— Can you imagine, I booked us a hotel in Sochi! Three stars, but it’s right on the first line, just five minutes walk to the sea! — Marina was excitedly showing her husband photos on the laptop screen. — Look at the view from the balcony! And here’s the beach… clean, sandy! And breakfast is included!
Dima nodded absentmindedly, showing little interest in the photos. He was sitting on the sofa, buried in his phone, only occasionally glancing at the laptop screen.
— Are you even listening to me? — Marina closed the laptop. — I saved money for this trip for a whole year! Little by little every month. I denied myself everything! No new dresses, no cafes with friends! All for our vacation!
— Yeah, yeah, I hear you… — Dima finally put his phone down. — But there’s one little problem! Mom called today! The planting season is about to start at the dacha! She needs our help!
Marina froze, not believing her ears.
— What? What planting? We agreed we’re going to the sea this year! Our vacation starts June fifteenth, tickets are already bought!
— Well, we can go to the sea… — Dima said slowly, avoiding his wife’s eyes. — But first we need to help Mom with the garden! We’ll work at the dacha for a week, then go on vacation!
— A week? — Marina laughed nervously. — Dima, are you out of your mind? We spent every vacation for three years straight at your mother’s dacha! Three years I worked my fingers to the bone in those beds! And this year I finally saved up for a proper rest, and you want to ruin everything?
— I don’t want to ruin anything! — Dima started getting irritated. — It’s just that Mom can’t manage alone! She needs help! It’s only a week, Marina!
— A week? — Marina crossed her arms. — Do you remember last year when we went “just for a week”? And ended up spending the whole vacation there! Your mother found new tasks every day! Painting the fence, rebuilding the greenhouse, pruning the currants!
— Don’t exaggerate…
— I’m not exaggerating! — Marina raised her voice. — And remember how it ended? We grew a huge harvest, and your mother gave every last tomato to your brother and his family! We didn’t even get a jar of cucumbers! Did your brother ever come to help? Even once?
Dima was silent, looking down. He knew his wife was right. His older brother Anton never helped their mother at the dacha but reliably took all the harvest.
— Marina, understand, it’s hard for Mom alone…
— And what about me? — Marina stepped close to her husband. — I work five days a week, manage the household, cook, clean! And the only thing I dreamed about all year was a week at the sea! A week of real rest! Is that too much to ask?
— But Mom…
— No, Dima! — Marina shook her head firmly.
— We have to help Mom with the garden! We have to…
— That’s your problem, not mine! I will not help your mother with her garden anymore! Do you understand? If you want — go yourself! But I will go to the sea as planned!
— You can’t do that! — Dima got up from the couch. — That’s selfish!
— Selfish? — Marina smiled bitterly. — You know what’s selfish? Making your wife spend her vacation working in your mother’s garden, while your brother and his family don’t lift a finger but then take the whole harvest! That’s really selfish!
Dima grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.
— Where are you going? — Marina asked.
— To Mom! Since you refuse to help, I’ll have to do it all alone!
— Wonderful! — Marina spread her arms. — Say hi to Natalia Pavlovna for me! And don’t forget to ask why she doesn’t ask her older son and his wife for help!
The door slammed behind Dima. Marina sank onto the couch and covered her face with her hands. She was tired. Tired of being last on her husband’s priority list. Tired that her wishes and plans meant nothing compared to her mother-in-law’s requests.
Marina opened the laptop and looked again at the hotel photos in Sochi. She dreamed of this trip for three years. Saved money for three years. And she wouldn’t let anyone take this vacation away from her. Even if she had to go alone.
Natalia Pavlovna greeted her son with open arms. Her small apartment on the city outskirts was filled with seedlings — on windowsills, tables, even on the floor stood plastic cups with sprouted tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
— Dimочка, it’s so good you came! — she led her son to the kitchen. — I just made some tea! Sit, tell me, how are you and Marina? Ready for the dacha season?
Dima sank heavily into a chair and looked gloomily at his mother.
— Mom, we have problems! Marina refuses to go to the dacha! She says she wants to go to the sea!
Natalia Pavlovna pursed her lips and slammed a cup on the table.
— Oh, really? She wants to go to the sea? And who’s going to help me? Am I supposed to raise the whole garden alone at my age?
— I told her the same! — Dima sighed. — But she’s stubborn! Says she’s worked at the dacha for three years straight and doesn’t want to anymore!
