Olga was at the store when her neighbor called her.
“Hello, Olechka. There’s some woman making noise by your door. She says she came to visit, but you’re not opening.”
“Hello, Nina Timofeyevna. We weren’t expecting any guests. That’s strange. Please tell her I’ll be home soon.”
On the way home, Olga racked her brain, trying to figure out who it could be. Guests rarely came to visit them, and when they did, it was always by agreement.
They always warned them in advance.
Olga stepped out of the elevator with two shopping bags and saw an unfamiliar woman standing by her door. She was about sixty, short, plump, and wearing a colorful dress. Next to her stood a thin, tall young man with glasses. A bulky bag sat on the floor.
“Hello. Are you here for us?”
“So this is how you welcome guests, is it? Yes, we’re here for you. Tamara Petrovna gave us the address and said Igor would help this blockhead.”
The woman waved her hand toward the young man.
“Tamara Petrovna didn’t tell us anything about you.”
“She probably told Igor. He’s her son, after all. And you’re the daughter-in-law.”
“Actually, we both live here together. Well, come in…”
Olga opened the door. The woman pushed the young man forward and followed him inside. Olga was confused. Igor was at work, and she had no idea what she was supposed to do with these people.
“My name is Valentina Nikolayevna. I’m Igor’s godmother. You can simply call me Aunt Valya. And this is my grandson, Stasik. And you must be Olga, as I understand. Tamarochka talks about you often. She’s offended that you didn’t invite her to the wedding. How could you do that to a mother?”
“We didn’t have a wedding. We simply registered the marriage, that’s all. We didn’t invite anyone.”
“Oh, in our time, that wasn’t how things were done. So, where’s your bathroom?”
Olga showed her to the bathroom and returned to the kitchen to unpack the groceries. The young man was sitting modestly on a chair.
“Please forgive us for the way this turned out. Grandma said you were expecting us…”
“It’s a confusing situation, of course…”
Olga didn’t know how to behave around these people. She went out onto the balcony and called her husband.
“Igor, some Aunt Valya has arrived here with her grandson. She says your mother was supposed to warn us. She also says she’s your godmother. Do you know anything about this?”
“This is the first I’m hearing of it. Mom is up to her usual tricks. I’ve never seen my godmother in my life, but I do remember the name. I think Mom keeps in touch with her. They left our village when I was little. I’ll call Mom now and sort it out.”
“All right. I’ll wait for you to come home.”
When Olga returned to the kitchen, she saw Aunt Valya busily arranging cups and filling the kettle with water.
“We’re hungry from the road. Can we at least have some tea?”
“I’m about to make dinner. Pilaf. Wait a little.”
“We’ll wait, of course. But first, tea. So, tell me, how is life in the big city? Tamara said Igor earns millions here. IT is a profitable profession. That’s why she decided to place Stas with him. Tamara said Igor would take him on as a programmer or whatever it’s called…”
Olga looked at the woman in astonishment. Well, this was news… Tamara Petrovna had decided everything herself. And Igor didn’t even know.
“Grandma, you told me Igor would help me get a job as a cook in a restaurant! What does IT have to do with anything?” Stas nearly jumped out of his chair.
“Calm down, Stas. Forget about being a cook. That’s all nonsense. You won’t earn millions that way. Igoryok will teach you everything, and then you’ll have your own car and apartment. There’ll even be something left over for a little gift for Grandma.”
And the guest laughed loudly, shaking all over.
“You understand, I came here because Grandma was promised that someone would help me with work. Where I live, everything is dead. I always dreamed of living in the city. My parents are alcoholics, and Grandma raised me. I finished vocational school and trained to be a cook. That’s my calling, not writing programs.”
“What do you know? You should listen to your grandmother! Just look at how people live here. An apartment in the city center, plenty of money, trips abroad. Do cooks live like that? Olya, why don’t you have children? It’s about time you gave birth. The clock is ticking, you know…”
At that moment, Igor arrived.
