Are you bringing your fiancée for New Year’s?” Valeriya Ivanovna frowned. She didn’t want her son, Lyonya, to marry so young, especially not to some newcomer from the provinces. She wasn’t acquainted with Tanya and didn’t plan to be. But she didn’t want to tell her son that. Valeriya Ivanovna was a cunning woman and knew that insisting would achieve nothing. She wanted to make Lyonya give up the idea of marriage himself. If that required tolerating his girlfriend at the New Year’s table, so be it.
“Tanya is very shy, so she would like to meet you in advance,” Lyonya, Valeriya Ivanovna’s son, smiled.
“Really? Well, okay.”
“Thanks, Mom! You’re the best!” Lyonya kissed his mother and rushed off to call Tanya.
“Mom agreed to host us. I’m sure you’ll make a good impression, but remember, as they say, ‘Clothes make the man,’ so dress nicely. Though, I’m sure you already know this. You are perfect!”
Tatyana listened silently and nodded. She was a simple girl, not one for artificial beauty. She took care of herself, highlighting her natural beauty with her long, thick hair and porcelain skin. But to win over her future mother-in-law, Tanya did everything Lyonya asked, even visiting a makeup artist who applied so much makeup that Tanya almost cried when she saw her reflection.
“Wipe it off…” she managed to say, and went to meet his family as she was.
Valeriya Ivanovna had prepared the table in advance to welcome the guests. She decided that since her son was bringing his girlfriend, she could also invite her friend with her daughter, Vera. Vera was a good girl and in Valeriya Ivanovna’s opinion, a perfect match for her son. Besides, she knew that Lyonya had previously been interested in Vera.
Vera had big eyes, long, slender legs, and a prestigious education. Valeriya Ivanovna had no doubt that Vera, who had become even more beautiful after four years of study in another city, would outshine any Tanya.
She called Natalya Borisovna and invited them over.
“Come with Vera, it’s been a while. Lyonya will be here; the kids can catch up,” she hinted. Natalya Borisovna understood the invitation was not without reason.
The friends often discussed how great it would be if their children fell in love and married.
Of course, Tanya had no idea of the setup when she went to meet her future mother-in-law. She bought a cake and flowers and, with trembling hands, rang the doorbell.
Lyonya opened the door. He was as nervous as his fiancée.
“Hi… I’m so glad to see you!” he hugged Tanya, and her fear disappeared. But not for long. “Listen, here’s the thing… mom invited some other guests. She didn’t warn me about it, sorry.”
Tatyana frowned, but there was no escaping. She forced a smile and went to introduce herself.
“And here we are at the beach, the four of us. Lyonya was teaching you to swim, remember?” Valeriya Ivanovna cooed in front of the unfamiliar girl, flipping through a family album. Tatyana even froze on the threshold of the room, unwilling to disturb the idyll. “And then you two went to the disco. Natasha and I were so worried about you, but nothing happened, I remember how Lyonya confessed then that he had fallen in love with you!”
“Mom, Tanya is here,” Lyonya interrupted the cooing.
The women turned around, assessing Tatyana.
“Hello… this is for you,” she offered the bouquet.
“Hello. Thank you. Lyonya, please bring a vase. And you, Tatyana, please come in. Have a seat at the table.”
The atmosphere in the living room was tense. Tanya felt scrutinized.
“Aunt Lera, let’s look at the album later. It was a wonderful time, but it’s long gone,” Vera suddenly said, standing up from the couch. Tanya looked at the girl with interest. She was stylishly and expensively dressed, and unlike Tanyusha, suited bright makeup, although her natural beauty was not visible.
All her facial features were “drawn,” and her chocolate tan in the middle of winter was likely as “fake” as the tattoo on her eyebrows. However, Tanya noted that Vera generally looked quite organically in such a doll-like image and resembled a model from a glossy magazine. A complete opposite of Tanya—a Russian beauty, about whom they say “made of blood and milk.”
The girls sat opposite each other, Natalya Borisovna sat on the couch to Tanya’s right, and to her left, Valeriya Ivanovna removed a chair, saying it was unreliable. It turned out that the free seat was right next to Vera.
“Lyonya, why are you standing? Sit down…”
“I actually wanted to sit with Tanya.”
“With Tanya? Haven’t you seen enough of each other yet?”
“No.”
“Let me switch places,” Vera stood up and approached Tanya. “Sit in my place. I’ll sit with mom.” Tatyana smiled friendly and moved, leaving Valeriya Ivanovna only to cluck her tongue.
“Well, Tanya… tell us about yourself. Where do you study, what do you plan to work as, why did you decide to move to the big city from the suburbs…”
“I study biology. I came here solely for my studies.”
“Really? And what, will you go back to the village afterward?”
“Mom? Tanya doesn’t live in a village at all.”
