— So, you won’t help your husband’s own mother?
— No, I won’t. Not only did you decide to celebrate your birthday in our apartment without my consent, but you also didn’t warn me in advance. I’m not going to change my plans just because you want to, — Lena said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Lena and Kostya had been married for almost two years. They had been through a lot together: from rented apartments on the outskirts to endless overtime work, finally saving enough for a down payment. And just recently, quite luckily, they managed to buy a spacious apartment in a new building with a panoramic view of the park. Bright walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, large rooms — everything they had dreamed of for so long.
The mortgage was, of course, a heavy psychological burden, but they didn’t complain. Both worked hard, believing it was all worth it. After all, they wanted a big family — several children and a spacious home. And the apartment had to fit that dream.
When Lena’s mother-in-law, Tatyana Dmitrievna, found out about the purchase, she was ecstatic.
— Well, look at that, my Kostya bought such an apartment! — she bragged to her friends. — All by himself, without anyone’s help! My boy is strong and responsible!
Lena was only mentioned in passing in her stories:
— Well yes, he has a wife, of course… but that’s just… an extra.
Tatyana Dmitrievna herself was a loud, active woman confident in her own righteousness. She had one view of life — only her own. And it was always the only right one.
That morning, Lena woke up a bit later than usual: she hadn’t slept all night, working on spreadsheets on her laptop. Kostya had already left for work, and the apartment was quiet. Lena had just taken a bite of a puff pastry she bought yesterday for breakfast when someone rang the doorbell.
It was a courier delivering two huge bags of groceries.
— But… we didn’t order anything, — Lena replied awkwardly.
— I don’t know anything about that. The order has already been paid for. Is this your address? — he held out his phone showing the order details.
— Yes… it’s ours…
— Then take it. Goodbye.
The courier left, and Lena still couldn’t understand what was going on. She glanced into the bags — clearly someone was preparing for guests: two trays with turkey, canned corn, red caviar, baguette… Then her phone rang.
— Have the groceries arrived yet? Did you get them? — Kostya asked cheerfully.
— Did you order this? — Lena frowned and asked.
— Yes. Mom wants to celebrate her birthday at our place this weekend. Hope you don’t mind?
— Well… I suppose my opinion no longer matters since you ordered the delivery to our home.
— Sorry, I just couldn’t say no to Mom. Just this once. There won’t be many guests. They’ll be here tomorrow at six.
— I was wondering why Tatyana Dmitrievna didn’t invite us to the celebration. Turns out, she planned everything in advance!
— Don’t get upset! It’s Mom. It will be quiet and calm, family-style. Don’t worry.
— What time will she come tomorrow to prepare everything? — Lena asked directly, realizing she wouldn’t avoid the gathering.
— I’ll check today.
— Please do, I work until noon tomorrow.
— Okay, I remember, — her husband replied and hung up.
Lena calmly put away the groceries in the fridge, tidied some things in the cupboards, and continued working. She worked remotely; her office was now near the new apartment, and when she could work from home, she stayed in peace and quiet. But regularly, about two or three times a week, Lena went to the office to submit reports. She was an accountant, and her physical presence wasn’t always necessary.
On Saturday, Lena got up as usual. She had some reports to finish and then planned to take them to the nearby office.
But she couldn’t have predicted such an early visit from her mother-in-law. At 9:12 a.m., the doorbell rang. Lena, distracted from her laptop, opened the door — there stood Tatyana Dmitrievna with an expression as if her daughter-in-law hadn’t opened the door for hours and she was very tired of waiting.
— Chop the salads quickly, the guests will arrive any minute, — she briskly ordered without even greeting her.
Lena stepped aside, bewildered, letting her mother-in-law in. She stormed into the kitchen as if it were her own apartment and Lena was just a guest.
— I… actually, I’m working today, — Lena calmly reminded her, covering a yawn. — Didn’t Kostya tell you?
— She’s working, — Tatyana Dmitrievna waved her off, pulling out groceries from the fridge. — You young people all brag about “work, work”… but in reality, you just sit with laptops picking your noses.
— I’m an accountant and I’m closing the quarter now. That’s called work… I don’t know how it is with you, — Lena emphasized, returning to her desk in the bedroom.
Her mother-in-law snorted disapprovingly but said nothing. A few minutes later, active cooking began in the kitchen. Lena glanced over — her mother-in-law pulled out bowls, moved pots, inspected spice jars, and, as if nothing was wrong, left open doors and mess behind her.
Every five minutes, Tatyana Dmitrievna came into the room to ask Lena where things were. When Lena finally couldn’t stand it and told her mother-in-law she was disturbing her work, she was met with rudeness:
— A decent daughter-in-law would drop everything and start cooking. As if your silly reports can’t wait.
— They can’t wait, and they’re not silly! You know what? I’m going to the office to work there, — Lena jumped up immediately, opened the wardrobe door, and took out a skirt, T-shirt, and laptop bag.
— Hey, where are you going?! What about cooking? — Tatyana Dmitrievna raised her hands, hoping her daughter-in-law would give in and help.
As soon as Lena, dressed, came out of the bathroom, her mother-in-law waited for her in the hallway.
— So, where are you off to?
— To work. I already told you, — Lena found her shoes in the cabinet and started putting them on.
