“Alla, can’t you see what’s right in front of you?” Svetlana’s voice sounded anxious even through the crackling phone line. “They treat you like a porcelain doll. Real life just isn’t like that, trust me.” Alla switched the phone to her other ear and kept stirring the soup. Her call with her friend had already … Read more
Masha balanced her phone between her shoulder and ear as she stirred a boiling pot of soup. Her mother’s voice rang out on the line, as demanding as ever: “Masha dear, this Saturday we’re gathering at Lyudmila Sergeyevna’s place. Remember, my friend from the faculty? You should come alone, alright? Don’t drag your country husband … Read more
“Hey, neighbor! Still at home, haven’t left for work yet?” Olga was standing at the door—a striking brunette, a bit older, who lived two floors down. Dressed in a light, slightly see-through robe, her messy hair made it clear she’d only just woken up. But that didn’t stop her from rushing to carry out … Read more
“Where are your dresses? And why did you hide your jewelry?” My sister-in-law was snooping through my wardrobe again without knocking, but this time, I was ready for her. Arina glanced quickly at the clock. Five to six. Maria was due to show up any minute now. Kicking off her shoes and tossing her purse … Read more
Sergey Gennadievich, I need a day off tomorrow! My husband and I are celebrating our anniversary—twenty years of marriage. Please, try to understand my situation, — Arina pouted, even though she knew she was old enough to act more serious. Arina Vladimirovna, what am I going to do without you? I’m literally lost here when … Read more
A Suitcase in the Middle of the Room On Sunday morning, I caught my mother-in-law doing something odd: she was packing her travel bag, even though her return train wasn’t for another six days. There was a neatly folded robe lying on the couch. As soon as Ludmila Stepanovna heard me coming, she quickly zipped … Read more
I came home from my night shift at nine in the morning. My legs were aching, my mind was foggy. All I wanted was to collapse into bed. But then, from the kids’ room, I heard a metallic click. I pushed open the door. My husband was standing by the window with a measuring tape, … Read more
Lena woke up at 3 a.m. to the sound of her son crying. She got out of bed without turning on the lights. As she passed by a closed door—she knew Andrey was sleeping in there. He had been living in that other room for ten months now, ever since Artyom was born. In the … Read more
“So I get the furniture, and Maxim gets the apartment?” I stood in the middle of my grandmother’s room, unable to believe what I’d just heard. Mom was straightening some artificial flowers, not even looking my way: “Lena, you’re smart. You’ll figure out how to sell it—and whatever you make is yours.” Yours. The right … Read more
The doorbell rang at half past nine. Svetlana froze with her cup of coffee — after a month since the divorce, she’d forgotten what it was like to have unexpected guests. “Svetochka, it’s me! Open up!” Valentina Petrovna stood on the doorstep, arms full of bags and a bundle of keys. The very same keys … Read more