— She worked! — Natalia Pavlovna snorted. — She weeded a couple of times, big deal! Who made the jam? Who did the pickling? Me! And she just turned up her nose!
Dima was silent. He remembered well how Marina worked from morning till night on the plot, while his mother mostly supervised from the shade of an apple tree. But he didn’t dare argue with his mother.
— So what now? — he asked instead.
Natalia Pavlovna sat down next to him and lowered her voice conspiratorially:
— What did she say about the sea? She must have saved money?
— Yes! — Dima nodded. — She saved all year! Says she already booked the hotel!
— And where does she keep the money? — Natalia Pavlovna leaned forward.
— In a piggy bank! — Dima shrugged. — In our bedroom, in the closet!
Natalia Pavlovna squinted craftily.
— Have you thought, son, that this money could solve our problem?
— What do you mean? — Dima didn’t understand.
— Literally! — Natalia Pavlovna whispered. — Take the money from the piggy bank! Tell Marina it’s with you! And only return it when she agrees to help at the dacha! That’s fair! She’s your wife, she must help your family!
Dima frowned.
— Mom, that’s kind of… dishonest! It’s her money, she saved it!
— And is it honest to leave your mother without help? — Natalia Pavlovna threw up her hands. — I do everything for you! Grow the harvest, preserve it, make jam! And she, apparently, wants to go to the sea! Selfish woman!
— But Mom, honestly, Marina and I get almost nothing from the dacha… — Dima cautiously noted. — You give almost everything to Anton and his family…
— What do you expect? — Natalia Pavlovna was outraged. — He has three kids! They need vitamins, fresh vegetables! And you two live alone, you don’t need much!
— But Anton never helps at the dacha… — Dima continued. — Maybe we should get him involved?
— He has a hard job! — Natalia Pavlovna cut him off. — And small children! When would he work at the dacha? And what about you and Marina? No worries! A whole month of vacation! You can work a little for the family’s good!
Dima sighed. Arguing with his mother was pointless. She always found excuses for her eldest son and never accepted objections.
— So, Dimочка… — Natalia Pavlovna put her hand on her son’s shoulder. — You’ll do as I say? Take the money and put your wife in her place?
Dima hesitated. On one hand, he knew his mother’s suggestion was dishonest. On the other, he didn’t want to upset her. Besides, maybe Marina was indeed taking on too much? After all, helping one’s mother is sacred.
— Okay, Mom! — he finally decided. — I’ll do as you say!
Natalia Pavlovna beamed.
— That’s right, son! You can’t let your wife ride you! You’re the man, you decide how the family spends its vacation!
Dima finished his tea and stood.
— I’ll go home! Marina was supposed to go to her friend’s soon, so I can do everything without a scandal!
— Of course, go! — Natalia Pavlovna saw her son to the door. — And remember: you’re doing the right thing! A wife must respect family traditions!
When the door closed behind Dima, Natalia Pavlovna smiled smugly. She knew her son wouldn’t dare disobey. It was time to put the rebellious daughter-in-law in her place. She had taken too much liberty!
Dima came home after dark. The apartment greeted him with silence — Marina hadn’t returned from her friend yet. He went to the bedroom and stopped in front of the closet. Somewhere on the top shelf was his wife’s piggy bank — an ordinary wooden box where Marina had been putting money for their vacation all year.
“This isn’t right,” a thought flashed, but Dima immediately recalled his mother’s words. He was the man, head of the family. He had to make decisions. And if his wife didn’t want to help his mother, he needed to make her.
Dima decisively opened the closet and reached for the top shelf. The piggy bank stood at the very edge, almost invisible behind a stack of towels. He carefully took it out and weighed it in his hands — heavy. So, there really was a lot of money.
Dima sat on the bed holding the piggy bank. Doubts crept into his soul again. Maybe he shouldn’t? Maybe just talk to Marina again?
“No,” he told himself firmly. “Mom is right. I have to show Marina who’s boss in this house.”
He opened the clever lock, lifted the lid, and, to his surprise, inside was just a pile of coins. Not a single bill.
“What the hell?” he muttered.
At that moment, the door slammed in the hallway. Dima jumped and almost dropped the piggy bank.
— Dima? Are you home? — Marina’s voice called out.
Dima hurriedly put the empty piggy bank back on the shelf and came out of the bedroom.
— Hi! — he smiled tensely. — How’s Sveta?
— Fine! — Marina took off her shoes and went to the kitchen. — Where have you been?
