— Marinochka, dear, what on earth is that on your stove? an indignant voice echoed from the kitchen.
— Borscht is simmering, Marina answered without looking up from her paperwork.
— Borscht? That’s not borscht. That’s dishwater! Lyudmila Georgievna stormed out of the kitchen with a pot in her hands.
Marina raised her eyes and saw her mother-in-law holding the cookware at arm’s length on purpose, as if she were presenting evidence.
— What’s wrong with it? Marina asked wearily.
— Everything is wrong! the older woman snapped. The cabbage is cut the wrong way, the carrots are raw, and the beets… She wrinkled her nose. The beets are like stones!
Marina let out a slow sigh. Three weeks earlier, Lyudmila Georgievna had shown up unannounced with two suitcases.
— I missed my granddaughter, she’d announced. And you too, of course.
But the “granddaughter,” Kristina, was already twenty-two and lived in another city. And as for missing her son Alexey—his mother could only do that by phone, because he worked from morning till night.
— It’s gotten so boring at home, Lyudmila Georgievna confessed on day two. All my friends are sick, and there’s no one to go to the club with.
Back then Marina nodded with understanding. A retiree really could feel lonely.
Except time passed, and her mother-in-law showed no signs of leaving.
— Lyudmila Georgievna, maybe you’d like to go back home? Marina suggested carefully. To your own routine—your garden?
— What would I do there? It’s October, everything’s already harvested, the woman waved it off.
And she launched into “teaching” her daughter-in-law how to live with fresh enthusiasm.
First, she attacked the plants on the windowsill.
— Your geranium is turning yellow! You’re overwatering it, she declared, rearranging pots. And the violet is practically dying. It needs repotting!
Then came the laundry.
— Why are you washing white socks with colored clothes? Lyudmila Georgievna gasped, digging through the hamper. Everything will go gray!
— I’ve been doing laundry just fine for ten years, Marina tried to argue.
— That’s exactly why your clothes look washed-out!
Lyudmila Georgievna took over the washing machine like it was a military operation. Now she sorted everything five times, used three different powders, and always added an extra rinse cycle.
— Alexey, tell your mom I can manage on my own, Marina asked her husband that evening.
— Mom just wants to help, Alexey replied, drained. Hang in there. She’ll leave soon.
But Lyudmila Georgievna wasn’t going anywhere. If anything, each day she grew more confident.
Every morning she was up first, launching inspections.
— Marina! she’d yell from the bathroom. There’s mold in the corner! You need to do something immediately!
Or from the refrigerator:
— This yogurt expired two days ago! How can you be so careless with food?
Marina worked as an accountant at a small firm—numbers, reports, taxes all day long. And at home, her mother-in-law waited with new complaints.
— Do you know how my neighbor Valentina Ivanovna washes her floors? Lyudmila Georgievna shared yet another “discovery.” First she vacuums, then wipes with a damp cloth, and only then polishes with wax!
— We have linoleum, Marina reminded her.
— Exactly! And you treat it like a rag!
What angered Marina most wasn’t even the criticism—it was the rewriting of everything.
Marina would cook dinner, and Lyudmila Georgievna would “fix” it with extra spices. Marina would make the bed, and her mother-in-law would shake up the pillows again. Marina would put dishes out to dry, and Lyudmila Georgievna would rearrange them “the correct way.”
— Mom… maybe you don’t need to? Alexey ventured once, watching his mother rewash already-clean plates.
— Don’t need to what? she looked genuinely surprised. Help your wife? You can see what kind of homemaker she is!
Alexey fell silent. Marina clenched her fists and stepped onto the balcony.
Meanwhile, her mother-in-law found a new hobby: the neighbors.
— Do you know what Nina Petrovna from apartment forty-two told me? she said over dinner. Svetlana from the fifth floor—her husband drinks!
— That’s none of our business, Marina said, exhausted.
— How is it none of our business? What if he starts causing trouble? Lyudmila Georgievna fumed. By the way, I told her to go to the local officer.
Marina almost choked.
— Are you seriously discussing other people’s problems with the neighbors?
— So what? Lyudmila Georgievna shrugged. People talk, I give advice. I have life experience!
