked her mother-in-law.
— No… But would I be in the way? — Lidiya Sergeyevna was surprised.
— Of course not! We’ll get you a separate room, and we’ll all go to the beach together!
That vacation, by the way, was a success. Lidiya Sergeyevna even started a summer romance with a man vacationing like herself. Yulia and Anton couldn’t stop smiling watching Mom.
Back home, the young couple began renovating. Within six months, they completely refurbished the entire apartment. Yulia and her mother-in-law chose wallpaper together, then fully updated the kitchen — furniture and appliances.
— Ah, what a pleasure to cook on the new stove! — Lidiya Sergeyevna rejoiced, flipping sizzling fish. Splashes flew all over the kitchen, but she didn’t notice.
— I agree with you, — Yulia smiled softly. Since moving in with her mother-in-law, Yulia had more chores, but Lidiya Sergeyevna seemed to have rejuvenated.
— Come on, chop the salad, boil the potatoes, I’ve already cooked the fish. Let’s have dinner, — ordered the mother-in-law.
Later, Lidiya Sergeyevna went to bed. Yulia habitually started washing the dishes, as well as cleaning the stove and floor from grease drops. In fact, all the housework now fell on Yulia. But she didn’t complain: the money saved on rent they were putting aside for their own home. And it turned out to be worth it.
On Friday after work, Yulia hurried home with full bags to prepare dinner and start getting ready for her mother-in-law’s upcoming anniversary. Anton was delayed; the mother-in-law had gone for a walk. Singing softly, Yulia put a chicken in the oven and started preparing filling for puff pastries. Everything was ready by the time her husband and Lidiya Sergeyevna returned. Yulia began setting the table, but her mother-in-law stopped her with a gesture and called her son.
— In an hour, your sister will arrive with her husband and children, so pack your things and leave! — Lidiya Sergeyevna addressed Anton.
— What do you mean leave? Mom, where will we go at night? — Anton even started to stammer from surprise.
— Oh, come up with something! I don’t care at all: I need to prepare rooms for Allochka and the kids. Pack your junk, and I’ll, well, call a taxi for you, — and Lidiya Sergeyevna grabbed a duster to wipe nonexistent dust off the shelves.
Yulia and Anton stood confused while Lidiya Sergeyevna fluttered around the rooms with the duster in a lifted mood. After 35 minutes she came into her son’s room.
— You’re still here? I’ve already called the taxi. It will arrive in 7 minutes. So come on, go, — she said indifferently.
— Lidiya Sergeyevna, where are we supposed to go? All the “hourly apartments” are taken, there are no rooms available in hotels… — Yulia was almost crying.
— What do I care? Allochka with Egor and the kids are coming now; they need two rooms — I’ll give them your bedroom, and tomorrow I’ll clear the office — that will be another bedroom, — the mother-in-law shared her plans.
— And what about us?
— Seven minutes, and the taxi will be here, — Lidiya Sergeyevna said calmly and harshly.
Yulia stood by the entrance with bags, unable to understand at what point she had become an inconvenient tenant instead of a good daughter-in-law. Lidiya Sergeyevna had been living off them for over a year and a half. She paid no utilities, bought no groceries; all renovation expenses were on their shoulders. Yulia did all the housework. Though Anton always helped her… Yulia’s thoughts were interrupted by the arriving taxi.
— Oh, you’re here too? You came for nothing! There’s no room for you at Mom’s — we’ve already filled everything, — Alla said arrogantly and venomously to Yulia and Anton. — By the way, Mom said don’t let the taxi leave — the driver will take you. Don’t forget to pay at the end!
— Hi, Toha! — Egor’s deep voice bellowed. The redhead, a big lanky guy, somehow got out of the car and, smelling like onions, came to greet the relatives. — You’re here for Mom’s anniversary too? We took the room first!
— No, I don’t think we’ll go to the anniversary…
— What? How can you not go? You have to respect your mother!
— Sorry, we have to go, — Anton started loading the bags into the trunk.
In the taxi, Yulia gave an address unfamiliar to Anton. It turned out to be Natka’s place. The girl gladly welcomed her classmate. They talked late into the night, but Anton couldn’t sleep not because of the talk but because of justice. Eventually, he came to the kitchen where the friends were.
— And the main thing is she didn’t warn us beforehand. I don’t understand: were we asked to leave just for the night or forever? — Yulia seemed calm, but inside she was boiling.
— Yul, what difference does it make? She kicked you out like mangy sheep! — Natka was outraged.
— Eh… It’s not the first time, — Anton said guiltily.
— What do you mean? — both friends turned their heads.
— You see, Mom has always worshipped Alla. She always gets the best of everything, on a silver platter. And I had to do everything myself. Before I got married, I gave half my salary to Alla every month. Egor works or stays at home because “only suckers work for peanuts.” Apparently, I’m one of those. We renovated the apartment at our own expense — and now Alla will live there.
All weekend, Anton and Yulia looked for an apartment. But either rent was too expensive or the location was inconvenient.
— Antosh, how about a mortgage after all…
— Darling, we wanted to save more first and then buy an apartment.
— But where do we live now…
— Buying isn’t a one-day thing, — Anton wanted to suggest this to Yulia but feared she wouldn’t like it.
— Guys, I’m leaving tomorrow for a 2–3 week business trip, — Natka interrupted the conversation. — Watch over my apartment? And maybe find one for yourselves too!
— Thanks, friend! — Yulia hugged and kissed her on the nose.
And like magic, the third listing Yulia and Anton looked at was for “that very” apartment. The owners agreed to rent it to the future owners until the paperwork was done. So everything was looking up.
