— He promised he’d bring her to our place! Home! — Rita said.
— Bring who?
— His woman, Mom! Are you even listening to me? I can’t take this anymore! How much more am I supposed to endure? Artyom has gone too far. It’s not enough that I put up with his scandals every single day, and now this too! — Rita was already shouting through tears.
— Wait a minute, sweetheart. Why react like that? These are just family arguments. Everyone has them, — Nadezhda tried to calm her down, knowing her daughter’s explosive temper. — Maybe it’s not as terrible as it sounds?
— What is there to discuss? Don’t you hear me? — Rita was practically screaming into the phone now. — I’m telling you, Artyom is bringing his mistress to our home tomorrow. To the apartment where his children live. How is that even possible?
— Well, that is absolutely wrong of him. He has no right to do that. Your husband should understand that there will be serious consequences. What a disgrace! What kind of son-in-law did I end up with? If all this is true, then you can’t stay there. Neither you nor your children.
— That’s exactly what I’m telling you! Artyom is throwing us out. He says he’s sick of me. “Go to your mother!” That’s what he said, — Margarita sobbed into the phone. — He insulted you too, Mom. Can you imagine? That scoundrel! After everything you’ve done for us! You helped with the children and everything else…
— What a vile man! Throwing his wife and children out! No, I won’t leave this like that. I’ll find a way to deal with him. And you, sweetheart, stop crying. Pack the children and come stay with me, — Nadezhda Nikolaevna said emotionally.
— Where would I go at your place? Where? Have you lost your mind too? Your apartment is already packed like a train station! — her daughter snapped, hurt.
— We’ll squeeze in somehow.
— When is Vitka moving out with his family? Are they even thinking of buying their own place or not? They’ve settled in nicely, I must say. Living at your place like it’s a hotel. Why would they even bother thinking about their own apartment?
— Don’t worry about that, Rita. I’ll clear the apartment for you.
— How? Are you going to throw them out onto the street? My brother and his wife turned out to be so noble, didn’t they? After what they did, how could anyone throw them out? I can’t stand this anymore. Everything makes me furious!
— I’ll solve this problem, sweetheart. The main thing is, don’t upset yourself and don’t let anyone hurt your children.
After hanging up, Nadezhda Nikolaevna fell into thought.
The problem was serious. Of course, this was far from the first fight between her daughter and her husband. But for her son-in-law to throw Rita and the children out of his apartment — that had never happened before. And now he was supposedly bringing some woman there too. Could that really be true? If so, he had truly crossed every line.
Now Nadezhda faced a difficult conversation with her son and daughter-in-law. The young couple was currently living with her in her three-room apartment. She would have to ask them to move out. Nadezhda saw no other solution.
Of course, they could all squeeze in somehow. She herself could sleep in the living room. It would only be temporary.
But as soon as Nadezhda imagined three little grandchildren from both her son and daughter running around the apartment, with four adults living there too, her head began to spin. There was only one way out.
— Victor, we need to talk, — she called her son into the kitchen without delaying any longer.
— What’s so urgent? It’s late already. We were about to go to bed. We barely managed to get Mishutka to sleep, he didn’t want to settle down, — Victor said unhappily as he sat down beside his mother.
— Victor, listen to me. Of course, you and Olya did a noble thing by giving away your money. But circumstances have changed, and now I have to ask you to leave, — his mother said in a voice that didn’t sound like her own.
— Throw us out? — Victor froze. — Mom, are you serious? You’re going to throw your own son, his wife, and your little grandson onto the street?
— Yes, unfortunately… I have no choice. And you have no right to judge me. Your sister Rita is in trouble.
— Mom, are you serious? You’re kicking us out just because my crazy sister decided she wants to come back home? So Rita and her children matter, but Olya, Mishutka, and I are just strangers passing through? Are you really saying this right now, Mom? I can’t believe it!
— Yes, that’s what I’ve decided! You’re a man, Victor. You can take care of your own family. Rita is a vulnerable woman, and she has two children. And right now she’s going through a very difficult time, — Nadezhda replied.
— What exactly is new in Rita’s life that hasn’t happened before? Her whole marriage is one endless cycle of scandals, breakups, and grand returns. What happened this time that made you decide to do something so low — throw my family onto the street? — Victor protested.
