Natalie, Hello! It’s Yana, your future daughter-in-law. I’d love to meet and talk—when and where would be convenient for you? Natalie tenses up, especially at the words “future daughter-in-law.” What’s this news? Vadim never said he was planning to marry her. “Hello, Yana. Today at 6 PM at my place, I’ll be waiting.” “I wonder what she wants to talk about? Is she expecting a baby? Of course. She did it on purpose so Vadim would marry her, we know how this goes. What is he thinking? She’s not our match. Not like Vadim. An architect with a bright future. His own flat, car, handsome, smart. A groom anyone would envy. Any girl would be lucky, but no, he chose this one…” Natalie tidied up the flat and went shopping. She felt uneasy. She’d seen Yana a few times and disliked her from the start. Vadim brought her over to introduce her, then just for tea and a chat. Every time, Natalie told him exactly what she thought of the girl. “Son, aren’t there others? Why her? What’s so good about her? Plain, skinny, small. In my day, men liked very different girls! She’s just not right for you!” “Mum, I love her, and to me she’s the most beautiful! And she cooks divinely! Her borscht is amazing!” Those words stung. He used to praise his mother’s cooking, but now that wonderful girl makes divine borscht. Yana arrived right on time, bringing cakes—meringue baskets. Natalie loved them. “How clever, trying to butter me up…” “Natalie, I’ll be direct. Vadim proposed, and I accepted. He’s waiting for the right moment to tell you. He’s worried you’ll take it badly.” “Of course, dear! Why would I be happy?” “I want to make a deal with you. Please hear me out. I know you raised Vadim alone. You married because of the baby, but a happy family life didn’t work out. Your husband left. My mum raised me alone too, my dad died young. So I know what it’s like to grow up in a single-parent family. You poured your soul and love into your son. Thank you so much. He’s polite, kind, caring. That’s your reward. You have every reason to be proud.” Natalie nodded approvingly. That’s true. It’s her achievement that her son turned out so well. Yana continued. “You dream of your son marrying a beautiful, successful, wealthy girl. And here I am. Small, plain, from a simple family. Not a big salary. Not the best match for your son, in your eyes. Now you’re confused, not sure what to do, how to stop him marrying me, right?” Natalie shrugged and nodded. Exactly. “Here’s what could happen. Vadim won’t listen to you, he’s determined. You’ll try to persuade him. You’ll end up arguing. Of course, you won’t come to the wedding. Your son didn’t listen to you, right?” “Yes, that’s exactly how it’ll be.” “You’ll tell everyone what a bad son he is, how much you did for him and this is your thanks. Some will pity you, some will smile. Meanwhile, we’ll live happily. You’ll ignore us out of spite. I’ll have a baby, Vadim will naturally tell you. But you’ll stubbornly refuse to see your grandchild. You won’t accept our marriage, or our child. My mum will dote on her grandchild, take walks, tell stories, spoil them. She’ll be the favourite grandma in the world. And you’ll sit alone in your flat, watching TV, feeling hurt that life turned out this way, that you’re alone and unwanted. Holidays will be especially lonely. Everyone celebrates with family, but you’re alone again. The resentment won’t let you rest. Your health will suffer, you’ll end up in hospital. Others will get visitors, but only your neighbour and a friend will come to see you. You won’t want to talk to your son and his ‘bad’ wife. In the end, you’ll live your life alone, never knowing how your grandchild grew up, no one will call you grandma, no one to wish you happy birthday. And that will be your choice. Or, things could be different. After I leave, you’ll think it over carefully. And, as a wise and loving mother, you’ll accept your son’s choice, because if he loves me, there must be a reason. You know, I’m not so bad. My colleagues like and value me, my mum adores me, I’m a decent person. I’ll be a good wife and mother. Most importantly, I love your son, and he loves me. When Vadim tells you he’s getting married, you’ll praise him, say you accept his choice. I understand you may never love me, but just simple kindness and tact will be enough. I don’t have warm feelings for you either, but I’m ready to change that. At the wedding, we’ll seat you in a place of honour. You’ll admire your son and maybe me a little. When I have a child, you’ll always be a welcome guest. Our child will have two loving grandmas, and that’s wonderful. I’ll never say a bad word about you, and you won’t about me. We have one common goal—to make Vadim happy. So let’s work together. Think it over and call me so I know what to expect. Thank you for the tea, Natalie, all the best! After Yana left, Natalie sat in her chair by the window and thought. She’s right! That’s exactly how it was and will be! Really, what does it matter if she doesn’t like her future daughter-in-law? Her son will live with her. She’ll argue, try to persuade him—so what? He’ll be upset, but he’ll still get married. She saw how his eyes lit up when he looked at Yana. Even his mother’s borscht doesn’t taste as good to him anymore… What will she gain in the end? Nothing. She’ll be alone with her resentment and worries, while the other grandma dotes on the grandchild. She wants that too. But she won’t get it. Unless… No, that won’t happen if… “Hello, Yana… I accept your deal. I don’t want to sit alone and be sad, I want to be friends and stay close to my son, and that means with you too. And you’ll let me have my grandchild on weekends, right? And one more thing. What do you put in your borscht that Vadim loves so much?” Yana laughed. “Natalie, your borscht is just as good, I promise. But I’ll share the secret—it’s all in the spices. I’m glad you agreed to my deal, it’s best for everyone. Vadim was right when he said you’re a wise and loving mum!” Three years later “Vadim, son, look at Andriyka, how he squints—just like you! What a wonderful boy, I’m so happy to have a grandson! And Yana, thank you for that deal. You were right…” “What deal? First I’ve heard of it!” “Oh, Vadim, Yana and I have our little secrets…” Natalie exchanged glances with her daughter-in-law and they winked at each other conspiratorially.