The next day she brought a new “headline.”
— Marina, did you know the young couple on the third floor are fighting? she whispered conspiratorially. Over money. He drinks his paycheck and she works herself to the bone.
— How do you know that? Marina stared.
— They talk loudly! I happened to hear it when I took out the trash.
Lyudmila Georgievna now “happened” to overhear an impressive amount—and always reported back.
Marina understood it couldn’t go on. Her mother-in-law was clearly bored and entertaining herself the only way she knew.
— Lyudmila Georgievna, Marina finally tried, maybe you could join a club? Or a gym?
— At my age? her mother-in-law laughed. I’m not a young girl—I’m sixty-four!
But the idea of activity appealed to her.
— Dancing… Lyudmila Georgievna mused. Our community center has a group for seniors. But it’s just a bunch of old ladies—boring.
Marina felt a spark of hope. Maybe her mother-in-law would find a hobby and stop managing Marina’s life.
— Go take a look, Marina encouraged.
— I will, Lyudmila Georgievna nodded. But first I’ll get your place in order. What if people come over?
People? Marina didn’t understand.
— What people are you talking about?
— Obviously! Lyudmila Georgievna exclaimed. I’ll invite my dance friends here! Introduce them to my son’s family!
Marina’s stomach dropped.
— So you want to host get-togethers here?
— What’s wrong with that? her mother-in-law asked sincerely. Home is better than the community center. We’ll have tea and talk properly.
Marina pictured a herd of strangers judging her home, offering “helpful tips,” and rating her apartment.
— Maybe you shouldn’t… she tried weakly.
— Oh, listen to you! Lyudmila Georgievna flared. You don’t like people? I thought you were sociable!
And with that she began “getting the place ready” with doubled energy.
She washed every window, scrubbed the stove until it gleamed, laundered all the curtains. She forced Marina to throw out “old clothes”—half of Marina’s wardrobe that she deemed unfashionable.
— Why are you keeping this blouse? she inspected Marina’s favorite top. It’s worn out!
— I like it, Marina tried to defend herself.
— I don’t care what you like. You can’t be seen in that!
The blouse went into the trash—along with a dozen other things.
— Now the closet can breathe, her mother-in-law said with satisfaction.
A week later she announced:
— My friends are coming tomorrow. Five or six of them. Make something tasty!
Marina tried to protest.
— Lyudmila Georgievna, I work. When am I supposed to cook?
— And what do you do in the evening? her mother-in-law said, as if shocked. Watch TV? Then do something useful!
Then she added:
— By the way, I told them you make your signature Napoleon cake. Don’t let me down!
Marina had never baked Napoleon cake in her life. But she didn’t dare say that.
She spent all Saturday in the kitchen fighting with dough and cream. The cake came out lopsided and tasteless.
— Not great, Lyudmila Georgievna judged coolly. Fine. I’ll buy another one from the store—just in case.
On Sunday at lunch her “friends” arrived: five loud, curious women in their fifties to seventies.
— Oh, how lovely! one of them gushed, looking around the apartment. Lyudochka, your son has settled in nicely!
— They live well enough, her mother-in-law said proudly. Though my daughter-in-law isn’t very domestic, so I’m teaching her.
Marina blushed and fled to the kitchen. Behind her she caught a whisper:
— She’s so quiet… shy, maybe?
— No, it’s just her personality, Lyudmila Georgievna answered. A little closed off.
All evening the women drank tea, ate cake, and chatted about neighbors, children, and grandchildren—and of course, Marina.
— Why no kids? the oldest asked.
— Their daughter is grown already, she’s in college, Lyudmila Georgievna explained.
— But little ones? You want grandbabies!
Lyudmila Georgievna sighed.
— Of course I do. But they keep postponing it. They say utilities are expensive, life is costly…
From the kitchen Marina listened, furious. What right did her mother-in-law have to discuss their private life with strangers?
— And where does the daughter-in-law work? the nosy woman pressed.
— As an accountant at some office, Lyudmila Georgievna waved dismissively. Not much money, but at least it’s something.
That was too much. Marina worked at a respectable company and earned a solid salary.
