З життя
Викресливши нас з заповіту, хай сама дбає про себе! – невістка забороняє догляд за свекрухою.
Скоро нас зала забере, нехай сама про себе дбає! – невістка не дозволяє доглядати свекруху.
Марія Левченко більшу частину свого життя працювала на заводі в рідному місті, яке було єдиним місцем, де можна було отримати хорошу зарплату. Вона ніколи не задумувалася про зміну професії, адже в невеликому місті, де вона жила, не було інших перспектив, а ще й необхідно було забезпечувати свого улюбленого сина.
На чоловіка ніколи не могла особливо розраховувати, адже вже через кілька місяців після весілля, коли дізналася, що скоро їхня родина збільшиться, зрозуміла, що головою родини є вона сама. Утримання сім’ї, виховання сина, організація скромного життя – все лежало на її плечах.
Звісно, іноді вона розглядала ідею розлучення, але зрештою вирішувала, що краще, щоб дитина мала якогось батька, аніж жодного. Завдяки своїй важкій праці на заводі, Марія змогла відправити сина на навчання до міста. Хлопець був розумним і прагнув якомога швидше стати самостійним. Він досяг успіхів у навчанні, отримав добре оплачувану роботу і був запрошений працювати в столиці.
Там він познайомився з дівчиною, з якою швидко вирішив одружитися. Жінці не подобалася невістка, її дратувало, коли пара приїжджала в гості, а невістка починала зневажати маленьке містечко і постійно ходила з виразом презирства на обличчі, наче була високопородною аристократкою. До того ж, жінка знала, що дівчина походить з одного з приміських сіл.
Коли старенька досягла 60 років, вона потрапила до лікарні. Виявилося, що причиною стали багаторічні шкідливі умови праці. Незабаром її виписали з лікарні, але вона потребувала допомоги у домашніх справах. Чоловіка вже давно не було поруч, тож звернулася до сина по допомогу, але він також не міг допомогти, оскільки перебував за кордоном. Тоді Марія вирішила звернутися до сусідки – Олени, якій обіцяла заплатити за допомогу по господарству. Добродушна дівчина взялася допомагати зовсім безкоштовно, пояснивши, що старенька «потребує грошей». Вона брала лише гроші на купівлю продуктів, з яких готувала їй обіди.
Відчуваючи величезну вдячність, Марія, розуміючи, що час добігає кінця, склала Заповіт, згідно з яким її квартира мала перейти молодій сусідці. Це не було спричинене якоюсь неприязню до сина, просто вона логічно оцінила, що її дитина має все необхідне, а дешеве помешкання в маленькому місті йому не потрібне.
Одного дня Олена мусила поїхати з міста на два тижні. Дізнавшись, що син вже повернувся в країну, мати вирішила зателефонувати і ще раз попросити про допомогу. Під час розмови вона розповіла про сусідку і про те, що саме вона є спадкоємицею її квартири. Так вона хотіла подякувати за безкорисливу допомогу.
На мить у телефоні запанувала тиша, поки не заговорила невістка, яка, видно, чула розмову.
– Якщо вже нас викреслила із заповіту, нехай сама про себе дбає!
– Тихо будь! – сичав син.
Марія терпляче чекала, що скаже син.
– Мамо, постараюся приїхати, але не обіцяю, бо на роботі погрожують раннім поверненням з відпустки.
– Добре… – жінка не втрачала надії, що син таки приїде.
