Aunt Valya was the first to set her bag down on the veranda. She looked over the table — completely empty, covered with a checkered tablecloth, without a single plate on it. For a second, her face fell as though she had just seen something improper. “Tonya, did we come too early or something? The … Read more
“Do you even hear yourself?” Oleg snapped, as if someone had pinched him. “What do you mean, ‘without me’? Are you my wife or what? What kind of performance is this? You just pack up and leave, while I’m supposed to sit here like some useless object left on a shelf?” “Objects, darling, at least … Read more
— Lena, just look at it. Vanya needs space. A yard of his own, fresh air. We both work from home, so we need proper offices, not these little corners in the bedroom and living room. Elena automatically adjusted her headset and glanced quickly at the second monitor. The graphs in the advertising dashboard were … Read more
“Mom called. Everyone’s coming over again on Saturday,” Mikhail said, peeking into the kitchen. “Around three. She asked you to make that meat with vegetables everyone liked so much last time.” Valentina turned off the water and slowly dried her hands. Her closed work laptop lay on the table, with the notebook she had brought … Read more
— Once the baby is born, everything will be easier. Maxim will be registered here, then the child will be registered too, and later we can think about your sister. This apartment has basically been family property for years anyway, — Tamara Viktorovna said confidently. Veronika froze in the entryway before she had even taken … Read more
Natalya called around lunchtime, just as Olga was pulling the third batch of pastries out of the oven. There was so much sympathy in her voice that Olga nearly dropped the tray. “Ol, when was the last time you went to Tver?” “Saturday.” Olga shifted the tray into her left hand because she had burned … Read more
“The seller has agreed to your terms. If you’re ready, we can close the deal today,” the realtor said. Svetlana stopped in the middle of the office hallway, pressing the phone to her ear. Employees hurried past her, office doors opened and closed, and someone nearby was discussing paperwork in a rush. For several seconds, … Read more
The kettle came to a boil, and in the silence of the country-house kitchen, its whistle sounded almost like a scream. Lena poured hot water into the cups, carefully placed a saucer of ring-shaped crackers on the table, and set down a small bowl of strawberry jam — last year’s batch, left over from her … Read more
— You’re going to organize my mother’s anniversary party, and you’re paying for it yourself! — Oleg declared, placing a sheet of paper with a guest list in front of me. — I’ve already told the relatives we’re celebrating at a restaurant. Don’t make me go back and explain myself now. At the top of … Read more
Marina was washing the dishes when her phone began vibrating on the windowsill. An unfamiliar number flashed across the screen. She had no intention of answering, but a minute later it rang again, then once more. By the fourth call, she finally gave in, wiped her hands on her apron, and touched the screen with … Read more