A puddle of crimson liquid spread across the old, nicked cutting board. Veronika, sleeves of her cotton dress rolled up, separated sinews from springy muscle with almost surgical precision. The kitchen smelled of garlic, bay leaf, and homely comfort—the kind built up over years, brick by brick, like a fortress wall around her small, perfect … Read more
Five years after losing my wife, my daughter and I went to my best friend’s wedding. My world caved in the instant he lifted the bride’s veil. As Alma whispered, “Daddy, why are you crying?” the bride met my eyes—and everything shattered. I hadn’t planned to set foot at that party. My coworker Marcos practically … Read more
Sveta saw them by chance as she was leaving the bank. Anna and a man were walking into the restaurant Grand—the most expensive place in town. The stranger held the door for her and laid his hand on her lower back. Proprietary. Four months after the divorce, and Anna looked… radiant. A new coat, a … Read more
— “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
He walked into the bathroom just as I was standing in a robe, rubbing cream on my legs. Without knocking, just like he used to. Only now, his face didn’t have that confident “man of the house” smirk, but an expression as if he had just entered a mall restroom where the lights were out. … Read more
— I’m not going to eat this slop,” Darina pushed away the plate of mashed potatoes with thick meat gravy. “Rostislav, we had an agreement. I’m on a strict regimen, I’m calibrating my receptors.” My son gave me a guilty look, then looked at his wife. He reminded me of an old rope being tugged … Read more
“Mom is moving in tomorrow,” Kirill said, eagerly putting a piece of roasted chicken into his mouth. He said it as casually as if reporting tomorrow’s weather forecast. There was not a hint of doubt or question in his voice, only the statement of a fact wrapped in the smug complacency of someone who had … Read more
Mom, wait! I asked you not to touch my documents!” — Marina burst into the study, but it was already too late. Galina Petrovna was standing by the open safe, holding a folder, her face frozen in shock. In her trembling fingers, she gripped a notarized document — the will of Marina’s late grandmother, which … Read more
“Mom, wait! I told you not to touch my documents!” Marina burst into the office, but it was already too late. Galina Petrovna stood by the open safe with a folder in her hands, her face frozen in shock. Clutched in her trembling fingers was a document sealed by a notary—the will of Marina’s late … Read more
— I’ve decided—I’m going to my mom’s on Saturday. Probably for about three months. The words fell on the table between the plate of fried potatoes and the salad. They fell lightly, mundanely, like breadcrumbs. Artyom said them without breaking from his food, carefully spearing a browned piece of chicken on his fork. To him, … Read more