When the guests finally left, Marina snapped.
— Lyudmila Georgievna, why are you telling outsiders about our lives?
— What’s the big deal? her mother-in-law looked genuinely surprised. They ask questions, I answer. What—are you afraid of secrets?
Marina understood: explaining anything was pointless. Her mother-in-law simply didn’t see the problem.
And the very next day Lyudmila Georgievna announced:
— The girls had such a good time yesterday! We decided we’ll meet every Sunday now. We’ll rotate—one week at one home, the next week at another.
— At our place too? Marina asked, alarmed.
— Of course! her mother-in-law beamed. In two weeks, it’s our turn!
— Alexey, your mother has completely lost it, Marina blurted the moment her husband walked in.
— What happened? he asked tiredly, taking off his jacket.
— She wants to host her little tea parties here every Sunday—with her friends! Can you imagine?
Alexey walked into the room without a word and dropped into an armchair.
— Mom, you can’t do that, he told her, while she calmly watched TV. This isn’t your apartment.
— And what am I doing wrong? Lyudmila Georgievna snapped. I bring friends, we spend time decently! Is Marina against socializing?
Marina opened her mouth, but Alexey waved a hand.
— Mom, you came to stay temporarily. Maybe it’s time you went home?
— Home? his mother threw up her hands. It’s cold there—there’s no heat yet! Are you kicking your own mother out?
Alexey glanced at Marina, guilty, and said nothing.
The next day Lyudmila Georgievna launched into a new flurry of preparations.
— Marina, do you have a tablecloth for the big table? she asked in the morning. Raisa Ivanovna is coming next week—she has refined tastes.
— Who is Raisa Ivanovna? Marina asked, confused.
— A new woman joined our group. Very cultured, educated. She worked in a museum!
Marina realized her mother-in-law wanted to impress the newcomer.
— We’ll bring out the good dishes, Lyudmila Georgievna planned aloud. And I’ll buy pretty napkins!
All day she dashed around the apartment, moving things, rewashing, even ironing curtains.
— Lyudmila Georgievna, maybe you don’t need to go that far, Marina suggested carefully.
— Of course I do! her mother-in-law protested. Raisa Ivanovna is used to nice things—she’s an intellectual!
By evening the apartment gleamed. Lyudmila Georgievna even wiped every leaf of the houseplants.
— Tomorrow I’ll pick up a few more things, she announced. Good chocolates, maybe order a cake…
— Why spend so much? Marina asked.
— Oh, so you’re stingy, her mother-in-law narrowed her eyes. You don’t want to spend money on guests?
Marina wanted to say they weren’t her guests, but stayed quiet.
Saturday morning Lyudmila Georgievna went shopping and came back with huge bags.
— Look what I bought! she boasted. Raffaello candies, a Prague cake, smoked sausage!
— Lyudmila Georgievna, that’s expensive! Marina gasped.
— So what? You’ve got money, her mother-in-law said breezily.
You’ve got money. Marina repeated it in her mind. The older woman was already treating their family budget like her own.
— By the way, Lyudmila Georgievna added, I told Raisa Ivanovna about your job. She’s very interested!
— What exactly did you tell her? Marina tensed.
— That you’re an accountant, your company is decent. She says her niece is in accounting too—maybe you should meet!
Marina felt sick imagining some stranger grilling her about work.
— Lyudmila Georgievna, I don’t want to meet anyone, Marina said firmly.
— In your dreams, her mother-in-law snorted. Connections matter. Otherwise you sit like an owl in a corner!
That evening Marina tried one more time with her husband.
— Alexey, this is unbearable. Your mother turned our apartment into a hobby club.
— Just endure a bit longer, he pleaded. Winter will come, and she’ll go back home.
— And if she doesn’t? Marina asked.
— She will… she will, Alexey said, not sounding convinced.
Sunday morning Lyudmila Georgievna was wound up like a spring.
— Marina! Clear the breakfast table, quick! The girls are coming! she barked.
— What time? Marina asked.
— Twelve! And it’s already half past!
Marina hurried to clean up while her mother-in-law arranged the treats.
