My husband’s mother showed up out of the blue, without any warning. And true to her usual form when visiting her son, she started lecturing us right away.
“I just don’t get it—why are you flying to the beach again? For the third time this year! That’s just too much! Such expenses are so costly!”
“We never borrowed money from you, so you don’t get to tell us how to spend ours!” Rita replied firmly.
Her mother-in-law was infuriating her again. Honestly, just like always.
“It’s not the third, it’s the second time—can’t you count?” Maxim tried to push back at his mother. “If you don’t want to watch Artyom, just say so. There’s no need to make things up.”
“How can you call it the second when it’s the third!” the persistent mother-in-law wouldn’t let it go. “You went somewhere this winter, at the start of summer you flew to Sochi—I remember. And now you’re going again.”
“That trip in winter was last year, before New Year’s,” Maxim tried to clarify, even though he knew it was pointless and his mother wouldn’t be convinced.
“Tatyana Arnoldovna, this is a pointless conversation. What’s there to argue about? And really—why does it matter to you how many times we go on vacation? It’s not like we’re using your money, right?” the annoyed daughter-in-law tried to get a word in.
“The last thing I’d want is you using my money! If it were up to me, I wouldn’t let you go even once. What is this bourgeois attitude—flying to the other side of the world? Spending that kind of money! Aren’t there enough beautiful places in our own region to relax? You should go there. Better yet—in my country house. You could actually help your mother out for once! That would at least be of some use from you.”
For days, Maxim and Rita had been persuading his mother to watch five-year-old Artyom while they vacationed in the Dominican Republic. Tatyana Arnoldovna rattled off a dozen reasons why she couldn’t and didn’t want to do it. The main one being that a third vacation in one year was pure indulgence and a bad habit of wasting money.
“So what do we do? We’ll have to ask Nastya. Maybe she’ll agree to watch Artyom? Plus, our son would probably have fun with her Danil. Isn’t he five too?” Rita remembered her husband’s cousin after the mother-in-law turned them down.
“Let’s try, we’ll talk to her. Maybe she’ll say yes,” Maxim replied, not sounding very enthusiastic.
The thing is, this trip wasn’t planned at all and happened quite suddenly. First, both Maxim and Rita received great quarterly bonuses—more than they expected. They worked at the same company in the gas industry. And then, just the other day, Anna, their regular travel agent, called. She told them there was a great deal on a trip for two to the Dominican Republic—someone had canceled their booking just a week before departure. So, the couple decided that with everything falling into place, it was finally time to fulfill their long-time dream and visit this legendary destination their friends and colleagues had told them so much about.
Just a few days before the trip, Rita and Maxim still couldn’t figure out who would look after their son. Rita’s parents lived far away in another city—and even if they could, both were working. And Maxim’s mother still refused to help, firmly saying no to staying with her grandson.
Still, today she decided to drop by for a visit, acting as if nothing was wrong. Rita couldn’t hide her resentment towards her mother-in-law—because of her, their holiday plans could fall apart. None of the relatives they asked could take care of their little son for those days. Maxim’s cousin Nastya, who was their last hope, called to say her whole family was down with the flu.
“Sorry, Maxim, but it’s just not possible for us. Everyone here is sick with runny noses and fever. I would absolutely help if I could, but this is just the way things are right now.”
Tatiana Arnoldovna wandered around the apartment, scrutinizing the suitcases and things they had packed for the trip.
“So, you’re really going? Packing up and everything. Don’t you feel bad about the money you’re spending, huh?” she started her favorite tune. “And you clearly don’t care about your little son, or his poor mother and all her illnesses.”
“Mom, what is it you want? If you came over just to argue, this is really not a good time,” Maxim said irritably. “We’ve got enough problems as it is.”
“What kind of problems do you have? Not sure what to do with your money? Problems, really!” his mother snapped, unable to hide her frustration. “If only I had your kind of problems, I’d have nothing to worry about!”
“Tatiana Arnoldovna, would you kindly explain why you’re so worried about our money?” Rita finally burst out.
