— Sasha, did you talk to your mother again about moving? — Vera stood by the window, arms crossed over her chest, watching her husband spread papers on the table.
Sasha paused for a second but then continued sorting through the documents as if nothing happened.
— Nothing special, just asked how she’s managing on her own there!
— Don’t treat me like an idiot! — Vera stepped closer and stood opposite him, resting her palms on the table. — I heard your conversation! You promised her you’d think about it!
— What’s wrong with that? — Sasha finally looked up. — It’s hard for her alone in the village! The house is old, cold in winter! Remember, the roof leaked last year? And how many times I went to fix the stove?
Vera took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. This conversation had happened more than once over recent months, and each time Sasha grew more insistent.
— We’ve already discussed this! — she tried to keep her voice even. — We have a two-room apartment! Where would she live? In the living room? And what about our personal space?
— We can put up a partition, zone it! — Sasha shrugged. — People live in tighter spaces!
— It’s not just about square meters! — Vera shook her head. — Your mother can’t stand me! From the very first day! Remember how she reacted to the news of our wedding?
Sasha grimaced. Of course he remembered. Zinaida Ivanovna hadn’t spoken to her son for two weeks then, but still came to the wedding looking like she was attending a funeral.
— She’s just old-fashioned! — he tried to justify. — And besides, that was five years ago! She’s used to it now!
— Used to? — Vera smiled bitterly. — Were you at the same New Year’s party I was? When she called me Lena all evening, even though she knows my name perfectly well?
— She just got confused…
— Three times? And each time she “accidentally” added that Lena is your ex, the one you dated before me?
Sasha awkwardly rubbed his neck. That was just one of many examples, and he had no response.
— Listen, Ver, I understand your concerns! But she really has it hard! You’ve seen her back after all those years working on the farm! And her heart is bad! And there isn’t even a decent paramedic in the village!
Vera stepped away from the table and returned to the window. Outside, a fine rain was falling, and people hurried along with their heads down. She understood her husband’s worries. His mother was indeed old, and her health was failing. But Vera knew Zinaida Ivanovna too well to hold any illusions — living under the same roof would be hell.
— Maybe we should consider other options? — she suggested. — Rent her an apartment nearby? Or just a room?
— With what money, Ver? — Sasha shook his head. — We just paid off the mortgage! And besides, it’s not about her living nearby! She can’t take care of herself properly anymore!
— So it’s also about caregiving? — Vera turned around. — Sasha, I work full time! I can’t stay home and take care of your mother!
— Nobody’s asking you to stay home! — he argued. — She can do a lot herself! Just sometimes she’ll need help!
Vera was silent, trying to manage her growing irritation. She knew too well that “sometimes” would very quickly become “all the time.” And the main burden would fall on her because Sasha was at work all day.
— You know what I think? — she crossed her arms. — I think your mother manages perfectly fine on her own! She’s just bored in the village and wants to control your life! Our life!
— You’re being unfair! — Sasha frowned. — She worked her whole life to raise me! Alone, without a father!
— I know, Sasha! And I respect her for that! But that doesn’t mean she should live with us!
They fell silent. A tense quiet filled the room, broken only by the ticking clock on the wall. Sasha sighed and approached Vera, putting his hands on her shoulders.
— Ver, listen! I’ve already decided! I’m going to her next weekend! — he said quietly but firmly. — She’ll sell the house, and the money will go to our life together! Everything will be fine, you’ll see!
Vera slowly lifted her eyes and looked carefully at her husband.
— You’ve already decided? Without me? Without asking for my opinion?
— I know your opinion! — he replied. — But she’s my mother, and I can’t leave her alone!
Vera gently removed his hands from her shoulders and stepped back.
— If you bring your mother to live with us, I’ll bring my mother too, and then there definitely won’t be enough space here for you or your mother!
Sasha laughed, thinking his wife was joking.
— Come on, Ver! You know your mother can’t stand me!
— Exactly! — Vera wasn’t smiling. — Just like your mother can’t stand me! So it’s only fair! Either neither mother lives with us, or both do! Your choice!
— You’re not serious…
— Absolutely serious! — Vera headed for the door. — Think carefully before you put me in front of a fait accompli!
She left the room, leaving Sasha confused. He hadn’t expected such resistance and now didn’t know what to do. The thought that not only his mother but also his mother-in-law would move into their apartment filled him with dread. Tatyana Alekseevna had made it clear from the first meeting that she didn’t approve of her son-in-law and never missed a chance to confirm it.
