Marina stood by the kitchen window, watching the autumn leaves swirl through the gray air. Behind her, the steady ticking of the clock was the only sound in the apartment while Alexey was at work. She had almost grown accustomed to the silence and the measured rhythm of their childless life when the phone rang.
“Marina? It’s Lena,” her sister-in-law said. Her voice sounded tense, carrying that particular tone that always preceded a request.
“Hi, Lena. How are you?”
“So-so…” A sigh came through the receiver. “Listen, I need to discuss something with you. Can you talk right now?”
Marina sat down on the edge of the sofa, already sensing where the conversation was heading. Over the past six months, Lena had been calling more and more often, and every time, the subject eventually turned to money. One time Danila needed new boots, another time their utility bills had gone up, and then their car had broken down.
“Go ahead,” Marina replied briefly.
“We have a bit of a situation…” Lena paused. “You know that Seryozha still hasn’t found a job. He looks every day, but you understand how it is—everywhere wants experience, and you need connections. And Danila’s birthday is coming up soon.”
“Yes, I remember. He’s turning five.”
“Exactly!” Lena’s voice immediately brightened. “Can you imagine? Five already. It’s such an important age. I want to give him a proper celebration, something he’ll remember. I want to hire entertainers and order a cake. I’ve already calculated everything, and it isn’t that expensive.”
Marina felt her shoulders tense. She knew that the request for money would come next, but she still hoped she was mistaken.
“Lena, what does Seryozha say about it?”
“Seryozha…” Irritation crept into her sister-in-law’s voice. “He isn’t in the right state to think about a birthday party. He’s too worried about work. He sits at home watching television all day. But what am I supposed to do? The child is waiting for his party.”
Marina pictured Seryozha sitting in an armchair in front of the television, his eyes dull and unfocused. The last time she had seen him, at a family dinner a month earlier, he had already smelled of stale alcohol by six in the evening. Alexey had said nothing at the time, but once they were home, he told Marina that his sister was making a mistake by staying with a husband like that.
“Lena, perhaps you should postpone such a grand celebration until the situation improves.”
“No!” her sister-in-law objected sharply. “I can’t deprive my child of his childhood because of temporary difficulties. He’s looking forward to this day. He has already told all his friends that he’s going to have a big party. What am I supposed to tell him?”
“What about having a family celebration instead? No entertainers or restaurant. You could celebrate at home with a cake.”
“Marina, you don’t understand.” Lena’s voice became almost pleading. “I’ve already invited people—the other mothers from his kindergarten and some of our friends. What will they think if I cancel everything now? That things are really bad for us? I can’t allow my son to be ashamed of his family.”
There it was. Marina realized that the conversation was inevitably moving toward a request for money. Lena wanted to impress her acquaintances at someone else’s expense.
“Lena, how much will it cost?”
“I’ve calculated everything,” her sister-in-law said quickly. “A restaurant for twenty people, an entertainer, the cake, the decorations… It comes to forty thousand. But it’s for a child! For our Danila.”
Forty thousand. Marina mentally reviewed their household budget. She and Alexey had recently been planning a vacation and saving money for a new car. Forty thousand was a significant amount.
“Lena, things aren’t exactly easy for us right now either.”
“But you both have jobs!” her sister-in-law interrupted. “Alexey earns a good salary, and you work too. What do we have?”
“Have you considered getting a job yourself?” Marina suggested cautiously. “You could leave Danila at kindergarten for the full day and find something suitable.”
“How could I abandon my child?” Lena said indignantly. “He needs his mother, especially now, when his father is… in this condition. No, that isn’t an option.”
“Perhaps you should consider…” Marina fell silent, unable to finish the sentence.
“Consider what?”
“Changing something in your relationship with Seryozha. If he can’t deal with his drinking and doesn’t want to work…”
“Marina!” Lena’s voice turned icy. “Don’t you dare advise me to leave my husband. I love him. We’re simply going through a difficult period. It will pass.”
“But, Lena…”
“No buts! I’m not going to destroy my family because of temporary problems. Seryozha is the father of my child. And you… You simply don’t understand because you and Alexey don’t have children.”
The final sentence struck painfully. Marina bit her lip as she felt anger rising inside her.
“All right, Lena. I’ll talk to Alexey.”
“Really?” Her sister-in-law’s voice immediately warmed. “Marina, thank you! I knew we could rely on you. We’re family, after all.”
After Lena hung up, Marina sat in silence for a long time. It grew dark outside, and she could see her tired face reflected in the window. Family. How often that word was used to disguise all kinds of requests and demands.
Alexey returned home at half past six, as usual. He kissed his wife and went into the bathroom to wash his hands.
