Mom, what are you doing?” Pavel stood in the doorway, holding Vera Nikolaevna’s hand as she determinedly headed for the cupboard with the dishes. “I’m helping your wife with the table setting. Fifteen people—it’s no joke. Everything needs to be beautifully organized,” the mother-in-law attempted to free her hand. “Fifteen people?” Alina froze with a cloth in her hand. She had just finished washing the living room windows after recent renovations. “I’ve already invited everyone for New Year’s. Aunt Galya and her husband, your brother with his wife and kids, Marinka and Sergey…” “Which Marinka?” Alina felt a chill down her spine. “Well, which one? Marina Sokolova, she and Sergey just got married. We’re friends with her mom; it’d be awkward not to invite them.” Pavel turned pale. Marina was his first love, whom he dated for five years before he met Alina. “Mom, we can’t accommodate so many guests,” Pavel said firmly. “The apartment is small, and financially it’s tough right now.” “Oh, don’t make things up! What do you mean ‘we can’t’? I’ve already told everyone. And besides, how can you meet the New Year without family?” Vera Nikolaevna finally wrenched her hand free and decisively headed toward the sideboard. Alina silently watched as her mother-in-law began rearranging the crystal glasses they had bought with their first joint salary.
“Vera Nikolaevna, we really aren’t ready for so many guests,” Alina said as calmly as possible. “Not ready, they say! And who should be ready? Me, perhaps?” the mother-in-law sharply turned around. “By the way, this is my son’s apartment. And I have the right to invite whoever I want.” “Mom!” Pavel stepped forward. “What ‘mom’? I’m telling the truth. Are you the master here or what? Or are you already afraid to cross words with your wife?” Alina felt a lump rise in her throat. They had been saving for three years for the renovation, denying themselves everything. And now the mother-in-law, who hadn’t even offered to help hang curtains in all that time, was ordering around in their home as if she owned the place. “Vera Nikolaevna, let’s sit down and discuss this calmly,” Alina tried to defuse the situation. “There’s nothing to discuss!” the mother-in-law snapped. “I’ve already decided. We’ll set up two tables—one in the living room, another in the kitchen. The kids will sit separately…” “Mom, stop!” Pavel raised his voice. “This is our home, and we decide who to invite!” Vera Nikolaevna froze with a glass in her hand, a genuine look of astonishment on her face:
“Pasha, are you going against your own mother? I’m only trying to do what’s best. Look, Alina has been so busy with the renovation, she even lost weight. And here’s such a celebration—everyone will gather, we’ll have fun…” “Don’t pretend you care about us,” Alina spoke quietly. “In three years of renovation, you never once offered help. Didn’t even ask if we needed money or hands to help.” “And you’re accusing me?” the mother-in-law instantly retorted. “I, by the way, raised Pashenka alone, without a father. I gave him everything—my strength and health. And now, I suppose, I don’t have the right to invite guests to his home?” “Mom, stop guilt-tripping,” Pavel grimaced. “I’m grateful for everything, but that’s no reason to interfere in our lives. Alina and I will decide how to celebrate New Year’s.” “Ah, so that’s how it is!” Vera Nikolaevna dramatically threw up her hands. “So an ungrateful son you’ve become! And yet I for you…” she suddenly faltered and turned pale. “What have you for me?” Pavel squinted. “Finish your sentence.” Alina tensed. Something in her husband’s tone she didn’t like. “Nothing,” the mother-in-law turned away to the window. “Forget it.” “No, finish it. What were you going to say?” “Pasha, let it be…” Alina touched her husband’s hand, but he gently pushed her away. “It’s necessary, Alina. It’s long been necessary to sort this out. Mom, I’m waiting.” Vera Nikolaevna was silent, nervously fiddling with the hem of her blouse.
“Alright, then I’ll say it,” Pavel approached the sideboard and pulled out the bottom drawer. “Remember this box? You gave it to me in childhood, said to keep the most precious things in it.” The mother-in-law sharply turned around:
“Put it back!” “Do you know what I found in it a month ago, when I was doing a revision before the renovation?” Pavel pulled out a bundle of letters tied with a faded ribbon. “Your correspondence with Marina’s mother. Very interesting reading, I must say.” Alina froze. She was seeing these letters for the first time.
