The school banquet hall had been transformed beyond recognition. Brightly colored balloons hanging from the ceiling gently swayed in the light draft, LED garlands twinkled along the walls, and quiet yet festive music played on the stage—a backdrop for an important event. The air was filled with a light bustle, joy, and a touch of nervousness. Parents, dressed in their finest clothes, clicked cameras, trying to capture every moment of this significant day. Somewhere in the distance, laughter was heard; somewhere else, people hugged, exchanging brief phrases. The graduation evening was already gaining momentum, reminding everyone how quickly childhood at school had flown by.
Tamara stood slightly apart from the main crowd, holding a half-empty glass of mineral water. Her snow-white blouse almost blended with the pale, tired complexion of her face—as if she had spent the night without sleep. She was silent, seemingly unaware of what was happening around her, until her friend Lena, glancing around the hall, said:
— Where’s yours? I don’t see him anywhere. He’s supposed to be here, right?
Tamara barely nodded toward the window, where near the frame, slightly bent over his phone, stood a tall, slender young man. His face was focused, his gaze fixed on the screen as if the real meaning of this evening was there.
— There he is, — Tamara said, trying to speak calmly. — Alone as always. No friends nearby, no conversations. Just him and that damn phone.
Lena sighed, squinting at the young man:
— Come on. He’s a good guy after all. Smart, well-mannered.
Tamara seemed not to hear. Or simply didn’t want to. Her voice sounded dull, almost lifeless:
— I worked for him… for him, you understand? Saved money, denied myself many things. Hired the best tutors, enrolled him in expensive clubs. All so that he would get a decent education. And he tells me: “I don’t need that, I know how to build my life myself.”
— Well, let him know, — Lena shrugged. — Kids these days are independent. Maybe that’s even good.
— Independent? — Tamara’s voice suddenly rose, something like pain slipping through it. — He graduated with a gold medal, Lena! Can you imagine? A gold medal! It’s not just like that. It’s years of work, constant oversight, my sacrifices. And now he says: “I’m going to study at a mechanical engineering college.” Not a university in Moscow, not an engineering faculty, but some local college! And for what? To fix cars later? What was I doing all these years then?
She fell silent, as if expecting an answer, but Lena just blinked in confusion, not knowing what to say.
— What’s wrong with college? — finally, her friend said. — Skilled trades are valued these days. Even more than office jobs.
— Skilled trades?! — Tamara flared up again. — He’s gifted! Math, physics — straight A’s. English at native level, victories in serious Olympiads! He could have gotten into anywhere! But he decided to become a mechanic. Just because it’s “interesting” to him. My whole life was about him. All decisions, all plans — only for his future. And here it is, my future…
She stopped, looked at her glass, then shifted her gaze to her son. He suddenly felt his mother’s attention, lifted his eyes, met her gaze—and immediately dropped them to the floor. Then slowly, without saying goodbye to anyone, he left the hall.
At that moment, Raisa Petrovna approached them—a mathematics teacher, an elderly woman in a strict business suit, with a kindly smile on her face.
— Tamara Alekseevna, congratulations! Gleb is truly an excellent young man. A gold medal isn’t given to everyone. Where is he planning to enroll?
Tamara was silent. Lena awkwardly cleared her throat, trying to think of something to say.
— Well, why are you silent? — Raisa Petrovna wondered. — Such abilities, such grades… He’ll definitely get into Moscow State University without problems!
But Tamara didn’t answer. She just looked at the teacher with such pain in her eyes that the teacher involuntarily faltered.
— What happened? — another mother, one of Gleb’s classmates’ moms, approached. — Why are you so sad, Tamara?
Tamara put her glass on the table, gathered her strength, and scanning those standing nearby suddenly blurted out:
— I gave birth to a fool. Now my whole life is down the drain.
An awkward silence hung for a second. Raisa Petrovna even raised her eyebrows in surprise. Lena tried to say something, but Tamara continued:
— Because that’s how it is! He doesn’t want to get higher education! Graduated with a gold medal and still wants to go to some college. As if everything I fought for meant nothing.
