– Daughter, that’s it, I’ve decided that I’m leaving you, – a little worried, but quite firmly said daughter Elena. Marina was a whitewashed woman, such as they say boy-baby, with undisguised bewilderment looked at her mother:
– And where are we washed? Isn’t it to visit someone?
– No, I decided to leave for good.
– What, to Alinka’s? Who’s waiting for you there? They can barely make ends meet themselves. And here you’ll be on their necks.
– Andrei Mikhailovich, made me an offer, – the woman confessed.
– Oh, you’ve got it in your head! – Marina snarled angrily, – she was going to get married?! And who will pay the loan instead of you? You’re going to go and take your pension with them.
– So I also need something to live on.
– Look at this. Her own daughter’s life is in shambles, and she doesn’t care?! She has love!
– Marina, after your father’s death I’m paying off the fifth loan for you, and it’s not enough for you?
– I spent the money on your grandchildren. Your son-in-law is working as a laborer, do you think he has honey there?
– You’ve become obsessed with money. You think about it day and night. All you ever talk about is money.
– What’s wrong with your life? All you do is sleep and eat.
– What kind of life is that? When I moved in with you, I thought I’d be babysitting my grandchildren, but I don’t see them at all. After the birth you immediately hired a nanny, and you told me that I’m still old. Then they went to kindergarten, and then they went to school. They don’t even say hello to me. Oh, you’re reproaching me with bread, thank you!
– And how will you see them if they go to an English school? Do you know how much it all costs? And you also have to pay for textbooks, clothes, school uniform! And tutors, and their sections? Do you know how much it all costs? Only the bosses’ kids study there. I had to pay so much just to get them there…
– Because of that school, the kids don’t even speak Russian anymore.
– At least they know English better than any Englishman. When they finish school, I’ll get them into the Institute of International Relations. They’ll live abroad!
– What, Russia doesn’t suit you anymore?
– Who needs it?
– You’ve got me living worse than a prison. You even feed me by the hour.
– Mom, you have to save money, every penny counts.
– Oh, you’re so generous, two teabags a day. Until it’s dark outside, you won’t let me turn on the lights. And it’s lights out at ten o’clock. You won’t even let me heat up the kettle. Do you think I enjoy this life? And when spring comes, you send me to the dacha, and I live there alone until frost. You count every cucumber and tomato. You’re always at the market. I don’t remember when I’ve ever bought new clothes. Such a life is worse than hard labor.
– You’re not stupid and you found a groom without clothes, – said Marina angrily. – Just like that without any embarrassment you go to someone else’s man. When was the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror? Bride?
– Andrei Mikhailovich loves me as I am.
– Mother, let’s wait with the marriage. Pay off the loan and go on your way. As a woman I understand you very well.
– No, Marina, I’m already packed and packed a suitcase at the door. I’m already meeting Andrei Mikhailovich at the entrance.
– F\ck you, – she shouted in fury after her mother, – if at the most difficult time my mother turned away, then who can you rely on?
– A man in his own shoes! If you stop jumping over your head, then life will be easier. You’ve worn the children out. Your daughter’s crying in her sleep. When my son-in-law comes back, give him my regards. I’m going.
Elena took the suitcase and went to the front door. Marina threw her mother in her wake:
– I hope that mine has not taken anything?
– If you need to, then check, – said her mother and went out the door. Marina ran to the window and noticed a man picking up her suitcase, and they walked together along the sidewalk. Then they disappeared around a corner, and her daughter looked at her mother and sobbed. However, Marina was not sobbing for her mother, but from the fact that she did not know where she could get the money for the next payment. She did not want to go into the stash, since it was money she was saving for her son’s college education. She would probably give her pension to Alinka now. After all, she could give her sister every penny of her pension. Now he is a man, he will somehow feed herself! Payment in two days, and the husband will not soon transfer the money! We’ll have to give ours…