“How was your day?” he asked as he sat down at the table.
“Lena called.”
“Is she asking for money again?” Alexey did not even sound surprised.
“She wants to hold Danila’s birthday party at a restaurant. Forty thousand.”
“Forty thousand?” Alexey raised his eyebrows. “Her husband is sitting at home without a job, and they’re planning to rent out a restaurant?”
“She says she has already invited people. She’s afraid they’ll think the family has problems.”
“Don’t they have problems?” Alexey put down his fork. “Marina, we’ve already helped them more than once. Remember when Seryozha lost his job? We gave them a total of fifty thousand to get them through the first few weeks. Then another five thousand for Danila’s medicine. And then more after that. How long can this continue?”
“She said we don’t understand because we don’t have children.”
Alexey frowned.
“That’s crossing the line. What did you tell her?”
“That I would talk to you.”
Her husband thoughtfully turned his wedding ring around his finger. Marina knew that habit. He always did it when he was making a difficult decision.
“You know what? Call her tomorrow and tell her we can’t do it. We have plans for that money too.”
Marina nodded, feeling relieved. She had been right to refuse her sister-in-law.
The following day, Lena arrived at their apartment without warning. Marina opened the door and found her sister-in-law standing on the threshold with tearful eyes, while Danila held tightly to his mother’s hand.
“Lena? What happened?”
“Can I come in? I need to talk to you.”
Danila silently walked into the living room and turned on the cartoons, clearly accustomed to his mother’s conversations with adults. He was a thin little boy with large gray eyes, the exact image of his uncle Alexey as a child.
“Marina, I don’t know what to do.” Lena sat on the sofa, crumpling a handkerchief between her fingers. “Seryozha got drunk last night and caused a scene. He shouted that all I ever do is spend money. But do I really ask for that much? I only ask for the things our child needs.”
“Lena…”
“I understand that you’re tired of helping us. But this is your nephew’s birthday party! Alexey loves him. I see how happy he is whenever Danila visits. Do you really begrudge forty thousand for a child’s happiness?”
Marina looked at the boy, who was absorbed in the cartoon. Of course Alexey loved his nephew, but this was not about love.
“Lena, it isn’t about being stingy. We simply think that, given your situation, you should postpone expenses like this.”
“What expenses?” Lena’s voice became sharp. “It’s a child’s birthday! It happens once a year! I’ve already organized everything, and people are waiting for their invitations. What am I supposed to tell them? That his aunt and uncle were too stingy?”
“Lena, don’t frame the situation like that.”
“How should I frame it?” Her sister-in-law stood up and began pacing around the room. “I’m only asking you to help pay for your nephew’s party. It isn’t for me or for Seryozha. It’s for the child!”
Danila turned toward them, sensing the tension in his mother’s voice.
“Mom, does that mean I’m not going to have a party?”
“You are, sweetheart,” Lena answered quickly, although her voice trembled.
“Will the clown come?”
“He will.” Lena looked at Marina pleadingly.
Marina felt the situation slipping out of control. Lena was using her child as a weapon in the conversation, and it was unfair.
“Lena, let’s talk in the kitchen,” she suggested.
Once they were in the kitchen, her sister-in-law immediately went on the offensive.
“Marina, I know you’re the one who makes the decisions. Alexey always listens to you. Tell him this is important for the family.”
“Lena, you need to understand that it isn’t only about the money. We’re worried that you’re becoming accustomed to living at our expense. That isn’t right.”
“Isn’t right?” Lena raised her voice. “And abandoning your family during a difficult time is right? Are we strangers to you?”
“Of course you aren’t strangers, but…”
“No buts!” Lena waved her hands. “My son has a birthday coming up. He’s turning five. It’s an important date. I want him to remember the day. I want it to be beautiful and fun. Is that really so much to ask?”
“Lena, forty thousand is a lot of money.”
“A lot for whom? For you?” Lena narrowed her eyes. “Alexey earns more than a hundred thousand a month. You don’t have children or any major expenses. Meanwhile, we survive on welfare benefits and occasional work.”
“Then why don’t you get a job?”
“Not this again!” Lena slapped her palm against the table. “I can’t abandon my child, especially now that Seryozha is suffering from depression.”
“Lena, Seryozha drinks. That isn’t depression.”
“How dare you!” Her sister-in-law’s face turned red. “My husband is going through a difficult time. He lost his job through no fault of his own, and you’re accusing him of being a drunk!”
“Lena, he was fired precisely because he kept coming to work drunk. You told me that yourself.”
“It only happened a few times!” Lena waved her hands. “He was worried because the company was having problems. Anyone in his position would have had a drink.”
