Irina was washing the dishes after dinner in her three-room apartment. She had been married for four years, lived with Oleg in the city center, and worked as an accountant at a medical clinic. Her husband was a driver for a transport company; the pay was decent, and life seemed to be on track.
Seemed—because from the very start of the marriage, Irina had noticed one unpleasant pattern. Her mother-in-law, Raisa Petrovna, constantly interfered in the young family’s life. She called every day, gave housekeeping advice, and criticized.
In the summer the situation escalated. Raisa Petrovna called Oleg and, without any discussion, announced the news.
“Son, Natasha and I decided to come stay with you for a couple of weeks to relax,” the mother-in-law declared. “You have air conditioning, and our apartment is unbearably stuffy.”
Oleg was delighted and didn’t consult his wife.
“Of course, Mom!” he exclaimed. “Come whenever you like. We’ll be happy to have you!”
“Wonderful!” rejoiced Raisa Petrovna. “We’ll buy tickets tomorrow. I think we’ll be there around the seventh or eighth.”
The call ended, and Oleg hung up and happily headed to the kitchen, where Irina was making dinner.
“Can you believe it? Great news!” he announced. “Mom and Natasha are coming to us on vacation! For two weeks!”
Irina froze, a ladle in her hand. Her husband’s words sounded like a verdict, as if his wife’s opinion simply didn’t exist.
“How are they ‘coming’?” Irina asked quietly.
“Well, they want to get some rest,” Oleg explained. “It’s hot at their place, and we’ve got air conditioning. Makes sense, right?”
“It didn’t occur to you to ask me?” Irina set the ladle on the table.
“Ask about what?” her husband was surprised. “It’s Mom and my sister, not strangers.”
“Precisely why you should have asked,” Irina retorted. “Two weeks isn’t the same as a couple of hours as guests.”
Oleg frowned.
“Ira, come on,” he said, displeased. “Are you really so begrudging about taking in family?”
“It’s not about that,” Irina began to explain, but Oleg cut her off.
“Then what’s the problem?” he raised his voice. “There’s plenty of space, plenty of food. What’s stopping you?”
Irina looked at her husband, her face flushing with indignation.
“Your mother and sister are coming to our place for their vacation? Wonderful!” she said, not hiding the sarcasm. “Then I’m off to the seaside, and you can wait on them yourself!”
Oleg’s mouth fell open.
“Ira, what are you saying?”
“What I mean,” his wife replied. “Since you make decisions for the two of us so easily, you can take care of the guests yourself.”
“But that’s impossible!” he protested. “I work—I won’t have time to cook and clean!”
“And I don’t work?” Irina narrowed her eyes. “Or does my job not count?”
“It counts, but…” Oleg faltered.
“But what?” she pressed. “But a woman is supposed to do everything by herself?”
Oleg realized he’d put himself in an awkward position. His wife was right—he really hadn’t consulted her and had made a unilateral decision.
“Okay,” he gave in. “Maybe we can postpone their visit?”
“Too late,” Irina shook her head. “You’ve already agreed. Now sort it out yourself.”
“Ira, don’t be mad,” Oleg tried to smooth things over. “Let’s welcome them together.”
“No,” his wife said firmly. “Since you made the decision without me, you can deal with the consequences alone.”
But despite her principled stance, Irina couldn’t bring herself to leave her husband alone with the guests. When Raisa Petrovna and Natalia arrived, the wife was there with Oleg to meet them.
The next day Raisa Petrovna called to clarify the details.
“Irinochka, we’ll arrive on the seventh,” the mother-in-law reported. “The train gets in at half past six in the morning. Will Olezhek meet us?”
“Of course he will,” Irina replied.
“Wonderful!” said Raisa Petrovna, pleased. “And you, dear, prepare something tasty for our arrival. We’ll be hungry from the road.”
“All right,” Irina agreed.
“And change the bed linens,” the mother-in-law continued with instructions. “We’re used to cleanliness. Also, make some room in the fridge—we’re bringing treats.”
“Got it,” Irina answered curtly.
“And one more thing, dear,” Raisa wouldn’t let up, “is the TV in the bedroom working? We like to watch the news before bed.”
“It works,” Irina confirmed.
“Excellent!” the mother-in-law concluded. “See you then—get ready for our arrival!”
Irina hung up and pondered. Two weeks with Raisa Petrovna and Natalia in the same apartment. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, waiting on the guests. And they’d be watching TV in the bedroom, which meant they’d go to bed late and make noise.
