— What did you say? — Tatyana couldn’t believe her mother-in-law would come up with something like that.
— You heard me! I don’t understand, what kind of reaction is that? I’m his mother, and Anton can fulfill my wishes sometimes too, not just yours. Isn’t that right? Or are you against it?
— I don’t even want to discuss this nonsense! What an idea! — Tanya looked bewildered, but she knew how to answer her mother-in-law.
Tatyana felt both scared and happy at the same time. An amazing feeling she’d never known before. Very soon, she would become a mother.
The long-awaited pregnancy was nearing its end, and though it hadn’t been easy — she’d had to be hospitalized several times to prevent complications — she was still glad. She felt such lightness and a kind of magic inside that everything else seemed like trivial fuss. She would endure anything; the main thing was a healthy baby and the joy of motherhood.
Their little boy — they still hadn’t settled on a name — had been making his mom quite uneasy in recent days. Clearly, he was eager to escape his confinement as soon as possible. When they learned it was a boy, she and her husband were overjoyed; it was exactly what they had dreamed of since their wedding day.
Her mother-in-law, Klara Karlovna, told Tanya:
— Tatyana, you have to understand that pregnancy is not an illness, so I’m not going to cut you any slack. Don’t even think about pretending to be sick. We all went through this in our time, we all gave birth, and there was nothing supernatural about it.
And indeed, throughout these months her mother-in-law treated her just as before, with no indulgences.
Tatyana only smiled in response. She was in a state of extraordinary happiness and didn’t want to quarrel with anyone. Besides, she considered her mother-in-law a person who wasn’t quite right in the head.
Closer to her due date, Tatyana called her mother-in-law and asked her to help choose a name for their son. She did it solely at her husband’s request. In truth, the name was still undecided, and in the end the choice would be hers anyway. But she didn’t want to upset Anton at such a joyful time for them.
— Well then, what options do you and Antosha have? — the mother-in-law began.
— We were thinking maybe Dima or Denis, — Tanya shared with Klara Karlovna.
— What kind of name is Denis? Sounds unserious. Valery is better. Or Vitaly. Or Leonid. I knew a Leonid in my youth — oh, what an imposing man he was! — the mother-in-law said dreamily.
Tatyana just smiled to herself, listening to her husband’s mother. She loved to recall stories from her youth, where she, of course, shone and everyone around was smitten with her. After sitting through yet another love story, Tatyana asked her to look after Anton while she was in the maternity hospital.
— He’s so helpless. Or maybe I’ve spoiled him that much. He can’t even fry himself some eggs; he relies on me for everything, — Tanya confided to Klara Karlovna.
— My dear, don’t forget Anton is my son. And believe me, as his mother I will absolutely take care of him. No worse than you! After all, I know what he likes and how to please him. Do you think if you hadn’t reminded me, your husband would’ve been left abandoned — hungry and unkempt? Nonsense! — the mother-in-law replied.
It seemed to the daughter-in-law that she was displeased about something, but Tatyana didn’t give it any weight. Why spoil her mood with speculation on the eve of such a wonderful event?
Right before leaving for the hospital, something strange happened that finally convinced Tanya that her husband’s mother wasn’t all there.
Her mother-in-law came to their home in person. From the threshold, she was overly polite, even syrupy. What’s this about? Tanya wondered. Klara Karlovna had never been known for her love of her daughter-in-law.
— Well, Tanechka, are you ready for the most important event of your life? Oh, I remember myself at that time! You never forget it! You know, I was defending my candidate’s dissertation then, and Ilya, your husband’s father, was helping me. Antoshka was already trying to come out, but my defense was scheduled. I was very nervous — naturally. Anyone would be, especially a woman in that condition.
So, when it really hit and I had to go to the hospital — it came on strong, and the committee still hadn’t asked all their questions — my Ilya stood up and said confidently:
— If you don’t let this woman go right now, the soon-to-be Candidate of Sciences will give birth right here in front of the esteemed committee.
Oh, you should’ve seen it! Everyone gasped and fussed over me. They called an ambulance immediately, and I was taken to the maternity hospital, where Anton was born safe and sound, — Klara Karlovna reminisced with satisfaction.
— An interesting and gripping story, — Tatyana smiled, hearing it for at least the fifth time. — Only your son didn’t take after you in that respect. Science never quite worked out for him.
— Yes, yes, you’re right about that. But it’s nothing to worry about. He has plenty of other talents. For example, my son can make money. And that’s much more important nowadays! By the way, when are you going to the hospital? You never told me.
— I’m planning for next week, if everything’s fine. The tenth.
— Wonderful. I think everything will go just as you plan. You’re young, healthy, and you’ll give birth to my grandson without any trouble.
After pausing for a couple of minutes, as if mustering her strength, the mother-in-law delivered a line that made her daughter-in-law’s vision go dark for a moment.
— So, while you’re in the hospital, Anton and I will fly to the seaside, — she said simply, without any lyrical detours.
— What?! Did I hear you right? Where are you planning to go with my husband? — Tatyana looked stunned.
— Why are you reacting like that? You won’t be home for several days anyway; you’ll be in the hospital. And I haven’t been to the sea in ten years! Ten! Think about it — why not take advantage of the opportunity? What do you care where we are during that time?
— I do care when it concerns MY husband. Why did you decide that this is what my husband should be doing at such an important moment in our family life?
— I’m telling you — what difference does it make what he’s doing while you’re in the hospital? Later — yes, but right now?
— What do you mean, what difference? Are you serious? Are you in your right mind to even think such a thing?