Marina realized that the conversation had reached a dead end. Lena did not want to acknowledge the obvious: her husband had become an alcoholic, her family was falling apart, and she herself was avoiding responsibility.
“Lena, I’m suggesting that you make a decision. If the situation with Seryozha doesn’t change, perhaps you should consider divorce. You’re young. You can find a job and rebuild your life. We’ll help you with Danila.”
“Divorce?” Lena turned pale. “You’re suggesting that I destroy my family because of money?”
“Not because of money. For the sake of your future and Danila’s.”
“No!” Lena shook her head firmly. “I won’t leave Seryozha. I love him. We’re just going through a difficult period, but everything will get better. In the meantime… I’m asking you to help pay for your nephew’s party.”
She returned to the living room, where Danila was still watching cartoons.
“Danila, get ready. We’re going home.”
“What about my party?” the boy asked, looking at Aunt Marina.
“You’ll have your party,” Lena said firmly. “You definitely will.”
After they left, Marina sat in the kitchen for a long time, thinking about their conversation. She felt guilty when she remembered Danila’s disappointed face, but she understood that giving in now would only make the situation worse.
That evening, she told Alexey about his sister’s visit.
“She brought Danila with her?” her husband asked with a frown. “That’s manipulation.”
“Yes. And do you know what upset me most? She doesn’t want to change anything. She’s prepared to continue living at our expense rather than admit that her husband has become an alcoholic.”
“Then our refusal is final.”
“She said she has already invited everyone.”
“That’s her problem. She should have checked whether she had the money first.”
Lena did not call the following day. Marina picked up her phone several times, intending to call her, but stopped herself. Her sister-in-law would have to find her own way out of the situation.
On Friday, shortly before Alexey was due to return from work, Lena appeared at their door once again. This time she had come without the child, but her eyes were red from crying.
“Marina, I need to talk to my brother,” she said as soon as she crossed the threshold.
“He isn’t home yet.”
“I’ll wait.”
Lena walked into the living room and sat on the edge of the sofa, nervously playing with the strap of her handbag. Marina sat opposite her, sensing another storm approaching.
“Seryozha got drunk again yesterday,” Lena began without raising her eyes. “Danila saw him… My son cried all night. He said his father was frightening.”
“Lena…”
“I don’t know what to do. We have no money at all, but I’ve promised everyone that the party will happen—the children from kindergarten and their mothers. How am I supposed to look them in the eye now?”
“Tell them the truth. Say that you’re experiencing temporary difficulties.”
“What truth?” Lena raised her head, and Marina saw desperation in her eyes. “That my husband has become an alcoholic? That we’re living on welfare? That I can’t even give my own son a normal birthday party?”
“Lena, a normal birthday party doesn’t necessarily require a restaurant and entertainers.”
“Not for you!” her sister-in-law’s voice cracked. “You don’t have children. You don’t know what it’s like to watch your child envy everyone else!”
At that moment, they heard keys turning in the lock. Alexey had returned from work.
“Oh, hello, Lena.” He kissed his wife and looked at his sister in surprise. “Has something happened?”
“Alyosha!” Lena leaped up from the sofa and rushed toward her brother. “I need your help.”
“Lena, we’ve already discussed this…”
“Wait. Let her speak,” Alexey said, stopping his wife.
“Alyosha, I understand everything. I understand that we’ve already asked for a lot. But this is a special occasion. It’s Danila’s birthday, and he’s turning five. I want to give him a celebration he’ll remember for the rest of his life.”
Lena spoke rapidly, almost choking on her words.
“I’ve calculated everything. Forty thousand isn’t that much for an occasion like this. Just think how happy your nephew will be. And I… I promise this will be the last time. As soon as Seryozha finds a job, we’ll pay everything back.”
“Lena…” Alexey rubbed his forehead wearily. “How many times have you said that?”
“But it’s true! Seryozha is already going to job interviews.”
“While drunk?” Marina asked sharply.
“He isn’t drunk!” Lena snapped. “He’s trying. He simply hasn’t been lucky yet.”
“Lena.” Alexey sat down beside his sister. “I understand that things are difficult for you, but we can’t keep solving your problems for you.”
“I’m only asking you to pay for your nephew’s party. Do you really begrudge spending money on him?” her sister-in-law continued pressuring them.
Marina felt her anger boiling over at those words. Could Lena truly not understand that this was not about greed?
“That’s enough, Lena!” Marina could no longer restrain herself. “We aren’t stingy. We simply don’t want to encourage you to keep living off other people.”
“Living off other people?” Lena turned toward her, fury blazing in her eyes. “I’m asking for help for a child!”