“What will happen next, I can’t tell you right now. I live one day at a time and don’t plan for the future,” Tanya quietly said. Her father had recently passed away unexpectedly. He had planned so much… but couldn’t do it. After this tragedy, Tanya firmly understood that it’s not worth planning ahead. You need to enjoy the moment and cherish every second.
“It’s surprising to hear such a thing from a girl. I thought the modern pace of life wasn’t for such ‘down-to-earth’ natures.”
“I see nothing wrong with being grounded. The earth feeds us, but floating in the clouds is very risky. Falling from the sky to the ground hurts too much.”
Tatyana said this without malice, but Valeriya Ivanovna blushed with indignation that this girl had responded to her in such a manner.
“A peasant’s mindset,” Valeriya Ivanovna muttered.
“May I have some salad?” Vera spoke up.
“Yes, of course,” Valeriya Ivanovna snapped out of it. “Try this one. I remember you don’t eat pomegranates, so I won’t offer you my signature ‘Pomegranate Bracelet’ salad. Have you read Kuprin, Tatyana?”
“Yes. I’ve read it. And I catch the reference to the title of Alexander Ivanovich’s story. Moreover, Kuprin is one of my favorite writers of the Silver Age.”
“Then you know what happened to the feelings of the poor official who dared to love a princess.”
Tatyana looked surprised at Valeriya Ivanovna. She clearly understood where she was hinting, blushed, and fell silent.
“Mom, it’s just a story, written a long time ago. Why all this?”
“To the fact that there’s a folk wisdom: even for a chicken, but to your own street. You should choose someone equal to yourself. Eat the salad, Tanyusha. I made an effort for you.”
Tanya, although she didn’t want to eat after such words, out of decency, put some salad in her mouth. She encountered a huge piece of garlic. The evening was definitively ruined.
She had to sit with her mouth closed for the remaining time, and Valeriya Ivanovna seemed to forget about her existence, repeatedly shifting the focus to Vera.
Tanya found out that Vera had brilliantly graduated from university and already secured a “very good and well-paid position,” that Vera’s office was very beautiful, with panoramic windows and a wonderful view, and that Vera was looking at an apartment close to Lyonya’s apartment.
“Mom, are we going to have tea?” Lyonya couldn’t take it anymore.
“Of course. I’ll go put the kettle on. And Tanya will help me cut the cake.”
Tatyana nodded. She was afraid to open her mouth after the garlic in the salad and silently went to the kitchen.
Natalya Borisovna followed them for some reason. Perhaps she didn’t want to sit at the table, or maybe she decided to leave her daughter alone with Lyonya.
Tanya didn’t like all this. But as a guest, she preferred to behave decently. So she quickly cut the cake, arranged it on plates, and carried it to the room. Surprisingly, only Vera was sitting at the table.
“Where’s Lyonya?” asked Tatyana.
“I don’t know… he went somewhere.”
“Girls, since we’re having a mini-girls’ night, I suggest we discuss the menu for New Year’s Eve. Both of you will need to prepare a salad for the New Year’s table.”
“We’re going to celebrate together, with Vera?” Tanya was surprised. Vera was no less surprised but remained silent.
“Well, yes. Why, do you mind, Tatyana?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, since you’re planning to celebrate New Year’s at my house, it’s up to me to decide who to invite.”
“Aunt Lera, I don’t really like to cook.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll cook. What salad do you need, Lera?” asked Natalya Borisovna.
“Herring under a fur coat. And you, Tanya, make Olivier. Let’s see if your hands grow from the right place.”
Tatyana almost dropped the saucer with the cake from these words. Fortunately, she held on and didn’t embarrass herself in front of her potential mother-in-law.
Lyonya returned to the table when the tea was ready.
“Urgent call, sorry,” he excused himself to Tanya. “Eat the cake, and I’ll drive you. You must be tired.”
“Yes…” murmured Tanya. She felt uncomfortable and very much wanted to brush her teeth. Fortunately, the cake was decorated with mint, and she managed to chew a leaf to somewhat refresh her breath. Nonetheless, she didn’t kiss Lyonya that evening.
“You’re upset, right?”
“No. All is well. See you tomorrow,” she smiled and ran home.
Lyonya didn’t return to his mother, although she was very much waiting. He realized that she planned to pair him with Vera, but he didn’t want to discuss it with his mother in front of Vera. So he went to her the next day, and then a unpleasant conversation took place.
“Whether you like it or not, I’ve chosen Tanya,” he told his mother.
“But dear…”
“I hope that on New Year’s, when I propose to her, you will just smile silently.”
Valeriya Ivanovna froze. She hadn’t expected her son to be so persistent in his desire. She needed to do something, but nothing came to mind.
And then she decided to use her last chance to tarnish Tanya’s honor in front of her son. She ordered her flowers, knowing that Lyonya was very jealous.
Surprisingly, Tatyana brought not only the salad but also a bouquet. And Lyonya didn’t look upset.