That evening her husband came home from work in high spirits.
“Irish, just think how great this is!” Oleg shared his joy. “Mom and Natasha will relax, we’ll chat, spend time as a family!”
“Mm-hmm,” Irina nodded. “Very nice.”
“Why the long face?” he noticed her mood. “You should be happy!”
“I am,” Irina answered dryly.
“Doesn’t look like it,” Oleg shook his head. “Ira, you can’t treat relatives like this!”
“I treat them fine,” his wife objected.
“‘Fine’ means being happy to see them,” he lectured. “And you look sour.”
Irina didn’t argue. Talking wouldn’t help anyway.
Over the next few days she prepared for the guests’ arrival. She bought groceries, changed the bed linens, tidied the apartment. Oleg didn’t offer to help, considering the prep “women’s work.”
“You know better what’s needed,” he waved her off. “I’ll just get in the way.”
Raisa Petrovna called every day, clarifying details.
On the seventh at half past six in the morning, Oleg went to meet his mother and sister. Irina stayed home to finish breakfast. Pancakes, an omelet, sliced vegetables, sausage, and cheese were already on the table. A casserole was finishing in the oven.
At eight o’clock voices sounded in the hall.
“Irisha!” called Raisa Petrovna. “We’re here!”
“Coming!” Irina answered, stepping out of the kitchen.
The mother-in-law looked lively despite the night on the road. Natalia yawned and looked sleepy.
“How was the trip?” Irina asked.
“Fine,” said Raisa. “We got a good car—didn’t rattle.”
“I didn’t shut my eyes all night,” Natalia complained. “The neighbors snored.”
“You’ll catch up on sleep at home,” the mother comforted her daughter.
Oleg brought in the suitcases and set them in the living room.
“Breakfast is ready,” Irina announced. “Come to the kitchen.”
“Oh, it smells wonderful!” rejoiced Raisa. “Irisha, well done, you really went to some trouble!”
The guests sat down at the table, and Irina began bringing out dishes. Raisa and Natalia ate with appetite, praising the food.
“Olezhek, your wife has golden hands!” the mother-in-law gushed. “She cooks so deliciously!”
“I told you, Mom,” Oleg said proudly. “My Ira is a first-rate homemaker.”
“You can see she tries,” Raisa nodded. “That’s how it should be; a wife should feed her husband well.”
After breakfast the guests went to unpack, and Irina stayed to wash the dishes. Oleg didn’t offer to help; he went with his mother and sister to show them the apartment.
“Oh, how lovely!” Raisa marveled. “Fresh renovation, new furniture!”
“We redid it last year,” Oleg said proudly.
“Good for you!” his mother approved. “You spend money sensibly, I can see.”
From the kitchen Irina listened and smirked. She had done most of the renovation: chosen materials, hired workers, and supervised the process. Oleg had only provided the money and occasionally offered an opinion.
By lunchtime the guests were fully settled. Raisa occupied the armchair in front of the TV; Natalia stretched out on the living-room sofa. Oleg rested too, considering a day off well deserved.
“Irisha,” the mother-in-law called from the living room, “what time will lunch be?”
“One o’clock,” Irina replied.
“What are you making?” Natalia asked.
“Soup and cutlets,” the hostess answered.
“Oh, cutlets!” the sister-in-law brightened. “I love them!”
“With potatoes, I hope?” Raisa clarified.
“Of course,” Irina confirmed.
“Splendid!” the mother-in-law concluded. “We’ll keep resting, and you cook.”
Standing at the stove, Irina realized these two weeks would be long. The guests had already shown their colors: they relaxed while the hostess worked. And so it would be every day.
By evening Irina was exhausted. She had made breakfast, lunch, and dinner; cleaned; and washed the bed linens. The guests amused themselves, watched TV, and shared news.
“Irisha is tired,” Oleg observed at dinner. “You can tell it’s hard.”
“What’s hard about it?” Raisa was surprised. “Just ordinary housework.”
“Right,” Natalia backed up her mother. “We’re not being picky—we eat whatever’s served.”
“Ira’s just not used to guests,” Oleg tried to defend his wife. “We usually live alone.”
“She’ll get used to it,” the mother-in-law said confidently. “Give it two weeks.”
Irina ate her dinner in silence. A week already lived through, one more to go. And no one even thought to help or at least wash their own plate.
“Oleg,” Irina said quietly when her husband came into the kitchen for water.
