Mother raised Tatyana within strict boundaries. Even in her senior school years, she wasn’t allowed to stay out late. “Where there are late walks, trouble isn’t far behind,” she often repeated.
Tanya was indignant. Her friends’ parents allowed them to meet up with friends in the evenings, while she was forced to stay home. Nevertheless, she obeyed her mother. When the girl entered college, her mother continued to keep a vigilant ear. “How can you fall in love and run off to get married? One of your classmates got pregnant in her second year and had a child. Fortunately, the guy took responsibility and married her.”
“Is that going to last? And what’s so good about it?” complained her mother. “School is in full swing, and she already doesn’t know where to put the baby, whom to leave him with. College students aren’t given maternity leave. After classes, she has to look after the baby, do laundry, ironing, cook… plus prepare for lectures. Young parents, with retirement so far off. All your best years end up being spent on responsibilities…”
Her mother spoke passionately about the hardships of motherhood, her words ringing in Tatyana’s ears.
“Mom, I’m not planning to get married or have children. Calm down,” the daughter tried to halt the flow of words.
“It’s one of those things. You fall in love—and before you know it, you’re expecting. It happened to one of my friends. I know what I’m talking about.”
“Wait, you always said that your only friend was Rosa. Are you talking about her now?” Tatyana seized on the slip.
Her mother blushed and began mumbling about having other friends too—it was just that she’d been friends with Rosa since school.
“I remember you once said that she was to blame for her own misfortunes. Her child was born weak.”
“Not weak, but feeble. Who knows what I might have said in the heat of the moment. You twisted my words, filled in the blanks—what a dreamer,” her mother stammered in a muddled defense.
“But I do remember. I was already in school. He lived with us for several days when Rosa was hospitalized. So skinny, with his neck wrapped in a scarf.”
“You really remember? Yes, that happened. She raised herself, without a husband. Her stomach hurt, the doctors thought it was appendicitis, and they took her to the hospital. Even though we didn’t speak much then, she called and asked me to look after her son. So I brought him here. A child isn’t responsible for his mother.”
“What do you mean? Did she do something bad to you? Why did you stop talking to her if she was your only friend?” Tatyana immediately grabbed the chance to switch the conversation to Rosa.
“What are these questions for?” her mother stammered.
“Just curious. You never talked about Rosa.”
“It’s better not to stir up the past. Friends sometimes quarrel—it’s nothing unusual. Don’t try to confuse me. I’m telling you all this so you don’t make mistakes. A child isn’t a toy—it’s for life. And men don’t like problems; they run away from them. A father’s feelings awaken much later—and even then, not always. Your father was like that. I got carried away.”
“And he said that you didn’t love him, so he left,” Tatyana thoughtfully said.
“He’ll say that just to justify himself. Wait, when did he tell you that?” her mother asked in surprise.
“I dated him. Even when I was in school. You never mentioned him. So I found him. He barely remembered me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Mom, you always take everything too harshly.”
“And how is he? Married?” her mother asked, feigning indifference.
“No, his wife left him. He drinks.”
“Well… serves him right. He deserved it,” her mother said with annoyance. “Had you not loved him, you wouldn’t have married him. Maybe not as much as you should have, but you did love him. He got scared of difficulties and left. Although, to be honest, I was even glad. Raising a child alone is hard,” she sighed.
Her mother’s story left an impression on Tatyana. From casual remarks, she learned much that she had only suspected before. They had never spoken like this. But she didn’t pry into her mother’s soul. Sooner or later, all secrets surface on their own. It wasn’t her business.
Tatyana graduated from college with honors and got a job at one of the best hospitals in the city.
One day, her mother returned from the store and said she had met a neighbor—one who used to teach Tanya math.
“Vera Fyodorovna’s granddaughter was born. I met her in the store. She was all happy, glowing with joy. And you, my daughter, are still unmarried. You’re twenty-six now. I’m nearly at retirement, and I’d love to have grandchildren…”
“You don’t understand. You scare me with early marriages and children, then blame me for not getting married. It turns out you need grandchildren,” Tatyana reproached.
