Month: September 2025

— Sir, today is my mother’s birthday… I want to buy her flowers, but I don’t have enough money… I bought the boy a bouquet. Some time later, when I visited the grave, I saw that same bouquet lying there.

by

When Pasha was not yet five, the ground fell out from under him. His mother was gone. He stood pressed into the corner of the room, stunned, trying to understand the hush that smothered the house. Who were all these strangers? Why did they whisper, avoid his eyes, keep their hands folded like they were … Read more

My daughter packed me off to a nursing home without even realizing the building belonged to me. That was the moment I decided to teach her a lesson.

by

My name is Tamara Alexeyevna. I am seventy-four. Once, my days were full—there was a husband I adored, work that felt like calling rather than duty, a house that held warmth even in winter, and three children whose laughter braided itself into the walls. Then, ten years ago, my husband’s heart failed him. After his … Read more

— “Marinochka, open up quickly and set the table!” — the woman found a way to fend off pesky relatives

by

“Marina, open up already—we’re freezing!” came a familiar, imperious voice from behind the door. Marina froze with the keys in her hand. With her new hairstyle, spring-lilac manicure, and boutique shopping bags, she felt like a queen. There were still two hours before her romantic dinner with Igor—time to change into her new dress, light … Read more

Returned from work close to midnight, “dead on her feet,” hungry and angry. How many times had she promised herself she’d quit that damned store?

by

Midnight had finished its dark ball outside the Khrushchyovka windows when Veronika, practically dragging her feet, slid the key into the lock. It felt as if even the metal resisted, unwilling to let this exhausted shadow of a woman back in. Not “without hands and feet”—that would be too gentle. She felt like a broken … Read more

— “Too lazy to stop by a store, dear guests? Then I’m too lazy to feed you,” the hostess snapped.

by

Alyona had just kicked off her work shoes when the sharp ring of the intercom sliced through the evening quiet of the apartment. The voice on the handset sounded cheerful and carefree: “We’re almost there! Open up!” Tatyana. Her sister-in-law. The one who never thought it necessary to warn about her visits in advance. Alyona … Read more

“Your mother laid out a table fit for a restaurant for Vitya, and serves us herring with potatoes!” the wife fumed.

by

— “Mommy, where’s my bunny?” Katya tugged on Marina’s sleeve. They were standing in the entryway at her mother-in-law’s place, where they’d stopped literally for a minute—to pick up the toy. From the living room came the rich aroma of meat fried with garlic; glasses clinked, men’s laughter sounded. Marina took a step toward the … Read more

Then what are you even here for?” my fifteen-year-old son asked me when, for the first time in his life, I refused to heat up his dinner

by

Everything started with the cup. Or rather, with the sticky brown ring it left on the white engineered-stone countertop. I wiped it off for the third time that morning, and it showed up again, like a stubborn birthmark. Lyosha’s brand. A stamp of his presence in my perfect, ruler-straight world. “Lyosh!”—my voice, just as I … Read more

Mom, Dad, we’re not an ATM or a tourist camp!” — Lena ended the family drama with one phone call

by

— So, how do you like the vacation, dear? Just don’t faint from happiness!” Antonina Petrovna theatrically took off her glasses, folded her arms across her chest, and made a “million-dollar face.” “This isn’t Anapa for eight hundred rubles, it’s Sochi! Practically Europe!” she added breathily, glancing at Lena’s sandals as if they were soggy … Read more