— Gena, are you absolutely sure about this?
— Mom…
— You do realize she’s only with you for the money, right?
Gennady sighed softly.
— Mom, you’re mistaken, but I’m not going to argue with you because it’s pointless. You can think what you want. We’re not planning a lavish wedding.
— Gena, stop it. I’m sure she’s just using you. You know it yourself. This girl…
— Mom, please, don’t go on. Lena and I have known each other for over five years, and we’ve thought this decision through carefully.
— I just want you to understand: no matter what, you’re a catch. Any girl would go for you. You know our status.
Gennady closed his eyes, tired.
— Mom, what’s more important to you—our status or my happiness?
Anna Nikolaevna looked helplessly at her husband.
— Sasha, why are you silent?
Alexander, setting aside his newspaper, smiled.
— Anna, you have one trait: you only remember me when you’re at a dead end. Otherwise, you make all the decisions yourself, for 27 years now. By the way, when your decisions lead to problems, you always blame me.
Anna Nikolaevna squinted.
— Are you finished? Now say something relevant.
— Gena is an adult and sensible man. I don’t see why we should interfere with his marriage to Lena. She seems like a decent girl.
— What are you talking about, a decent girl! There can’t be decent people without money nowadays.
— You didn’t always have money either, have you thought about that?
Anna Nikolaevna was clearly on the brink of exploding.
— Sasha, you’re irresponsible! Our son is about to ruin his life!
— Calm down. Nothing terrible is happening. He will continue his treatment, and maybe his young wife will even have a positive effect on him. I can’t understand why you’re so unhappy.
Anna Nikolaevna angrily left the room, and Gennady struggled to get up.
— Thanks, dad.
— How are you feeling?
— Fine, don’t worry.
When Gena was 17, something strange happened to him, and the doctors could never accurately diagnose it. Doctors would change one hypothesis for another, but the treatments only helped partially. As one professor said:
— It feels like your son has lost his ability to resist diseases. If this were the last century, I’d say it was some sort of curse. But we live in the modern world, so all we can do is throw up our hands and observe.
Alexander knew not all problems could be solved with money, but he still spent large amounts on treatments in the best clinics until Gennady asked:
— Please, let me rest. I’ve forgotten what our home looks like and when I last slept in my own bed.
Unexpectedly, his mother, who had previously insisted on various treatments, supported her son:
— Sasha, maybe it really is time to let Gena rest? We’ll follow the doctors’ recommendations.
Alexander shrugged. He would argue if he saw even the slightest improvement. But that wasn’t happening. At home, Gena indeed felt better: his appetite returned, and he even gained some weight.
Since then, he was admitted to the clinic twice a year for examinations, then returned home with new doctor recommendations.
Gena was able to graduate from university, largely thanks to his father’s financial support. Not that he was a poor student, but regular absences were frowned upon, and due to his health, he often missed classes.
He and Lena met during their university years. They had been friends throughout that time, and only recently Lena confessed her feelings to him, giving Gena a sense of having wings on his back.
As he had anticipated, the wedding turned out to be even more lavish than one could imagine. His mother organized such a celebration that it seemed as if the whole town was invited. Lena smiled all evening, trying not to pay attention to the tense atmosphere.
Anna Nikolaevna and Lena’s mother, Galina Ivanovna, did not get along right from the start. According to her, Galina, without proper status and money, should have bowed down to their family. However, that did not happen, and Galina tried to stay away from the groom’s parents.
The culmination of the evening was the presentation of gifts. When Lena’s mother announced that she was giving the young couple a small house inherited from her grandfather, located in a nature reserve, Anna Nikolaevna couldn’t hold back:
— My God, how can you present a shack at the edge of the earth as the greatest gift?
Gena looked at his mother:
— Enough, mom.
— What do you mean, enough, Gena? We can’t change anything now!
After Galina Ivanovna left, Anna immediately turned to her husband:
— Look at her! She’s a nobody, but she has so much pride.
A few days after the wedding, Gena informed his parents:
— Mom, dad, Lena and I have decided to move to the house that Galina Ivanovna gave us.
Anna Nikolaevna nearly fainted:
— Have you lost your mind?! Is Lena influencing you? She wants to take you away from your treatment so you die faster, and she can take all the inheritance!
Alexander frowned:
— What are you saying, Anna? Have you completely lost your mind?
Anna flared up:
— I think I’m being quite rational! You know Gennady needs constant medical supervision. He’s about to move to the wilderness! I won’t allow it!
— We already have the tickets, — Gena replied calmly.
— Well, then, — Anna said coldly, — don’t come to me for help anymore. Let your new family take care of you.
— Gen, don’t be mad at mom, you know her. She’ll come around. If you need anything, call me, I’ll help as much as I can.
— Thanks, dad.
— Can you tell me why you decided to go there? Mom’s right about one thing—it’s really remote.