“Of course I care! I’m not an idiot; I know exactly how much trips like this cost. Friends of mine who went to your precious Dominican Republic told me all about it. I just can’t wrap my head around spending your last money on such luxury. You’re not some royal heirs, and there’s certainly no blue blood in your veins!”
“Oh mom, you’ve cracked me up! But maybe there is royal blood! I should really look into who my real father was,” Maxim couldn’t help but chime in, a little out of place.
“Stop it! How can you say such things?” his mother protested, offended. “Your father Viktor was from an ordinary working family. You know that perfectly well.”
“And what makes you think this is our last money?” Rita suddenly asked. “Maxim and I have good jobs, and you know that. We live on our own money, never borrow from anyone. So, excuse us, but we won’t be asking your permission about how we spend it. Is that clear?”
“And that’s exactly the problem—not asking your elders. A little advice wouldn’t hurt you, you know! But no, you think you’re all grown up and smart enough to handle everything yourself. But the moment you need something, you run to your parents, begging for help because you can’t manage on your own.”
“Mom, are you going to give it a rest today or not?” Maxim tried to reason with her. “We’re tired of hearing the same lecture every time! Rita and I aren’t ten years old—we don’t need your constant advice.”
Rita slipped into another room to avoid a full-blown argument with her mother-in-law. There, she tried reaching her friend again and again, hoping to ask her to watch her son for a few days. It felt risky, almost like leaving her child with a stranger, but right now, Rita couldn’t see any other option.
“You said you wanted to finish the renovations in the apartment, and yet here you are, planning another trip to the sea,” his mother nagged him once more.
“We do want to finish them, and we will. As soon as the designer prepares the project for us, we’ll get it done. What else are you worried about? We’ll fix up the apartment, and we’ll buy a second car for Rita. We’ll do it all—money isn’t an issue! We work hard for this, Mom!”
“Now that’s a surprise, really!” Tatiana Arnoldovna threw her hands up. “Why on earth do you need a second car? You both work at the same office! You even commute together.”
It was clear that this news didn’t sit well with her at all.
“Mom, this is just something we’ve decided. When our son starts school, Rita will take him. She’ll drive him to different clubs and sports sections. It’s way more convenient than always relying on me. And I won’t always be able to help them,” he explained.
“Why do you keep on making such reckless purchases? If you were oil tycoons, maybe I’d get it, but as it stands—what’s the point of buying another car? You’re just throwing your money around—there’s my answer!” Tatiana Arnoldovna gave her verdict.
“We didn’t ask for your advice,” Rita said as she returned to the room, completely exhausted by her mother-in-law’s attitudes.
“Don’t you talk back to me! Have some respect—you’ve taken up this habit of hurting your mother! I’m telling you, stop wasting money like this. It’s unreasonable. I understand you’re over the moon about your earnings right now, but spending left and right is not a wise choice.”
“Mom, money’s meant to be spent! That’s why we work—for the chance to earn and then spend!” Max was starting to lose his patience too.
“If you’ve got nowhere to put your money, give it to my Antosha,” his mother suddenly suggested.
“What!?” both spouses exclaimed at once.
“What did you just say, Mom?” Max asked, bewildered.
“Who exactly are we supposed to give it to?” Rita wanted clarification.
“To Antosha. Anton. Your younger brother, Max. I think I made myself perfectly clear. Why keep asking?”
“And why on earth should I give my hard-earned money to a grown man who just refuses to earn his own? And anyway, Tatiana Arnoldovna, what does he need it for? He’s doing just fine under your wing. Isn’t that true?”
“Mom, where did you even get such a crazy idea? Why does Antosha need money? Please elaborate,” Max asked in disbelief.
“What do you mean, why? Is he not a human being too? Doesn’t he have dreams or things he wants in life?”
“He can dream about anything he wants, but first he needs to finish school, then get a job. Why won’t he finish his degree? He quit and now lounges around your place, enjoying your pastries and buns,” Max said, upset. “He could find a part-time job and keep studying, just like I did back in the day.”