He sank heavily into a chair. Would Vera really bring her mother? No, it was just a way to pressure him. She was bluffing. But his mother really did need help.
Having made up his mind, Sasha stood and went to the kitchen where Vera was preparing dinner.
— Okay! — he said, leaning against the door frame. — I get it! Let’s put this conversation aside!
Vera nodded without turning. She knew her husband well enough to understand — he hadn’t backed down, just paused. But she wasn’t going to give up either. This was their apartment, their life, and she wouldn’t let the mother-in-law destroy it.
The week after their talk passed in a strange lull. Sasha no longer brought up the subject of his mother moving, and Vera pretended to believe he’d backed down. But the tension remained, like a fine crack in glass that could turn into a break at any moment.
On Saturday morning, Vera woke to the sound of the front door closing. She reached for her phone — eight a.m. Sasha never got up this early on weekends. Throwing on a robe, she went to the kitchen and found a note on the table: “Went to help mother with the barn. Will be back tonight.”
Vera crumpled the paper and threw it in the trash. She didn’t believe a word. Sasha was up to something, and it definitely involved Zinaida Ivanovna moving in.
She poured herself coffee and sat by the window, recalling how five years ago she first met Sasha’s mother. They had come to the village to introduce Vera as a fiancée. Zinaida Ivanovna met them at the door — a tall, thin woman with pursed lips and a sharp gaze that seemed to burn through you.
“So this is the city girl you’ve found, Sasha,” was the first thing she said, sizing up Vera. “So pale. Can she even work?”
During that visit, Zinaida Ivanovna made a point of criticizing the future daughter-in-law: her cooking wasn’t right, she couldn’t handle the household. Vera tried not to react, knowing the mother-in-law was just protecting her territory. But when Zinaida Ivanovna started comparing her to Sasha’s ex-girlfriend, supposedly “the real housekeeper,” Vera’s patience snapped.
“If Lena is so wonderful, why did Sasha choose me?” Vera asked then. The mother-in-law pursed her lips tighter and silently left the room, and Sasha spent a whole hour convincing Vera that his mother was just worried about him.
Meeting Tatyana Alekseevna, Vera’s mother, went quite differently. Vera’s mother greeted her future son-in-law with a smile and a set table, but after an hour pulled Vera aside and quietly asked, “Are you sure? He’s a good guy, but… so easily led. His mother strings him along. Think carefully.”
As it turned out, Tatyana Alekseevna was right. Over the years, the mother’s influence over Sasha only grew stronger. Especially after Zinaida Ivanovna became a widow — her second husband died of a heart attack two years ago. Since then, she never missed a chance to remind her son how hard her life was alone.
Vera remembered last winter when they came to the village for New Year’s, and Zinaida Ivanovna put on a real show. First, she “accidentally” dropped a heavy tray when Vera passed by. Then, at the festive table, she talked at length about being lonely, struggling with the household, and being afraid to die alone in an empty house, “not waiting for grandchildren.”
Thinking of all this, Vera felt anxiety rise. She took her phone and called her mother.
— Mom, hi! Got a minute?
Tatyana Alekseevna’s voice sounded worried:
— Did something happen?
— Not yet, but it might! Remember I told you about Sasha’s mother and her wish to move in with us?
— Of course, I remember! Just don’t tell me he agreed!
— Officially no, but… He left for her early today! Supposedly to help with the barn! But I feel he’s planning something!
— And what will you do?
— I warned him: if he brings his mother here, I’ll bring you!
There was a pause on the line.
— Vera, darling… — Tatyana Alekseevna finally said. — You know this isn’t a solution? I’ll come if needed, but…
— I know, Mom! — Vera sighed. — But he’s backed me into a corner! And I don’t know what else to do!
After the call, Vera felt a little calmer. At least she had a backup plan if Sasha went through with this.
The day dragged on slowly. In the evening, Sasha called and said he’d be late — lots of work in the barn. His voice sounded strange, as if trying to hide nervousness. Vera pretended to believe him, but inside grew certain — something was going to happen tonight.
Her premonition was confirmed near ten p.m. when the doorbell rang. Opening the door, Vera saw Sasha with a large suitcase and Zinaida Ivanovna standing proudly, holding a small travel bag.
— Ver… — Sasha began, not meeting her eyes. — I know we agreed to wait, but the roof leaked badly after yesterday’s rain! She can’t stay there! It’s temporary until I fix it!
— Temporary? — Vera looked first at her husband, then at her mother-in-law, whose eyes literally glowed with triumph. — You know I don’t believe a single word you say, right?