“Son, it’s all in the past…” Vera Nikolaevna’s voice trembled. “Really? But the dates on the envelopes don’t say so. Here, for example, a letter from February this year. I quote: ‘Mashenka, we need to do something urgently. This girl is completely unsuitable for my Pasha. Can’t cook properly, can’t keep house. But your Marinka—another matter. I see how they look at each other when they meet by chance. We just need to help them understand that they are made for each other…'” “Give it here!” the mother-in-law lunged at her son, trying to snatch the letters. “I won’t. And there’s more. Here’s another one, from March: ‘The plan for Marina’s promotion at Pasha’s company fell through—his boss flatly refused to hire a new employee. But don’t despair, I’ve come up with something better. We’ll arrange for them to accidentally meet at the restaurant where Pasha will be celebrating a successful project. Alina, of course, won’t go—she’s all into her renovation, even scrimps on a new dress…'” Alina felt the room start spinning before her eyes. All these months, while she and Pavel saved every penny, denying themselves everything, the mother-in-law was weaving intrigues behind their backs.
“Why, mom?” Pavel asked quietly. “Explain to me—why?” Vera Nikolaevna collapsed onto the sofa:
“I only wanted the best… Marina is a girl from a good family, we’ve been friends with her mom all our lives. And she truly loves you, I see it…” “Mom, do you hear yourself? What love? Marina got married to Sergey two years ago!” “Out of calculation!” exclaimed the mother-in-law. “She was offended that you got involved with this…,” she faltered under her son’s gaze, “with Alina, so out of spite she married the first guy she met!” Vera Nikolaevna, have you ever wondered why Pavel chose me? Not Marina from a good family, but an ordinary girl from the provinces?” “Because she’s real, mom,” Pavel squeezed his wife’s fingers tighter. “Doesn’t try to appear better than she is. Doesn’t plot intrigues. Just loves and cares. And your Marina… Remember how she demanded expensive gifts? How she threw tantrums if I was late from work? How she tried to turn me against my friends?” “She’s just very emotional!” Vera Nikolaevna threw up her hands. “But at least she’s a good housekeeper, always kept the house sparkling…” “Because she had a housekeeper,” Pavel smirked. “And Alina does everything herself. And works alongside me.” “Exactly!” picked up the mother-in-law. “Isn’t it right—should a wife disappear at work all day? Marina could have stayed at home, created comfort for you…” “At whose expense, mom? So that later you can reproach every penny, as you did with dad?” Vera Nikolaevna turned pale:
“Don’t dare bring up dad! He left us!” “No, mom. You drove him away with your demands and reproaches. I remember everything, even though I was little. And I don’t want a repeat of that story.” “Pasha…” the mother-in-law sobbed. “I only wish you well…” “Well? And these letters—are they good? Attempts to destroy our family—is that love? You know what I realized when I read your correspondence? That you haven’t changed. Still the same possessor who can’t come to terms with the fact that her son has grown up and lives his own life.” “I’m not a possessor!” Vera Nikolaevna protested. “I just want everything to be good for you!” “Everything is good, mom. Exactly because I chose my own path. Alina and I have a wonderful family. We do everything together—work and rest. We support each other. We rejoice in each other’s successes. And you… you’re trying to destroy everything.” “I’m not destroying anything!” Vera Nikolaevna jumped off the sofa. “I’m trying to open your eyes! This girl is not a match for you! She can’t even cook properly!” “But she knows how to love,” Alina said quietly. “And will never betray. Unlike some…” “What are you hinting at?” the mother-in-law menacingly leaned toward her daughter-in-law. “That your Marina was unfaithful to Pasha. Didn’t you know? Or did you know but considered it normal for a girl from a good family?” Vera Nikolaevna froze with her mouth open:
“What nonsense! Marinka would never…” “Mom, stop,” Pavel interrupted her. “I knew everything. About Sergey, with whom she had an affair while we were dating. About her boss. About her classmate. Do you think why I broke off the engagement?” “What engagement?” Alina squeaked. “That very one, which mom organized a month before we met. Gathered all the relatives, set the table… Only the bride didn’t come to the engagement—she was too busy in a hotel room with her boss.” “Oh God…” Alina pressed her hands to her cheeks. “Why have you never told me?” “I didn’t want to stir up the past,” Pavel hugged his wife. “And why? Everything is good between us. And Marina… let her live as she wants.” “Still, she’s better suited to you by status!” Vera Nikolaevna stubbornly declared. “So what, she had a little fun in her youth! But now she’s settled down, got married…” “Mom, do you hear yourself?” Pavel shook his head. “What status? What ‘had a little fun’? You always said that the most important thing in a person is honesty and decency. Where did all that go?” “I just want you to be happy!” tears glistened in the mother-in-law’s eyes. “I am happy, mom. Truly happy. And you know why? Because next to me is a person who loves me as I am. Doesn’t try to change me, doesn’t demand to meet someone else’s expectations. Just loves and accepts.” “And me? You think I don’t love you?” “You do, mom. In your own way. Only your love suffocates. Like ivy—it wraps around and doesn’t let you breathe.” Alina silently watched this conversation. It pained her to see her husband suffer, but she understood—this conversation had to happen.