— Oh, maybe we should put some flowers in a vase, she fussed. For beauty!
— We don’t have flowers, Marina reminded her.
— What do you mean you don’t?! Run and buy some! Lyudmila Georgievna snapped.
Marina glanced at the clock. Half an hour left.
— I won’t make it, she said.
— Nonsense! her mother-in-law scolded. Go faster!
So Marina ran to the nearest flower kiosk, bought a bouquet of chrysanthemums for five hundred rubles, and rushed back.
When she returned, the guests were already arriving.
— And here’s our little homemaker! Lyudmila Georgievna announced loudly. She bought flowers!
The women turned toward Marina in unison. Marina nodded awkwardly and went to put the bouquet in water.
— What a thoughtful daughter-in-law! someone praised. Lyudochka, you’re lucky!
— Yes, she’s a good girl, her mother-in-law agreed condescendingly. Just very modest. Quiet as a mouse!
Marina clenched her teeth and started washing dishes so she wouldn’t have to listen.
But the voices carried anyway.
— Is that Raisa Ivanovna? someone asked.
— Yes, that’s her! her mother-in-law introduced her. Raisa Ivanovna, this is my daughter-in-law, Marina!
An elegant woman around sixty, with attentive eyes, peeked into the kitchen.
— Hello, dear, she said warmly. Lyudmila Georgievna has told us so much about you!
I can only imagine what, Marina thought, but out loud she said:
— Hello.
— I hear you’re an accountant, Raisa Ivanovna continued. My niece is in the field too. Maybe you know her?
Here we go. Marina politely explained she probably didn’t, but Raisa Ivanovna kept pushing.
— And what company do you work for? Lyudmila Georgievna said it’s a good one…
— Just a regular one, Marina answered shortly.
— Don’t be shy! the woman laughed. Lyudmila Georgievna was bragging that you earn a decent salary!
Marina’s cheeks burned. So her mother-in-law had discussed even their income.
— Do you have a mortgage? Raisa Ivanovna pressed on. Young families live on credit these days.
That was blatant. Marina gathered herself and replied coldly:
— I’m sorry, I don’t discuss financial matters.
Raisa Ivanovna looked embarrassed and stepped away. A moment later Marina heard her whisper:
— She’s not very talkative… Lyudochka, is she always like that?
— That’s her nature, the mother-in-law sighed. Closed off. I try to get her talking, but she stays inside herself.
Marina curled her hands into fists. Now she was “not talkative” too.
The gathering dragged on until evening. The women drank tea, ate cake, and eagerly traded news.
— Have you heard about that family on the fifth floor? one of the guests perked up. They say they’re headed for divorce!
— No! the others gasped.
— Lyudochka, do you know anything? they turned to the hostess.
Lyudmila Georgievna nodded importantly.
— Of course I do! They’ve been fighting for half a year. I live here—I hear everything!
And she launched into vivid detail about the neighbors’ misery.
Marina listened in horror. Her mother-in-law had become the building’s chief gossip.
— And the young couple on the third floor is expecting a baby, Lyudmila Georgievna added.
— How do you know? the women asked.
— I saw her coming out of the prenatal clinic! Lyudmila Georgievna declared triumphantly.
Marina couldn’t take it and went out onto the balcony. Sitting there listening to strangers dissect other people’s lives felt disgusting.
When the guests finally left, Marina decided to talk seriously.
— Lyudmila Georgievna, why are you telling outsiders about our income?
— What’s wrong with that? her mother-in-law didn’t understand. Raisa Ivanovna was curious, so I answered.
— That’s private! Marina protested.
— Private? Lyudmila Georgievna blinked. We’re family! What, do you have secrets?
It was hopeless. The woman truly didn’t see what she was doing wrong.
The next week things got even worse. Lyudmila Georgievna befriended the downstairs neighbor and began socializing constantly.
— Can you imagine, she told Marina, Tamara Sergeyevna’s son got married! To a girl from a dysfunctional family!
— How do you know the family is dysfunctional? Marina asked.
— Tamara told me. Says the bride’s parents both drink!
Marina realized her mother-in-law had become the gossip hub of the entire building.