— Tamara, what are you saying? — Lena tried to intervene.
— What I feel! — Tamara raised her voice. — Do you know how much I spent on him? Tutors, extra classes, paid programs, English since early childhood! We didn’t rest, didn’t travel — everything was for one goal: so that he would get a good education, become a successful person. And he tells me: “Mom, I want to work with my hands, I want to deal with technology.”
Raisa Petrovna cautiously interjected:
— But, Tamara Alekseevna, if the boy has a real calling…
— Calling?! — Tamara interrupted. — It’s just laziness! He doesn’t want to study further. Doesn’t want to take responsibility. And how do I explain this to my husband now? I’m afraid to even talk about it at home — there will be a scandal. Father always dreamed his son would become an engineer, move to Moscow. And now — college.
— Maybe try talking to him again? — suggested the classmate’s mother. — Explain why it’s important to get a university education…
— I did! — Tamara exclaimed. — Hundreds of times! And he says: “I’m interested, I want to study technology practically.” He doesn’t listen to me!
Lena put a hand on her friend’s shoulder:
— Tamara, calm down. People are watching.
Tamara looked around. Indeed, several parents nearby had started to glance their way, whispering among themselves. She sighed deeply, but tears were already in her eyes.
— You know what’s the worst? — she said more quietly. — I saw potential in him since childhood. A smart, talented child. We could have been proud of him. Son at university, then a prestigious job. And now? At best — a mechanic at a factory.
— Tamara Alekseevna, — Raisa Petrovna started again — but skilled trades are important too. And besides, you can enter a university after college.
— You can, but he won’t! — Tamara sharply replied. — I know him. He’ll enter college — and relax. Forget about university, about a career. Work and that’s it. And yet a gold medal! Do you understand that or not?
She took a handkerchief from her purse, carefully dabbed the corners of her eyes.
— Everything I lived for, everything I did — for him, — she continued. — Didn’t rest, didn’t allow myself anything extra. I thought when he grew up, he would appreciate, understand what I did for him. And he tells me: “Mom, these are your ambitions, not mine.”
— Where is he now? — Lena asked.
— Gone. As soon as he heard me say “college,” he left immediately. I think he felt ashamed. And rightly so — he should be ashamed.
Meanwhile, cheerful laughter came from the hall, the first dance began. Someone turned up the music louder. Life went on as usual, but for Tamara, her world was collapsing at that moment. She stood, feeling how her whole system of beliefs about life, success, and love was breaking down.
— Maybe I really did something wrong? — she suddenly asked Lena. — Maybe I pressured him too much?
— I don’t know, Tamara, — her friend answered honestly. — But he’s not lost. He’ll finish college, find a job. That’s not bad either.
— Not bad! — Tamara smiled bitterly. — Do you know how much engineers earn now? And mechanics? I wanted a better life for him. So he wouldn’t live like me and his father — paycheck to paycheck.
Raisa Petrovna was silent, then suggested:
— Maybe you could visit him at home tomorrow? Talk calmly, without emotions. Maybe he’ll change his mind.
— He won’t, — Tamara shook her head. — I told you — stubborn. Already preparing documents to apply. What am I going to do?
— And if it doesn’t help? — quietly asked the classmate’s mother.
Tamara was silent for a long time. Then sighed heavily:
— Then I’ll accept it. What else is there? It’s my fault. Loved too much. Wanted too much.
— Tamara, don’t say that, — Lena asked. — You’re a good mother. Kids are different now. They decide for themselves.
— Different, — Tamara agreed. — And it’s scary. Because they don’t listen to us anymore. Don’t hear us.
The music gradually faded. The awards ceremony began. The announcer’s voice came from the speakers:
— Gleb Sokolov — recipient of the gold medal!
Tamara began to applaud, but tears ran down her cheeks at the same time. Her son stood on the stage, receiving a well-deserved award for excellent studies. And at that very moment, without knowing it, he was destroying all her dreams about his future.