No Worries, Slavko! Don’t Feel Down! You Celebrated the New Year in Style!

Dont worry, Slavko! Cheer up! At least you rang in the New Year in style!
He finally reached his hometown. Slava stepped off the platform, crossed the station square and headed for the bus stop. He didnt tell his wife he was coming today.
His mood was low because hed just had an unpleasant argument with Hannah. She would start nagging him again, complaining that he was indifferent and selfish.
Why indifferent? Hed tried to wish her a Happy New Year, but she had turned off her phone. He felt slighted.
For three days he kept trying to call her, but she never answered. Eventually he got fed up and stopped calling.
And, by the way, she hadnt even managed to greet his parents and sister, let alone him. He was about to bring that up at the door.
He wasnt the only one to blame; she had her own faults, so she should answer for them. As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense.
Feeling a bit braver, Slava entered his buildings entrance with a fighting spirit.
His flat greeted him with silence.
Hey! Anyone home? Anya, Im here! he shouted, but got no reply.
He looked into the kitchenno wife there. The next room was empty, the one after that the same. But the changes jumped out at him: the baby crib by the wall was gone, the dresser with the changing table and the stroller that Anyas parents had given them had vanished.
He rushed to the wardrobe; the half that usually held his wifes clothes was empty as well.
Has she lost her mind? Dumped me? Slava wondered.
He dialed his motherinlaw, but no answer. Then he tried Katya, Anyas friendsilence again. Finally he got through to Mykhailo, Katerynas husband.
Myshko, hi! Can you put Katya on the line? I cant reach her, he asked.
Katyas with the baby in the villagewe celebrated New Year there. The signals bad, Mykhailo replied.
I arrived yesterday because I had a shift today. Theyre still on holiday, Mykhailo continued. Why do you need Kateryna?
I thought she might know where Anya is. I came from my parents place, but shes not at home. All the stuff we bought for the child is missing too, Slava explained.
My, my, your wife was supposed to become a mother any day now. You left her alone while you went off for the holidays? Mykhailo said, surprised.
She didnt want to travel. Theyd set a deadline for herJanuary1011. She could have gone back in time, Slava replied.
Congrats, Sharik, youre a scarecrow, his friend laughed.
What? Why? Slava asked.
Because youre probably single now. Fool! Call the hospital; shes probably there, Mykhailo advised.
Ten days earlier.
I dont get it, Slavko, his mother said on the phone. Why should you stay home on a holiday? Anya doesnt want to go, you go alone. Her due date is in two weeks, youll be back in time.
Almost the whole family will be together: Aunt Vera and Uncle Serhiy, Natasha and Viktor, Olga and Pavlo, plus us, Dad, Vika and Hlib.
Vika booked us rooms in a countryside hotelright in the forestfor four days, from the 30th to the 2nd.
A banquet with guest artists will be held at the restaurant on the 31st. I paid for you; youll reimburse me later. Youll stay with us until Christmas and leave on the 8th, just in time for your wifes deadline.
Anya refused to travel:
Slava, I could be seized any day. Imagine: everyones having fun and I go into labor. And the hotels out of townwill an ambulance even get there in time?
No, Im not going anywhere.
Right, Mom says women now count pregnancy as a disease but the birth of a child as a feat. She raised three of us, barely stayed on maternity leave, and did everything on schedule.
Slava knew Anya had a point, but he pictured a dull New Years Eve at home: just the two of them at a modest tableAnya had already said she didnt plan any special cooking. He felt melancholy.
Meanwhile the rest of the family would be partying at the restaurant, singing, dancing, and having fun.
In the end he went alone.
The country hotel was indeed lively. Around half past midnight on New Years Eve, Slava left the banquet hall for the lobby to call his wife, but she didnt answer.
Well, fine, youre offended, but shes to blame. She could be here now, having fun with everyone, he thought.
The next day his mother vented about the daughterinlaw:
Anya didnt even call to wish us a happy holiday. Look, youve let your wife go off the rails, son.
She doesnt understand what a real family is. Were all together here, and shes alone. Let her sit and think.
On that New Years night Anya wasnt thinking of anyone but Slava, certainly not of her inlaws or their extended clan.
When her parents learned their daughter was alone for the holidays, they invited her over. They werent planning a big feast.
Anyas brother lived in the capital, worked nonstop, and didnt have such long weekends, so the parents intended to spend New Years just the two of them.
At 9p.m. on the 31st, while Anya and her mother were setting the table, Anya went into labor.
An ambulance was called. Mother rushed out with Anya; father followed in his car.
Anya ended up ringing in the New Year in a hospital, while her parents waited in the ward lobby. She gave birth to a son
Slava, recalling his friends suggestion, called the hospital.
Kolyesova? She was discharged yesterday, the info desk replied.
What? Discharged? Is there already a baby? Slava was stunned.
Yes. On January1, at half past twelve.
Who took her from the hospital? Slava asked.
A young man we dont record that in the registry, the clerk said.
Realizing only her parents could have taken her, Slava bought a bouquet of roses and headed there.
He rang the doorbell. The fatherinlaw opened.
Yes?
Hello, Im here for Hannah, Slava said.
Why? the father asked.
Actually, Im her husband, the soninlaw replied.
Anya, the father called loudly. Theres a man here saying hes your husband. Do you want to talk to him?
No, let him go, Anya replied from inside the apartment.
Her father shrugged. She doesnt want to. Bye, young man! and shut the door.
Slava waited a few minutes, then tried again. This time his motherinlawtall, sturdy, loudopened. He was a bit intimidated.
What dont you get? she asked.
Let me in, Slava began bravely. I have a right
He didnt finish; she snatched the bouquet from his hands and smacked him in the face a few times.
What right? An attorney will explain that to you soon! And stop calling; my grandson is sleeping, she said, tossed the flowers at his feet, and slammed the door.
Slava left, walking home while repeatedly rubbing his cheekthose roses were beautiful but thorny.
Back home, his first call was to his mother.
Can you believe it? They wouldnt even let me into the apartment, let alone see my son.
Dont worry, Slavko. Anya will come back, baby in arms, wherever she goes. Dont call her, dont send money.
Let her parents feed her if theyre so wise. In a week or two shell return home. Now go to bed; you have work tomorrow.
He obeyed, ate frozen dumplings from the store, and fell asleep. He slept peacefully, unaware that this would be his last night in that flat.
The next morning, after work, he arrived to find all his belongings packed in boxes and black bags on the stairwell. He rang again. His motherinlaw, who owned the tworoom flat where he and Anya lived, opened the door.
Well, soninlaw? Do you remember the address of your dorm, or need a reminder? Gather your stuff. Anything left here will be thrown out by the cleaner tomorrow!
He had to move to his dorm.
The court had dissolved their marriage. Tired of dorm life, Slava wanted to rent an apartment, but after his salary was hit by child support deductions and another five thousand for his exwifes upkeep, there was little left for him.
Be more economical! You still need to save for your own place, Mykhailo advised. Dont be sad, Slavko! At least you celebrated New Years in style!
Anya spent three years living with her parents, who helped with little Sasha while renting out the flat.
When she returned to work, she and Sasha moved back into their own place. After a renovation, nothing there reminded anyone of Slava or his family.
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