— And also, Lyudmila Georgievna continued, the elderly woman in apartment forty-five got sick. Lying there all alone, no relatives visiting!
— Maybe she doesn’t have any, Marina suggested.
— Oh, she does! Lyudmila Georgievna flapped her hands. A daughter in another city. But she can’t come—no money for the trip.
Then she said something that made Marina’s scalp prickle:
— I think we need to help her. Chip in for the daughter’s ticket!
— We are not giving money to anyone, Marina said sharply.
— Wow—stingy, aren’t you! her mother-in-law snapped. A person is suffering and you only think about money!
— Lyudmila Georgievna, we barely know this woman.
— But I’ve already become friends with her, she declared proudly. And I promised we would help!
Marina went rigid. Her mother-in-law had started making decisions for their family.
— You had no right to promise anything, Marina said.
— And who am I? Lyudmila Georgievna pouted. I’m Alexey’s mother. I have a voice in this house!
That evening when Alexey came home, his mother immediately ambushed him with the story.
— Son, we have to help that woman, she insisted. Can we find five or six thousand?
— Mom, what do we have to do with this? Alexey asked, baffled.
— Because we’re good people! she retorted. And your Marina is stone-hearted. She refuses to help!
Alexey looked at his wife guiltily.
— Maybe we really should help, he suggested uncertainly.
— Alexey! Marina exploded. We’re not obligated to bankroll the whole building!
— No one said bankroll, Lyudmila Georgievna cut in. Just help once. You’ve got money!
You’ve got money. Again. Marina realized her mother-in-law truly believed she was a full-fledged owner in their home.
— I’m against it, Marina said firmly.
— And I’m for it, Lyudmila Georgievna shot back. And Alexey is for it too. Right, son?
Alexey stayed silent, and his mother took that as agreement.
— Wonderful, she said smugly. Tomorrow I’ll give Tamara Sergeyevna the money for the ticket!
The next day Marina came home from work and found that five thousand rubles had vanished from their cash stash.
— Lyudmila Georgievna! she called.
— Yes, dear? her mother-in-law answered sweetly.
— Where’s the money?
— What money? Lyudmila Georgievna asked, wide-eyed.
— From the nightstand. Five thousand!
— Oh, that! she brightened. I gave it to Tamara Sergeyevna—for her daughter’s ticket!
Marina felt the fuse inside her snap.
— You took our money without permission!
— So what? Lyudmila Georgievna shrugged. We decided yesterday. Alexey agreed!
— Alexey didn’t say anything!
— Silence means consent! her mother-in-law declared triumphantly.
That was too much. Marina grabbed her phone and called her husband.
— Alexey, your mother took five thousand from our stash without asking!
— Mom, is that true? he asked her.
— True, son! For a good deed, Lyudmila Georgievna confirmed.
— But Mom… you can’t do that…
— And how am I supposed to do it? she protested. Ask permission every time? I’m not a stranger!
Right then Marina understood: this couldn’t continue.
Marina didn’t sleep all night. She lay awake thinking how they were supposed to live like this. Her mother-in-law had settled in, made herself comfortable, and refused to move.
In the morning Lyudmila Georgievna woke up cheerful.
— Marina, let’s do a deep clean today! she announced briskly. On Sunday the girls are coming again, and there’s dust on the chandelier!
— There won’t be any girls, Marina said quietly.
— What? her mother-in-law frowned.
— I said: no more gatherings in my house.
Lyudmila Georgievna stared at her.
— Have you lost your mind? she snapped. You’re going to offend people?
— I’m not offending anyone. This is my home—my rules.
— Your home? her mother-in-law snorted. And what about Alexey? Isn’t he the owner?
At that moment Alexey walked out of the bathroom, drying his face with a towel.
— Mom, what’s all the shouting? he asked.
— Your wife won’t let people come over! Lyudmila Georgievna complained. She’s gone heartless!
— Alexey, tell your mother the gatherings are canceled, Marina demanded.
Alexey looked from his wife to his mother, confused.
— Maybe every week is a bit much… he began hesitantly.
— Well, look at you! Lyudmila Georgievna flared. Ready to let your own mother down! I already told everyone!
