— Gena, are you absolutely sure you’ve thought this through?
— Mom…
— I know exactly what I’m saying. She’s only with you for the money, isn’t she?
Gennady exhaled, a slow, weary breath.
— Mom, I get why you’re worried, but you’re wrong. There’s no arguing with you anyway—you won’t change your mind. Believe whatever you want. We’re not planning anything extravagant.
— Gena, don’t be naive. She’s using you, and deep down you know it. That girl—
— Please, Mom, let’s stop. Lena and I have known each other for over five years. We’ve been preparing for this step for a long time.
— Let me remind you: you’re a highly eligible bachelor. Any woman would say yes to you. Can’t you see our position?
Gennady closed his eyes as if trying to shut out the fatigue pressing behind them.
— Tell me honestly, Mom: what matters more to you—our public image or my happiness?
Anna Nikolaevna turned helplessly to her husband.
— Sasha, are you just going to sit there and say nothing?
Alexander lowered his newspaper and gave a faint smile.
— Anya, you have a habit: you only involve me when you hit a wall. For twenty-seven years you’ve made decisions on your own, and when anything goes wrong, I’m the culprit.
Anna Nikolaevna narrowed her eyes.
— Are you done? Good. Now let’s be serious.
— Gena’s an adult. He can make his own choices. I don’t see why we should meddle. As far as I can tell, Lena’s a perfectly decent girl.
— “Decent,” my foot! Nobody gets by without money these days.
— And weren’t there times when you weren’t rich yourself? Or is that conveniently forgotten?
A flush climbed Anna’s cheeks; her composure slipped.
— Sasha, you’re being reckless! Our son is about to ruin his life!
— Calm down. Nothing disastrous is happening. He’ll continue treatment, and with luck his wife might even help. What exactly is upsetting you? I truly don’t get it.
Anna spun on her heel and left the room. Gennady pushed himself up from the chair with effort.
— Thanks, Dad.
— How are you feeling?
— Fine. Don’t worry.
When their son was seventeen, something inexplicable had gripped his health. No doctor could pin down a diagnosis. One theory replaced another—treatments helped, but only in pieces. A renowned professor had once summed it up:
— It’s as if your son has lost the body’s instinct to fend off illness. A century ago I’d have called it a curse. Today… all we can do is shrug and observe.
Alexander knew money wasn’t a cure-all, yet he poured fortunes into the best clinics. Then, one day, Gennady said quietly:
— Please. I need a break. I barely remember what home looks like. I can’t recall the last night I slept in my own bed.
Unexpectedly, his mother—the very one who had insisted on exhausting every option—took his side:
— Sasha, maybe Gena really does need rest. Let’s follow the doctors’ guidance for once.
Alexander waved it off—he would have fought on if there had been even the faintest improvement. But there wasn’t. Back home, though, Gena brightened: his appetite returned, and he even put on a little weight.
From then on, he went in for checkups twice a year and came back with fresh instructions.
With his father’s help, he still managed to finish university. He was capable, even gifted, but his absences for medical reasons didn’t endear him to the faculty.
He met Lena during those student years. They were friends for years, until—only recently—Lena confessed she loved him. That admission filled Gena with strength, as if he’d grown wings.
The wedding, just as he feared, became an event of epic proportions. His mother orchestrated a celebration that looked like the entire town had been invited. Lena smiled through the evening, doing her best to ignore the taut, humming tension.
Relations between the mothers—Galina Ivanovna and Anna Nikolaevna—never warmed. Anna considered that, lacking status and wealth, Galina ought to be grateful for such a match. Galina, for her part, kept a polite distance from her in-laws.
The evening’s crescendo came during the gift-giving. When Galina announced she was giving the young couple a small house—her grandfather’s place, in a protected area—Anna couldn’t hold back:
— Honestly, how can you pass off that decrepit shack in the middle of nowhere as a “valuable gift”? — Anna protested.
Gena shot his mother a reproachful look. — Mom, that’s enough.
— Enough? Enough of what, Gena? Some things can’t be undone!
Once Galina had gone, Anna rounded on her husband: — Did you see her? She does nothing and still puts on airs like she’s royalty!
A few days after the wedding, Gena broke the news:
— Lena and I are moving to the house Galina gave us.
Anna nearly fainted. — Have you lost your mind?! This is her influence! She wants to bury you in the backwoods so your health collapses and she can grab the inheritance!
Alexander’s brow furrowed. — Anya, what are you even saying? Have you taken leave of your senses?
Anna exploded: — I am perfectly sane! He needs constant medical care, and he wants to run off to the wilderness! I won’t permit it!
— The tickets are already bought, — Gena replied evenly.
