Max, are you going to stay long today?”
“No, Lena, just for a couple of hours. Then I’ll have to leave — I’ve got a ton of things piling up. Why do you look so sad?”
“Well, Mom ran off to the market by herself again! I offered to go with her, but she wouldn’t even listen. She grabbed her bag and disappeared. She’s been acting strangely lately.”
“Okay, let’s have some tea, then I’ll give her a call—maybe I can meet her on the way. But tell me, how’s your online business going? Is Vika still working with you?”
“The store is running normally, Max. But Vika has gotten really lazy and keeps avoiding her responsibilities. Before, at least, she helped a little, but now everything’s on me: the website, shipments, reports. She only launched the ad campaign and then just stopped caring. As soon as money started coming in, she lost interest.”
“If someone has gotten lazy, it’s time to act. You need to set clear conditions: either she participates actively, or you split shares and go your separate ways. I’ve told you this before—why are you delaying the decision?”
“I feel a bit uncomfortable… Although maybe I really do need to talk to her.”
At that moment, the front door creaked and footsteps were heard.
“Oh, Tatyana Gennadyevna is back. Hi, Mom!” Max called out loudly, but there was no answer.
“Maybe she didn’t hear,” Lena guessed. “I’ll go help with the groceries.”
Lena went into the hallway, but her mother had already slipped into her room, avoiding her daughter. Her hands were trembling noticeably, though she herself didn’t realize it. She was deliberately trying to remain unnoticed so she could eavesdrop on their conversation and confirm her suspicions. The words her son had thrown out during his last visit still echoed in her mind: “If you’re not ready to get rid of that freeloader, be prepared to support her for at least fifteen years.”
“Does that mean they consider me the freeloader?” she wondered, taking off her jacket. The thought was unbearable. She had sacrificed her whole life for her children: providing a good home, paying for tutors, sending them to prestigious camps… And now this attitude?
Tears welled up, but she clenched her teeth. She didn’t want her children to see her like this. “Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding? Or Max was joking?” But her son’s tone left no doubt—it was no joke.
That’s why she had deliberately left before he arrived today, so they could speak freely—and so she could overhear them and see if her suspicions were right.
In the living room, Lena tried calling out to her mother:
“Mom, you there? Why won’t you come out? Want some tea? It’s still hot.”
“No, thank you, dear. I don’t want any,” her mother replied.
Max raised an eyebrow at his sister questioningly.
“She’s acting strange today. Maybe she’s just tired?”
“She’s always wiped out after the market—there are so many people,” Lena shrugged. “You know how Saturday stalls are.”
Max just nodded, deciding not to push with questions yet. Their mother, despite her gentleness, was very independent. He sensed that Tatyana Gennadyevna didn’t appreciate invasions of her personal space.
“All right, Lena, I’d better get going. I need to stop by the car shop. I’m supposed to get a bonus next week, so I need to take care of the car.”
“That’s great—any bonus is good news!” Lena said happily. “If you need help—financial or otherwise—just let me know. I’ve also got a bit saved.”
“I’ll manage. Don’t worry.”
Lena walked her brother to the door, and their mother stayed in her room, not even saying goodbye.
When Lena got back to the kitchen, her mother was already busy by the stove, peeling potatoes. There was so much tension coming from her that Lena flinched.
“Mom, is something wrong? You’re obviously upset about something…”
“Everything’s fine,” her mother cut in coldly, avoiding her daughter’s gaze.
“It’s written all over your face that something’s off,” Lena insisted. “Could you be sick?”
“I’m just tired… Go take care of your own business, and I’ll finish up here.”
Lena froze, but didn’t dare pry further. This kind of behavior from her mother was extremely rare. Usually, Tatyana Gennadyevna was always interested in her daughter’s life—she’d invite her to tea, ask about work, inquire about Max. Now there was only silence. Lena sighed quietly and hoped she could have a heartfelt talk with her mother that evening.
A week went by. Max hadn’t found the time to visit his mother—work had him completely occupied. Lena, who still lived under the same roof, felt more and more like an invisible wall had grown between them. They still exchanged greetings—“Good morning,” “How was your day?”—but the warm chats over tea had disappeared without a trace.
One evening, Lena’s patience ran out. She went up to her mother, who was sitting on the couch staring at the TV.
“Mom, it feels like we’ve stopped talking altogether. Is something wrong? Why have you been so preoccupied these last few days? Did I do something to upset you?”
Tatyana Gennadyevna just sighed.
“Let’s put this conversation off. Not now.”
“When, then?” Lena couldn’t hold back. “You walk around as if you’re in a fog, and I have to pretend everything’s fine!”
“Just be patient,” her mother answered coldly.
That tone was completely unlike her. Lena was shocked and decided not to press further, thinking it would be better to wait for the right moment.
The next day, she called her brother.
“Max, when was the last time you talked to Mom properly?”
“About a week ago when I stopped by. Why?”
“She’s acting distant. I don’t know why. Maybe you have some idea?”
“No,” Max said in surprise. “We talked on the phone a couple of days ago, and everything seemed normal—she asked about the car, about work. Her voice was calm.”
“Calm, sure, but I think she’s upset about something. And she won’t say a word.”
“All right, Lena, I’ll come over this weekend. We’ll figure it out.”
After talking to her brother, Lena recalled a conversation they’d had two weeks before: “If you’re not planning to get rid of this freeloader…” They’d been talking about Vika, but that was right when Mom had come home…
“Could she have misunderstood our words?” Lena wondered. She remembered how their mother entered the apartment at exactly that moment. “What if she really did hear something?”
She nearly rushed to her mother to explain everything, but at the last moment held back: “I’ll wait for Max to arrive. I need to be sure first.”
On Saturday, around noon, Max actually showed up. He brought a box of cake, hoping some sweets might help ease the tension.