“Oh, my godson, you’re so big and chubby! I remember you when you were just a little boy! Do you remember Aunt Valya, your second mother?”
“Hello. Unfortunately, I don’t remember you. I called my mother. She said she decided not to warn me about your visit and wanted to make it a surprise. Well, the surprise certainly worked. But the thing is, I can’t help your grandson. We don’t hire inexperienced people without an education.”
“I didn’t even know about that, please forgive me. I came to look for work as a cook. Grandma said you would help. Grandma, it’s time for us to go…”
“Go where? It’s nighttime outside! We’ll spend the night here, and tomorrow we’ll see. They have two rooms, we’ll fit somehow. They won’t offend a godmother. Olya was just about to make pilaf…”
Olya joined the conversation.
“I suggest this option. You’ll have dinner, and I’ll help you settle into a rented apartment. Several people in our building rent apartments by the day. You won’t be staying with us. Igor and I sleep in the bedroom, and the sofa in the living room doesn’t fold out.”
“And how much does it cost to spend the night in that apartment? Expensive, I bet. I didn’t plan for extra expenses. I still need to get home, and Stas will need money here too.”
“It’s not expensive, don’t worry. Igor and I will pay. But only for one night. Considering the whole situation, Tamara Petrovna behaved badly, of course…”
“May I cook the pilaf? I make it well. You can rest for now. And then we’ll leave,” Stas suddenly offered.
Olga agreed. She didn’t like cooking anyway, and since the young man was a cook, let him show his skill.
Olga gave him the groceries, and she and Igor went into the living room. Stas began cooking.
“Igoryok, don’t be offended. We’re simple village people. Where we come from, it’s normal to welcome everyone. Tamara praised you so much. She said you were very smart, though you rarely visit home and have completely settled in the city. She and I often talk on the phone and send each other postcards on WhatsApp.”
“Yes, it turned out foolishly, of course. Mom shouldn’t have secretly decided things like that. But your boy seems like a good guy.”
“Oh, his mother drinks, his father left, and I’ve been raising the boy on my own. I wanted him to become a decent person…”
(author — “Notes of an Optimist”)
After preparing the pilaf, Stas invited everyone to the kitchen. Olga set out the plates, sliced pickles, and cut bread. The pilaf turned out to be very tasty.
“Stas, you really have talent. Thank you, it’s delicious.”
Stas became embarrassed.
“You know what, I’ll call an acquaintance of mine now. He owns an Uzbek restaurant. I’ll ask whether they need workers.”
Igor left the room and returned a few minutes later.
“Stas, you’re lucky. They happen to need someone right now. An assistant cook. And they’ll find you a room in a dormitory.”
“Thank you so much! I’m so happy…”
After dinner, Olga took Aunt Valya and Stas to the rented apartment, having called the landlady in advance. Fortunately, the apartment was available.
The next day, Igor drove Stas to the restaurant and introduced him to his friend. The young man made a good impression, and Igor’s friend promised to help him. Igor was glad he could help.
He then took Aunt Valya to the train station, and she left for home with peace of mind. Igor breathed a sigh of relief. Unexpected guests are not always a joy. But in this case, he felt sorry for the young man.
“Hello, Mom. Hi. I want to ask you not to send anyone to us again. Please. I don’t like surprises like this.”
“Son, Valya called me and told me that you helped her grandson and received them well. She was very pleased. You didn’t let me down.”
“But you let me down. You can’t do things like that. Do you understand? Guests should be a joy. Not like this… I can’t help everyone, and I don’t want to. Stas is an exception. So no more surprises.”
“All right, son, don’t be angry. I just couldn’t refuse Valechka…”
His mother kept her promise. There were no more uninvited guests from her.
Stas proved himself very well at work and eventually became a head chef. Sometimes Igor and Olga came to the restaurant where he worked, and he treated them at his own expense as a sign of appreciation and gratitude.