He was deeply upset. Where were he, his wife, and their little son supposed to go? For several years they had occupied one room in his mother’s three-room apartment, and everything had been fine. And now…
— Things are very bad for Rita, do you understand? Artyom found another woman and threw her out with the children. Although he did offer to keep the children with him. Can you imagine such nerve? But do you think Rita would agree to that — letting some unknown woman raise her little ones?
— Mom, how are you any better than Artyom right now? You’re throwing us out too. You’re driving away your own family! I won’t even talk about Olya; maybe she never became family to you, even though she tried hard. But Misha and I are your blood! — Victor said, unable to understand how else he was supposed to react to his mother’s announcement.
— Then you shouldn’t have given your money to your wife’s parents! Look at you, so generous! So noble! Well, now deal with the consequences! — his mother shouted angrily. — Solve your own problems yourselves. I need to think about my daughter. I have to protect her and my grandchildren from that tyrant.
— Mom, is this really you speaking? I don’t believe it. I never knew you could be this cruel! — Victor turned and left the kitchen.
— What happened? — Olga asked when she saw her husband’s distressed face. — Did you argue with your mother?
— Yes, I argued with her. It’s just unbelievable. You can’t even imagine what she told me, — he answered too emotionally. — She’s throwing us out. You, me, and our son!
— I don’t understand… Why? We all fit here, didn’t we? Nobody was bothering anyone. What happened now? Is it because we argued the other day about raising Misha? But I’m his mother, and I know better whether my son should be put in the corner or not. I’m against methods like that. But why react like this?
— That has nothing to do with it! — Victor burst out in frustration. — Rita has problems. The daughter must be saved. But apparently the son doesn’t have problems.
Olga understood that her husband’s last words, which he had practically shouted, were meant more for his mother than for her.
— Calm down, or your blood pressure will rise. Tell me what happened, but calmly, — Olga placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to help him regain control.
— How am I supposed to calm down when my own mother has done something so vile? My sister fought with her husband again. But this time, supposedly, he threw her out for good. And promised to bring another woman home. Personally, I think it’s much simpler: Rita drove him mad with her quarrelsome nature. And now she and the children are moving here. And Mother couldn’t think of anything better than throwing us out to make room for her daughter.
— Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. I expected something like this from them — from your sister and your mother. Then we’ll start looking for an apartment right now, somewhere we can move temporarily. Don’t upset yourself so much. That’s life, my dear. And it’s time we got used to the fact that there isn’t much fairness in it.
Olga tried to speak calmly, but she too was hurt by her mother-in-law’s attitude toward their family.
— And Mother also blamed me for giving money to your parents! Can you imagine? How can someone be like that? Has she no compassion at all? I never suspected my mother could be so heartless! — Victor couldn’t calm down.
— Maybe my mother-in-law thinks she is protected from every misfortune in life. That nothing like that could ever happen to her. Yes, Vitya, what you told me has really upset me. Did Nadezhda Nikolaevna truly think we could have acted differently? That we would abandon our own family in trouble? — Olga’s face twisted with hurt, and she almost burst into tears.
Olga had married Victor five years earlier. A year after the wedding, their son Misha was born. Right after the wedding, the young couple moved in with Victor’s mother, who at that time lived alone in a three-room apartment. But the couple had a goal — to save up for their own home.
Victor earned decent money, and Olga did not stay on maternity leave for long. When their son turned one and a half, she returned to work.
Her mother-in-law flatly refused to babysit her grandson, even though by then she had already been retired for a year. Nadezhda Nikolaevna believed she had plenty of her own affairs and worries, and that a child should be cared for by his own mother — that was why the state gave such long maternity leave. So Olya’s mother often looked after little Misha.
It was difficult, of course, but the couple managed.
Eventually, they saved enough money to make a down payment on their own small apartment. Victor and Olga had even found a suitable option. But then disaster struck unexpectedly.
Olga’s parents lived in a private house, and a fire damaged part of the house and the roof.
Everyone was terribly frightened. Thankfully, her parents survived. But restoring the house required urgent money — and a lot of it.
Relatives and acquaintances helped collect some of the amount. Many caring people responded to the tragedy.
Victor and Olya didn’t hesitate for a moment. Everything they had saved for the down payment, they gave to Olga’s parents.
— We’ll save again. So what if we have to wait? We’re not living in a stranger’s place like many of our friends. We’re staying with my own mother, — Victor reassured his wife. — The main thing is that your parents are alive and safe.
