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Marina sighed, staring at the computer screen. The numbers in the report blurred before her eyes—it was already eleven at night, and she was still at the office. Being the head of the marketing department at a large IT company demanded total commitment, but the pay matched the effort. At thirty-two, she earned more than … Read more

— Mom, can I come in? I need to talk, — Natalia stood in the doorway of her parents’ apartment, clutching a large bag. — Come in, but take off your shoes carefully, I just cleaned the floors, — her mother stepped aside to let her in. — Your dad’s home, reading the newspaper. The … Read more

Vera Vasilyevna Loshkareva, a waitress at the restaurant “Skatert-Samobranka,” was changing into her uniform before her shift and listening in on her colleagues’ conversations. “She searched for him for thirty years, and met him on a cruise ship,” Zinaida was telling the plot of a movie. “Just like that, recognized him after thirty years? Nonsense,” … Read more

— Daughter, don’t worry about me. Right now, you must not quarrel with your father. Please, don’t try to defend me.” Julia remembered these words from her mother forever. She was only fourteen then, and in her young heart, it felt as if the world had collapsed overnight. Her mother’s words sounded like a warning, … Read more

Semyon Petrovich, or simply Petrovich — that’s what everyone who occasionally stopped by this forgotten-by-God place called him — with a strained groan plunged his shovel into the heavy, damp earth. Another day, like hundreds before. He had been working here, at the old village cemetery, for twenty years now, ever since the noisy and … Read more

“Nastya, we’re expecting you on Sunday at two o’clock!” — Mom’s tone was firm and left no room for doubt. “Okay, Mom, I’ll be there. Should I bring something?” — the girl sighed heavily: another ruined weekend! It would have been much better to spend Friday evening cleaning and cooking, go to some party on … Read more

“Finally,” I breathed out as the key turned in the lock. Viktor entered the apartment, dropped his travel bag on the floor, and wearily ran a hand over his face. Six months on a work rotation, six months I hadn’t seen him. He smelled of the train, dust, and a foreign city. I wanted to … Read more

— Lena can’t go without a car anymore. She needs to get to training, then to her internship. And you’re just sitting at home now, the car is going unused. Arina at first didn’t believe it and, frowning, asked again: — Why should I give my car to Lena? — Arina, you’re a mother now. … Read more

— And who said I gave permission to rearrange the furniture in my apartment? — Natasha finally snapped. — And who’s going to forbid it? You? — her mother-in-law laughed. Natasha pressed her hospital card to her chest, as if trying to hide her diagnosis from prying eyes. The clinic corridor was noisy, but she … Read more

— Mom, are you going on the night shift again today? — Katya asked, looking at her mother. — Yes, my dear. Just you and Yura don’t get into trouble, okay? — Marina gently stroked her daughter’s hand. — Of course, we’ll behave, but you hardly ever rest, — Katya persisted. — Maybe you could … Read more