He sat on the cold metal bench, wrapped in a worn-out cloak—once worn while working as a master at the housing office. His name was Nikolai Andreevich. A pensioner, widower, father of a single son, and, as he had once thought, a happy grandfather. But all of that collapsed one day. When his son brought … Read more
Once, Marina studied at university, dreaming of becoming an economist and had promising prospects. Her professors noted her analytical mind, sharp eye for numbers, and ability to see things others didn’t notice. It seemed like everything was ahead of her. But now, she was just happy to have gotten a job as a cleaner at … Read more
Maria flinched at the director’s sharp command but did not stop wiping the baseboards—after six years of working as a cleaner at “FinProekt,” she had learned to be invisible. “Hey, you!” he snapped his fingers. “Maria? Tomorrow, dress decently and be on the ninth floor at eleven.” She lifted her eyes. In front of her … Read more
“Hello, Igor…” Galina called her husband, terribly anxious. “Are you at work?” “Well, yeah…” he answered after a short pause. “Yeah? Well, okay.” “What’s up?” “My mom just called. She said she saw you with some blonde at a café. She’s always making things up… I know you’re eating at work. By the way, the … Read more
Nine-year-old Alyosha came home from school in a good mood, and after waiting for his parents to return from work, he declared: — Mom, Dad, starting today, I will only do the household chores if you pay me for it! — Who put that idea in your head? — asked Mom, Sveta. — No one, … Read more
Sasha had been working as a cashier for three years. He didn’t dream of leaving, but he didn’t think he’d stay for long either. The store was small—peeling walls, three rows of shelves, dim light that was more annoying than helpful. But it was the only store in the area. Every day was the same: … Read more
Maria had always looked forward to Sundays. On that day, the house filled with a special kind of quiet—Andrei left early for his run, and she could be alone for a while. Not in anger, not in resentment—just with herself. To get things done, to think, to remember who she was. Today she decided to … Read more
The phone call woke Olga. Looking at the clock, she saw it was still not even six in the morning. On the other end of the line, her father’s voice trembled, unlike his usual tone, as if he was holding back tears. — Olyenka, dear… They took mom to the hospital. Something with her heart… … Read more
Katya, there’s something…,” Alexey said, nervously shifting in his chair as he sat at the table. “You know I’m leaving for a business trip tomorrow, right?” “I know,” Ekaterina tensed up. Alexey seemed unusually worried. She started to feel anxious as well. “What happened? Did they ask you to stay on the business trip longer?” … Read more
Yulenka, if you don’t start improving in physics and mathematics, they won’t admit you to college,” her mother worried. “I just can’t get these subjects, mom.” “Maybe we should hire a tutor?” “We have a new teacher for physics and math — Gennady Mikhailovich. He’s just out of university. Very smart. Maybe you could ask … Read more