– This is for you, Yulya, – my mother-in-law said warmly, holding out a small box and smiling softly.
The gift was modest: a small
box wrapped in red, shiny wrapping paper. At first glance, you’d think there was a book or a small paperback notebook inside, but the box was light as a feather.Gift BasketsBuy Bestselling Books Online
Yulia didn’t remember the gift until the next day when her husband and mother-in-law left for work. She did not expect something expensive from her mother-in-law – she always had money in short supply. It even seemed amazing to Yula how Dmitri, her husband, had grown up with such a respectful attitude toward money. He was frugal, even a little stingy, which was in sharp contrast to his mother’s habits.
The young family lived together with her mother-in-law for the third year. During this time Julia got used to her character and views, learned to perceive them with philosophical calm. Relations in the house were even: no one interfered in other people’s affairs, and this way of life suited everyone. Three years together made their neighborhood quite tolerable.
Dmitry diligently saved for the first installment of the mortgage and worked hard. Yulia, who was in her final year of university, also tried to work part-time. There was no money for lavish celebrations, so she decided to celebrate her birthday modestly: to meet her friends during the day, and in the evening to sit at home in the family circle.
Her friends gave her cute little things – decorative items, a scarf, home accessories. Husband, as it was agreed in advance, updated Yulia’s phone. But her mother-in-law’s gift remained unopened. Yulia took it in her hands, but, remembering the urgent matters, put it away again
the box back on the shelf.
In the evening, at dinner, the mother-in-law looked at Yulia strangely, rattled the dishes all the time, and finally broke the silence.
– Well, Yulya, looked at my gift?
– Oh, Olga Nikolayevna, I completely forgot about it in this fuss, it’s good that you reminded me. I’ll finish the dishes and then I’ll look at it.
My mother-in-law nodded and looked at her son, who was pensively looking at the cutlet on the plate.
– Son, what about the initial capital for an apartment?
– Not really, mom, a little more than half collected. The car should not have taken the wedding money, the costs are a lot, probably I’ll sell it.
– I see,” my mother put the plate in the sink, realizing that it was better not to pester me with her questions now.
Dmitri didn’t do well at his new place of work, and he was very worried. Yulia was also pensive. Her mother called more and more often, asking her to come and help or borrow money.
Tomorrow Yulia also had to go to her relatives to celebrate her birthday. Dmitri had to be back late, so Yulia was going alone.
It was a long drive, taking her more than an hour and a half. From one end of the city to the other – the road is not fast. Even before the wedding Yulia noticed that she and her future husband met in the central park right in the middle of the road between their houses. To escort the girl to the door, and then return home through traffic Dmitry quickly got bored, and he made Yulia an offer. Now she was riding the bus past that very park and smiling. It was a good time. Carefree.
Living with his wife’s parents was impossible. They themselves lived in a small two-room apartment with four people: mother, father, grandmother and Yulia’s sister. So moving in with her husband was inevitable.
Now, returning to the apartment in which she was born and grew up, Yulia experienced a prickly sensation. As if she had not come home, she had come to visit. Her mother met her on the threshold, smiled and held out her hands, preparing to take what her daughter was supposed to bring.
– Are you empty-handed?
Yulia shrugged her shoulders.
– I warned you that it was inconvenient for me to carry the cake across town, and I sent you the money to buy the treats.
– Oh, yes, – my mother remembered and smiled. – Go then, before you undress, buy a cake and we’ll have tea.
Yulia blinked frequently. Instead of “Happy birthday, my daughter. Come to the table…”
Now Yulia realized that she was expected, of course, but to set the table.
on the table.
In the nearest supermarket she stood for a long time at the shelves with confectionery. She didn’t want to go back. But Yulia pulled herself together and, having bought her favorite cake, returned home.
– It’s inconvenient to cut it, it’s a Napoleon!
– Yes,” Yulia confirmed, “it’s my favorite cake.
– I know, daughter, how do you eat it?
Voices were heard in her sister’s room. While Yulia went to the store, her sister must have had guests.
– Marinka has friends, – the mother was ahead of her. But Yulia herself saw a pile of shoes on the nightstand.
– It would have been better not to invite her friends, we could have sat together as a family.
– What’s the big deal? It was your birthday,” her mother shrugged.
– Are you offended or what? – Yulia couldn’t stand it. – I spent this day the way I wanted, sent you money and came here. You all get together late at night anyway.
– No offense taken,” her father intervened, closing the kitchen window.
– No, of course not. We celebrated the day before yesterday, too. And today, let’s drink tea. Marina-ah, baa-ah, – called the younger daughter and grandmother mother.
In the kitchen, small and unsuitable for tea, all did not fit. Yulia remained standing by the window, giving way to the teenagers. As best she could, she cut the cake into many pieces, unplanned slices. Dividing the cake for four was easier. My father was indifferent to sweets, he didn’t eat cakes. Everyone always got a huge piece for the holidays.
