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The Postage Stamp: How Illya Left Katya for Another Woman, Katya Swore Revenge on All Men, and Daughter Sonia Discovered the Secret of Real Love
A POSTAGE STAMP
Toms left Emily, Mum sighs heavily.
What do you mean? Im confused.
Im baffled myself. He was away on business for a month. Came back a different man. Told Emily, Sorry, I love someone else, Mum gazes off, lost in thought.
He actually said that? This must be some huge misunderstanding. Appalling, I start to boil over at my sister Emilys husband.
Sophie called me, says Mums unwell and had to call the ambulance. Turns out, Emily had some sort of neurological issue with swallowing, Mum blinks rapidly, frowning.
Alright, Mum, lets calm down. To be honest, Emily should never have put Tom on a pedestal. Shes always fussed over him, dancing attendance as they say. Now shes reaping what shes sown. Poor thing. I hope Tom isnt serious about this new woman… He loves Emily and Sophie, I cant bring myself to believe what Ive heard.
Tom and Emily fell madly in loveabsolute passion. They married just two months after meeting. Sophie was born, and their life seemed measured and steady. Then, suddenly
A landslide
Naturally, I rush round to see my sister. These conversations are always the hardest with your own flesh and blood.
Em, what on earth happened? Did Tom even try to explain? Has he lost his mind? I bombard Emily with questions.
Oh, Nina, Im in total shock. Who is this woman? Has she cast some spell on him? Tom ran after her like he was possessed. You cant reason with him. Told me, Emily, life should flow, not drain away. Threw his clothes in a bag and left. I feel like Ive been dragged face-first across the tarmac. I just dont get it Emily cries, tears streaming without end.
Lets wait, Emily. Maybe your runaway will come to his senses. Stranger things have happened, I hug my sobbing sister.
Tom never did return.
He settled in another city. With his new wife.
Katherine was eighteen years older than Tom. The age gap didnt matter a jotthey adored each other and were happy. Souls have no age, Katherine would say again and again.
Tom is utterly enchanted by his second wife. Shes his guiding light now.
Katherines personality is quite something
She can love fiercelyor not at all. Shes wild, untamed, impossibly free-spirited. She can sugar her words or cut you down to size with them.
Tom worships Katherine.
Every so often, he marvels aloud:
Where have you been all my life, my Katherine Ive searched for you half my days
Meanwhile, Emily, her life upended, vows to get even with all men, come what may.
Shes beautifulheads turn, men and women alike.
At work, shes caught her bosss eye, and hes smitten.
Emily, marry me and youll want for nothing. I promise. Youll be my queen.
Im finished with marriage, Richard. Had quite enough
Lets go to the seaside instead. I want Sophie to get some fresh air, Emily winks playfully at Richard.
Lets go, love
Jack is more laid-back, handy around the house. He fixed up Emilys flat for her.
No marriage proposalshes already quite married himself
So Emily strings both along as she pleases.
No love was involvedjust distractions to help her swallow her sorrownothing more.
But she pines for Tom. She sees him in her dreams, wakes in tears, haunted by memories. Her heart aches for him.
How do you cut someone out of your life? What was wrong with me? I was obedient, considerate, did everything for him. We never even argued
The years go by.
Emily keeps living: sometimes flashing an enigmatic smile at Richard, sometimes steering Jack gently back to his own family.
Sophie is twenty now when she decides its time to visit her father.
She buys a train ticket, rehearsing how shell speak to the woman who split up her parents.
She arrives in another city.
She rings the doorbell.
I suppose youre Sophie? an intriguing woman appears at the door.
Mums much prettier, Sophie thinks.
And youre Katherine? Sophie guesses.
I am, come in. Your fathers out, hell be back soon, Katherine leads Sophie to the kitchen.
How are things? Hows your mum? Katherine flutters about. Tea? Coffee?
Katherine, can I askhow did you manage to take my father from our family? He loved Mum, I know he did, Sophie looks her straight in the eyes.
Sophie, not everything in life is within our control. Theres no guarantee in love. Sometimes, passion strikes you from out of nowhere. One meeting can change everything. Fate pulls the strings, and you dont always know why. Suddenly its a new dance partner. Thats lifeyou cant explain it, Katherine sits, visibly tired.
But surely you could have stopped yourself, out of duty to his family Sophie doesnt understand Katherines reasons. She gazes hard at the woman she cant help but resent.
You cant, sweetheart, Katherine replies simply.
Thank you for your honesty, Sophie declines the offered coffee.
Sophie, want a little cheeky advice?
Men are like postage stamps: the more you lick them, the harder they stick, Katherine laughs. Really, with a man, youve got to be sometimes steel and sometimes velvet… By the way, your dad and I have just had a blazing row.
Thanks for the tip So, shall I wait for Dad? Sophie is uncertain.