“I’m a mother—I wanted to protect you from mistakes. You’ll end up just like me.”
“Alright, let’s drop the topic,” Tatyana tried to end the conversation.
“Don’t be angry, daughter. Is there no one you like? One of my friends has a son…”
“Isn’t he the same feeble, sickly one? Mom, don’t introduce me to your friends’ sick sons,” Tatyana snapped irritably.
“He’s healthy. He works as a programmer.”
“If he’s so good, why is he still single?” she teased.
“He sits at his computer all day, no time to go out and meet people. And besides, I invited them over,” her mother suddenly blurted out, looking at her daughter guiltily.
“What did you do? You could have asked if I wanted to meet him! And when are they coming to set you up? Tomorrow? Great. I was just invited to a birthday party at work, so you can do without me,” Tatyana exclaimed.
“Tanechka, I meant well. They’re just coming over for a visit—to have tea and talk. Please, don’t leave,” her mother pleaded, grabbing her hand as if fearing she might run away.
“Alright, but no matchmaking. Otherwise, I’m out. I don’t like him anymore,” Tatyana muttered.
Since early Saturday morning, her mother had kneaded dough for pies. By lunchtime, guests had arrived. Tatyana raised an eyebrow upon seeing a tall, awkward guy in glasses—completely unlike that feeble boy with the scarf around his neck. He slouched, as if embarrassed by his height, constantly adjusting his glasses. He ran his hand through his hair, making it even more disheveled.
“You look just like your father,” her mother exclaimed, clapping her hands. “Tanechka, this is Georgy. And this is my daughter, who works as a doctor in the hospital,” her mother introduced them, never taking her eyes off Rosa’s son.
“What are we waiting for? Come in,” Rosa interrupted. “You haven’t had guests in a while.”
“Yes, yes, come in,” her mother hurried.
They immediately sat at the table. Georgy attacked the pies.
“These pies are just like my mom’s. Mine never turn out as well,” said Rosa.
“That’s because she taught me how to bake them,” her mother replied with a smile.
“Can Tanya cook?” Rosa asked.
“Don’t call me Tanya. No, I can’t. I have to go now—I promised to visit an acquaintance. Her husband has had a fever for two days, and she asked me to look after him,” Tatyana announced as she rose from the table.
“Then Georgy will drive you wherever you say,” Rosa offered, unoffended by the blunt remark.
Georgy got up from the table, finishing the last piece of pie, and almost knocked over a cup of tea.
“No need, I’ll walk,” Tatyana shook her head.
“Georgy, drive Tanya. And have a chat on the way,” Rosa said, looking intently at her son.
Tatyana grimaced, but didn’t argue.
When they reached the street, she stopped in front of Georgy.
“I want to make one thing clear right away. There will be no continuation of our acquaintance.”
“Why?” he asked in surprise, adjusting his glasses.
“Because I’m not interested in you. Sorry for being blunt.”
“Why?” he repeated.
“Because you’re also stupid!” flashed through Tatyana’s mind.
“A man who, at your age, still lives with his mother… Do something about yourself: get a haircut, ditch those glasses, buy decent clothes…” she listed mercilessly. “Sorry if I hurt you. I’m leaving.” She turned and walked away.
“Wait. I’m not offended. I know my shortcomings. Get in the car,” Georgy said.
Tatyana froze and looked at the SUV parked by the entrance.
“Is that your car?” she asked.
“Yes. I drive well, don’t worry.”
She silently sat in the passenger seat. Throughout the journey, she stared ahead, feeling Georgy’s gaze upon her.
“Turn right at the traffic light,” she said, the first words during the ride. “Stop at the third entrance. Thank you.” As soon as the car stopped, she quickly got out.
“Wait for you?” Georgy asked.
Tatyana didn’t reply and entered the building. In reality, no one had called her. She had simply run away from home. A friend was happy to see her, though surprised by the sudden visit. After a while, Tatyana peeked out the window. The SUV was gone. By evening she returned home and received a dose of reproach from her mother.