“What is it, dear?” he asked.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Right now?” Oleg looked at the clock. “Maybe later? Mom turned on an interesting program.”
“No, now,” Irina insisted.
Oleg sighed and stayed in the kitchen.
“I’m listening,” he said.
“It’s hard for me,” Irina began. “I can’t handle this amount of work.”
“What work?” Oleg didn’t understand.
“Cooking for four three times a day, cleaning, laundry,” his wife listed. “And no one helps.”
“Then ask them to help,” her husband suggested.
“Seriously?” Irina looked at him. “Ask guests to wash dishes?”
“What’s the big deal?” he shrugged. “Natashka’s not proud—she’ll help.”
“Oleg, it’s not about pride,” Irina explained. “It’s that your mother and sister came to rest, and I’ve turned into the hired help.”
“Oh, come on,” he waved her off. “No one thinks of you as the help.”
“No?” Irina asked. “Then who’s been cooking, cleaning, and doing the laundry?”
“Well, you’re the hostess,” Oleg replied. “That’s your job.”
“I see,” Irina nodded. “So I’m supposed to wait on your relatives?”
“Ira, why do you always take things to extremes?” her husband snapped. “Just one more week to put up with.”
“‘Put up with,’” Irina repeated. “Good word.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Bear with it a little—they aren’t staying forever.”
Irina looked at her husband and understood the talk was pointless. Oleg didn’t see the problem and wasn’t going to solve it.
The next morning at breakfast, Raisa announced the plan.
“Irisha, dear,” the mother-in-law addressed her daughter-in-law, “we’re going to stroll around the city today. And you stay home and tidy up.”
“I have work,” Irina reminded her.
“Oh, right,” Raisa caught herself. “Well, no matter, you can tidy up in the evening.”
“I still have to cook after work,” Irina objected.
“You’ll manage,” Raisa said confidently. “You’re young—you’ve got the energy.”
“Maybe you could tidy up yourselves?” Irina suggested. “Since you’re staying home?”
Raisa looked at her daughter-in-law in surprise.
“Irisha, we’re guests,” she reminded her. “Guests don’t clean.”
“Not even their own mess?” Irina clarified.
“Olezhek,” Raisa turned to her son, “explain to your wife how she should behave with guests.”
Oleg glanced at Irina.
“Ira, Mom’s right,” he said. “Guests shouldn’t have to clean.”
“Got it,” Irina nodded.
The next morning at breakfast, Raisa announced the plan again.
“Irisha, dear,” the mother-in-law addressed her daughter-in-law, “we’re going to stroll around the city today. And you stay home and tidy up.”
“I have work,” Irina reminded her.
“Oh, right,” Raisa caught herself. “Well, no matter, you can tidy up in the evening.”
“I still have to cook after work,” Irina objected.
“You’ll manage,” Raisa said confidently. “You’re young—you’ve got the energy.”
“Maybe you could tidy up yourselves?” Irina suggested. “Since you’re staying home?”
Raisa looked at her daughter-in-law in surprise.
“Irisha, we’re guests,” she reminded her. “Guests don’t clean.”
“Not even their own mess?” Irina clarified.
“Olezhek,” Raisa turned to her son, “explain to your wife how she should behave with guests.”
Oleg glanced at Irina.
“Ira, Mom’s right,” he said. “Guests shouldn’t have to clean.”
“Got it,” Irina nodded.
Ten days passed. Irina was completely worn out. She worked all day, came home—and there were new chores waiting. She made breakfast, lunch, dinner; cleaned; washed the bed linens. The guests relaxed, watched TV, and shared news.
“Irisha is tired,” Oleg observed at dinner. “You can tell it’s hard.”
“What’s hard about it?” Raisa was surprised. “Just ordinary housework.”
“Right,” Natalia chimed in. “We’re not being picky—we eat whatever’s served.”
“Ira’s just not used to guests,” Oleg tried to defend his wife. “We usually live alone.”
“She’ll get used to it,” the mother-in-law said confidently. “She’ll settle in after a couple of weeks.”
Irina finished her dinner in silence. A week and a half already done; a few more days to go. And no one even thought to help or at least wash their own plate.
The next day Raisa announced new plans.
“Irisha, dear,” said the mother-in-law, “we’ve decided to invite some friends to the theater. We’ll all meet up.”
“Understood,” Irina replied.
“And after the theater we’ll drop by here,” Raisa continued. “We’ll have some tea and chat.”
