“Hi, Mom…” Svetlana tried to maintain a steady tone, yet her voice betrayed an unmistakable tremor of anxiety.
“Oh, Svetochka! Why the surprise visit? I wasn’t expecting you today,” Nina Petrovna replied without looking away from the jars of pickles she was busy sealing.
Svetlana froze at those words. “Not expecting me” cut deep, stabbing like a knife. Lately, it seemed as if no one was anticipating her arrival, anywhere or at any time.
“Why are you standing there like a statue? Come in, don’t just linger in the doorway! I’m busy sealing cucumbers. Are you here just to visit or did something happen? Is Lyosha alright?”
“Everything’s fine with Lyosha and Sergey,” Svetlana responded softly. “They rented an apartment for the start. Sergey paid three months rent upfront, and after that, they’ll manage on their own…”
Her eyes met her mother’s, who was as always engulfed in household tasks. Since childhood, Svetlana remembered her mother constantly rushing with phrases like “Hurry up, hurry!”, “I’ll run to the store, there are discounts,” “Sit there, I’ll do it myself,” and “Don’t bother me, can’t you see I’m busy?”. Nina Petrovna’s life revolved around daily chores, often leaving her daughter to be told “later.”
“Make your own tea, alright? The jars still need sterilizing,” her mother said without pause.
“Okay…” Svetlana poured tea, despite having no desire to drink.
“So, what brought you here?”
“Mom… have you ever thought about divorcing Dad?” Svetlana whispered hesitantly.
“What? Why on earth would I want to? What could be better? All men are the same. What’s wrong with you?”
“I… I want to file for divorce…”
“WHAT?! What happened? Is he cheating on you?!” Nina Petrovna was so shocked she dropped a jar.
“Mom… Sergey and I feel like strangers. Lyosha has grown up and moved in with Katya. I think it’s time…”
“Nonsense!” her mother exclaimed. “Today is your 25th wedding anniversary, and he didn’t even remember? Asked only about his socks and breakfast time. That’s it?” Svetlana’s voice wavered.
“That’s all?!” Nina shouted angrily. “You’re mad! It’s a milestone! My husband never wasted money on flowers, and neither did I. Throwing money away is foolish, you know!”
Svetlana looked at her mother and realized she was misunderstood once again. A tear slipped down her cheek.
“And now you’re crying! Do you know what a headache this divorce will cause? Dividing the apartment, the summer house, the car… How about money division? I’m telling you, hide the cash! That nice three-room place — now divide it?”
Her mother’s harsh words weighed heavily on her heart.
Key Insight: Divorce is not only emotionally challenging but also financially and legally complicated, often making people hesitate.
“Listen, daughter, go back home and clear that nonsense from your mind. Want me to pick some peonies? They’re blooming in the yard…”
“No, thanks…” Svetlana sobbed.
“Suit yourself. Are you leaving already? By the way, they delivered sand at a discount yesterday — do you need any?”
Svetlana silently shook her head and quickly left. The atmosphere in her parents’ house felt suffocating.
She walked toward the bus stop, but then diverted towards the riverbank.
Her phone rang in her bag. She thought it might be Sergey finally remembering the anniversary, but the screen showed her son’s name.
“Yes, Lyosha?”
“Hey, Mom. Listen, can we talk? It’s urgent.”
“Sure. Let’s meet at the café ‘Lastochka’ in an hour.”
He arrived ten minutes late.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi. I ordered coffee but I don’t feel like eating.”
“Good call. I don’t have much time.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“Mom… Katya is pregnant…”
Svetlana was stunned. Lyosha had just recently moved in with his girlfriend. Becoming a grandmother at 45 was not something she had anticipated.
“Mom? Are you okay?”
“I… I just didn’t expect this. Will you manage?”
“Of course! Will you help? What did you want to say?”
“Son… how would you feel if your father and I divorced?”
“Seriously? What happened?”
“We simply… grew apart. Today marks 25 years of marriage, and he didn’t even remember.”
“Well… if you want, go ahead. I’m grown up now. I have to run…”
“Bye…”
Svetlana finished her coffee and headed home, a place she didn’t want to return to. That evening, she mechanically prepared dinner.
Sergey entered as usual in the evening, eating and chatting about work and a colleague’s new car. She nodded without truly hearing.
He left in the morning while she washed dishes, reflecting on his indifference. Yet 25 years is a lifetime. Could everything crumble just because of a forgotten anniversary? Perhaps her mother was right, and she might be overdramatizing.
The phone rang. It was Lyosha.
“Yes, son?”
“Mom, about the divorce… I’ve been thinking…”
“Do you think I’m wrong?”
“No… but we should split the apartment properly to avoid court. The three-room could be exchanged for two studios. We’ll sell the summer house and buy a two-room flat for Katya and me. Sounds perfect, right?”
“Maybe… We’ll talk later.”
“Alright. But the decision is clear. The main thing is not to make a mistake.”
Tears welled up in Svetlana’s eyes. She went down to the riverside to her favorite bench. There, an unfamiliar man was sitting.
“Mind if I sit?”
“Of course! Such nice weather!”
“Yes…” Svetlana sighed.
“You look sad…” the stranger noticed.
“Not the best mood.”
“I know how to cheer you up!” He stood and walked away, returning five minutes later with two ice creams.
“They say ice cream contains happiness hormones. Shall we test it?” he offered.
“Thank you…” Svetlana felt warmer inside.
They ate the ice cream together and she suddenly felt like a carefree girl again.
“Delicious…”
“Absolutely! By the way, we didn’t introduce ourselves. I’m Misha.”
“Svetlana.”
“Svetlana, how about a walk?”
They strolled along, with Misha sharing his dreams of traveling, the story of his recent divorce, and how he left everything to his ex-wife. His openness made Svetlana imagine a fresh start.
At home, Sergey awaited her.
“Where have you been? No dinner!”
“There won’t be any. I’m leaving.”
“Fine by me!” he muttered.
“I didn’t expect you to let me go so easily…”
“I won’t hold you back!”
One year later, as she watched Misha happily cooking her favorite pancakes in the kitchen, Svetlana realized that sometimes finding true happiness requires courage to take a step forward.
“Sometimes, the bravest choice leads to the most fulfilling new beginnings.”
In conclusion, navigating the complexities of ending a long marriage can be emotionally taxing and filled with practical challenges. However, embracing change and opening up to new opportunities can pave the way for renewed happiness and self-discovery.