Zoya had worked as a teacher all her life, and now, due to a small pension, she was forced to sell vegetables at the market. Her son-in-law brought a new wife into his apartment, and her daughter returned to her mother with a child. Zoya helped her as much as she could.
“Mom, I feel awkward in front of you. You spend all day in the garden and at the market,” Elia would say. “You better rest.” “It’s nothing, daughter. While I have the strength, I’ll help you with your grandson. You also help, half the garden was weeded in just a couple of days! I couldn’t have managed alone,” the woman replied. “And we need to buy new boots for Lesya to go to school. She can’t go to school in old ones.”
So they lived, helping each other. They believed that their day of celebration would come someday. Certainly, if Elia could ‘walk over heads,’ she wouldn’t struggle alone.
One morning, Zoya Fedorovna went to trade. Her spot was prime, attracting lots of customers. This was noticed by other sellers, including a former teacher’s acquaintance, Lyudmila, who then took Zoya’s spot. “Why do you sleep so long? Sorry, I’ve already taken your place. It will take me an hour to set up and an hour to pack up, so you’ll have to look for another spot today,” Lyuda declared.
Zoya didn’t argue with her. It wasn’t in her character. The woman settled nearby and set up her goods. Turns out, a neighbor was trading next to her.
“How’s your son-in-law? Didn’t come back?” Tanya inquired. “He hasn’t come back,” Zoya sighed. “He has his own life now.” “Young people don’t need a family, children these days. They want to live for themselves. My son still hasn’t married, always running to the mountains,” the neighbor shared.
Time passed unnoticed during their conversation. After lunch, a young man in strange clothing appeared at the market.
“Was he sitting?” Lyuda was shocked, and all the vendors looked fearfully at the newcomer.
The man approached Zoya’s stall. Reaching her goods, he turned out his pockets and asked: “Auntie, I have no money at all. Could you lend me a couple of apples?” “Just take them, why not. But why does such a young man have no money?” she replied, shrugging. “Auntie, I have to get home from places not so far. Don’t be afraid, I’m not a murderer. I fell for a woman like a boy, and that’s how I ended up in prison.”
“And your family can’t help you? Why are you traveling home alone?” “I have family. It’s just awkward for me to call them. I want to surprise them.” “How far is it?” “Ulyanovsk.” “That’s a long journey!”
Later, the former convict briefly left. The market square had a station nearby. Zoya saw how the man talked to a driver and then returned to her.
“Auntie. Please lend me a little. Otherwise, I won’t see my home. Don’t be scared, I’ll pay back the debt as soon as I earn it,” he pleaded, looking at her imploringly.
“How much do you need?” “A thousand!”
And under the bewildered glances of other vendors, Zoya handed him a generous bill. “You shouldn’t walk, take it,” she said. “Thank you so much! I will definitely repay you!” the young man thanked her. “My name is Pasha, what’s your name?” “I am Zoya Fedorovna.” “Thank you, Zoya Fedorovna!” he thanked her again and headed towards the bus. “What a fool you are, Zoya! He’ll never return it!” the neighbor complained. “We need to help each other, we’re not beasts,” the woman defended herself. “And he’s not human. A convict is a convict even in Africa!”
Waving at Tanya, Zoya packed up to go home.
By the weekend, Elia fell ill with a fever. The mother, gathering various herbs from the garden, treated her daughter as best she could.
The granddaughter ran up in the evening with a book and, tugging at Zoya’s sleeve, chirped: “Grandma, read me a fairy tale?” “Of course, I will read to you, my granddaughter,” the elderly woman agreed, patting the girl on the head.
It started raining outside. To the crackling of wood burning in the stove, Elia set the table. The family was about to have dinner. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
The women looked at each other. They weren’t expecting anyone! “May I?” Opening the door, an unfamiliar man entered. Looking at him closely, Zoya remembered: “Pasha?” “Yes, it’s me, Zoya Fedorovna. Sorry I couldn’t return the debt right away. A lot has happened to me lately.” “If not for your eyes, I would have never recognized you!” the elderly woman laughed. “You look so decent! Wearing a suit, shaved, really nice to see.” “Join us for dinner,” Elia invited the guest, feeling a bit shy.
At the table, Pasha told his story of how he ended up behind bars. He was unjustly sentenced to three whole years!
“Now I’m back as a clinic head, so if you need anything, come to my clinic,” he finished his story, looking at Elia with interest.
A week later, a familiar car stopped in front of Zoya’s house, and Pavel stepped out with a large bouquet of flowers. “Daughter, look out the window! Your suitor has arrived,” the mother exclaimed, peeking through the curtain. “Looks like we’ll be having a wedding soon?” “How about that? The celebration has come to our street too!” Elia laughed, hugging little Lesya to her chest.