Zoya had spent her entire life as a teacher, and now, due to her small pension, she was forced to sell vegetables at the market. Her son-in-law had brought a new wife to their apartment, and her daughter had returned to live with her mother along with her child. Zoya helped as much as she could.
«Mom, I feel uncomfortable about this. You spend all day in the garden and at the market,» said Elya. «You’d better rest.» «It’s okay, daughter. As long as I have the strength, I’ll help you and the grandson. You also do your part, you weeded half the garden in just a couple of days! I couldn’t have managed alone,» the woman replied. «And Liza needs new shoes for school. She can’t go wearing old ones, can she?»
So they lived, helping each other, believing that someday their turn for a celebration would come. Of course, if Elya could ‘walk over heads,’ she wouldn’t suffer alone.
One morning, Zoya Fedorovna went off to trade. She had a prime spot at the market, attracting lots of customers. This was noticed by other vendors, including Ludmila, a former teacher’s acquaintance. And so, she took Zoya’s place. «Why do you sleep in so late? Sorry, I’ve already taken your spot. It takes me an hour to set up and an hour to pack up, so you’ll have to find another spot today,» Ludmila declared.
Zoya didn’t argue with her. It wasn’t in her nature. The woman settled nearby and set up her goods. It turned out her neighbor was also trading.
«How’s your son-in-law? Didn’t he come back?» asked Tanya. «He hasn’t returned,» sighed Zoya. «He now has his own life.» «Young people nowadays don’t need a family, children. They want to live for themselves. My son hasn’t married yet, still running around in the mountains,» the neighbor shared.
The conversation made time fly by unnoticed. After lunch, a young man appeared at the market, dressed in strange clothes.
«Could he be an inmate?» Ludmila gasped, and all the vendors looked apprehensively at the newcomer.
The man approached Zoya’s stall. Reaching her goods, he turned out his pockets and asked: «Auntie, I have absolutely no money. Could I owe you a couple of apples?» «Just take them, what’s there to say. And why doesn’t a strapping young man like you have any money?» she shrugged in response. «I had to make my way home from places not so far-flung. Don’t worry, I’m no murderer. I fell for a woman like a boy, and that’s how I ended up in prison.»
«Do you have no family to help you? Why are you traveling home alone?» «I do. But I’d rather not call them. I want to surprise them.» «Is it far?» «Ulyanovsk.» «That’s a long journey!»
The former convict stepped away for a moment. The market was close to the station. Zoya saw him talking to a driver, then he returned to her.
«Auntie. Could you lend me some money? Otherwise, I won’t see my home. Don’t be scared, I’ll repay you as soon as I earn,» he pleaded, looking at her beseechingly. «How much do you need?» «A thousand!»
And Zoya, under the puzzled glances of other vendors, handed him a generous bill. «You shouldn’t have to walk, take this,» she said. «Thank you so much! I’ll definitely repay you!» the young man thanked her. «My name is Pasha, what’s yours?» «I’m Zoya Fedorovna.» «Thank you, Zoya Fedorovna!» he thanked her again and headed towards the bus. «You’re a fool, Zoya! He’ll never repay you!» a neighbor exclaimed. «We should help each other; we’re not beasts,» the woman defended herself. «He’s not a person. A convict is a convict even in Africa!»
Waving dismissively at Tanya, Zoya packed up to go home.
By the weekend, Elya was down with a fever. The mother, having gathered various herbs from the garden, treated her daughter as best she could.
Her granddaughter ran to her in the evening with a book and tugging at Zoya’s sleeve, chirped: «Granny, read me a fairy tale?» «Of course, I’ll read to you, granddaughter,» the elderly woman agreed, patting the girl on the head.
Rain started outside. As the firewood crackled in the stove, Elya set the table. The family was about to dine. Unexpectedly, someone knocked at the door.
The women looked at each other. They weren’t expecting anyone! «May I?» — a stranger entered, pushing the door open. Looking at him closely, Zoya remembered: «Pasha?» «Yes, it’s me, Zoya Fedorovna. Sorry I didn’t return the debt right away. A lot has happened to me lately.» «If it weren’t for your eyes, I would never have recognized you!» the elderly woman laughed. «You look so decent! Dressed up, shaved, quite a sight to behold.» «Join us for our dinner,» invited Elya, slightly embarrassed.
At the table, Pasha shared his story of how he ended up behind bars. Wrongfully sentenced to a full three years!
«I’m back as head of the department now, so if you need anything, come see me in the clinic,» he finished, looking interestedly at Elya.
And a week later, a familiar car stopped at Zoya’s house, from which Pavel emerged with a large bouquet of flowers. «Daughter, look out the window! Your suitor has come,» the mother exclaimed, peeking through the curtain. «Looks like we might be having a wedding soon?» «Is that so? It seems the celebration has finally come to our street too!» laughed Elya, holding little Liza close to her chest.