“Thank you, Valeriya Ivanovna, I’m pleased that you remembered my name day (December 23 is one of the dates for Tatyana’s name day, note from the author). They were actually last week… but no matter,” Tanya smiled nonchalantly.
“Who said the flowers were from me?”
“The courier forgot to remove the note with the customer’s number. I recognized your digits,” Tanya replied, beaming. And Lyonya quietly said “Thank you” to his mother.
Tatyana went to the kitchen but didn’t start opening the salads.
Natalya Borisovna arrived with bags.
“This is from Vera. She said she would be late. I haven’t seen what’s inside, but the smell! Superb! My daughter really tried,” said Natalya Borisovna, placing the bag on the table.
“Wonderful. Well, go to the table, and I’ll bring the salads.”
Valeriya Ivanovna made sure the ladies and her son had left. She found the herring under a fur coat and the Olivier among the bags. In the Olivier, she added salt and pepper, and also “accidentally” threw in a cat hair. The herring, she beautifully placed on a plate and decorated with a specially prepared parsley sprig.
“Well, Natasha, good job! Not only did she prepare a salad for Vera, but she also took care of the decoration,” she thought, pleased with herself.
Putting both salads on the table, she asked her son to take care of the drinks.
“I think, let’s give the word to Lyonya. Son, but first, try the salads. One was made by your Tanya, and the other salad was made by Vera. Both girls really tried, and I’m terribly curious which salad you’ll like more. Which hostess cooks better and will make a good wife?”
Valeriya Ivanovna served her son both salads, and he, having tried the Olivier, grimaced.
“So, Tanyusha is a bad hostess?” Valeriya Ivanovna frowned. She tasted the salad and shook her head. “This slop is only good for the trash!”
“Lera! What are you doing?! I really tried! Vera had nothing to do with it!” Natalya Borisovna spoke up.
“I know Vera made the ‘herring under a fur coat’. A master’s hand is visible. Look, Tanya, and learn how to cut vegetables. And your Olivier has everything in it, even someone’s hair…” Valeriya Ivanovna demonstratively pulled a piece of fur from the salad.
“Lera! I made the Olivier! Stop putting on a show! Vera didn’t cook, she doesn’t like standing at the stove. And I tried for you. Thank you, of course, for advertising my talent. I’ve been cutting vegetables like this all my life, no one complained,” Natalya Borisovna stood up from the table.
“But you were supposed to make the ‘herring under a fur coat’,” Valeriya Ivanovna spread her hands.
“Vera suggested we switch. She doesn’t like to cook, and Olivier is indeed easier to make. Vera didn’t immediately realize that her mother would be blowing off steam for her. And I don’t mind cleaning herring. I love to cook,” Tanya barely holding back laughter, replied. “But you, Valeriya Ivanovna, don’t be upset. I brought Olivier just in case. Here,” Tanya quickly took out another container from her bag and placed it on the table.
Lyonya watched silently.
“Natalya, don’t go… I thought it wasn’t your salad! I wouldn’t have spoiled your salad!” Valeriya Ivanovna went after her friend, but she had already put on her coat and was heading to the door.
“Vera was right not to come. You, Valeriya Ivanovna, outsmarted yourself. And you, Tanya, well done. Good luck to you both! And Happy New Year.”
Natalya Borisovna left, and Tatyana and Lyonya followed.
Valeriya Ivanovna was left alone with the salads and her own pride.
“Don’t be angry, okay?” Lyonya quietly asked Tanya. “Mom… I don’t know what got into her.”
“She just loves you, Lyonya. That’s all,” Tanya quietly said.
They silently got into the car. It was almost midnight.
“I’ve never welcomed the New Year in a car before.”
“Me neither…”
“You know, this might even be romantic.” He turned on the radio, where a New Year’s melody played, and pulled a ring box from his pocket. “Will you marry me?”
Tanya’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected Lyonya to take such an important step. But she was so joyful that all the evening’s events seemed trivial.
“Yes!” she answered and hugged her beloved boyfriend. It was the happiest New Year. Only Valeriya Ivanovna sadly looked out the window, chastising herself for her foolish behavior. She was ashamed.
“Where shall we go?” asked Lyonya.
“You know, Lyonya… let’s go back to your mom’s? She’s probably very lonely right now.”
“You’re not angry with her?” Lyonya was surprised.
“No. I think she’s already sorry for how she behaved. Let’s go. I want to have a good relationship with my mother-in-law,” Tanya winked, and they went back. To his mother.
Valeriya Ivanovna was genuinely happy. She certainly didn’t immediately love her daughter-in-law, but she didn’t aim to spoil her relationship with her son. Valeriya Ivanovna realized that Lyonya was no longer her little boy and that in a conflict, he would choose his wife. She didn’t want to lose her son, so instead, she tried to gain a daughter. And perhaps, someday, she would succeed.