Gena smiled:
— Dad, you might not believe it, but there are healing springs there. Lena and her mom are sure this place will help me recover. Honestly, I don’t really believe it, but why not try?
— You shouldn’t be so skeptical. Sometimes, what can’t be explained really works. Good luck to you.
When they arrived at the house, Gena was surprised:
— Everything here is overgrown.
Lena smiled:
— Well, of course, no one has lived here for five years. No worries, we’ll rest and then get to work.
Lena opened the door, and they entered. The house turned out to be cozy, with almost no dust, which Gena found strange. He was so tired that he immediately sat down on the couch and fell asleep within minutes.
For the first time, Lena tidied up the house, and Gena helped as much as he could. Surprisingly, he began to feel better, as if he had more energy. A week later, Gena, for the first time in a long time, finished his dinner and was amazed:
— I don’t understand how, but I managed to eat it all!
Lena smiled:
— Believe me, strange miracles happen in these places.
Gena looked at her with interest:
— Why do you say that?
— I often visited here in my childhood and saw many unusual things.
— I bet the local boys chased after you!
— Stop it, — Lena laughed. — By the way, you have a surprise waiting for you tomorrow!
The next day they were supposed to receive something interesting, but Gena couldn’t find out what it was, no matter how much he asked Lena. They fell asleep with smiles on their faces, happily embracing each other.
— Sasha, I don’t understand why you’re doing nothing? It’s been half a year since Lena took our son away, and you seem indifferent to everything, — grumbled Anna Nikolaevna.
Alexander Semyonovich looked up from his papers:
— And what do you suggest? Call the rescuers and forcibly bring him back home? Don’t forget, he’s now married and has his own life.
Anna Nikolaevna stomped her foot angrily:
— You’re talking nonsense! A month ago he needed to be hospitalized, but as soon as I start talking about treatment, he insists he’s fine and hangs up. How can everything be fine without treatment? — she exclaimed indignantly.
Alexander understood that behind the outward dissatisfaction, Anna was hiding her concern for their son. He put aside the documents and suggested:
— If you’re so worried, let’s visit them. See how they’re living.
Anna paused for a moment, then smiled:
— That would be wonderful.
— Then get ready. I’ll check the directions with Gena, and we’ll leave tomorrow morning.
They reached the village only in the evening.
— Lord, what ruins! — sighed Anna Nikolaevna.
Alexander smiled:
— I like it. Pure nature, no trash, nothing unnecessary. Oh, look, a hare ran by!
Anna watched in amazement as the hare dashed in front of their car:
— This is just like a zoo! I wouldn’t be surprised if bears walked around the yards here.
Sasha laughed.
— Looks like we’re here.
At that moment, the gates swung open, and Gena came out to meet them. Anna Nikolaevna froze in amazement, and Alexander simply opened his mouth. Before them stood a healthy, robust young man, nothing like the emaciated youth of the past.
— Mom, dad, I’ve missed you so much! — exclaimed Gena.
They hugged for a long time, and Anna Nikolaevna even teared up.
— Genochka, look how you’ve changed!
— Mom, it’s all thanks to Lena. And the bees. You can’t imagine how fascinating it is.
Lena came out onto the porch, blushing and smiling as if glowing from within. She also embraced her husband’s parents.
— Thank you, dear. You’ve done what the best doctors couldn’t, — Anna Nikolaevna said with tears in her eyes.
After exchanging pleasantries, they finally unloaded the car and handed over all the gifts. Lena invited everyone to the table. Anna curiously inspected the dishes, reminiscent of her childhood: everything looked so tasty and appetizing. Gena brought out a bottle:
— Dad, here’s some real, homemade mead for you.
Alexander laughed:
— You’re like true masters here, you have everything!
Everyone tried the mead, except Lena.
Anna Nikolaevna noticed this and said disappointedly:
— What, still upset with us? Won’t even drink to our arrival?
Lena blushed:
— I can’t.
Anna looked at Gena in surprise:
— Is she ill?
Gena smiled:
— We’re having a baby. So, mom, get ready to be a grandmother!
Anna couldn’t understand where all the tears came from. They cried, hugged, then cried again. Then, unexpectedly for everyone, Anna resolutely declared:
— That’s it, I’m staying here for a couple of weeks. Need to pick up some things and help out. Sasha, you’ve been offering to buy me a car? Go ahead! And make it big, so I can bring something useful for my grandchild before he’s born. We’ll take Lena to the city, let her give birth in a good clinic.
She would have continued giving orders, but everyone around her laughed. Anna Nikolaevna was a bit embarrassed:
— Well, I just want the best!
Lena approached and hugged her:
— I will listen to you. Genka doesn’t understand these things at all, and I’m a bit scared myself.
Anna smiled and, gently pressing her to herself, said:
— Don’t worry, I’m here.