— Who’s crying out there? Stepan, can you hear? In such dismal weather, someone is crying! — Probably it’s just the wind howling, Katyusha. What tears could there be on a night like this… I ran out onto the porch without even grabbing my scarf. The autumn rain whipped against my cheeks, yet I kept … Read more
— He’s not coming, is he?» I asked the nurse, clutching the bundle with the baby close to me. «Sometimes that happens, dear. Perhaps he was held up at work,» she replied, averting her gaze as if checking documents. I looked at little Matvey’s tiny face, his barely noticeable eyebrows, and his pink lips, tied … Read more
I sat in the kitchen, mechanically stirring tea that had long since cooled. The old clock on the wall ticked away, its steady sound a monotonous reminder—it’s been a month since I’ve been alone. A month since Viktor packed his things and left. Left her. Left Larisa from the third floor. —Galya, understand, it’s better … Read more
Ignat stood by the window, drumming his fingers on the windowsill. Outside, a light rain fell against the glass, turning the March evening into a gray shroud. A heavy silence hung in the apartment, broken only by Marina’s soft sobs and the rustle of bags as she hurriedly packed her belongings. “Make sure there isn’t … Read more
The village was almost extinct. Out of the eighteen houses, only two remained inhabited: in one, elderly Varvara lived; in the other — Stepan with Anastasia. They had no children, but they did have Mitrich the goat, three goats, chickens, and a garden, which they tended more out of habit than necessity. Everything they needed … Read more
Kira froze in front of the door as if rooted to the spot. The key in the lock felt as painful as a splinter in her finger. Noises drifting from the apartment made one thing clear: someone was taking over. And that voice… of course it was her mother‑in‑law. Who else could it be? “Yurochka, … Read more
— Mom, are you working the night shift again today? — Katya asked, looking at her mother with concern, as if hoping for a different answer. — Yes, sweetheart. You and Yura will behave yourselves, won’t you? — Marina gently stroked her daughter’s hand, trying to reassure her. — Of course, Mom. But you never … Read more
nobody’s going to take your apartment away? really? and when your ex-husband turns up at your door with his mother and suitcases, sure that he has every right to live here—what will you do? smile and step aside, clearing the way? or will you find the strength to slam the door in their insolent faces? … Read more
When Will This End?» I shouted, and saw Sergey let out a theatrical sigh and stare at the floor again. “Tanya, why are you yelling?” he mumbled, avoiding my gaze. “Mom’s not asking for that much.” “Not that much? You really think another transfer for Vera Petrovna isn’t much? We’ve been barely scraping by for … Read more
In the middle of the school year, a new student appeared when everyone had long since gotten used to each other. Nobody knew where she had come from, and few cared enough to ask. Her name was Masha — a thin girl with narrow shoulders and huge eyes filled with anxious anticipation. On her feet … Read more