— Don’t shout. Better think it over. You won’t have any time for your husband these days. Birth is a very serious matter. Why are you clinging to Anton like that, tell me? Let him go to the sea with me. I spoke with Antosha about it, and I don’t think he’s against it at all. He’ll gladly take his beloved mama to the seaside. We’ll only fly for a week. We’ll be back by the time you’re discharged. Promise!
— Listen, I’m against it and it’s wrong. Completely wrong! You just told me yourself that Anton’s father was by your side at such a crucial moment. He supported you, encouraged you, gave you strength by being there. You knew he loved both of you — his wife and his not-yet-born son. That’s why he stayed by your side. And that’s right — that’s how it should be. What you’re suggesting is utter nonsense! So I’ll be suffering, in pain and worried, and my husband will be off enjoying himself at the seaside?
— Look at this egoist! As if you’ll care in that moment! You’ll be having contractions, then the birth, and then who knows how long it’ll take you to recover from all that horror.
— I’m against it. And stop exaggerating and trying to scare me. There won’t be any contractions. I’m having a scheduled operation. And in a few hours I’ll even be able to see my husband, and he’ll see me and our son. It’s a private clinic, and he can come to the room almost right after the operation. First, my husband will be at home, worrying about us and encouraging me with kind words. Then he’ll come to us himself. Is that clear? — Tatyana said firmly, even sharply. — I need to feel his support at this difficult moment. What you’re proposing is pure selfishness!
— Oh, listen to you talk! You’re the egoist, my dear. You only think about yourself. So that’s final — you won’t let my son come with me? Have you thought it through? Especially since it’s an operation. By the time you recover, Anton will be back. And I’ll have to fly such a long way all alone! Drag a heavy suitcase by myself, deal with strangers who aren’t always decent. Is that what you’re suggesting? Really?
— Exactly. Go alone.
Her mother-in-law left empty-handed. But she didn’t give up on the idea. And as soon as Tatyana was admitted to the clinic for the scheduled C-section, the mother called Anton.
— Why did you listen to your wife instead of me, your mother? Tell me, how could you? You don’t love me at all, do you? For once I asked you for something. And you refuse the person who gave you life!
— Mom, Tanya wouldn’t let me go. What am I supposed to do, start a fight? Now, right before the birth? Think about it yourself! It’s not right.
— I have thought about it. And I’ve understood a lot about her. She’s an egoist, only cares about herself! — Klara Karlovna fumed.
— Mom, Tanya’s right. For you it’s just another whim — a seaside trip — and for my wife it’s the most important event of her life. Especially after how long we waited for this. You know how long we struggled to get pregnant. And now what? She goes to the maternity hospital while I go to the sea?
— Yes, I know. Nothing is ever simple with you two. You’ve found yourself someone indispensable, — the mother grumbled.
— Mom, what’s the problem? I gave you money — go. You’re not a helpless old lady; you’re still a fairly young woman. Full of strength and energy! And beautiful, too, — Anton knew exactly which buttons to press with his mother.
— Oh, please. “Young,” you say — I’ve already hit fifty, — she said, smiling with satisfaction.
— Exactly — young! What else would you call it? So, that’s settled. Get ready and go.
— All right, I’ll handle it. Especially since you really did give me enough money. Maybe I’ll invite Lidiya to come with me. What do you think?
— Great. Do that. Go with Aunt Lida. And I’ll stay here and wait for our little Denis to arrive. You go relax and come back a grandmother.
— So you’ve decided to name my grandson Denis after all? — his mother was surprised. — Maybe Leonid instead? Just listen to how it sounds! Leo, Lyonya, Leonid!
— Mom, don’t start. He’s our son, and we’ll decide what to name him. Okay, go pack — you don’t have much time.
— Yes, I’ll run. I still need to talk Lida into it.
Klara called her old friend. Lidiya was surprised at first, but then agreed, and soon the two women headed to the sea, where they spent a wonderful week on a warm September beach.
When she returned home, the mother-in-law’s first stop was her son’s house to see her grandson. Tatyana and little Denis had been home for several days already.
— Oh, what a cutie! He looks like his grandpa Ilya. Right, Antosh? — the mother-in-law cooed.
— I don’t know. What can you tell at this age? He looks like himself, — Anton replied with a warm smile.
— Don’t say that. You, from day one, looked just like me, — Klara Karlovna declared proudly. — And even now you have my looks, and my character too — hard as flint. What I say goes. Congratulations, Tatyana, on the birth of your son! Well done, you gave us such a sturdy little fellow.
— Thank you, — she answered coolly; the hurt in the daughter-in-law’s heart hadn’t yet faded.
— By the way, Antosha, could you take me to visit Varvara this weekend? She lives fifty kilometers away. She invited me over. I can’t very well go on a regular bus, can I?
— Klara Karlovna, you’re at it again? My husband is not going anywhere. He’ll be with us — with his wife and newborn son! You can go to Africa for all I care! One more request like that, and you won’t be welcome in our home anymore. Keep that in mind! — the daughter-in-law said firmly, looking her mother-in-law straight in the eye.
Anton only gave his mother an apologetic smile.
His look said, “What can I do? She’s my wife, and I listen to her.”
— Fine. I’ll go by myself. Otherwise your wife will go so far as to forbid me from seeing my own grandson. She’s capable of it, — the mother-in-law said resentfully.
— Then go. And leave our family in peace. We’ve got our hands full without your whims! — the brave daughter-in-law shot back.
At last, the mother-in-law realized that it wasn’t her son running the show in that family. And the previously calm daughter-in-law had suddenly shown her true character. The woman had no choice but to accept it.
Better a fragile peace than constant quarrels and resentments.