— So you won’t help your husband’s own mother?
— No, I won’t. Not only did you decide to celebrate your birthday in our apartment without my consent, but you also didn’t warn me in advance. I’m not going to change my plans just because you want to, — Lena said, crossing her arms.
— Don’t get carried away. This is my son’s apartment… and you’re nobody here.
— It’s a shared apartment and registered as joint property. You should read about that instead of just bossing people around.
Lena left, and Tatyana Dmitrievna clenched a towel angrily in her hands.
The daughter-in-law came home exactly at three. The sun flooded the apartment with soft light, aromas of roasted meat wafted from the kitchen, and there was bustle in the kitchen. Tatyana Dmitrievna frowned as she stirred a salad, while Kostya rushed between the fridge and cupboards, following his mother’s instructions under her strict supervision.
— Oh, thank God! — he sighed upon seeing Lena at the door. — I thought you’d never come back!
Lena calmly took off her shoes and put her laptop bag in the hallway:
— No, I just finished my work. Everything on time. And, by the way, I warned you at the start of the week that I’d be busy today. And about the birthday, you only told me yesterday.
Her mother-in-law didn’t even turn around but let out a loud, heavy sigh as if purposely showing her displeasure. Then, with a forced hurry, she threw the spoon she’d been using to stir the salad into the sink:
— The guests will be here soon, and nothing is ready yet! You could at least have helped instead of wandering around who knows where!
Lena calmly walked deeper into the kitchen, past Tatyana Dmitrievna, turned to her, and replied firmly but calmly:
— I wasn’t wandering around; I was working. And you, Tatyana Dmitrievna, really wanted me to stay and cook. But alas, it didn’t happen.
— Lena… — Kostya began, clearly trying to soften the tone, — don’t be like that. It’s Mom…
— Exactly, — Lena interrupted. — She’s your mother. And precisely because I respect her.
— Coercion? — Tatyana Dmitrievna flared up. — You’re ungrateful! I cook for you, organize holidays so it’s fun and cozy! And you bought yourselves a palace and sit here alone, letting no one in.
— Well, we bought an apartment, as you may have noticed. Not for anyone else. Would you show up at your friend’s at 9 a.m. with orders to prepare salads? — Lena asked calmly, looking her mother-in-law in the eyes.
Silence hung in the room. Kostya swallowed and glanced at his mother. She turned away and silently began slicing eggs with pursed lips.
— I don’t want quarrels, — Lena softened. — I’m ready to help when I know about the event in advance and it’s discussed. Not when I’m presented with a fait accompli. If you want a celebration — let’s do it together, not dictated.
Tatyana Dmitrievna muttered something under her breath. Kostya sighed and quietly whispered to Lena:
— Thanks for coming back. Without you here… well, you saw for yourself.
— I just wanted to be heard, — Lena replied.
Maintaining her composure, Lena headed to the bathroom. She understood that the best way to calm the remaining tension in herself and the atmosphere was a hot shower. Under the stream of water, her thoughts quieted, irritation subsided, and she felt herself gradually returning to her usual calm state.
She changed into soft home pants and a T-shirt, tied her hair back, and, leaving the bathroom, headed straight to the cleaning supplies closet.
While the meat finished cooking in the oven and her mother-in-law arranged the salads on serving plates, Lena quickly walked through the apartment with a mop. Not because her mother-in-law told her to, but because she wanted guests to come to a clean home, their cozy and well-kept corner where she herself would enjoy welcoming people.
When Lena finished cleaning, she approached the table and began setting it: placing plates, arranging cutlery, setting glasses. Tatyana Dmitrievna watched out of the corner of her eye, now without her previous hostility. It seemed something softened in her — perhaps because of the daughter-in-law’s calmness, perhaps because evening was coming and she didn’t want to spoil her own celebration.
At six, the doorbell began ringing. First came her friend Galina — with a jar of lightly salted mackerel she had personally marinated. Then Kostya’s cousin arrived — with a gift and a pie baked the day before. The atmosphere gradually warmed.
Kostya ran out at this moment for a bouquet — lush, delicate, with a neat ribbon. He had ordered it in advance. He returned just fifteen minutes before the main guests and handed it to Tatyana Dmitrievna:
— Mom, happy birthday. We love you.
And Lena, a little embarrassed, added, handing over a neatly wrapped box:
— This is a gift from us. I remembered how you admired my blender. Now you’ll have one too — even a bit more powerful.
Tatyana Dmitrievna opened the box and broke into a sincere smile. She was silent for several seconds, as if processing the moment, then suddenly hugged first her son, then unexpectedly tightly hugged her daughter-in-law.
— Oh, you… — she muttered tearfully. — What nonsense I said… Forgive me, Lena. Not another word. I promise!
Lena smiled slightly:
— Thank you, Tatyana Dmitrievna. That really means a lot to us. We truly want you to feel good here. We just need our own space too.
Tatyana Dmitrievna nodded, and the evening went in the right direction. Laughter, memories, light wine, and homemade food worked their magic — the celebration was heartfelt and touching.
And deep inside, Lena felt that perhaps today was the first step toward something new — a more mature and respectful relationship not just between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law, but between two adult women who now shared one big common goal — the well-being of the family.