— At Mom’s! — Dima answered honestly, following his wife. — She’s very upset you don’t want to help at the dacha!
Marina took a bottle of water from the fridge and poured herself a glass.
— I already told you my opinion on this! It hasn’t changed!
Dima sat down at the table and looked intently at his wife.
— Marina, I want to ask you something… Where is the money from your piggy bank?
Marina slowly set the glass on the table.
— Why do you ask?
— Just answer the question! — Dima began to get irritated. — Where’s the money you saved for vacation?
— In a safe place! — Marina answered calmly. — Why?
— What kind of safe place? — Dima raised his voice. — They should be in the piggy bank!
— Did you check? — Marina crossed her arms. — Went through my things?
— I have a right to know where our family’s money is! — Dima slammed his fist on the table. — Answer immediately!
— First, it’s not our family’s money! — Marina remained surprisingly calm. — It’s my personal savings! I saved from my salary! Second, they’re on my card! I put them there this morning!
— What? — Dima was taken aback. — Why?
— I had a feeling! — Marina shrugged. — And, as you can see, I was right! You really wanted to take my money!
— I wasn’t going to take them! — Dima lied. — I just wanted to know how much was there!
— Don’t lie! — Marina shook her head. — I know why you went into the piggy bank! Your mother talked you into taking the money and blackmailing me to go to the dacha! Am I right?
Dima was silent, not knowing what to say. Marina hit the mark.
— Your silence speaks louder than words! — Marina smiled bitterly. — I suspected you might do something like this! But I hoped I was wrong until the last moment! That you wouldn’t stoop so low!
— Marina, you don’t understand! — Dima tried to justify himself. — Mom really needs help! She can’t manage the garden alone!
— And your brother? — Marina raised an eyebrow. — Why doesn’t he help? Why does all the work always fall on us?
— He has three kids, he’s busy! — Dima repeated his mother’s words.
— And what about us? — Marina shook her head. — Dima, finally understand: I’m not against helping your mother! I’m against every vacation turning into free work in the garden from which we get nothing! Your brother and his family don’t lift a finger but take everything!
— But Mom…
— No, Dima! — Marina raised her hand, stopping her husband. — Enough! I’m tired of this conversation! I’m going to the sea on June fifteenth as planned! With you or without you — decide yourself!
She got up from the table and headed to the bedroom. Dima stayed in the kitchen, feeling anger building inside. How dare she talk to him like that? How dare she give ultimatums?
He took his phone and dialed his mother’s number.
Natalia Pavlovna arrived the next morning. She entered her son’s apartment decisively, without waiting for an invitation.
— Where’s that ungrateful one? — she asked loudly, taking off her shoes in the hallway. — I’m about to give her a “vacation”!
Marina came out of the kitchen, drying her hands with a towel. Her face showed neither fear nor remorse — only fatigue and determination.
— Good morning, Natalia Pavlovna! — she said calmly. — Come in! Coffee? Tea?
— What tea? — the mother-in-law snorted. — I’m not here for tea parties! I came to deal with this mess!
Dima left the room, looking embarrassed and confused.
— Mom, maybe you shouldn’t…
— Shut up, Dima! — Natalia Pavlovna cut him off. — I’ll deal with your wife myself!
They went to the kitchen. Marina calmly set out cups and poured tea, as if unaware of the tension in the air.
— So! — Natalia Pavlovna sat down at the table, crossing her arms. — Dima told me you refuse to help at the dacha! What’s this news?
— It’s not news! — Marina sat opposite her mother-in-law. — I’ve worked at your dacha every vacation for three years straight! This year I want to rest! Dima and I are going to the sea!
— She’s going to the sea! — Natalia Pavlovna threw her hands up. — And who will help me? Who will plant, water, weed?
— For example, your eldest son! — Marina answered calmly. — Or his wife! Or their children! They’re old enough to help grandma!
— Don’t tell me who to ask for help! — Natalia Pavlovna raised her voice. — Antosha works, has three kids! He can’t waste time at the garden! His wife takes care of the house and children! They should have a normal childhood! So they don’t have time!
— And what about us? — Marina raised her eyebrow. — We have work, we have plans! And we also have the right to rest!
— What kind of rest? — Natalia Pavlovna waved dismissively. — Young, healthy! You only want to have fun! And you don’t want to think about your husband’s mother?
