– Gena, are you sure you’ve thought everything through properly?
– Mom…
– I know what I’m talking about. She’s with you only for your money, isn’t she?
Gennady let out a heavy sigh.
– Mom, I understand your concerns, but they are completely unfounded. Arguing with you is pointless; you won’t change your mind anyway. Think what you want. We’re not planning anything grandiose.
– Gena, stop it. I’m sure she’s just using you. You know that very well. That girl…
– Mom, please, let’s not continue this. Lena and I have known each other for over five years, and we’ve been preparing for this step for a long time.
– I just want to remind you: you’re a sought-after groom. Any woman would go for you. You do realize our situation, don’t you?
Gennady closed his eyes, as if shielding himself from fatigue.
– Mom, be honest with me: what’s more important to you—our status or my happiness?
Anna Nikolaevna looked helplessly at her husband.
– Sasha, why are you silent?’
Alexander, having set the newspaper aside, smirked slightly.
– Anya, you know, there’s one thing about you: you only come to me when you hit a dead end. For the past 27 years, you’ve been making all the decisions on your own. And whenever something goes wrong, you always blame me.
Anna Nikolaevna squinted.
– Are you done? Now let’s talk seriously.
– Gena is an adult, fully capable of making decisions. I don’t understand why we should interfere in his choices. In my opinion, Lena is a decent girl.
– Decent? In our day, without money no one survives.
– By the way, weren’t you not always wealthy either? Have you forgotten that?
Anna Nikolaevna was clearly beginning to lose control.
– Sasha, you’re irresponsible! Our son is about to ruin his life!
– Calm down. Nothing terrible is happening. He’ll continue his treatment, and perhaps his wife will even have a positive influence. What are you so upset about? I don’t understand.
Anna Nikolaevna abruptly left the room, and Gennady struggled to rise from his chair.
– Thanks, Dad.
– How are you feeling?
– Fine, don’t worry.
When their son turned 17, something strange happened to him. The doctors could never determine a precise diagnosis. One moment they would have one hypothesis, the next another—the treatment only helped partially. One renowned professor once said:
– It seems as though your son has lost the ability to fight off illnesses. Had this happened a hundred years ago, I would have called it a curse. But now… all we can do is shrug our shoulders and watch.
Alexander knew that money couldn’t solve everything, yet he spent enormous sums on treatments at the best clinics. However, one day Gennady asked:
– Please, let me have a little break. I’ve already forgotten what our home looks like, and I can’t even recall the last time I slept in my own bed.
Unexpectedly, the mother—who had previously insisted on every possible treatment method—supported her son:
– Sasha, maybe it really is time to let Gena rest? Let’s follow the doctors’ recommendations.
Alexander waved his hand dismissively. He would have argued if he had seen even the slightest improvement. But there was none. Yet at home, Gena felt better: his appetite returned, and he even gained a little weight.
Since then, he would check into a clinic for examinations twice a year, then return home with new doctors’ instructions.
Gena still managed to finish university thanks to his father’s financial support. He was a capable student, but his regular absences from classes due to illness did not endear him to the professors.
He and Lena met back in their student days. Their friendship lasted for several years until recently when Lena confessed her feelings to him. It gave Gena a boost, as if wings had sprouted behind him.
As he had expected, the wedding turned out to be much more lavish than he had imagined. His mother organized such a celebration that it seemed the whole town had been invited. Lena did her best to keep smiling all evening, ignoring the tense atmosphere.
The relationship between Lena’s mother, Galina Ivanovna, and Anna Nikolaevna did not get off to a good start. The latter believed that Galina, having neither status nor money, should be grateful for such a marriage. However, Galina preferred to keep her distance from the groom’s parents.
The highlight of the evening was the gift presentation. When Lena’s mother announced that the young couple was being presented with a small house inherited from her grandfather and located in a protected area, Anna Nikolaevna couldn’t hold back:
– My God, how can you present that rundown shack on the edge of nowhere as a valuable gift? – Anna Nikolaevna fumed.
Gena looked at his mother reproachfully: – Mom, enough.
– Enough of what, Gena? Now nothing can be fixed!
After Galina Ivanovna left, Anna immediately turned to her husband: – Did you see her? She’s no one, yet she acts as if she were a queen!
A few days after the wedding, Gena announced to his parents: – Lena and I have decided to move into the house that Galina Ivanovna gifted.
Anna Nikolaevna nearly lost her senses: – Are you out of your mind?! This is all her influence! She wants to hide you in the middle of nowhere so that you’ll deteriorate faster and she can seize the inheritance!
Alexander frowned: – Anya, what are you talking about? Have you completely lost it?
Anna exploded: – I’m speaking completely rationally! He needs constant medical supervision, and he’s planning to move to the middle of nowhere! I won’t allow it!
– We already have the tickets in hand, – Gena replied calmly.
– Fine, – Anna said coldly. – If that’s how it is, don’t come to me for help anymore. Let your new family take care of you.
– Gena, don’t be angry with your mother; you know her character, – Alexander said reassuringly. – She’ll come around. If you need anything, call me—I’ll help.