Irina froze with a cup in her hand.
“How many people?” she asked.
“About six or seven,” the mother-in-law estimated. “Not many.”
“And who will prepare the refreshments?” Irina specified.
“Well, you, of course,” Raisa was surprised by the question. “Who else?”
Irina set the cup on the table and looked at her. Her patience snapped once and for all.
“Raisa Petrovna,” she said slowly, “you came here to relax. I’m not a travel agent or a restaurant.”
“What are you talking about?” the mother-in-law flared up.
“I’m saying I’m tired of being the help,” Irina replied.
“Olezhek!” Raisa called out to her son. “Your wife is being rude to me!”
Oleg ran in from the bathroom with shaving foam on his face.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Irina refuses to receive guests!” his mother complained.
“Ira, what’s going on?” Oleg turned to his wife.
Irina rose from the table and looked at him.
“Remember what I said when you told me they were coming?” she asked.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Oleg didn’t understand.
“Everything,” Irina answered. “I warned you I wouldn’t be waiting on your relatives. And you didn’t believe me.”
“But you agreed to have them!” he objected.
“I agreed to have them, not to be a maid,” Irina clarified. “And that’s exactly what everyone expects of me.”
Irina pressed her lips together, exhaled sharply, and repeated the words she had said a few days earlier.
Oleg was taken aback; he hadn’t expected such a response. He had thought his wife was just blowing off steam and would calm down and keep playing the role of the gracious hostess.
“Ira, you’re not serious, are you?” Oleg muttered.
“Dead serious,” she said, turning for the door.
Irina went to the bedroom, pulled a suitcase from under the bed, and threw it onto the quilt. She began packing methodically and calmly: summer dresses, swimsuits, flip-flops, sunglasses.
Oleg ran after her and saw what was happening.
“Ira, wait!” he exclaimed. “What are you doing?”
“Getting ready to go,” she answered shortly, putting a toiletry bag into the suitcase.
“That’s ridiculous!” Oleg tried to reason with her. “It’s not right to abandon your family at a time like this!”
“And it’s right to turn your wife into the help?” Irina shot back.
“No one turned you into the help!” he protested.
“No?” Irina stopped and looked at him. “Who’s been making breakfast, lunch, and dinner all these days?”
“Well… you,” he admitted.
“And who cleaned the apartment?” she went on.
“You too,” Oleg sighed.
“And who washed the bed linens?” she didn’t let up.
“You,” he answered very quietly.
“Exactly,” Irina nodded and went on packing. “While your mom and sister just relaxed and demanded even more service.”
“Ira, but they’re guests!” he tried to justify himself.
“Guests don’t live in someone’s home for two weeks,” his wife countered. “And guests help their hosts, they don’t climb onto their necks.”
“Mom’s elderly; it’s hard for her,” Oleg tried a new argument.
“Raisa Petrovna is only twenty years older than me,” Irina snapped. “And she manages just fine with her own household.”
Oleg realized he’d run out of arguments. His wife was right on every point.
“All right,” he conceded. “Maybe we can talk to Mom? Ask her to help around the house?”
“Too late,” Irina shook her head. “I’ve been your help for ten days already. Enough.”
“But where will you go?” Oleg asked, flustered.
“Sochi,” his wife replied. “I’ve long wanted to go to the sea.”
“And where will you get the money?” he asked.
“I have savings,” she said coolly. “The very ones I was setting aside for a vacation with you.”
Oleg deflated completely. Every year the couple planned a vacation together, but something always got in the way—work, illness, other circumstances. And now Irina would spend the vacation money on a solo trip.
“Ira, let’s talk this over calmly,” he pleaded. “Without emotions.”
“There’s nothing to discuss,” she replied. “You made the decision without me; now deal with it yourself.”
Irina didn’t listen to any further persuasion. She was tired of feeling like hired help for other people. Raisa and Natalia behaved like the mistresses of the house, and they treated Irina like service staff.
“I need to go to the bank and the travel agency,” Irina said, closing the suitcase. “I’ll be back late.”
“Ira, wait!” Oleg called after her.
But his wife had already left the bedroom and headed for the door. In the entryway she ran into Raisa, who had heard everything.
“Irisha, dear,” the mother-in-law began in a syrupy voice, “why are you so upset? We didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Raisa Petrovna,” Irina answered calmly, “you came to relax. By all means—relax. Just without me.”