Im not sure. Hes been living in a hotel all week. Heres the address, Katherine jots it on a torn scrap of paper. There you are.
Sophie is secretly relievednow she can speak to her father alone.
Goodbye. Thank you for the coffee, Sophie hurries away.
She finds the hotel and knocks at her fathers door.
Tom is happy to see her, though awkward at first.
Sophie, I was just about to come back home today You know, after an argument and all that
Dad, thats your business. I just wanted to see you, Sophie gently takes her fathers hand.
Hows your mum? Tom asks, as if by habit.
Were fine, Dad. Weve got used to life without you, Sophie sighs.
They share a warm evening in a hotel roomquiet talk, laughter, and tears.
Dad, do you love Katherine? Sophie suddenly asks.
Very much. Im sorry, love, Tom answers firmly.
I see. Well, I should go. My trains soon, Sophie starts collecting her things.
Come visit again, Sophie. Were still family, Tom looks at the floor.
Of course Sophie flits out of the hotel.
Back home, she decides to follow Katherines advice.
Not to love, not to care too much, not to trust empty words from men. Just spit
But three years later, someone truly special appearsDaniel. He seems made just for Sophie. Heaven sent.
Sophie knows it immediately. She feels it
When you meet the right one, no one else even compares
Daniel holds her closebody and soul. He quietly touches her heart. Before long, Sophie falls for him, unconditionally. CompletelyAnd this time, Sophie isnt licking the stamp or chasingshe simply lets herself be.
No games, no second-guessing, no looking over her shoulder at her parents failed loves. She shares laughter and silence with Daniel, finds comfort not in clinging but in walking side by side.
Watching the waves roll up the shore one evening, Daniel slips his hand into hers. Neither says a wordthey dont need to. Its enough, this warm hush, two futures quietly entwining.
Years from now, Sophie remembers all that unraveling, all that pain and longing, and realizes: life is a collection of little farewells and bright new beginnings. Sometimes, love lands gently, like a stamp on an envelopepressed firm and true, needing no extra glue.
At last, the letter finds its way home.
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LIFE, SORTED Lydia, Im forbidding you from seeing your sister and her family again! They’ve got their life, weve got...
Bitterness at the Bottom of My Soul “The children’s home has been waiting for you for ages! Get out of our family!” I screamed with a trembling voice. The target of my wild indignation was my cousin, Dima. God, how I loved him as a child! Blond hair, bright blue eyes, cheerful nature — that was Dima. …Relatives often gathered around the festive table. Of all my cousins, I singled out Dima. He could spin tales with his tongue like a lace maker and he drew brilliantly. Sometimes he would churn out five or six sketches an evening. I would stare, entranced by their beauty, quietly gathering his drawings and hiding them in my desk. I carefully treasured my cousin’s artwork. Dima was two years older than me. When he turned 14, his mother died—gone so suddenly, she just didn’t wake up… The question arose—what would happen to Dima? Naturally, they first turned to his father, but finding him was no easy feat. He and Dima’s mother were long divorced, and the new family “couldn’t be disturbed.” The rest of the relatives just shrugged: “We have our own families, our own problems.” Turns out, during the day, family is there, but come nightfall, not a soul to be found. So, with two kids of their own, my parents became Dima’s guardians—after all, Dima’s late mother was my dad’s younger sister. At first, I was happy that Dima would be living with us. But then… On his very first day in our home, Dima’s behavior set me on edge. To comfort her orphaned nephew, my mum asked, “Is there anything you’d like, Dima? Don’t be shy, just say.” And Dima immediately replied, “A model train set.” Now, this wasn’t a cheap toy. I was shocked—your mum just died, the most important person in your life, and all you want is a train set? How could you even think of that? But my parents immediately bought him his dream. Then it was, “Buy me a tape player, jeans, a designer jacket…” This was the eighties, mind you, and not only was this stuff pricey, but it was impossible to get. My parents made sacrifices for the orphan, even at our own expense. My brother and I understood and didn’t complain. …When Dima turned sixteen, he discovered girls. And he wasn’t afraid to show his affection. Worse yet, he started making advances toward me—his own cousin. But as a sporty girl, I skillfully dodged his unwelcome attention. We’d even come to blows. I would cry and cry. I never told my parents—they didn’t need the heartache. Kids don’t talk about such things. After I fended him off, Dima wasted no time turning to my friends, who actually competed for his attention. …But Dima was also a shameless thief. I remember my piggy bank: saving on school lunches to buy presents for my parents, only to find it empty one day! Dima denied everything—didn’t bat an eye, didn’t blush, just outright lied. It broke my heart. How could he steal while living under our roof? He was wrecking our family from within, but Dima really didn’t understand why I was upset. He truly believed everyone owed him. I began to hate him. That’s when I finally screamed at him: “Get out of our family!” I lashed him with my words—said things that can never be taken back… My mum barely managed to calm me. From that day on, Dima ceased to exist for me. I ignored him completely. Later, I learned the other relatives knew what a “character” Dima was—they lived nearby and seen it all. Our family lived across town. Even Dima’s former teachers warned my parents: “You’re making a big mistake. Dima will ruin your other children too.” …At a new school, he met Katy—she loved Dima all her life. She married him straight out of school. They had a daughter, and Katy put up with his lies and cheating without protest. As they say: single life is hardship, married life is double. Dima joined the Army, stationed in Scotland. There, he started another family—he somehow managed it during leave. When his service ended, he stayed in Scotland. He had a son there. Katy, not hesitating, went after him and, by hook or by crook, brought him back home. My parents never received a word of thanks from cousin Dima—not that they expected it. Now, fifty years on, Dmitri is an active member of the local Anglican church. He and Katy have five grandchildren. On the surface, all seems well, but the bitterness of life with Dima remains… No amount of sugar could ever sweeten it.