— Fine, — Anna said, voice gone cold. — In that case, don’t expect help from me. Let your new “family” take care of you.
— Gena, don’t be angry at your mother, — Alexander said gently. — You know her temperament. She’ll come around. If you need anything, call me. I’ll be there.
— Thanks, Dad.
— But tell me: why there, of all places? On this one point she’s right—it sounds like a dump.
Gena smiled. — You might not believe it, but there are healing springs. Lena and her mother swear the place will help me. I’m not sure I buy it—but why not try?
— You’re a skeptic. Sometimes the inexplicable ends up helping the most. Good luck, son.
When they arrived, Gena stared at the yard in surprise.
— Wow. It’s a jungle out here.
Lena laughed. — Of course—no one’s lived here in years. Don’t worry. A little elbow grease and it’ll be good as new.
She pushed the door open. Inside, to Gena’s surprise, the place was cozy and almost dust-free. He was so drained from the trip that he barely sank onto the sofa before sleep swallowed him whole.
At first, Lena handled the heavy lifting while Gena pitched in as his strength allowed. To his astonishment, he began to feel better—more energy, a fierce appetite. A week later he cleaned his plate and blinked in surprise:
— I don’t know how, but I just demolished everything!
Lena’s smile turned mischievous. — I told you: around here, miracles happen.
Gena eyed her. — And how are you so certain?
— I came here often as a kid. I saw plenty of strange, wonderful things.
— Sure—and I bet every boy in the district chased you.
— Stop it, — Lena laughed. — Anyway, tomorrow I’ve got a surprise for you.
No amount of coaxing got the secret out. They went to bed happy, wrapped around each other, full of quiet hope.
— Sasha, I don’t understand your indifference! It’s been six months since that girl whisked our son away, and you’ve done nothing! — Anna fumed.
Alexander looked up from his papers. — What would you have me do? Send a police squad to drag him back? He’s married, Anya. He’s living his own life.
— Rubbish! He was supposed to be admitted to the hospital last month, but every time I call he says he’s fine and hangs up. How can he be fine without treatment?
Alexander heard the tremor of genuine fear under the bluster. He set the papers aside.
— If you’re this worried, let’s go see them. We’ll check how they’re settling in.
Anna considered, then brightened. — Excellent idea.
— Then pack a bag. I’ll call Gena. We’ll leave early.
They reached the village by evening.
— Good heavens, what a wreck, — Anna sighed.
Alexander chuckled. — I like it. Clean air. No litter. Look—a hare!
Anna stared as a hare bounded across the lane. — It’s like a nature reserve. Wouldn’t surprise me if bears strolled by.
— Looks like we’re here, — Alexander said.
Just then, the gate swung open and Gena stepped out. Anna froze; Alexander nearly lost his words. Before them stood a young man broad-shouldered and radiant with health—the pale, wan boy from months past was gone.
— Mom! Dad! I’ve missed you so much! — Gena called, beaming.
They hugged for a long time, and Anna’s eyes filled.
— Gena, you’ve blossomed!
— Lena’s to thank. And—believe it or not—the bees. It’s fascinating!
Lena appeared on the porch, smiling shyly, and embraced her in-laws in turn.
— Thank you, dear, — Anna said through sudden tears. — You did what the best doctors could not.
After the greetings and embraces, they unloaded the car and delivered their gifts. Lena, warm and bustling, ushered them to the table. The dishes, simple and beautiful, tugged Anna into memories of childhood kitchens. Gena set down a bottle.
— Dad, real mead. Homemade.
Alexander laughed. — You two are proper hosts now. You’ve got everything right here.
Everyone took a sip—everyone except Lena.
Anna noticed and bristled slightly. — Still holding a grudge? You won’t even drink to be polite?
Lena flushed. — I can’t.
Anna glanced at her son. — Is she unwell?
Gena’s grin spread wide. — We’re having a baby. So get ready, Mom—you’re going to be a grandmother.
Joy crashed over Anna like a wave. Tears spilled; she hugged her son, then Lena, then both, laughing and crying all at once. Then, to everyone’s surprise, she straightened with sudden purpose.
— That’s it—I’m staying for a couple of weeks. I need to buy things and help you settle. Sasha, you’ve owed me a new car for ages—now’s the time. A big one. I need room to haul everything our granddaughter will need. Or grandson! And we’re taking Lena back to the city—she’ll deliver in a proper clinic.
She kept issuing plans and instructions until the room dissolved into laughter. Color rose to her cheeks.
— What? I only want the best.
Lena slipped an arm around her. — I’ll listen to you. Gena is clueless about all this, and I’m a little scared.
Anna hugged her back, gentle now. — Don’t be. I’m here. Always.