“Mom, hi!” he called out as he walked in.
“Hello,” came a voice from the kitchen. “Go to the living room; I’ll be right there.”
Max gave his sister, who looked perplexed, a questioning look.
“What’s going on?” he whispered.
“I have no idea. She’s been like this for a week. It feels serious.”
They both sat down in the living room. Lena took a seat on the couch, and Max sat beside her.
“Maybe she thinks I did something? I’m trying to remember the last time she was this upset—about six years ago, when our neighbor told her some nonsense about our behavior…” Max mused. “But back then, she confronted us right away, and now she’s silent…”
“Max, I have a theory. Remember that time you said ‘If you’re not going to get rid of that freeloader…’? Think about it.”
“What freeloader?…” Max began, then suddenly stopped short. “Oh! We were talking about your colleague, Vika. Was Mom home then?”
“She walked in right at that moment. Maybe she caught part of the phrase and thought we were talking about her.”
“No way! She actually thought we called her a freeloader?” Max ran a hand through his hair. “Now we’re really in trouble…”
Right then, Tatyana Gennadyevna came into the room. She looked tired and distant.
“So, son, did you come specifically to call me a freeloader again, or was there another reason?” she asked.
“Mom, you…” Max was at a loss for words, and Lena too. They looked at each other, stunned.
“Is it true, son? Do you really think your mother, who spent her whole life raising you, is a freeloader?” Tatyana Gennadyevna’s voice was calm, but deeply wounded.
“Mom, do you really believe we could say something like that about you?” Max leaned forward on the edge of the couch. “Let me explain. We were talking about Lena’s business and her partner, who’s become very lazy.”
“Yes, Mom,” Lena chimed in. “Vika used to be active, but once the money started coming in, she stopped caring.”
“Lena asked my advice,” Max continued. “I suggested talking to Vika and demanding she be more responsible. If that didn’t work, they’d need to reconsider their partnership.”
Tatyana Gennadyevna looked from one child to the other, trying to discern if they were telling the truth. Their expressions were so sincere that her heart began to melt.
“So, you weren’t talking about me?” she asked quietly.
“Mom, how could you even think that?!” Lena exclaimed. “How could we call the woman who devoted her life to us a freeloader?”
“I accidentally caught the end of Max’s sentence,” she admitted. “‘If you’re not planning to get rid of that freeloader…’ Those words stuck in my head. And I assumed they referred to me.”
“Oh my God, Mom,” Max ran his hand through his hair. “How did this happen?”
“I’ve just been so tired lately,” she sighed. “Sometimes I feel like I’m in the way. You’ve both grown up, and I’m still trying to take care of you the same way.”
“Mom, who would ever complain about that?” Max stood up and gently hugged her.
Lena came closer and embraced her mother as well.
“Forgive us for not explaining right away. If we’d known you heard that conversation…”
“I’m the one who should be apologizing,” said Tatyana Gennadyevna with relief in her voice. “I didn’t have the courage to clarify it then. I kept thinking about how to face you afterward…”
She looked at her children and finally allowed herself a smile:
“I was afraid I’d become a burden to you. You’re both adults now, and I’m still here…”
“Mom, cut it out!” Lena shook her head. “We’d be lost without you.”
“Absolutely—where would we be without our main pillar?” Max added. “Who’d keep everything in order?”
All three burst out laughing, the tension evaporating.
“Let’s just have lunch together,” the mother suggested. “I’ve missed our family talks.”
“Thank goodness,” Lena breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ve been on pins and needles all week.”
“And I was worried I’d said something wrong,” Max admitted. “Well, I guess I did—but not about you.”
Once again laughter filled the room, though they all knew how serious the situation had been. Now the truth was out, clearing away the invisible clouds that had hovered over them.
Later, while Lena rested in her room, her mother gently knocked on the door.
“Sweetheart, can we talk?”
“Of course, Mom,” Lena put her phone aside.
Tatyana Gennadyevna sat next to her on the bed.
“I just wanted to say how much I love you and your brother. Yes, I get tired sometimes, and I can be overly sensitive. I feel like you don’t need me the way you once did.”
“Mom, don’t talk nonsense. We don’t just respect you—we’re proud of you. You raised us on your own!”
“Sometimes I’m afraid that once you both have your own families, there won’t be room for me.”
“There’ll always be room,” Lena assured her, giving her mother another hug. “If you ever feel tired or unwell, we’ll be here. It can’t be any other way.”
“Thank you, dear…”
They sat quietly for a while, then her mother wished her good night and left.
The next day, Lena finally summoned the courage to call Vika. It was a tense conversation, but honest. Vika admitted she’d gotten carried away with easy money and lost her motivation.
“I realize I was wrong,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“What matters is making it right,” Lena replied. “I don’t want to lose a partner or a friend, but I can’t run this on my own.”
When she hung up, she felt relief wash over her. “We’ve made up,” she thought, looking at her reflection in the mirror, “just like we did yesterday with Mom.”
At that moment, her mother’s voice came from the kitchen:
“Sweetheart, the kettle’s boiling!”
“Coming, Mom!”
Lena stepped into the hallway and saw her mother holding a packet of her favorite cookies. The chill that had lingered between them was gone. Warmth once again filled the home—the very warmth her mother had cultivated for so many years so that her children would always have a place to pour out their hearts and find support.
“Mom,” Lena said softly, coming closer, “even when Max gets married and I might do the same, that doesn’t mean we’ll leave your life. We’re family. We always have been and always will be.”
“I’ve already realized that, sweetheart,” Tatyana Gennadyevna sighed with relief. “Thank you.”
Soon the joyful sound of laughter drifted from the kitchen. It filled the entire house, warming the hearts of those who cherished one another.