— Vera! — Zinaida Ivanovna spoke for the first time. — I understand your displeasure! But you can’t leave an old woman out in the rain! Show some kindness, let me stay the night!
Vera silently stepped aside, letting them into the apartment. She knew this tactic too well — first “just to stay overnight,” then “for a week,” then “where else can I go, the house is already sold.”
She watched as Sasha carried in the suitcase — too big for someone who supposedly came “temporarily.” As Zinaida Ivanovna critically surveyed the hallway, pursing her lips. And in that moment, Vera made a decision.
— Make yourselves comfortable! — she said calmly. — I’ll call my mother! Since we have a hospitable home now, I think there’ll be room for her too!
Sasha froze halfway through the doorway and slowly turned.
— Vera, you’re not serious? We talked about this…
— What did we talk about, Sasha? — Vera smiled, pulling out her phone. — That if you bring your mother to live with us, I’ll bring mine! And then there definitely won’t be enough room here for you or your mother! I think that’s exactly what I said!
Tatyana Alekseevna arrived the next day after lunch. She entered the apartment with a light smile and two large suitcases, which Vera helped carry into the elevator. Sasha met his mother-in-law with a look of complete bewilderment, as if he still believed Vera was bluffing.
— Tatyana Alekseevna… — he muttered. — What a surprise…
— Hello, Sasha! — she kissed him on the cheek. — My daughter said you have a family dormitory now, so I decided not to be left out!
Zinaida Ivanovna appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel. Seeing Tatyana Alekseevna, she froze for a moment, then forced a smile.
— Hello. — she said dryly. — Didn’t expect guests.
— I didn’t expect to see you here either! — Vera’s mother retorted. — But since we’re all here, we’ll have to get along somehow!
The evening passed in a tense atmosphere. Sasha tried several times to pull Vera aside, but she deliberately didn’t stay alone with him. They sat four at the small kitchen table, barely fitting. Zinaida Ivanovna grimaced at every dish Vera made, though she ate with appetite. Tatyana Alekseevna, on the contrary, openly praised her daughter’s cooking skills.
— Remember, Vera, how you learned to make pancakes as a child? — she began. — I had to stay late at work, and she decided to surprise me! Only seven years old, and the pancakes turned out so good neighbors came specially to try them!
— Sure, in the city all they do is make pancakes! — snorted Zinaida Ivanovna. — Sasha was already chopping wood and carrying water from the well at eight!
— We all raise children as we can! — smiled Tatyana Alekseevna. — Some teach them to work, others to be happy!
A flash of anger crossed Zinaida Ivanovna’s eyes. She pursed her lips and turned away, but said nothing. Sasha sat with a miserable expression, shifting his gaze between his mother and mother-in-law.
After dinner, the issue of accommodation arose. The two-room apartment clearly wasn’t made for four adults.
— I can sleep on the sofa in the living room! — Tatyana Alekseevna offered.
— No way! — objected Zinaida Ivanovna. — You’re the guest, and I’m Sasha’s mother! You’ll be fine in the kitchen!
— Nobody’s sleeping in the kitchen! — Vera intervened. — Sasha, maybe you should explain to your mother that this was a bad idea? The apartment isn’t elastic!
Sasha looked at his wife in confusion.
— Mom, maybe… maybe we could temporarily rent a room nearby? — he hesitantly suggested.
— What? — Zinaida Ivanovna straightened. — So your mother-in-law has a place, but your own mother doesn’t?
— I’d be happy to move with you! — Tatyana Alekseevna immediately responded. — But let’s decide! Either both mothers live with their children, or both live separately!
The evening ended with Zinaida Ivanovna demonstratively laying out on the living room sofa, Tatyana Alekseevna settling on a cot nearby, and Vera and Sasha retreating to the bedroom. Barely closing the door, Sasha attacked his wife with reproaches.
— Why are you doing this? — he hissed. — You see how hard it is for the mothers!
— And I should have it easy? — Vera replied quietly. — Do you understand what you did? You brought her without warning, put me in front of a fait accompli, and lied about the leaking roof!
— I didn’t lie! — Sasha looked away. — It really… leaks a bit…
— So “a bit” that all her things, including winter clothes and a collection of porcelain figurines, were in the suitcase? — Vera shook her head. — You realize this is a disaster? Four adults in a two-room apartment! Your mother, who can’t stand me and will constantly interfere in our lives!
— I promised, it’s temporary! — Sasha sat on the edge of the bed. — Just need to bear with it a little while I sort everything out!