For the first six months, Yulia furnished the apartment. The previous owners had apparently renovated not long ago. They left some furniture and appliances, so no worries about extra expenses at first. Yulia liked everything: the morning sun shining through the bedroom window, the view outside, the tile patterns in the bathroom, the orange kitchen, the mirror on the front door… Home was good and peaceful.
— Darling, we need to have a serious talk, — Yulia started one day, frowning.
— What’s wrong?
— Nothing yet. But soon will be. So I need to know in advance: what do you plan to name the son?
— Son? What son? — Anton frowned. He couldn’t understand what she meant.
— Yours! — Yulia laughed. — The term is still small, but I think it’s a boy.
— Yulka! It can’t be! Hooray!
Overjoyed, Anton rushed to buy a cake and flowers. On the street, he ran into his mother.
— Son! Where have you been?
— Hello, Mom. But you kicked me out.
— Oh, I didn’t really kick you out!
— What else do you call it when a mother orders you to pack and leave?
— Oh, don’t be offended…
— I’m not offended. I just don’t want to talk.
— Son, we’re family. By the way, I wanted to ask for help…
— Mom, I think Alla can help you well enough. Besides, she lives with Egor and the kids.
— You used to help financially… You always helped!
— Not now. We need money ourselves.
— Ugh, Yulia has spoiled you. Your own sister and mother live on bread and water, the nieces and nephews have nothing to wear in winter, and you keep bringing up petty grievances!
— The nieces and nephews have a father. Let him take care of them.
Anton sharply turned and walked away. But the mother was not going to stop. Early the next morning, the doorbell rang.
— Well, hello, little brother, — Alla showed up. Where did she find the address?
— Hello, sister, why did you come?
— Just to see how you live. Nice crib you grabbed!
— Thanks, no complaints.
— Brother, didn’t Mom teach you as a child that you have to share?
— Sister, I did share! I gave you half my salary every month for five years! If the nieces and nephews were my children, I’d pay less. Why can’t Egor work?
— He’s a great specialist. He’s ashamed to work for peanuts!
— Isn’t it shameful to live off your brother’s sister? And if he’s such a great specialist, why won’t anyone hire him?
— None of your business! Better share the apartment!
— What?!
— Yes! We and Egor with the kids will move here, and you go to Mom. You don’t have a cat or kids anyway, and we have three!
— Oh, come on! Sister, before Yulia comes, you better go.
When Yulia heard about the sister’s visit, she was indignant for a long time. But that wasn’t the end. The doorbell rang again.
— Antoshka, Yulenka, how come? Why are you so greedy? We’re family; we have to help each other!
— Mom, I used to help both you and my sister. I think that’s enough. Now I have my own family.
— Your family can’t do anything right or have anything proper! Alla has kids and a husband. So: either give them this apartment or rent another for them. It’s hard for me with three grandchildren all the time. We’re family; we have to support each other!
Anton thoughtfully twirled a coin in his hands; the simple action calmed him. Yulia was outraged. She approached her mother-in-law, hugged her, and smiled, sitting her down on the sofa.
— And you, Yulichka, I want to remind how you lived with me, ate at my table… That cost money! So now it’s time to repay my kindness!
— Lidiya Sergeyevna, we are ready to help Alla and give her the apartment.
— Well done! — Lidiya Sergeyevna tried to stand, but Yulia firmly held her by the shoulders.
— But there are conditions. Will Alla pay the cost of the apartment immediately or in parts?
— What… pay?
— The cost of the apartment. We bought it, and we’re paying the mortgage. If we give her the home, it will be at our expense. I don’t want to give my hard-earned money away just like that. I can only lend. So I’m asking: will she pay us for this apartment right away?
— Anton, why are you silent? Why do you let some woman count your money? — Lidiya Sergeyevna indignantly turned to her son.
— Actually, Yulia earns even more than I do, — Anton shrugged.
— And not “some woman,” but his wife and mother of his child, — Yulia placed her hand on her belly and smiled. Only then did the mother-in-law notice how her daughter-in-law’s figure had changed.
— Who allowed you to get pregnant! Breeding poverty! I already have three grandchildren, I don’t need a fourth! First, you have to raise those kids, then you’ll be allowed to have more.
— If you don’t want a fourth, tell Alla. Our child is only ours; if you don’t want, you can have no relation to him, — Yulia calmly said again. — By the way, if she gets a job, she can also get a mortgage or a loan. And if anyone should be helped, it’s us. We’re a young family, and Anton is younger than Alla… so she’s the older sister after all…
— Rude woman! A hanger-on! A mercenary!
— Why? I started working in university, and I met your son at work, not on the beach like some. So I’m not living off anyone. By the way, the renovation of your huge apartment cost us 700 thousand. Plus we paid utilities, groceries, and took you to the sea… Here, look, calculations. You say we owe you for living here? Fine, you owe us a third of the renovation, a third of the trip, and a third for groceries and utilities. That’s how much, — Yulia handed her mother-in-law a paper with figures.
— Are you out of your mind? — the mother-in-law’s chin trembled.
— Oh right, I also brought you groceries and medicine for six months… Well, let that be a gift.
Lidiya Sergeyevna shot out of the apartment like a bullet and, while going down, shouted through the whole building about her son’s greed, her daughter-in-law’s mercenariness, and the poverty they were about to create.
Alla, Egor, and the children still live with Lidiya Sergeyevna. Egor doesn’t work, and now she supports him and his entire family. Anton and Yulia, left without freeloaders, quickly paid off the mortgage. They already have two children. The grandmother refuses to communicate with “those grandchildren.” Apparently, she can’t get used to no longer being a burden on her son and daughter-in-law.