— Then meet somewhere else, Marina said sharply.
Lyudmila Georgievna boiled over.
— Somewhere else? Where— in a basement?
— In a basement, then! Marina finally snapped. I don’t care where, just not here!
Her mother-in-law went rigid.
— Alexey! she shrieked. Do you hear how your wife talks to me?
— Marina, why are you doing this… Alexey tried to step in.
— How else should I do it? Marina burst out. Your mother took our money without permission! Turned our apartment into a gossip den! And you’re still protecting her!
Alexey said nothing. And Lyudmila Georgievna delivered her signature line:
— After everything I do for you—ungrateful!
— And what exactly do you do? Marina shot back. Criticize my cooking? Redo my cleaning? Spread gossip with the neighbors?
— I’m putting the home in order! her mother-in-law shouted. It was a mess before me!
— What mess? Marina stared. It’s always clean here!
— Oh please! Lyudmila Georgievna waved her off. The sink is dirty, the flowers aren’t watered!
Marina understood arguing was pointless. Her mother-in-law had an excuse for everything.
— Lyudmila Georgievna, maybe it’s time you went home, Marina said directly.
— Home to what? her mother-in-law narrowed her eyes. They still haven’t turned the heat on.
— They turned it on ages ago. October is ending!
— So what? It’s still cold there! Here it’s warm and cozy!
And free, Marina added to herself.
— Besides, Lyudmila Georgievna continued, I’m needed here. I help Alexey, I’m waiting for my granddaughter!
— What granddaughter? Marina didn’t understand.
— So when are you going to have children? her mother-in-law demanded. I’m sixty-four—I want to hold a grandbaby!
That was the peak of audacity. Marina went pale.
— That’s none of your business, she said through clenched teeth.
— How is it none of my business? Lyudmila Georgievna blinked. I’m the future grandmother! And it’s time—you’re not getting younger!
Alexey turned red and dashed out of the room.
— Mom, enough! he shouted from the hallway.
— Enough of what? she asked innocently. I’m telling the truth!
Then she added in a whisper to Marina:
— You two sit here like selfish people. Only thinking about yourselves.
That was the final straw.
— That’s it, Marina said. I’ve had enough. Lyudmila Georgievna, pack your bags. You’re going home.
— And if I don’t want to? her mother-in-law asked boldly.
— Then I’ll leave.
Lyudmila Georgievna burst into laughter.
— Oh, come on. Where would you go? Alexey is my son. The apartment is his!
— We’ll see, Marina hissed—and went to pack.
Half an hour later she stood in the entryway with a bag.
— Alexey, I’m going to my mom’s, she told her husband. When your mother leaves, you’ll call me.
— Marina, don’t be childish, Alexey tried to reason with her.
— Childish? Marina repeated. Your mother is the one behaving like a child. I’m simply protecting my home.
And she slammed the door behind her.
Lyudmila Georgievna was stunned. She hadn’t expected Marina to actually go.
— Son, what’s wrong with her? she asked helplessly. We argued—so what?
— Mom, do you really not get it? Alexey said tiredly.
— Get what? she asked, genuinely confused.
— You took our money without permission. You’re hosting parties in someone else’s apartment.
— But I’m not a stranger! Lyudmila Georgievna protested. I’m your mother!
Alexey sighed. Explaining anything to his mother was impossible.
Marina spent three days at her parents’ home. Alexey called, begged her to come back, promised he’d talk to his mother.
— Has she left? Marina asked.
— Not yet… Alexey answered uncertainly.
— Then there’s nothing to talk about.
On the fourth day, something happened that no one expected.
Left alone in the apartment, Lyudmila Georgievna decided to do something “useful.” She started laundry and ran the machine on the highest setting.
But something went wrong. Maybe she poured in too much detergent, maybe the machine malfunctioned—but an hour later water began pouring out of the bathroom.
She tried to fix it herself and only made it worse. A plumber had to be called.
— Ma’am, you’ve got quite a flood here, the repairman said. You’ve soaked the neighbors downstairs.
Lyudmila Georgievna panicked. Downstairs lived none other than Tamara Sergeyevna—the same neighbor she’d “befriended.”