— And how long will this “temporary” last? — Vera crossed her arms. — A week? A month? A year? Ten years? Sasha, I’m not going to live with your mother! And I’m certainly not going to tolerate her nagging every day! And that will happen!
From behind the wall came a muffled voice of Zinaida Ivanovna, followed by a calm reply from Tatyana Alekseevna. Judging by the tone, a conflict was brewing between the mothers as well.
The next morning Vera woke to sounds in the kitchen. The clock showed six a.m. Sasha was still asleep. Throwing on her robe, she left the bedroom and found both mothers sitting on opposite sides of the kitchen table with cups of tea.
— Good morning! — Vera stopped in the doorway, hesitant to enter.
— Good morning, dear! — smiled Tatyana Alekseevna. — We were just discussing the situation with Zinaida Ivanovna!
— And what conclusion did you come to? — Vera looked warily at her mother-in-law.
— The only possible one! — Zinaida Ivanovna pursed her lips. — You can’t live like this! Four adults in such cramped quarters — it’s not normal!
— Your husband’s mother already suggested an option! — added Tatyana Alekseevna. — We could rent an apartment together nearby! That way the kids would be close, and everyone would be comfortable!
Vera blinked in surprise.
— You… together? You barely know each other!
— We have unexpectedly much in common! — Zinaida Ivanovna said dryly. — We both raised children alone, both know what real work is! Unlike this generation!
— Also! — Tatyana Alekseevna chimed in. — That way we can help both of you without disturbing your personal lives! And you can visit us, help with the housework!
Vera couldn’t believe her ears. Had the solution really been found so easily? She looked at her mother-in-law, trying to understand where yesterday’s combative mood had gone. But she just sipped her tea and turned to the window.
At that moment, a sleepy Sasha entered the kitchen. Seeing everyone gathered, he froze.
— What’s going on? — he asked warily.
— Your mother and my mom decided to team up and rent an apartment together! — Vera answered, still not believing this turn of events.
Sasha looked skeptically at Zinaida Ivanovna.
— Mom, are you serious? What about… — he stopped, clearly not wanting to mention their plans in front of Vera.
— What’s wrong with that? — Zinaida Ivanovna looked Vera in the eye for the first time. — I see I’m not welcome here! Why impose myself? At least I’ll be nearby!
And then Vera understood. Her mother-in-law hadn’t abandoned her plan — she had just changed tactics. Playing the victim to make Sasha feel guilty and Vera feel cruel. That was even smarter than direct conflict.
Three weeks passed since the mothers moved into a small apartment nearby. Sasha was gloomy — feeling guilty both toward his mother, whom he failed to “defend,” and toward his wife, whom he tried to put before a fait accompli. Zinaida Ivanovna called him up to five times a day, complaining about neighbors, the weather, high prices, and, of course, Tatyana Alekseevna, with whom she “completely clashed personalities.” Sasha listened patiently but grew darker after each call.
Vera watched her husband with concern. She didn’t want him to suffer but absolutely refused to consider living with her mother-in-law again. Unlike Sasha, she regularly visited both mothers, helped with the household, and even organized a thorough cleaning of their apartment. To her surprise, Zinaida Ivanovna didn’t object, though she watched every move with a perpetually critical expression.
During one such visit, when Vera was cooking lunch and Tatyana Alekseevna was hanging laundry, Zinaida Ivanovna suddenly sat opposite her daughter-in-law and asked directly:
— So, are you glad you drove me out of your son’s apartment?
Vera froze, knife in hand, unsure what to say. She heard her mother stop in the next room, listening.
— I didn’t drive anyone out! — Vera finally said, continuing to chop vegetables. — I just didn’t want our family life to turn into a nightmare!
— So you think I would have made your life a nightmare? — there was hurt in Zinaida Ivanovna’s voice.
— Isn’t that true? — Vera put down the knife and looked her mother-in-law straight in the eyes. — You made it clear from day one that you didn’t like me! That I was an unsuitable wife for your son! You looked for any excuse to humiliate me! What would our life have been like if we had lived together?
Zinaida Ivanovna was unexpectedly silent. She looked at Vera as if seeing her for the first time.
— I didn’t want to humiliate you! — she finally said quietly. — It’s just… no mother ever thinks anyone is good enough for her son! Especially an only one! Especially when she raised him alone!
Tatyana Alekseevna entered the kitchen and sat beside Zinaida Ivanovna.