“And what now?” Vera Nikolaevna’s voice trembled. “Will you kick out your mother?” “No, mom. I won’t kick you out. But I won’t allow it to continue in the same spirit either. No intrigues. No attempts to manipulate. No uninvited guests for New Year’s.” “What about family? What will I tell them?” “The truth. That Alina and I plan to meet the holiday alone. We have the right—our first New Year’s in a renovated apartment.” “Alone?” the mother-in-law clutched her heart. “And what about me?” “You, mom, if you want, come on January 2nd. We’ll sit quietly, talk. Have some tea.” “Tea?” Vera Nikolaevna bitterly smiled. “With a daughter-in-law who can’t even bake a pie?” “Vera Nikolaevna,” Alina stepped forward resolutely. “I can learn to bake pies. And cook borsch. And make dumplings. It’s not difficult. But can you learn to respect other people’s boundaries? Accept your son’s choice? Rejoice in his happiness, even if it doesn’t meet your expectations?” The mother-in-law opened her mouth to respond but suddenly faltered. Something in her daughter-in-law’s voice made her think.
“You know, Vera Nikolaevna,” Alina continued, “I never tried to stand between you and Pasha. On the contrary—I was always glad when you came. Set the table, tried to please… And you all this time tried to destroy our family.” “I didn’t…” “No, mom, that’s exactly what you were doing,” Pavel said firmly. “And you know what’s the saddest thing? You don’t even realize how deeply you hurt me with your actions. Not to mention Alina.” Vera Nikolaevna slowly sank onto the sofa. For the first time in the entire conversation, she looked genuinely bewildered.
“Pasha… daughter…” she shifted her gaze from her son to her daughter-in-law. “I really didn’t mean to offend anyone. I was just worried…” “About what, mom? That I wouldn’t meet the standards of your friends? Or that I would stop being your little boy, whom you could control?” Vera Nikolaevna covered her face with her hands:
“Son, you don’t understand… I’ve been alone all my life. After dad left, I lived only for you. And now…” “And now it’s time to learn to live your own life, mom,” Pavel said softly. “You’re still young, beautiful. There’s so much you can discover for yourself.” “How young…” the mother-in-law sighed. “Fifty-five years old…” “A wonderful age!” Alina unexpectedly joined in. “Vera Nikolaevna, you’re so active. I know you used to be into dancing…” “Where from?” the mother-in-law looked up in surprise. “Pasha told me. And showed photographs where you performed in your youth. You were so graceful…” “Yes…” a new spark appeared in Vera Nikolaevna’s eyes. “We used to go to classes every week with the girls. And then got caught up—work, home, Pashenka…” “Why not go back?” Alina suggested. “There are so many different styles now. And there are groups for adults.” “At my age?” the mother-in-law skeptically shook her head. “Why not? By the way, my aunt signed up for yoga at fifty-eight. She says it’s like being reborn—posture improved, mood changed.” Pavel looked at his wife in surprise. He hadn’t expected that after all the grievances and intrigues, she would find the strength to speak with his mother so warmly and sincerely.