“But how will we manage without you?” the mother-in-law was flustered. “Who will cook?”
“Oleg,” Irina said shortly. “Or you yourselves. Take your pick.”
“But that’s men’s work!” Raisa protested.
“Why?” Irina was surprised. “Plenty of men cook beautifully. And they clean, too.”
“Irisha, you can’t make a man fuss with housework!” the mother-in-law tried to reason with her.
“But you can make a woman do it?” Irina parried.
Raisa opened her mouth, but no words came. Irina’s logic was ironclad.
“Goodbye,” Irina said, and left the apartment.
First she went to the bank to withdraw her savings. Fifty thousand rubles had been sitting on a deposit for half a year—she had been saving for a joint vacation with her husband. Now that money would fund a solo trip.
Then she stopped by a travel agency. The consultant offered several options.
“There’s a last-minute package to Sochi for tomorrow,” the girl said. “Seven days, three-star hotel, near the sea.”
“I’ll take it,” Irina agreed without hesitation.
“Excellent!” the consultant was delighted. “Departure tomorrow at two in the afternoon.”
Irina paid for the trip and received her tickets. By this time tomorrow, she would be on a plane headed for the sea. And Oleg would be left to deal with his mother and sister on his own.
She got home late that evening. Tense silence hung in the apartment. Raisa and Natalia sat in the living room whispering. Oleg paced the kitchen, trying to cook something.
“Ira!” her husband was relieved to see her. “Thank God you’re back!”
“Not for long,” Irina warned. “I’m flying out tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Oleg gasped.
“At two p.m.,” she specified.
“But that’s madness!” he exclaimed.
“Madness is when someone works from morning till night and then turns into the help at home,” Irina countered.
Oleg realized he wouldn’t be able to change her mind. He spent the whole evening trying to make dinner. The cutlets burned, the soup was oversalted, and he didn’t even manage to brew tea properly.
“Mom, maybe you could help?” the son asked.
“I don’t know how to cook in someone else’s kitchen,” Raisa brushed him off. “Everything is arranged differently at my place.”
“And I don’t cook at all,” Natalia added. “At the beauty salon we just order delivery for lunch.”
Dinner turned out awful. Everyone ate in silence, realizing the scale of the problem. Without Irina, the idyllic family scene quickly descended into chaos.
In the morning Oleg woke early and looked at his wife at once. Irina was already up, putting the last things into her bag. Half the closet yawned empty; the suitcase stood by the door.
“Ira, maybe don’t go?” he pleaded.
“I’m going,” she said firmly.
“What about me, Mom, and Natasha?” he asked helplessly.
“You’ll manage somehow,” Irina shrugged. “You’re adults.”
“But I have to go to work!” he objected.
“So?” she asked, surprised. “I work too. And somehow that didn’t keep me from waiting on the guests.”
Oleg had no answer. His wife was right again.
At eleven Irina called a taxi. Oleg helped carry the suitcase to the entrance.
“Will you call?” he asked.
“We’ll see,” she answered evasively.
“When will you be back?” he persisted.
“When I feel like it,” Irina said and got into the car.
The taxi drove off. Oleg stood at the entrance, realizing his wife had left him. Not forever, but for a good while. And there was no one to blame but himself.
Back upstairs, he found Raisa and Natalia at a loss.
“Where’s Irisha?” the mother-in-law asked.
“Gone on vacation,” the son replied grimly.
“Gone how?” his mother didn’t understand.
“On a plane to Sochi,” Oleg explained.
“What about us?” Raisa gasped.
“We’re on our own,” he sighed.
“But I don’t know how to cook in a strange house!” his mother protested.
“You’ll learn,” Oleg said shortly.
“And I can’t do anything at all!” Natalia added.
“You’ll learn, too,” her brother repeated.
Mother and daughter exchanged glances. Without Irina, the vacation was turning into a nightmare.
“Maybe we should just go home?” Raisa suggested uncertainly.
“As you wish,” Oleg shrugged. “Tickets for the day after tomorrow.”
“But we wanted to relax four more days!” Natalia protested.
“Relax,” her brother agreed. “Just take care of yourselves.”
The mother and sister realized there would be no more free service. They’d have to choose between the comfort of home and self-service as guests.
Meanwhile Irina was sitting on the plane, looking out the window. Clouds floated under the wing as the plane climbed. For the first time in a long while, she felt light and free.
Three hours later the plane landed in Sochi. The warm southern air, palm trees, and smell of the sea seemed like a fairy tale after the tense days in Moscow.