— You know, Zinaida Ivanovna… — she said. — At first I wasn’t thrilled with Sasha either! I thought he was too soft for my daughter, couldn’t be a support! But then I saw how he looks at her, how he cares, and I realized — it’s love! And when your child is loved, what else does a parent need?
— My Sasha changes completely when he’s with her! — Zinaida Ivanovna reluctantly admitted, nodding toward Vera. — He laughs more! He was so cheerful as a child, but then… life’s hard, no time to laugh!
— You raised a wonderful son! — Vera said softly. — Kind, caring, responsible! I love him very much!
— I know! — Zinaida Ivanovna sighed. — I see! I’m just scared of being alone in old age! The house in the village isn’t what it used to be! Cold in winter, hard to heat! Lonely, and all the neighbors have left! That’s why I latched onto the idea of moving to my son!
— But now you’re in the city, near us! — Vera reminded her. — We’ll come, help! And you’ll visit us! Just… no attempts to change me, okay?
To her surprise, Zinaida Ivanovna smiled faintly.
— I’ll try! — she said. — You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but… I’ll try!
That evening, back home, Vera told Sasha about her conversation with his mother. He listened with a skeptical expression.
— Hard to believe she gave up so easily! — he shook his head. — You don’t know my mother! She always gets what she wants!
— Maybe she just realized that her son’s happiness is more important than her own ambitions? — Vera suggested.
Sasha laughed.
— You think too well of people! — he said, hugging his wife. — But I hope you’re right!
As it turned out, Vera was right. Over the following months, relations with Zinaida Ivanovna gradually improved. She could still be sharp and sometimes couldn’t help but criticize, but now there was no hostility. Moreover, Tatyana Alekseevna proved an excellent buffer — she could gently defuse conflicts and change the subject when tension rose.
Then something happened that no one expected. One Sunday morning, Vera and Sasha came to visit the mothers and found them watching an old Soviet movie together. On the table were cups of tea and a plate of homemade cookies.
— Oh, the kids are here! — Tatyana Alekseevna smiled. — Come in, we’re just rewatching “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears”!
— Sit down, Sasha! — Zinaida Ivanovna patted the sofa next to her. — And you, Vera, sit! I baked a pie, I’ll pour tea!
Vera and Sasha exchanged amazed looks. Zinaida Ivanovna had never called her daughter-in-law by name before — always “she” or at most “your wife.”
At lunch, it became clear that the mothers hadn’t just gotten along — they’d found a common language. Tatyana Alekseevna showed Zinaida Ivanovna how to use a smartphone and social networks, and Zinaida Ivanovna taught her how to make real village pickles and jams. Together they signed up for Nordic walking classes and now took daily morning walks in the park.
— You know… — Zinaida Ivanovna said, addressing her son. — We with Tatyana thought and decided you young ones need your own space! We’re doing fine! You did the right thing, Sasha, listening to your wife! You have a smart spouse!
Vera nearly choked on her tea from the unexpected compliment. Sasha sat with his mouth open, unable to believe his ears.
— What about the leaking roof in the village? — he asked cautiously.
— What roof? — Zinaida Ivanovna shrugged. — Tatyana found good builders through her acquaintances! They fixed the roof and repaired the stove! Ready to move in anytime! But I like the city better! Cultural life, shops nearby! And it’s more fun with Tatyana together!
On the way home, Vera and Sasha were silent for a long time, digesting what they’d heard.
— Looks like our mothers found each other! — Vera finally said.
— And looks like your threat “if you bring your mother to live with us, I’ll bring mine” had unexpected consequences! — Sasha smiled and took his wife’s hand. — You were right!
— I think everyone was right in their own way! Your mother feared loneliness, you wanted to help her, and I was protecting our personal space! We just had to find a solution that suited everyone!
— And it seems we did! — Sasha kissed her hand. — Or rather, our mothers found it themselves!
When they got home, Vera suddenly stopped in the middle of the living room and laughed.
— What’s so funny? — Sasha asked.
— Just thought… — Vera shook her head. — If I hadn’t set the ultimatum then, our mothers might never have truly met! Who knows what our relationship with the mother-in-law would be like!
— You’re a wise woman! — Sasha hugged her. — Much wiser than I thought!
— Remember that! — Vera jokingly threatened. — And next time you decide something important, don’t forget to consult me!
— I promise! — Sasha said seriously. — No more surprises!
A week later, the mothers announced they were planning a trip together to a resort in Crimea and needed some financial help from the children. Both Vera and Sasha agreed without hesitation, glad their conflict resolved in such an unexpected but happy way…