— Lyudmila Georgievna! Tamara screamed as she came upstairs. My entire kitchen is under water! The ceiling is leaking!
— Oh, Tamaročka, I didn’t mean to! Lyudmila Georgievna sobbed. The machine broke!
— And where are the owners? the neighbor demanded.
Lyudmila Georgievna felt herself trapped.
— My son is at work, and my daughter-in-law… she hesitated. My daughter-in-law left.
— Left? Tamara Sergeyevna looked surprised.
— We had a fight, Lyudmila Georgievna admitted. She had complaints about me.
Tamara Sergeyevna studied her.
— And what did you fight about?
— Oh, nonsense, Lyudmila Georgievna waved it off. I invited friends over, and she was against it. She’s stingy.
— But that isn’t your home, Tamara Sergeyevna said cautiously.
— And what does that matter? Lyudmila Georgievna blinked. Alexey is my son!
The neighbor went quiet for a moment.
— How long have you been living here, Lyudmila Georgievna?
— About a month, I guess, she sighed. I was bored at home.
Tamara Sergeyevna shook her head.
— I see… And who’s going to pay for the repairs?
That was the question Lyudmila Georgievna feared most.
— I don’t know, she said helplessly. My son will figure it out.
But when Alexey came home and saw the damage—wet floors, ruined parquet—he went pale.
— Mom… what did you do? he asked, staring at the mess.
— I didn’t mean to, son! she cried. The machine broke!
The plumber explained that repairs would cost around thirty thousand rubles, plus compensation for the neighbors.
— Where are we supposed to get that kind of money? Alexey muttered, shaken.
— But you have it, his mother reminded him. There’s money in your account!
Alexey stared at her—and suddenly everything clicked. Marina had been right.
— Mom, he said quietly, tomorrow you’re going home.
— Home? Lyudmila Georgievna panicked. But the apartment is flooded!
— We’ll find workers, we’ll fix it. But you’ll be living in your own place.
— Son, what are you doing? she protested. It’ll dry out! It’s nothing!
— No, Mom. Enough. Alexey’s voice was firm.
The next day he called a taxi and took his mother to the bus station.
— Alexey, why are you throwing me out? she sniffled. I only wanted what’s best!
— Mom, you’ve caused forty thousand rubles’ worth of damage, he said, exhausted. And that’s just the start.
— Forty thousand, so what? she waved it off. You’ve got money!
You’ve got money. Again.
In that moment Alexey finally understood she truly believed they owed it to her.
— Mom, we earned that money, he said calmly. And we’ll decide how to spend it.
— You’ve become greedy, she sulked. You didn’t use to be like this!
— Enough, Mom. Get on the bus. Go home.
When the bus pulled away, Alexey called his wife.
— Marina, Mom left. Come home.
— Really? Marina didn’t believe him.
— Really. And I realized you were right. Forgive me.
Marina returned that evening and was horrified by the flood damage.
— At least you’re okay, she sighed, hugging Alexey.
— Do we have money for repairs? he asked.
— We do. In another stash, Marina smiled. The one your mother didn’t know about.
Lyudmila Georgievna called for another week, complaining about loneliness and the cold in her apartment.
— Maybe I should come back? she suggested timidly. Just for a little while…
— No, Mom, Alexey answered firmly. Live at your place. We’ll visit you.
A month later his mother called with cheerful news:
— Son, I joined a drama club! And I made new friends! It’s so interesting!
Marina finally breathed easy. Lyudmila Georgievna had found something to occupy her.
— Just don’t tell her where the new stash is, Marina whispered to her husband.
— I won’t, Alexey promised. Now I finally understand what she meant by “you’ve got money.”
They laughed, remembering their mother-in-law’s favorite line.
Before long, peace and quiet returned to their home. No one criticized Marina’s cooking, moved the plants around, or hosted tea parties with strangers.
— It’s so good to be home without guests, Marina said as she climbed into bed.
— Especially without those kinds of guests, Alexey agreed.
And that night they slept soundly—no longer afraid someone would lecture them, rearrange their life, or take money without asking.
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