“You’re asking for money to show off!” Marina exploded. “You want to impress your acquaintances at our expense!”
“Marina, calm down,” Alexey said quietly.
“No, I won’t calm down!” Marina stood. “Lena, you refuse to work and you don’t want to change the situation with your husband, but you demand that we support your family. That isn’t right!”
“Isn’t right?” Lena jumped to her feet as well. “And abandoning your brother during a difficult time is right?”
“Lena, stop manipulating us!” Alexey raised his voice. “We’ve already helped you many times.”
“Helped us?” Lena’s face twisted. “You gave us scraps! You could support your sister’s family if you really wanted to!”
“That’s enough,” Marina said coldly. “We are not obligated to support you.”
Lena suddenly burst into tears. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed helplessly.
“Alyosha, please… Danila is looking forward to this party so much. He has already told all his friends. What am I supposed to tell him?”
Alexey stared at his crying sister, and Marina could see him wavering. She knew this weakness of his: he could not bear to see his loved ones cry.
“Alyosha, don’t give in,” she said quietly.
“But Danila…” He looked at her helplessly.
“Danila isn’t to blame for having parents like this, but indulging them isn’t the answer.”
Lena’s sobbing grew louder, and eventually Alexey could no longer stand it.
“All right, Lena. I’ll transfer the money to you.”
“Alexey!” Marina exclaimed.
“This is the last time,” he told his sister sternly. “After the party, there will be no more requests for money. Agreed?”
“Agreed!” Lena threw her arms around her brother. “Thank you, Alyosha! Danila will be so happy!”
Marina watched the scene with disgust. Lena had once again gotten what she wanted through tears and manipulation.
“I’m going to my mother’s,” she told her husband coldly.
“Marina, wait…”
But she was already walking toward the bedroom to pack her things. Alexey saw his sister out and then went to his wife.
“Marisha, why are you reacting like this? He’s our nephew…”
“This isn’t about your nephew.” Marina placed clothes into her bag without looking at her husband. “It’s about the fact that you gave in to her manipulation.”
“But she was crying.”
“Of course she was crying! She knows it works on you. What happens next? Will she return in a month with another request?”
“I told her this was the last time.”
“Alexey, this is already the third time you’ve said that.” Marina zipped up her bag. “And every time, Lena finds a new excuse.”
“Where are you going?”
“To my mother’s. I need to think.”
“Marina, don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.”
“A molehill?” She turned toward her husband. “Alexey, your sister has just learned once again that she can continue manipulating us. All she has to do is cry, and we’ll give her money.”
“That isn’t true…”
“We’ll see.” Marina picked up her bag. “You’ll see. In a month, she’ll come back with another request.”
Marina spent an entire week at her mother’s house. Her mother, a wise woman with a great deal of life experience, listened to her daughter and said:
“Marina, you’re right. But Alexey isn’t a villain either. He’s simply softhearted and doesn’t know how to refuse the people close to him. Men like that need strong wives.”
“But I told him not to give her the money!”
“You did, and he gave in to his emotions. Now let him see the consequences.”
“What consequences?”
“Lena won’t stop. She’ll definitely come back with another request. That’s when Alexey will understand that you were right.”
As usual, her mother turned out to be right. Three days after Danila’s birthday—the celebration had been loud and elaborate, and Lena had posted photographs on social media—Alexey called his wife.
“Marina, when are you coming home?”
“I don’t know,” she replied coldly.
“I miss you.”
“And I miss having a husband who knows how to say no.”
“Marina, I understand my mistake. I spoke to Lena and explained that this really was the last time.”
“What did she say?”
“She understood. She said she would make Seryozha find a job.”
“Alexey, do you believe that?”
Her husband fell silent.
“I want to believe it.”
“I don’t. Lena got what she wanted. Why would she change anything?”
“Marina, please come home. We’ll talk here.”
“I’ll think about it.”
But Marina did not return. She felt that it was important to maintain the distance and make her husband understand the seriousness of the situation.
Two days later, Alexey called again.
“Marisha, you were right.”
“What happened?”
“Lena called today. She said Danila was ill and that she needed money for medicine and a private doctor. Five thousand.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I refused. I said public healthcare was available and that we had already given her money for the party.”
“How did she react?”
“She became offended. She said I was heartless and that my nephew meant nothing to me.”
Marina felt a bitter sense of satisfaction. She had predicted exactly how events would unfold.
“Alexey, do you understand now that I was right?”
“I do. Forgive me. I really did give in to her manipulation.”
“What are you going to do from now on?”
“No more money for Lena. If she wants our help, she must first change something in her life.”
“And what if she cries?”
“I won’t give in. I promise.”
Marina returned home the following day.