Spoons and
forks were all gone. Yulia spent a long time looking for a cutlery for herself.
– Take a disposable fork, there, in the locker. Yesterday my neighbor came over, and I gave her almost all the spoons and forks.
The plastic fork was the last straw in this tea party. Yulia suddenly cried. She put the plate on the kitchen table and, hiding her eyes, began to pack quickly.
– I have to go… I’m already late. Thank you all.
– Yulia, wait,” said her mother.
Yulia froze in the doorway. For some reason she thought that her mother had prepared a present and wanted to give it to her now.
– Yul, aren’t you going to change your closet? Do you still have those black boots from last year? Marina needs shoes.
– No. I won’t. I wear them myself.
– Can’t you give me money for boots?
– Me? Money?
– Yes,” said the mother calmly.
– No, I won’t.
– You’re working.
– Yeah, but we’re saving.
– We have nothing to wear, my father and I work and we don’t have enough to eat, let alone buy shoes, and she is saving.
– Wait with your boots,” my grandmother came into the hallway.
– Happy birthday, granddaughter. Good health to you, Yulya, – the grandmother slipped the rolled-up thousand into Yulya’s pocket.
– She has money for her, but we don’t.
– Run, my good girl, – grandmother touched her granddaughter’s shoulder. – Run. You’ll be late.
– Thank you, Grandma,” Yulia kissed her grandmother on the cheek. Warm, friable, dear.
On the way to her husband and mother-in-law’s apartment, Yulia was sad. She did not ring the doorbell, opened the door with her own key. Her husband’s mother was cooking dinner. It smelled marvelous.
– Yulia. Yulia, can you imagine… Napoleon is so rare in stores, but here I was, and I bought it. You love this cake.
– Very much. – Yulia tried to smile.
Her mother-in-law could buy anything she wanted at the store, she didn’t skimp. She always said that if she could afford something to eat, why should she deny it to herself!
– Oh, that’s great. But it’s not completely defrosted yet. Shall we eat it tomorrow or wait?
Yulia didn’t answer, went to her room, and when her husband came in, she came into the kitchen.
– I’ve got everything ready, you’re just in time, son.
to the table. Wash your hands.
Yulia sat down opposite Dmitriy and noticing that there was no fork near the plate, went to get it.
– Everything is in the sink, wait, – my mother-in-law went into the living room, came back with a fork from the holiday set, wiped it with a towel and put it in front of Yulia.
– What, my good ones, have a pleasant appetite.
And Yulia couldn’t get a piece down her throat. She twisted and twisted the beautiful fork in her hand and did not understand why this was happening. A complete stranger treated her with such respect that she had never seen in her own family.
Yulia forced herself to put some food in her mouth and chew. How delicious it was, tender: chicken baked in foil and grilled vegetables. Only now Yulia realized how hungry she was.
– Cut the cake, Yulya,” her mother-in-law asked, turning on the kettle and putting away the empty plates, and Yulia reached for the box.
The cake turned out to be delicious too, fresh. The crispy cakes, which had not had time to soak from the cream, were a great pleasure.
– I’m doing the dishes,” Yulia stretched out her hand, just like at school.
– Go to rest, I’ll wash up, I have to finish watching the program, it will start soon, – my mother-in-law waved her hand.
Dmitri happily ran to his room. Yulia stayed, put the plates in the sink and thanked her mother-in-law with sincere warmth, giving her a soft, bright smile.
Later, in her room, Yulia’s gaze fell on that very gift again. She went to the shelf, took
the box, sat down on the bed and began to carefully remove the wrapping. Beneath the layers of brightly colored paper was a small red box, the kind you usually put money in. Opening it, Yulia froze. Bills. And not just a few – there were a lot of them. She involuntarily covered her mouth with her hand, struggling to contain her emotions.
– Dima…” she called softly, almost in a whisper.
– What? – her husband answered, not lifting his head from the phone.
But Yulia did not wait for his attention. She flew out of the room like a whirlwind and ran into the kitchen, where her mother-in-law was sitting. She still had the box in her hands.
– Thank you! – Yulia exclaimed, not hiding her joy. She rushed to her mother-in-law, hugged her, kissed her on both cheeks, then pressed her tightly against her again, practically jumping with happiness.
– I hope this will be enough for your first installment,” Olga Nikolayevna said with a kind smile, a little embarrassed. – I’m not the most generous giver, but…..
– Enough, enough! Thank you, my dear, my favorite! I love you so much! – Yulia couldn’t stop, hugging her mother-in-law again and again, thanking her not so much for the money as for her attitude.
At that moment Julia appreciated not only the gift, but also the readiness of this woman, her motherly heart, to give everything for the happiness of her son and his wife. She felt unselfish love, sincere care and real, genuine warmth.
