When the youngest son got married, the older children had long since left home; the daughter had tied the knot and moved to Yekaterinburg with her husband, while the son had gone north for work. Света always believed the older kids wouldn’t stay in the village for long. The daughter adored a glamorous lifestyle and had spent her childhood decorating her walls with magazine pictures. The son, fascinated by geography, dreamt not of barns or gardens but of distant lands. However, her youngest, Egor, had always been her little boy. After the death of her husband, he solemnly promised her, “Mom, I will never leave you; I will always live with you.”
Standing at her late husband’s grave, Света repeatedly whispered, “How will I live without you, Васенька?” Their daughter wept as well, while the elder son remained silent and icy. Young twelve-year-old Egorka stood by her side throughout the funeral, offering his fragile shoulder. True to his word, even while studying, he returned home almost every weekend. That’s why he sought a wife willing to reside in the village. He built a home nearby but on another street, as there was no space next to his mother’s house. Egor invited Света to move in with him, but she refused – why would two mistresses be in one house?
The daughter-in-law’s name was Zoya. She had striking blue eyes and long hair reaching below her waist. Egor brought her from the city where they had studied together. He confessed to Света that he had courted Zoya back then, though she hadn’t paid him any attention until now. The wedding was grand and joyful, with all relatives attending. Света liked Zoya – a good girl with character, just the sort of woman Egor needed. As for her lack of housekeeping skills, Света decided she could teach her.
Their first dispute arose a week later when Света came over to help prepare soup – Egor could not go without soup due to a lifelong sensitive stomach. But Zoya snapped at Света, accusing her of having unclean hands, unsuitable for touching bread. Света chose not to argue and left. That evening, Egor asked her not to come over when he wasn’t home because Zoya got nervous.
“Don’t be offended, Mom, Zoya is just pregnant and on edge,” he explained. Света didn’t hold a grudge. Grandchildren filled the emptiness left by her scattered children and warmed her heart.
Relatives, friends, and Zoya’s sister all came to welcome the newborn. Света attempted to suggest limiting the number of visitors but was called superstitious and was sternly looked at by Zoya. Egor urged her to make tea for everyone, assuring them all were tired from travel. Света obliged – she fed them all and did the dishes, all the while gazing at her tiny granddaughter, so sweet and adorable.
“May I hold her?” she asked. Zoya threw a wary glance at Света’s hands and demanded she wash them first. “I just finished washing the dishes!” Света protested. “Exactly! That’s why! Such dirtiness!” retorted Zoya.
Zoya’s parents stared at Света, making her feel uneasy; perhaps she was missing something. In the end, Света held the baby. The enchanting scent and precious little girl melted her heart. Zoya later softened her stance, letting Света visit while Egor was at work – she couldn’t manage the house alone. Although Zoya often found reasons to criticize Света and rarely handed over the baby, Света accepted it. What else could she do? Her son loved this woman, so she had to get used to it. The only thing that truly hurt Света was Zoya’s refusal to use the pink snowsuit she had bought for the baby.
“Did you buy it at the market? My daughter won’t wear such a thing! Besides, it’s already warm; April is here, no need to swaddle the baby in that!”
The baby was named Anya, after Zoya’s sister. Egor promised to name the next daughter after her. Света doubted Zoya wanted many children, so she didn’t have high hopes. However, she was mistaken.
At Anya’s first birthday celebration, Zoya and Egor embraced and shared joyful news: they were expecting another child. Zoya’s mother gasped, claiming it was too soon, but Света remarked that her own children were also born close together, and it was all right. Zoya’s sister pressed her lips discontentedly, a habitual gesture when Света spoke. Ultimately, everyone rejoiced. Zoya blushed and said she wished for a boy.
Indeed, a boy was born and named Vasya. Света wept, overwhelmed by the choice of name – she had never dared dream of a grandson named Vasенька.
She became deeply attached to the little grandson. Zoya’s second childbirth was difficult, and afterward, she stopped resisting Света’s help with housework and caring for the children, especially the youngest, who practically spent his entire first year in Света’s arms. Zoya spent much time bedridden, complaining of headaches and frustrated by her weight gain, blaming Света for baking pies that Egor loved. In Света’s eyes, Zoya was not fat, only a little round, which was not bad at all. Still, to please her daughter-in-law, Света ceased baking pies.
Then little Vanya was born. Frail and pale, it was heartbreaking to look at him. Света expected Zoya to lie in bed for six months, but was surprised to see her fighting to care for Vanya with newfound devotion. She learned to cook, give massages, and keep the house tidy. Света took the elder children under her care, an assistance Zoya greatly appreciated.
The children grew, but Vanya remained fragile, necessitating extra help with schooling from Света, especially after their daughter disappeared in the village. The police and volunteers searched for a month until they found her in a river, confirming it was no accident. Egor was terrified and asked Света to escort the children to school. After classes, Zoya or Egor collected them.