The hotel turned out to be cozy and clean. A room on the second floor with a balcony and a view of the sea. Irina changed into a light dress and stepped out onto the balcony.
Below, the surf roared; gulls cried over the waves; vacationers strolled along the promenade. No one demanded breakfast, lunch, or dinner. No one left dirty dishes in the sink. No one criticized the quality of the cleaning.
Irina took a deep breath of sea air and, for the first time in two weeks, relaxed. Without endless guests, quarrels, and imposed relatives, life was meaningful again.
Her phone was silent. Oleg hadn’t called yet; apparently he was busy dealing with his relatives. Irina wasn’t in a hurry to reach out first. Let her husband grasp the magnitude of the problem.
In the evening she dined at the hotel restaurant. At the next table sat a couple about her age. The man fussed over the woman, poured her wine, asked about her mood.
“That’s how it should be,” Irina thought. “Mutual care, not one-sided exploitation.”
On the third day of vacation, Oleg finally called.
“Ira, how are you?” he asked cautiously.
“Wonderful,” she replied. “I sunbathe, swim, and rest.”
“And we…” Oleg began and fell silent.
“What about you?” Irina asked.
“Mom and Natasha left yesterday,” he admitted.
“Why so early?” she was surprised. “They still had three days.”
“They didn’t like it,” Oleg answered evasively.
“What exactly?” Irina pressed.
“Well… having to cook and clean themselves,” he said honestly.
Irina laughed. The picture was clear: Raisa and Natalia trying to manage without a maid and failing miserably.
“I see,” she said. “Without free service, the vacation didn’t take.”
“Ira, I’m sorry,” Oleg asked, contrite. “I didn’t understand how hard it was for you.”
“Do you understand now?” Irina asked.
“Yes,” he sighed. “I cooked and cleaned for three days. I’m worn out.”
“And I did that every day,” she reminded him.
“I know,” he said quietly. “I was wrong.”
“Glad it got through,” Irina said.
“When will you be back?” he asked.
“In four days,” she replied. “As planned.”
“I’ll be waiting,” Oleg promised.
“All right,” she agreed. “But keep in mind—no more uninvited two-week guests.”
“Got it,” he agreed quickly. “I’ll definitely consult you.”
“And no free service for relatives,” his wife added.
“Of course,” he nodded, though Irina couldn’t see it.
“Then I’ll see you at home,” she ended the call.
The remaining days flew by. Irina sunbathed, swam, and read books she’d long wanted to read. She went on excursions, took photos against famous landmarks, and bought souvenirs.
For the first time in a long while she lived just for herself. No one demanded attention, care, or service. She could wake up when she wanted, have breakfast at a café, spend the day as she pleased.
She didn’t want to go back, but the vacation was ending. On the last evening Irina sat on the balcony with a glass of wine, watching the sunset over the sea.
The phone rang. Oleg again.
“Ira, should I meet you tomorrow?” he asked.
“Of course,” she agreed.
“I miss you,” he admitted.
“I miss you too,” she answered, and it was true.
Despite the grievances, her husband was still dear to her. He had simply needed a lesson to learn to respect boundaries.
“Everything’s ready at home for your return,” Oleg promised.
“Good,” Irina smiled.
The next day the plane landed in Moscow. Oleg was waiting with a bouquet and a guilty smile.
“Forgive me,” he said, hugging his wife.
“The important thing is that the lesson is learned,” Irina replied.
“It is,” Oleg assured her. “It won’t happen again.”
At home everything really did shine with cleanliness. Her husband had tidied up, changed the bed linens, and bought groceries.
“Raisa Petrovna won’t be showing up without warning anymore, will she?” Irina checked.
“No,” Oleg shook his head. “I had a serious talk with her.”
“And what did she say?” Irina asked.
“That she understood her mistake,” he replied. “And she apologizes for the inconvenience.”
“Good,” Irina nodded.
Family life settled back down. Oleg learned to value his wife’s work and not to make decisions unilaterally. And Irina realized that sometimes you have to set boundaries firmly for them to be respected.
Raisa and Natalia no longer came without an invitation. And when they did visit the young family, they made sure to help around the house and didn’t stay longer than a day.
The lesson benefited everyone. Irina gained respect for her boundaries, Oleg learned to be more attentive to his wife, and the mother-in-law and sister-in-law understood there’s no such thing as free service in someone else’s home.