“Mom, you saw him yourself. He looks like a garden scarecrow. I don’t even want to talk about it,” Tatyana declared as she went to her room.
Soon after, her mother looked in and sat beside Tatyana on the couch.
“I wanted to explain…” she began.
“If this is about Rosa’s son again, then no.”
“Your father was right. I loved a completely different man. In our course, there was Viktor—a handsome, fun guy. All the girls were crazy about him, and he courted me. I was beautiful in my youth, just like you are now. And Rosa…
I came down with a sore throat just before New Year, developed a fever. Rosa took advantage of that. Then she found out she was pregnant. Viktor got married, but their marriage didn’t work out. He had affairs, and they divorced a year after the child was born. The son was born weak—the doctors were even afraid for his life. Rosa took an academic leave and never returned to her studies. She got a job so she could raise her son.”
Tatyana noticed how her mother’s voice grew fainter, as if every word was a struggle.
“We had a big fight back then. But then she called when they took her to the hospital. Georgy—he is the son of the man I loved. First love is never forgotten. He looks very much like his father.”
“Wow. And did you forgive her?”
“Not immediately, but eventually I did. There was nothing left to divide. I married your father, but even that didn’t work out.”
“So you decided to introduce me to Georgy? To fix your past? Mom, I have my own life. I can’t live out what didn’t work out for you.”
“Sorry. I understand—it was a foolish idea…”
“Exactly, foolish. Let’s agree: no more meetings, introductions, or your friends’ sons. Got it?”
“Okay.”
From then on, her mother never again brought up the subject of her daughter’s marriage.
Several months passed. One evening, her mother entered Tatyana’s room.
“Rosa is unwell. She’s asking you to come over,” she said anxiously.
“Have her call an ambulance,” Tatyana replied.
“She’s afraid they’ll hospitalize her. Georgy is waiting for you in the car by the entrance.”
“Mom, are you at it again? You promised no more matchmaking!” Tatyana protested.
“I’m not involved. She’s really unwell. Please, go to her.”
“Alright. But if it turns out she’s fine…”
Tatyana left the building and saw Georgy’s car. He came out to meet her—tall, in a stylish coat, with a short haircut and no longer wearing glasses.
“Georgy? I don’t recognize you,” she said in surprise.
The young man opened the door for her, walked around the car, and sat behind the wheel.
“After our conversation, I rethought a lot,” he began as he drove out of the courtyard. “I bought an apartment in the neighboring building to be close to my mother. I got a haircut, chose contact lenses, updated my wardrobe. You know, I’m grateful to you for your frankness. It helped me become more confident.”
“It’s noticeable. And how’s your mother?” Tatyana asked.
“She’s having a heart attack. She took some pills, but I’m worried. This isn’t the first time. During the pandemic, she almost died in the hospital. Now she refuses to call an ambulance; she wants to stay home.”
Tatyana examined Rosa and insisted she be hospitalized.
“I’m not going,” Rosa waved her hand. “I’m feeling better.”
“Then tomorrow morning, Georgy will bring you to my department. Call when you arrive. Take everything you need.”
“Thank you, Tanya,” Rosa said.
The next day, when Tatyana left the hospital after her shift, Georgy was waiting for her.
“Your mother is okay—they’re putting her on IV drips. But visiting hours are over…”
“I came to see you. I wanted to invite you to dinner.” He looked at her, waiting for an answer.
Tatyana scrutinized him. Where had that clumsy guy gone? In his place stood a confident man in stylish clothing.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I already said…”
“I remember you don’t like me. It’s been half a year, and I’ve done everything to change your opinion. Perhaps Mom told you who I am, her son. If that matters to you, I understand.”
“What happened between our mothers doesn’t concern us. As far as I understand, nothing serious ever happened between them. Alright, I’m hungry,” she smiled.
One can never predict when or to whom love will come. Sometimes, the object of one’s affections even turns out to be the son of your mother’s failed love. And if he’s willing to change for you, that says a lot about his character.