— I thought about you for three years! — Marina said firmly. — For three years I dug beds, planted, watered, weeded, carried heavy loads! For three years Dima and I spent our vacation working in your garden! And what did we get in return? Nothing! All the harvest always goes to Antosha and his family!
— They need it more! They have kids!
— And what about us? — Marina shook her head. — Natalia Pavlovna, understand: I’m not against helping you! I’m against being used! We work, but the fruits of our labor go to those who don’t lift a finger!
— How dare you speak about my son like that? — Natalia Pavlovna turned red.
— I’m telling the truth! — Marina stayed calm. — And you know it! Your Antosha never helps at the dacha! Neither he, nor his wife, nor his kids! But they take all the harvest!
— Dima! — Natalia Pavlovna turned to her son. — Do you hear what she’s saying? Why are you silent? Tell her!
Dima looked from his mother to his wife, clearly unsure whose side to take.
— Mom, Marina is partly right… — he finally said. — Anton really never helps at the dacha!
— What? — Natalia Pavlovna couldn’t believe her ears. — You’re going against your own mother?
— I’m not against you! — Dima sighed. — But Marina’s right! We work at the dacha every year, and the harvest goes to them! It’s unfair!
— So, you’re both against me? — Natalia Pavlovna got up from the table. — Fine! Great! Go to your sea! And I’ll suffer alone at the dacha, at my age! And when I collapse from unbearable work, don’t you dare come!
— Natalia Pavlovna! — Marina also stood up. — No one says we won’t help you at all! We can come on weekends after vacation! But not all summer long! And not during our vacation!
— I don’t need your help! — the mother-in-law snapped. — I’ll manage! Dima, pack your things, you’re going to live with me!
— What? — Dima was shocked.
— You heard me! — Natalia Pavlovna headed to the hallway. — I won’t let this woman destroy our family! You’re my son, you must be with me!
Marina and Dima exchanged looks. Natalia Pavlovna was already putting on her shoes, showing determination in every move.
— Mom, I can’t just leave my wife! — Dima tried to reason.
— So you choose her? — Natalia Pavlovna pointed her finger at Marina. — This ungrateful, spoiled girl who spits on your family?
— Natalia Pavlovna! — Marina stepped forward. — I’m not spitting on the family! I just want my wishes to be respected too!
— Shut up! — Natalia Pavlovna turned to her son. — Dima, last time I ask: will you come with me or stay with her?
Dima stood frozen. He looked at his mother, then at his wife, his eyes showing a painful struggle.
— I… I can’t decide right now… — he mumbled.
— It’s clear! — Natalia Pavlovna grabbed her bag. — You’ve made your choice! Don’t call me anymore!
She left, slamming the door loudly. Silence hung in the apartment.
— Dima! — Marina said quietly. — You can’t decide so quickly?
She went to the room and sat on the couch. Dima followed her, looking completely lost.
— I don’t know what to do! — he admitted. — Mom is right, I should help her! But you’re right too — we deserve rest!
— It’s not just about rest! Yesterday you tried to steal my money! You wanted to blackmail me into working at your mother’s garden! That’s… betrayal, do you understand?
Dima lowered his head.
— I shouldn’t have done that! Sorry!
— I can’t trust you anymore! And I can’t live with someone I don’t trust!
— What do you mean? — Dima looked at her frightened.
— I’m filing for divorce! — Marina said firmly. — I already packed! Today I’ll move to Sveta’s, and on June fifteenth I’m going to Sochi! Alone!
— Marina, no! — Dima grabbed her hands. — We can fix everything! I’ll talk to Mom, I’ll explain…
— It’s too late, Dima! — Marina gently freed her hands. — You’ve already made your choice! Not with words, but actions! And I’ve made mine!
She got up and went to the bedroom. After a few minutes, she returned with a packed bag.
— I hope you’ll be happy with your mother and brother! I’ll be happy without you, that’s for sure!
The door closed. Dima was left alone in the empty apartment, realizing he had lost everything because of his weakness and indecision. He couldn’t choose between his mother and wife, and in the end, he had nothing.
And Marina walked down the street with a light heart, feeling freer with every step. Ahead was the sea, the sun, and a new life — without manipulation, without betrayal, without endless work in someone else’s garden.
Before the vacation, Marina filed for divorce and property division. Natalia Pavlovna and Dima called and messaged her many times, trying to talk her out of her decision, but she didn’t respond to anyone. In the end, Marina got half the apartment and half of her husband’s car. All of Dima’s money was taken by his mother and given to her eldest son — he needed it more…