“Vera Nikolaevna,” Alina continued, “shall we start over? No grievances, no attempts to manipulate, no intrigues. Just communicate like normal people. You’ll let us, Pasha and me, live our own lives, and we’ll be genuinely glad to see you as a guest.” “And the pies?” suddenly asked the mother-in-law childishly. “We can learn to bake them together,” Alina smiled. “If you want to share your recipes.” “I have one…” Vera Nikolaevna perked up. “With cabbage and mushrooms. Grandmother’s recipe. Never gave it to anyone, thought I’d pass it on to Marinka…” “Mom!” Pavel warned. “Oh, sorry, son,” the mother-in-law guiltily lowered her eyes. “Old habits… Alina, do you want me to teach you how to bake this pie? It takes a lot of time—the dough needs to rise…” “Of course I want!” Alina sincerely replied. “Maybe we can bake it for Christmas?” “For Christmas?” Vera Nikolaevna looked hopefully at her son. “Definitely, mom,” Pavel nodded. “Come to us on January 7th, we’ll prepare it together. But Alina and I will still meet New Year’s alone, okay?” The mother-in-law paused, smoothing the wrinkles on her skirt:
“Alright, son. You’re right—it’s your holiday. And I… I guess I really will go dancing. I’ll find out if there are any groups…” She got up from the sofa and headed for the door. At the door, she turned around:
“Alina… daughter… forgive me if you can. I really wanted what’s best. I just didn’t understand…” “All is well, Vera Nikolaevna,” Alina gently replied. “The main thing is that you understand now.” When the door closed behind the mother-in-law, Pavel hugged his wife tightly:
“You’re amazing. I couldn’t have done it—after all her intrigues.” “I see how you worry about her,” Alina pressed against her husband. “And besides, she’s really a lonely woman who’s afraid of losing the most precious thing she has.” “But that’s no reason to try to destroy our happiness.” “Of course not. But now that everything’s out in the open, maybe she’ll finally understand that we’re not rivals. That we can simply be a family—without intrigues and manipulation.” Pavel kissed his wife on the crown of her head:
“Do you really want to learn to bake her signature pie?” “Of course!” Alina mischievously smiled. “Firstly, it’s delicious. Secondly, it’ll make her feel needed. And thirdly…” she hesitated. “What thirdly?” “Thirdly, I’ve long wanted to learn to cook something special. Something ‘ours,’ family-style. So that the kids could later say, ‘Remember mom’s pie from grandma’s recipe?'” “Kids?” Pavel looked at his wife in surprise. “Are you trying to tell me something?” “No, what are you!” Alina laughed. “It’s too early. First, we need to finish the renovation, settle in… I’m just thinking about the future. About how we’ll live on.” “And how will we?” “We’ll live well. Without unnecessary complications, without others’ expectations. Just loving each other and enjoying every day.” Pavel thoughtfully looked out the window:
“And mom… do you think she’ll really change?” “Not right away, of course. Old habits don’t disappear in an instant. But if we’re patient and consistent—I think it’ll work out. The main thing is to let her understand that she’s not losing a son, but gaining a new family.” “You’re wise, mine,” Pavel smiled. “Not wise, but practical,” Alina winked at her husband. “By the way, we still need to buy a Christmas tree. And get the decorations down from the attic.” “Exactly! How about we go for the tree this Saturday? The market has such beauties now…” “Let’s do it! But first, let’s hang the curtains in the bedroom, they’ve been lying in the box for the second month.” “Agreed. Listen, maybe we should order the curtain rods? I dread the thought of dealing with the drill again…” “No way!” Alina playfully threatened her husband with a finger. “We decided to save. You said—every penny counts.” “Alright, alright, you convinced me,” Pavel pulled his wife closer. “But don’t complain later that all weekends go to renovations.” “I won’t. But when we’re done—it’ll be such a sense of pride! Ourselves, with our own hands…” The doorbell unexpectedly rang. The spouses exchanged glances.
“Could it be mom returned?” Pavel frowned. Alina opened the door. The downstairs neighbor stood on the threshold:
“Hello! Sorry to disturb you. Just wanted to let you know—we decided with the tenants to decorate a Christmas tree in the yard for New Year’s. Maybe you’d like to join too? Every year everyone celebrates separately, but we thought—why not make a common celebration for the whole building?”