SORROW AT THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART Youve needed a childrens home for years! Get out of our family! I...
Bittersweet Happiness – “What’s wrong with that young lady? She’s a good girl. Modest, neat, a hardworking student. She loves you,” Helen Edwards chastised her son. “Mum, I’ll handle it…” Denis clearly ended the pointless conversation. Helen left the room. “He’ll handle it… How many girls has he turned away… Nearly forty, and soon no one will do. Nothing’s ever right for him…” she thought with a heavy sigh. “Son, dinner’s ready,” Helen called from the kitchen. Denis responded instantly, tucking into his mother’s homemade stew. “Thank you, Mum. Delicious, as always.” “You should be saying that to your wife, not me,” Helen couldn’t let it go. “Mum…” Denis drank his compote and prepared to leave. “Wait, son. Do you know, I once visited a fortune-teller? She took one look at me and said: ‘Your son will have happiness, but it will be bittersweet.’” “Oh, Mum, don’t believe such things,” Denis grinned. …Through the years, different women—some loved, some not—came and went in Denis’s life. …Inna was smart, cultured, shockingly wise for her age. She often gave sound advice to the nine-years-older Denis. At first he liked this, but then he began to see Inna more as a mentor than anything else. Everything felt colourless. They split up. Polly had an eight-year-old son. Try as he might, Denis couldn’t get through to the boy, though he loved Polly. She was beautiful, but too headstrong. Whenever they quarrelled, he’d try to patch things up with gifts. The arguments felt senseless. Something was always missing—maybe peace and stability. Vera was everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. Denis almost married her. She was decent, pure, balanced—he felt like he had to “wear kid gloves” just to speak to her. He even moved into her flat. He was ready to start a family. But… He came home unexpectedly from a work trip to find Vera in bed with her old school friend. Classic… After that, Denis moved back in with his mum. Enough romance, he decided. “I’ll be a bachelor—a solid family of one,” he joked to his mum. Helen would shrug and sigh: “Will you ever find your one, son?” But fate had its own plan. Suddenly, unexpectedly. Denis was travelling for work, claimed his usual bottom bunk in the train carriage. A woman entered: “Excuse me, would you mind swapping? Can I have your lower bunk? Please.” “No trouble,” Denis replied. He looked her over—nothing remarkable. Yet his heart skipped. “Maybe she’s the one…” He clambered onto the top bunk and dozed off… “Glad you’re awake! Come, have some tea,” the stranger cooed. Denis climbed down and they started talking. “Larissa,” she introduced herself. “Denis. Nice to meet you, Larissa.” They talked throughout the evening. Denis felt instantly at ease. He didn’t try to impress her; everything just flowed, as if he’d known her forever. They exchanged numbers, just in case… A couple of weeks later, he couldn’t resist calling her. One thing led to another… Dates, kisses, promises… Denis couldn’t imagine his life without Larissa. At forty years old! He’d always let previous girlfriends go easily—but not this one… He wanted to lose himself entirely in her life. Larissa surrounded Denis with love, care, and understanding. Three months in, he offered his heart and hand. “Denis, I’m seven years older than you. I have three children. We live in a council flat,” Larissa admitted. She never lied. “I know, Lara. I’ve met your kids—you’ll all move in with me. It’s sorted. I love every inch of you. You’re my last and only,” said Denis, kissing her tenderly. “All right, Denis, let’s give it a try,” murmured a shy Larissa. “No, not try, Lara. We’ll be together. For good,” Denis squeezed her hand. “Do you hear me? Forever.” When Helen learned his plans, all she could say was: “You’ve really outdone yourself this time… The plainest girl of them all…” …Nine months later, their daughter was born—a child with Down’s syndrome. Denis felt both joy and worry for Larissa. Would she cope? Having a child with special needs is never easy. …Today, Denis and Larissa’s daughter is eight. The whole family adores her. Denis worships Larissa. Bittersweet, but happiness…
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