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Tatiana had always been known for her punctuality. In particular, she could not allow herself to be late for her mother-in-law’s family celebration, especially on the day when Galina Petrovna, her husband Sergey’s mother, was celebrating her sixtieth birthday. Galina Petrovna was a woman of iron principles who considered punctuality a sign of good upbringing. … Read more

My Mother-in-Law’s Words My mother-in-law uttered those words between the “for the birthday girl” toast and the “for mutual support” toast, loudly and with a smile, as if she were talking about the weather. I froze, glass in hand. The guests were laughing; some were reaching to refill their glasses, others were serving themselves “Olivier” … Read more

Listen… I need money,» Lena heard her brother’s slurred voice again on the phone. Oleg had been calling her almost every week with the same request – for money. He said he was starving, but she knew exactly where the money would really go. «I can’t help you right now. There’s still a few days … Read more

She felt that she had become a burden to everyone, including her son, grandson, and granddaughter. She knew that all her subordinates in her vast office referred to her as «the old woman.» She involuntarily walked over to the mirror: «Am I really that old? Seventy, but I look fantastic,» she twirled around, examining herself … Read more

Nadia regained consciousness in the intensive care unit and realized that her life would never be the same again. She heard the words spoken by her husband. The snow-white walls, the monotonous beep of the machines, the sharp smell of antiseptic—everything overwhelmed her as she started coming to. Her head buzzed, her body felt foreign, … Read more

If we believe the storyteller, the events that laid the foundation for this story took place in 1983. … Natalia Mikhailovna was a music teacher. She was loved by both children and parents for her ability to maximize the musical potential of her students. At the age of fifty-five, she retired, but she couldn’t sit … Read more

The morning air in Zavrazhye was filled with the smell of frozen earth and smoke from chimneys. A green «Ural» truck rumbled down the main street, carrying bags of sand mixture — they were planning to build a modular club on the site of the old barracks. Fedya the excavator operator, sharply turning the wheel, … Read more

Vera parked her car in front of a neat two-story house and glanced at her watch — she had arrived half an hour earlier than the appointed time.   At the last moment, the idea struck her to surprise her sister by buying her favorite blueberry pie from that very bakery on the corner. Natalia … Read more

On that January morning, Sergey, as usual, arrived at work by nine. He greeted the security guard, Uncle Kolya, and made his way to his fourth-floor office. The office smelled of coffee as always—Mikhailych, his neighbor to the right, was busy brewing his strong coffee with cinnamon. Just another ordinary day, one of many over … Read more

Vera flinched at Oleg’s harsh voice. She was carefully putting away the ironed clothes in the closet, trying not to disturb her husband, who was sprawled on the couch in front of the television. «Olezhek, I’m purposely avoiding your way so as not to block the screen,» she said in an apologetic tone. Despite the … Read more