Nadezhda Nikolaevna’s reaction had been strange. She was surprised that the couple had decided to give her in-laws all the money they had saved for the purchase.
— You could have helped, no one is arguing with that. You could have given part of the money, and that would have been enough. Why everything? You have more than enough problems of your own. And you just threw all the money away without thinking, — she scolded her son with irritation.
— Mom, how can you reason like that? People were left without a roof over their heads! Winter is coming soon, and the burned roof needs urgent repairs. Every single coin matters to them right now. What were we supposed to do — split the money and say, “We’ll give this much, but keep the rest”? Is that what you wanted?
— You’re also without a roof over your heads, even if only figuratively. Especially since you had already chosen an apartment. And now you’ll have to postpone the purchase for several years, — Nadezhda complained.
— Mom, tell me honestly. Are Olya and I a burden to you here? If so, we won’t bother you with our presence anymore. We’ll rent an apartment today, — Victor answered sharply.
— Oh, son, what are you saying? I’m not worried about myself, I’m worried about you. Stay as long as you want. What difference does it make to me? Everyone has their own room. You don’t bother me at all. It’s even livelier for me this way, — his mother had assured him back then.
But now everything was different. Today they were simply being thrown out, with no options.
The next day Margarita showed up, without the children and without any belongings. She had come for one reason only — to find out whether her brother and sister-in-law were planning to free up the room for her. And, if necessary, to speed things along.
— So, what have you decided? — she asked Victor. — I hope I don’t need to explain that, unlike you and your wife, I’m in a completely different situation?
— No need to explain anything. Don’t strain yourself. My wife and I understand everything. We’ll move out soon, don’t worry. Unfortunately, the process isn’t instant. But from what I see, you’re not suffering too much either. You didn’t bring your things or your children. That means you can wait for now.
— You understand nothing! I can’t wait another day! Artyom brought some nasty woman into our apartment. And now I’m forced to live under the same roof with her. Clear the room immediately! — Rita shouted.
— Immediately won’t work. You’ll have to tolerate your husband’s new chosen one for a couple of days, maybe three, — her brother answered calmly.
— Did you hear that, Mom? He’s mocking me now! Laughing at my misery! — his sister said indignantly. — Get out, I said. Right now! You’ve lived here for years without paying for anything. I’d love to live like that too!
— Don’t worry, soon you will. Only you’ll have to pay for everything. Our mother doesn’t really like parting with money. Be prepared — utilities and all other expenses, including groceries, will be on you.
— As if! I have two children. I don’t print money. You’re saying nonsense out of spite! — Rita refused to believe what her brother had said.
— Well, well. You’ll live here and see for yourself.
Olga didn’t even leave the room, not wanting to argue with her sister-in-law. She understood how difficult this was for her husband. But she tried not to interfere in Victor’s conversations with his family. They were relatives; let them sort it out themselves. The important thing now was to pack their things and move out of her mother-in-law’s apartment as quickly as possible.
She already had several rental options in mind. All that remained was to choose one and make arrangements with the owner.
A couple of days later, Victor, Olga, and their son vacated the room in Nadezhda’s apartment. They weren’t too upset. They knew it wouldn’t be for long. Soon they would finally be able to buy the home they had wanted so badly.
Margarita moved in with her mother and children. Victor, who now spoke to them very rarely, still knew that his mother and sister lived terribly together, like cats and dogs — constantly arguing and refusing to give in to each other over anything.
“This isn’t like living with my Olya, who always tried to smooth over every conflict,” Victor thought bitterly about his mother.
Soon Olga’s parents returned most of the money the couple had given them for repairing the house. Her father received a good year-end bonus, and her mother had managed to save some money from her salary.
Victor and his wife were overjoyed that they could finally buy their own apartment.
They held no grudge against Nadezhda Nikolaevna. She had acted the way she thought was right. The apartment was hers, and only she had the right to decide who lived there. But they no longer wanted to maintain a close relationship with her. They spoke to her very rarely, only when necessary.
Unpredictable Rita eventually went back to her husband. Again. For how long, no one knew.
Nadezhda Nikolaevna now lives alone. She often calls her son and complains that everyone has abandoned her in her old age.
— Two children, three grandchildren — and no one needs me, — she says pitifully over the phone.
— Mom, that’s life. At least your apartment is quiet and spacious now. Enjoy it.