На жаль, син не встиг її відвідати…
Is the Orchid Really to Blame? “Polly, take this orchid or I’m throwing it out,” Kate said, carelessly picking up the clear pot from the windowsill and handing it to me. “Thanks, Kate! But what’s wrong with this orchid?” I was surprised. After all, three more gorgeous, well-tended orchids stood in her window. “It was a wedding gift for my son. And you know how that all ended,” Kate sighed heavily. “I know your Denis got divorced before their first anniversary. I won’t ask why—I bet it was a serious reason. Denis adored Tanya,” I said gently, not wanting to reopen a fresh wound. “I’ll tell you the full story one day, Polly. For now, it’s just too much,” Kate said, getting a bit teary. I brought the “banished” and “rejected” orchid home. My husband looked sympathetically at the wilting plant. “Why do you want that poor thing? There’s no life in it. Even I can see that. Don’t waste your time,” he insisted. “I want to revive it. Give it some love and care. You’ll see—soon you’ll be impressed by this orchid!” I replied, determined to breathe life back into the drooping flower. He winked playfully: “Who ever turns down a bit of love?” A week later, Kate called: “Polly, can I come over? I can’t keep this bottled up anymore. I want to tell you everything about Denis’s failed marriage.” “Of course, Kate. I’m here whenever you need me,” I assured her—remembering how she’d supported me through two rocky marriages of my own… After all, we’d been friends for years. Kate arrived within the hour, settled in the kitchen, and for hours, over a glass of dry wine, a mug of coffee, and some dark chocolate, she shared the whole, tangled tale. “I never imagined my ex-daughter-in-law was capable of such things. Denis and Tanya were together for seven years. Denis left Annie—who I adored, by the way—for Tanya, who was just stunning. He was absolutely besotted, following her around like a lovesick puppy. Tanya looked like a model—men couldn’t help but stare. But for all those years, they never had a child. I figured Denis wanted everything by the book—get married, then have kids. Denis is private, and we never pried. Finally, Denis told us: ‘Mum, Dad, I’m marrying Tanya. We’ve booked the registry office. I’m throwing a huge wedding—no expense spared.’ He was thirty. We were thrilled that he’d finally settle down. But, Polly, the wedding date had to be postponed twice—once Denis got sick, then I was held up at work. It felt odd, but Denis was glowing with happiness—I didn’t say anything. Denis even wanted to have a church wedding with Father Christopher, but the priest was called back to his home parish. Nothing was going smoothly. It seemed like the world was warning us… The wedding was spectacular, noisy, extravagant. Here—look at the wedding photo. You see that orchid? Glorious, in full bloom. Its leaves stood tall like soldiers. And now? Just limp rags remain of it. …Denis and Tanya planned their honeymoon in Paris, but right at the airport, Tanya was barred from leaving the country—something about an unpaid fine. Denis swatted away these troubles like flies. …But then Denis got seriously ill. Ended up in hospital, things looked grim. Doctors were at a loss. Tanya visited for a week, then bluntly told him: ‘Sorry, but I can’t handle being married to an invalid. I’m filing for divorce.’ Polly, imagine my son—bedridden—hearing that. But he only said: ‘I understand, Tanya. I won’t fight you.’ So they divorced. But Denis got better—thanks to a wonderful doctor named Peter. And Peter had a lovely 20-year-old daughter, Mary. At first, Denis turned up his nose: ‘She’s just a slip of a girl—not even pretty.’ ‘Give her a chance, son. Looks aren’t everything. You’ve already had a model for a wife…Better to be happy drinking water together than sipping honey in sorrow.’ …Time passed. Mary totally fell for Denis—called all the time, trailed after him everywhere. So we tried nudging them together—day at the park, barbecue, campfire. Denis looked miserable, barely noticing Mary’s devotion. I told my husband: ‘It’s hopeless. Denis is still obsessed with Tanya. She’s a thorn in his heart.’ …Three or four months later—ding dong! It’s Denis, holding that infamous orchid. ‘Here you go, Mum—remnants of past happiness. Do as you like with it—I’m done with it.’ I took it reluctantly and basically ignored it, blaming the poor flower for my son’s heartbreak. One day, a neighbour says: ‘Kate, I saw Denis with that petite girl. His ex-wife was more glamorous, for sure.’ But then Denis announced, hand-in-hand with Mary: ‘Meet my wife—Mary. We got married quietly at the registry office, then Father Christopher married us in church. Mum, Dad, no big fuss this time! It’s forever now.’ I pulled him aside: ‘Denis, are you sure you love her? Is this for revenge against Tanya?’ ‘No, Mum. I’m over it. That woman is my past—I’m done even saying her name. Mary and I are right for each other.’ And that’s the tale, Polly. Kate finished her story, right down to the last detail. …Two years passed. Life swept us along. But the orchid? It flourished again—blooming beautifully after care and love. Flowers know how to say thank you. I met Kate at the hospital maternity ward: ‘Hi, mate! What brings you here?’ ‘Mary just had twins—being discharged today!’ Kate beamed. Denis and his dad hovered nearby, Denis clutching red roses. Out came exhausted but glowing Mary, with two sleeping bundles in tow. Then came my daughter, holding my own new granddaughter. Meanwhile, Tanya was begging Denis for forgiveness and a fresh start. …But glue a broken teacup, and no one really wants to drink from it…
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