Two years. Exactly two years since he’s no longer with us. Sveta stood by the window, gazing at the gray industrial landscape. The factory pipes released plumes of smoke into the sky, just like they did that day — the day everything collapsed. When the world turned upside down and split into “before” and “after.” … Read more
Is it that hard for you?” asked her husband. “It’s not hard!” Svetka replied. “Are you afraid of spending money?” “No, I’m not!” “Then what’s the problem?” “I don’t want to!” the girl replied, quoting the beloved professor Preobrazhensky when he was asked to donate magazines for the children of Germany. But they turned to … Read more
Spring was confidently taking hold. Outside the window, the sun shone brightly, filling the air with a sense of freshness and warmth. Yet inside the old train station waiting hall, everything remained the same — heavy, musty, as if time had frozen there many years ago. The walls, covered with peeling paint, wooden benches, and … Read more
The end of summer was unusually hot. The sun blazed mercilessly, as if trying to scorch everything alive. At the crossroads by the roadside, grandmothers had set up with handmade baskets. Inside were homemade apples smelling of orchards, fresh greens, juicy parsley and dill, cucumbers twisted like old cloves, and tomatoes—juicy, fragrant, freshly picked from … Read more
My aunt repeatedly warned: «Be careful with her.» I shrugged it off at the time, but now, when it comes to property issues, I realized that family ties are severed without the slightest regret. Igor only managed to call late in the evening: «What were these talks between you and mom?» — «What did she … Read more
Katya looked at Roman in stunned disbelief. She couldn’t accept his words — they seemed absurd to her. How was this even possible? “Rom, please tell me you’re joking?” she said in a trembling voice. “Say it’s just a silly game. We’ll laugh, and then you’ll hug me like always. Please say it, Romochka…” She … Read more
Valya found out by accident that her husband had another woman — she went to the dry cleaner’s to pick up his suit, and along with the suit they gave her a huge floral dress. She said it was a mistake, but the girl with strict glasses pointed with her manicured finger to the logbook. … Read more
Mother left on Wednesday afternoon and told her daughter not to go outside. When Polinka went to bed, the stove was still warm, but by morning the house had grown cold. Mother was gone. The girl got out from under the blanket, put her feet into felt boots, and ran to the kitchen. Nothing had … Read more
She had to grow up early — at twelve years, six months, and three days. Not on the day her mother died, but earlier: her mother was hospitalized, and her father said that Yana was now the eldest. That she must take her brothers to kindergarten, pick them up, cook lunch, and generally do everything … Read more
Anastasia received an apartment as a gift from her parents for her twenty-fifth birthday. It was small, but her own, in a good neighborhood with decent neighbors. Her parents gave up nearly all their savings to buy their daughter a home. It was truly a gift from fate. At first, Anastasia could hardly believe that … Read more