— Sweetheart, I only bought tickets for the two of us! You can celebrate your anniversary later, — my mother-in-law ruined my wife’s plans
— We’ve been dreaming of going there for so long!
Tatyana Sergeevna handed her son an envelope with such ceremony, it almost felt like she was giving him a medal. Mikhail opened it to find the printout: two tickets, a historic European city, an ancient fortress on the cliffs. The dates lined up exactly with his vacation. With their vacation — the one he and Sofia had coordinated half a year ago for their tenth wedding anniversary.
— Congratulations! — the relatives cheered and clapped.
Mikhail silently studied the reservation: Sergeyev Mikhail Viktorovich, Sergeyeva Tatyana Sergeevna.
— Mom, but Sofia and I planned… — he began.
— You young ones will have plenty of time to travel later, — his mother dismissed. — I don’t want to postpone my dream any longer. You get it, son, I’ve thought about this trip for years. It’s always been my dream!
Sofia sat in the corner of the couch, holding a half-empty glass. She met her husband’s gaze. Mikhail looked away, ashamed.
— Thanks, Mom, — he muttered.
The guests kept on congratulating. No one noticed when Sofia quietly slipped out to the balcony.
***
— So your mother’s decided to ruin our anniversary plans?
Sofia stood by the window, her back turned. Outside, the evening was fading, the guests had left an hour ago, and the apartment still smelled of cold food.
— Sonya, she meant well, — Mikhail said, setting the envelope on the table. — She just didn’t think it through.
— She’s had half a year to think. We talked about this trip in front of her. Twice.
Mikhail remembered a spring conversation in his mom’s kitchen, when he and Sofia first mentioned their anniversary. Tatyana Sergeevna had nodded as she poured tea and even suggested looking into mountain routes. In June, when Sofia showed pictures of the old city, his mother had just said, “It’s beautiful, of course.” That was it.
They’d been married ten years. It had been ages since they’d had a vacation alone, and they wanted to mark their anniversary with a trip to the mountains and that historic city. They’d planned their time off together, but held off on buying tickets, waiting for discounts.
Ten years ago, Mikhail thought his mother and his wife would be friends. Tatyana Sergeevna was always friendly, and Sofia was patient. But over time, it became clear: his mother was used to managing her son’s time. She’d call Saturday morning to say she needed help — the door lock was stuck, or a bulb needed changing, or just for a grocery run. Mikhail would go.
— What do you expect, leave her alone? — he’d tell Sofia.
Family dinners always seemed to land on their days off. Mikhail always agreed. Sofia objected at first, then just stopped planning anything ahead of time.
— I’ll call her tomorrow, — Mikhail promised. — I’ll explain everything.
— Will you? — Sofia finally turned to him. — Misha, she knows exactly what she’s doing. She bought the tickets for our dates. In your name and hers. That’s a choice, not an accident.
— Maybe we can change something. The dates, or…
— Or you could just say “no.”
Mikhail didn’t answer. He opened his laptop and began reading the booking conditions. Sofia watched his tense back and realized: he was already searching for ways to justify his mom, not ways to protect their plans.
His mother had always dreamed of visiting that city with the ancient fortress, vowing to herself someday she’d go. Now, that dream was coming true — instead of their anniversary.
By midnight, they learned they’d only get twenty percent back if they cancelled.
***
It wasn’t until the third day that Mikhail called his mom. He’d rehearsed the conversation for two nights, practicing soft phrases in the bathroom mirror.
— Mom, you remember Sofia and I have an anniversary, right? We’ve been planning this trip for six months.
The silence on the line was so heavy Mikhail felt his stomach tighten.
— I’ve been saving for these tickets for eight months, — Tatyana Sergeevna’s voice shook. — I denied myself everything. I wanted to give you a gift. And you… you’re blaming me?
— That’s not it, it’s just…
— I’m alone, Misha. I have no one but you. Sofia has her whole life ahead of her. You two will have plenty of time for your mountains. But I’m not getting any younger, you understand? Maybe this is my last chance to see what I’ve dreamed of all my life.
She sobbed and hung up.
Mikhail sat on the couch, gripping his phone. Sofia was making dinner in the kitchen, the clatter of dishes intentionally loud.
The next few days, he tried to convince himself. The money was spent — most of it nonrefundable. His mother really had saved up, he knew her pension. Refusing the gift seemed unreasonable. They could postpone the anniversary to October; the velvet season was even better. Besides, this really was his mother’s lifelong dream.
— Sonya, how about we go in October instead? — he suggested over dinner. — It’ll be calmer, fewer tourists. And Mom… well, she really does mean well.
Sofia set her fork down.
— So you’re willing to sacrifice our plans again just to avoid upsetting your mom?
— It’s not a sacrifice, it’s just common sense.
— Common sense is telling your mom you’re already booked. But you’re just finding excuses.
Mikhail had nothing to say. Sofia stood and silently cleared the table.
The next day, Sofia met her friend Yulia. Over tea in a small café, she poured out the whole story.
— Make him choose, — Yulia advised.
— No, — Sofia shook her head. — I want him to realize it on his own. I don’t want to pressure him.
***
— I’ll probably go with my mom.
Mikhail said it Friday night, standing in the bedroom doorway. Sofia was folding laundry, not stopping.
— But I promise I’ll make it up to you, we’ll have an amazing trip later, — he quickly added. — Maybe in November? Or for New Year’s? We’ll go wherever you want.
— OK, — Sofia replied calmly. — Then I’ll use my vacation in August too. I’ll go on our route by myself.
Mikhail froze.
— Are you trying to get me to change my mind?… Continued just below in the first comment