Yana ran down the stairs, skipping steps. She started her day with usual pandemonium, work prep, and a kiss from her spouse. After reaching the main door, she realized she had forgotten her wallet. “Always in a hurry,” she grumbled, returning to the flat. The key fit silently into the lock.
Yana froze entering. Her husband and mother’s muffled words came from the bedroom.
“Back again, this early?” she scowled. But the words that followed chilled her to the bone.
Can’t you see, son? No affection from her. She wants money from you. The mother-in-law whispered, “I’m sure she’s not your child.”
She leaned against the wall, legs weakening. Her heart beat in her throat. She waited for her husband to anger and defend her and their daughter. However, she just heard an uncertain: “Mom, stop…”
You mean “stop”? I see I’m a mom! The young one has no features like yours! Her character resembles her mother perfectly. Willful and stubborn.
Yana stopped listening. She crept to the front door and shut it. Then she slammed it and shouted, “Darling, I forgot my wallet!”
The bedroom quieted instantly. Yana entered a beautiful scene: her mother-in-law “had just dropped by” to visit her son, who was getting ready for work.
Oh, Yanochka! chirped Ludmila Petrovna. – I came to check on you…
“Fine,” Yana thought, smiling. I’ll test your paternity. An ample one.”
Work dragged on all day. Yana replied to emails automatically at her computer, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She relived the morning incident, hearing her mother-in-law’s cunning words. “Twenty years together,” Yana thought, “and she still won’t let it go.”
At lunch, she secluded herself in the bathroom and cried. Not sad, but angry.
She remembered giving birth to Mashenka, how her husband held her hand, and how he cried seeing her. Now what? Allowing his mother to doubt?
Yana muttered, looking in the mirror, “No.” – I won’t quit.
She purposefully worked late that night. To “visit her granddaughter,” she always came after six after her mother-in-law left. At home, Yana was abnormally quiet. Her spouse looked worriedly at her but didn’t speak.
He finally said, Are you tired?
A little, Yana said. I was considering renovating the kids’ room. Mashenka is growing and requires extra study space.
Her husband said, “Now’s not the best time for spending,” but she silenced him.
– Of course. Your mother is right—I only consider spending your money.
He grew pallid.
What you mean?
– Nothing, honey. Absolutely nothing.
While her husband slept, Yana brought out an old box of documents. The document included their marriage certificate, daughter’s birth certificate, and medical records. He signed the paternity acknowledgment.
She photographed the document, thinking, “We’ll see.” “Who will outplay whom?”
Yana rested the following day. After getting document copies notarized, she proceeded to the bank. The account statement indicated her five-year family budget contributions. Significant contributions.
She called her mother-in-law that night.
Come to dinner tomorrow, Ludmila Petrovna. Something must be discussed. A family.
Yana treated dinner like a final battle the next day. Give her mother-in-law her favorite borscht to choke on. She made a particular apple pie that her mother-in-law could never make. The Ludmila Petrovna wedding gift formal dinnerware was on the table.
Mashenka hovered, setting the table.
MOM, why is grandma coming today? Not her birthday.
Sometimes, honey, adults must talk.
Will you fight again? her daughter moaned.
Yana hugged.
No, sweetheart. We’ll just show all our cards.
At six, the doorbell rang. Her mother-in-law arrived well-dressed in a new suit and smiling.
Yanochka, it smells great! she shouted, hurrying to the kitchen. Hope it’s not ready-made meals? You are usually busy…
Mom, it’s homemade. Like you taught me.
Her spouse arrived last. He seemed anxious, as if something was wrong. Yana saw his hand quiver while pouring water.
– Daughter, she said Mashenka, – play in your room. We must have an adult conversation.
Yana placed the folder of documents in front of her daughter after the room door closed. Her mother-in-law tightened immediately.
– What’s this? she questioned too enthusiastically.
Oh, this? A few papers. Ludmila Petrovna, I’ve been thinking—you’re right. Please settle paternity.
‘What do you mean by “settle”?’ her mother-in-law paled but recovered. I always recommend getting a test.