Vanya suffered from a rare illness. Света tried to learn more from Egor, but he was resentful and struggled to accept his son’s condition. Zoya declared that Света with her nine grades of schooling wouldn’t understand. To observers, Vanya was simply pale with a large head and fluffy hair but an ordinary, intelligent boy.
Zoya adored her youngest son and was oblivious to anything else. Света had discovered before Zoya that Egor had grown interested in a store clerk named Katya and tried to shield her from this. Inevitably, the gossip reached Zoya.
One morning, the kids walked home by themselves. Vasya told Света, “Grandma, why do you guide us everywhere? Yesterday I scared away the dogs, and we didn’t get lost.”
Anya was terribly afraid of dogs. But Света couldn’t understand why Zoya hadn’t met the kids, as she was out walking with Vanya then. Zoya looked swollen, with red eyes and a sniffly nose.
“How will I ever leave the house now? Everyone will point fingers at me! I bought Vanya yogurt every day, every single day!” she wailed.
“Enough of that!” Света said sternly. “Go wash up and get yourself together. We’ll go to the store together.”
Surprisingly, Zoya obeyed her sharp command, and within the hour, they proudly headed to the central market pushing Vanya’s stroller – he still had trouble walking. Katya behind the counter lifted her head and fixed a bold stare on Света’s rival.
- “Katya, do you have butter? Only good quality; Egor loves his pies with cottage cheese, and Zoya cooks so deliciously.”
- “Also fresh cottage cheese and those expensive candies – Zoya loves them, and Egor spares no money on his beloved wife.”
- “His salary just came today; he said we can spend freely.”
Zoya caught Света’s playful mood and joined the banter. After packing their items, Katya suddenly blurted out, “They promised me a phone tomorrow. With a camera. I need your candies!”
Света slyly nudged Zoya, signaling not to worry about the phone. They said their goodbyes and left. Later that day, they baked a pie together but left no slice for Egor. Probably incensed by receiving hints from his mistress, Egor lifted the cloth covering the plate where only crumbs remained.
“You didn’t even leave me a piece?” he asked plaintively.
“Sorry, we didn’t notice it was all gone,” Света fibbed. “You should eat some borscht; it’s better for you. By the way, good news – I arranged for Zoya to start working. Remember Uncle Sasha? He opened a delivery service, and he needs a telephone operator. The pay is good, and the drivers are decent fellows who won’t bother Zoya.”
“What about Vanya?” Egor queried anxiously.
“I can manage him, right? Come on, hand over the money; Zoya needs nice clothes and a hairstyle. Hurry up!”
Egor did not dare defy his mother. He emptied his wallet as Света instructed, growing satisfied only after every bill was taken. Now he could buy a phone for his mistress with whatever was left.
Though no official arrangement was made yet, Uncle Sasha had once liked Света and agreed to hire Zoya as his second telephone operator.
“Don’t make scenes for Egor,” Света advised Zoya. “Pretend you know nothing. No affection for him – stay indifferent. Focus on the children, the house, and talk more about your work.”
Света started praising Zoya to her son – a capable hostess, attentive with children, and a beauty besides. What else could she do? If they quarreled, Zoya might move out with the children.
“The plan worked swiftly. Katya probably caused a fuss over her unreceived gift, but at home, peace reigned. The wife began leaving early and looking radiant. Egor even started picking her up from work after the driver gave her a ride a couple of times.”
Света also counseled Zoya against flirting, telling her to ask favors politely without raising suspicions. Within three months, Egor avoided the store, while Zoya blossomed. Vanya missed his mother but went out with Света more often, growing stronger. Света figured there was no need to label a child based on his limitations; the important thing was his mental strength.
On the eve of Easter, Zoya appeared rosy-cheeked and sparkling-eyed, eager to share news.
“I’m expecting a baby,” she revealed. “I saw the doctor today—it’s a girl!”
Света had long sensed a new arrival, her experienced eye reading the signs. She confirmed the gender by the shape of Zoya’s belly.
“Now we’ll have little Svetochka,” smiled Zoya. “Where is that pink snowsuit that didn’t suit Anya? I think it will come in handy; I’m due to give birth this fall.”
Света beamed, hugged her daughter-in-law, and said, “It’s there, of course! Along with the booties and hat… Ah, wait, what about…” She hesitated to ask without offending. “You know, like with Vanya…”
Zoya waved her hands reassuringly. “All is well! I didn’t want to say until everything was clear. There’s no disease—checked the genes.”
Both women sighed with relief. Life felt calm and good, with so many wonderful moments awaiting them.
In Summary:
- Strong family bonds can withstand challenges when built on love and support.
- Generational conflicts are natural but can be resolved through understanding and patience.
- A mother-in-law’s wisdom and kindness often help nurture relationships despite initial difficulties.
- The journey of parenthood brings unexpected trials and triumphs, uniting family members in care and hope.
This tale of Света and her family illustrates how respect, resilience, and affection empower people to overcome hardships and celebrate life’s blessings together.