– Thanks, Dad.
– But still, why there? In that place, you’re right—there’s a real dump.
Gena smiled: – Maybe you won’t believe it, but there are healing springs there. Lena and her mother are convinced that this place will help me recover. Honestly, I don’t really believe in it, but why not give it a try?
– You’re such a skeptic. Sometimes, what can’t be explained turns out to be the most effective. I wish you luck.
When they drove up to the house, Gena looked around in astonishment at the overgrown yard: – Everything is wildly overgrown here!
Lena smiled: – Of course, nobody has lived here for many years. But don’t worry, a little work and it’ll be as good as new.
She opened the door, and they went inside. To Gena’s surprise, the house turned out to be quite cozy, and there was hardly any dust. He was so exhausted from the journey that he barely managed to sit on the couch before he fell asleep immediately.
For a while, Lena took care of the cleaning, while Gena helped as much as his strength allowed. To his amazement, he began to feel better—his energy returned, and his appetite became voracious. After a week, he completely finished his dinner and even surprised himself: – I can’t understand how, but everything just went in!
Lena smiled mischievously: – I told you, miracles happen in these parts.
Gena looked at her curiously: – Why are you so sure?
– In my childhood, I used to come here often and saw many strange and wonderful things.
– Well, of course, and all the local guys were chasing after you!
– Stop it, – Lena laughed. – By the way, tomorrow there’s a surprise waiting for you!
Despite all his attempts to find out from his wife what the surprise was, Gena never did learn. They went to bed, happy and full of hope, embracing each other.
— Sasha, I don’t understand how you can be so indifferent! It’s been half a year since that girl took our son away, and you haven’t lifted a finger! — Anna Nikolaevna grumbled.
Alexander tore himself away from his papers: — And what do you suggest? Call in the riot police and forcibly bring him home? Don’t forget, he’s now married and living his own life.
Anna stamped her foot: — What nonsense! A month ago, he was supposed to be admitted to the hospital, yet all he does is assure me that everything’s fine and then immediately hangs up. How can he be alright without treatment?!
Alexander realized that behind that torrent of words lay his mother’s deep concern. Setting his documents aside, he gently suggested: — If you’re so worried, let’s pay them a visit. Let’s see how they’re settling in.
Anna thought for a moment, then smiled: — That’s a great idea.
— Then get ready. I’ll call Gena, and tomorrow morning we’ll set out.
They reached the village only by evening.
— My goodness, what a wreck! — Anna Nikolaevna sighed.
Alexander smiled: — I like it. Fresh air, no clutter… Oh, look, a hare!
Anna watched in amazement as a hare dashed past the car: — It’s like a nature reserve! I wouldn’t be surprised if bears roamed the streets here.
— It seems we’re here, — Alexander observed.
At that moment, the house gates swung open, and Gena appeared on the porch. Anna froze, and Alexander nearly lost his speech. Standing before them was a strong, healthy young man, completely unlike the pale youth he used to be.
— Mom, Dad, how I’ve missed you! — Gena exclaimed joyfully.
They embraced for a long time, and Anna couldn’t hold back her tears: — Gena, how you’ve grown!
— It’s all thanks to Lena. And also—to the bees. You have no idea how fascinating it is!
Lena stepped onto the porch, smiling shyly. She too embraced the husband’s parents.
— Thank you, dear, — Anna Nikolaevna said tearfully. — You did what even the best doctors couldn’t do.
After mutual greetings and embraces, they finally unloaded the car and presented all the gifts they had brought. Lena, smiling warmly, invited everyone to the table. Anna Nikolaevna examined the dishes with interest, as if they had transported her back to her childhood: everything looked incredibly appetizing and homely. Meanwhile, Gena took out a bottle:
— Dad, here’s some mead. Real, homemade.
Alexander laughed: — You’re like true hosts! You really have everything here!
Everyone tried the mead, except Lena.
Noticing this, Anna Nikolaevna asked with slight irritation: — What, are you still upset? Not even a sip for our visit?
Lena blushed and replied shyly: — I can’t have it.
Anna looked at her son in surprise: — Is she sick?
Gena smiled broadly: — We’re going to have a baby. So, Mom, get ready to be a grandmother!
These words triggered a flood of emotions in Anna Nikolaevna. Tears streamed down her face; she alternated between embracing her son and Lena, and then began crying again with happiness. At one point, completely unexpectedly for everyone, she decisively declared:
– That’s it, I’m staying here for a couple of weeks. I need to buy a few things and help you settle in. Sasha, didn’t you offer me a new car a while back? So, buy it! And a big one, so I can bring the baby everything needed before he or she arrives. We’ll definitely bring Lena to the city—let her give birth in a good clinic.
She continued giving orders, but those around couldn’t help but laugh. Anna Nikolaevna blushed slightly:
– Well, I just want what’s best!
Lena approached her and hugged her: – I’ll listen to you. Gena doesn’t know anything about these matters, and I’m a little scared.
Anna gently held her close and comforted her: — Don’t be afraid, I’m always here.