Anna carefully made boiling solyanka that night. Sergey, her husband, adored this meal. After the kids went to bed, the first snow fell silently outside the window. This night was comfortable!
“Mom, is dad coming today?” questioned fourteen-year-old Masha before bed.
“Yes, dear. His key occasion is celebrating a project’s conclusion.
Why Anna suddenly went to the restaurant is unclear. The accountant from Sergey’s firm, Lena, may have called to warn:
“Anechka, please come. See for yourself.”
The Panorama restaurant on the 20th level of a new office facility has stunning city views.
She froze at the entrance as she heard a familiar voice:
My homebody was making solyanka at home! chuckled Sergey, holding a young blonde in a scarlet outfit that caressed her curves.
Lenochka, we live well here!
Anna saw Sergey, who appeared unfamiliar to her with flushed cheeks, bright eyes, and… He was so near to Lena from marketing that just a sheet of paper could separate them.
Security chief Victoria Pavlovna noticed her first.
“Seryozha,” Anna said. Sergey glanced back, and his cheerful, inebriated grin transformed into perplexity, aggravation, and rage.
“You’ve arrived!” He moved.
Have you opted to play a detective?
“No, dear,” Anna said, shocked by her calmness.
“I just thought you might need that very solyanka you’re having so much fun over.”
She placed a hot soup container on the table. Lena with a crimson dress moved away, hoping to blend in among her coworkers.
“Sorry for disturbing your celebration,” Anna told the silent audience.
Continue enjoying.”
Since she was irritated, Anna went to the kitchen and poured the food into the sink when she returned home.
Masha left the room messy in pajamas with cute kittens:
Why are you home, Mom? Dad where?
– Dad will be late, – Anna replied, attempting to grin.
Get to bed, sweetie.
Did anything happen?
Life might surprise us and be hard to accept. We’re strong, right?
– Because of dad’s office woman?
How do you know?
– I unexpectedly visited dad at work last month.
They were seated in a café. He stroked her head, recalling his strokes on me.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier,” Masha muttered, looking down.
I was terrified to hurt you.
As expected, tears were inevitable for someone in such misery.
Are you glad?
You put on a show for the squad!
You expected what?
Does it interest you to make supper and chat about kids or money every night? Lena is youthful and active, perfect for discussing art or attending the theater.
You can’t do it with me anymore?
Remember how we met? At “The Cherry Orchard” performance. After saying the theater is dull, you agreed to suffer it for me. We argued over Chekhov while walking around the city all night.
“It was long ago.
The divorce was short and calm.
Loneliness was worst.
Immersion in work restored Anna. She focused on publishing, starting a teen book series. Masha surprised her by becoming interested in editing and helped her mother after school.
“Mom, why don’t we create a book about divorce?” my daughter said.
“So that other kids will understand that it’s not the end of the world and that they are innocent.”
Anna learned a year later that Lena had dumped Sergey for a young IT specialist.
He and Masha made solyanka on Sundays using their own recipe. Pavel was reading chapters from his new novel to Dimka in the living room while it snowed, and the air smelled of spices and comfort.
I used to think love was like a fairy tale: you met a prince and lived happily ever after. I now realize that true love begins with respect. For you, your partner, and loved ones.
Another item,
Loving is more than preparing soups. It makes them happy for those who enjoy both the cuisine and the cook.