— He will! He’ll study, and he’ll find a little side job. When you give him some money, Anton will buy himself a small apartment, closer to the university. Right now it’s such a hassle for him to get there—changing buses, riding so far. It’s just not convenient at all.
— So you’re telling me that you expect my husband and me to buy your son an apartment? Did I get that right? — Rita couldn’t believe her ears. — I’ve honestly never heard anything so crazy.
— Well, yes. What’s so strange about that? Why call it crazy? I think I’m suggesting something sensible. You buy him a small apartment. You can even register it under your own name. Either way, it’ll be useful for Artyom in the future. For now, Anton can live there. I figure he’ll be fine for the next fifteen years at least! That way he can start building his life—and maybe even find himself a bride.
— Mother, your imagination never disappoints and your quick thinking is something else, — Maxim said, sighing tiredly.
— Yes, I am clever, — the mother-in-law complimented herself. — So, are you giving Anton the money? Can I go ahead and share the good news with him?
— No! Absolutely not! Let him get a job and earn everything himself, — her son snapped sharply. — This is just ridiculous, even hearing it out loud makes me laugh!
— Rita, you’re also against helping my precious boy? And who are you always calling instead of listening to your husband’s mother? — Tatiana Arnoldovna suddenly shouted in frustration.
— Thanks to you, we’re in a difficult spot. We still haven’t managed to find anyone to look after Artyom. You flat-out refused to help! And as far as the money goes, I completely agree with my husband. Your youngest son is lazy. Let him find a job, then maybe he’ll finally understand how hard it is to earn money.
— I’ll take my grandson. I’ll stay with him, — the woman exclaimed suddenly. — Just promise me you’ll buy Anton the apartment, and I’ll take Artyom in right away for as long as you need.
— That’s blatant blackmail! — Maxim protested, shocked. — I never expected this from you, mom!
— This is the last straw! — Rita was stunned by her mother-in-law’s attitude.
— You won’t regret this? — the woman asked, her eyes narrowing with anger.
— No, we won’t regret it. And let me say one thing about Artyom. You’re going to take him anyway and watch him while we’re gone. You’re going to do it, mother, because he’s your only grandchild right now, just so you know! If you refuse, then we’ll stop coming to see you. Forever! And you won’t be welcome in our home anymore. And you won’t get to see your grandson at all! That’s that. So don’t you dare give us ultimatums. We can give them too, and just as well as you do!
At that moment, Maxim was more determined than ever. He felt hurt and angry. Why did their mother always care so much about the youngest son, but never about his problems?
Yes, he’d achieved everything on his own. He studied hard. He took any job—even the worst ones—until management finally noticed him and promoted him. Maxim bought his own apartment and car. He’d never asked his mother for a loan, ever. But his younger brother always relied on their parents. Since childhood, he was used to having everything handed to him on a silver platter. But that does not mean Maxim should now carry his grown-up brother on his back for the rest of his life. That’s just not going to happen!
“As you wish. You know best. You all think you’re so smart now. Just as long as it doesn’t matter if you hurt your own mother,” the mother-in-law said with a pout, then left for home in silence.
“How heartless they are!” she thought as she walked away. “But my youngest son, he’s different. Kind, gentle, but that’s why he’s so weak-willed. That’s why luck never seems to be on his side. Who else but me will help him? No one. Looks like I’ll have to take out a loan. There’s just no way around it, now that Maxim refused to help.”
Two days later, Maxim and Rita left for their vacation without a hitch, while little Artyom stayed behind with his grandma, Tatyana Arnoldovna.
“Let them fly off, those bourgeois of yours, wherever they want. Let them swim, sunbathe, eat all sorts of strange foreign nonsense—probably awful stuff, if you ask me, my dear boy,” the woman said as she served Artyom pancakes. “Let them drink their foreign wine. But you and I, we’ll have our pancakes with sour cream here, right, my darling? It’s always nicer with grandma. Grandma loves her grandson. And she won’t let those rich folks come between us.”