Yana opened the folder gently.
Why use a test, Ludmila Petrovna? This is much more intriguing.
First, she took out the notarized paternity acknowledgment.
As Yana pointed to the signature, your son recognized Mashenka as his daughter. First day at the hospital. Without force.
That doesn’t mean anything! yelled her mother-in-law. – He was young and confused.
-Mom, – her husband interrupted. – Stop.
You mean “stop”? I want to open your eyes! This woman…
– This is my wife, he interrupted. The mother of my child.
Yana brought out another document.
A bank statement. I give as much to the family as your son every month. Stop talking about me “living off you.”
Her mother-in-law blushed.
How dare you! I…
How dare you! Yana finally raged. You’ve tried to break our family for 20 years. You sowed suspicions, twisted, and lied for 20 years!
Son, do you hear her talking to me?
Mom, I hear. I concur entirely.
Heavy stillness filled the room. Her mother-in-law stared at her son as if he were new.
– Are you betraying your mother? – Her voice trembled with anger.
Mom, no. I quit betraying family.
He got up and put his hand on Yana’s shoulder.
Should have done this long ago. Sorry, Yana.
Petrovna rose from her chair.
So that’s it? She’s turned you against me! She…
– Enough! – his voice was surprising forceful. You tried to turn me against my wife and daughter. Your hints and suspicions poisoned our connection. Unfortunately, I was too weak to stop you.
Her mother-in-law asked, “How could you…” but stopped when she noticed his expression.
I can and must. Leave, Mom. We should avoid each other till you respect my family.
Mashenka peeked out when the children’s room door cracked open. Tears filled her eyes.
Dad, will you never talk to granny again?
Yana felt her heart stiffen. The daughter loved her grandmother despite her mother-in-law’s shortcomings.
“Come here, sweetheart,” she summoned her daughter. – Only slightly fatigued, Grandma. She must contemplate her actions.
Slowly, Ludmila Petrovna slipped into her chair. Yana finally noticed her mother-in-law’s confusion and terror behind her superiority mask after all these years.
Mashenka, dear, she muttered, hugging her grandchild.
The girl hugged her granny.
Don’t cry, granny. Really, everything will be fine?
Yana glanced at her husband. She noticed the same thinking in his eyes: maybe not everything is lost?
Mom, he murmured gently, we don’t want to break up. We want change. Do you comprehend?
Her mother-in-law hugged her grandchild silently. Tears fell from her face.
Ludmila Petrovna, Yana approached, let’s start over. For Mashenka. For our sakes.
Her mother-in-law faltered. I was worried about losing my son. When you married, I thought…
Yana interjected, You didn’t lose him. – You got a daughter and grandchild. Only if you let yourself see.
Another quiet settled over the room, but this time it was contemplative.
Perhaps… – her mother-in-law wiped her eyes. Maybe we should have dinner? Love the borscht fragrance.
Yana grinned.
Of course. Help Mommy arrange the table, Mashenka.
Six months later.
Yana watched Mashenka learn to cook pies in the summer kitchen from Ludmila Petrovna via the window. While her mother-in-law eagerly explained something, her granddaughter attentively copied her actions.
– Admiring?—her spouse hugged her behind.
Who would have predicted this change? Yana grinned.
The changes were noticeable. Her mother-in-law looked reborn after that extraordinary evening. It was hard at first because of previous habits. She tried, truly tried.
She called before visiting. She contacted her daughter-in-law for granddaughter gift ideas. She even saw a psychotherapist to process her emotions.
You know, her spouse said, I’m proud of you. Instead of cutting ties, you gave her a chance.
I did it for everyone. Most especially Mashenka.
Granny and grandchild laughed outside the window as they dusted each other after getting flour on them.
Mom, Dad! Mashenka called. Come out! Grandma will teach us wonderful pie recipes!
Yana glanced at her husband.
Should we go?
Yes, he smiled. We’re a family now.
Yana thought that sometimes you only need the bravery to say the truth as they left. Then, even the hardest relationships can be repaired.
