“Liz, we won’t take much. Please pack us a slice of your famous pie and a couple of jars of jam for the road,” Gleb said, stretching lazily with a smile on his face.

Lisa, we wont take much. Pack your signature pie and a couple of jars of jam for the road, Gleb said lazily, a smile on his face.
Lisa stared at her guest, unable to believe such audacity. How could he so shamelessly ask?
She remembered how she had painstakingly prepared that pie to be perfect and readied the house for their arrival. And now Gleb, who hadnt lifted a tool all week, lounged in the shade demanding a takeaway treat.
She glanced at Artem, who seemed oblivious to his brothers behavior.
Gleb, arent you asking for too much? Lisa asked, trying to stay calm.
Shut up, Lisa! he waved her off without turning around. Were family, we should share. Youve got a whole lot of stuff here!
A surge of resentment mixed with anger rose inside Lisa. The lakeside cottage they bought three years ago had become a true refuge for her and Artem. In summer there were no lazy days: early rises, weeding, berry picking, caring for the chickens, and stockpiling for winter. Every helping hand was worth its weight in gold.
Thus Glebs request felt like an insult. He either didnt seeor didnt want to seeall that work. To him the cottage was a free resort and Lisa and Artem were just staff.
It all began three weeks earlier, when Gleb called and suggested dropping by, helping around the farm, and getting some nature time. Those words came as a surprise. Gleb and his wife Olga were city folk through and through: parties, bars, movies, weekend shopping.
Help? Lisa repeated, a hint of doubt in her voice.
But Gleb continued enthusiastically:
Of course! Were family! Itll be easier for you, and well get some fresh air. Ive been wanting to pick raspberries and heat up the sauna
After hanging up, Lisa lingered on the porch, idly fingertapping the apron fabric. She knew Glebs naturehe loved to promise but rarely delivered. She hesitated, yet Artem, hearing the news, lit up:
Maybe theyll at least pick some berries. And look, my brother will help me with the fence.
The next days Lisa spent in a flurry of chores, as if the president himself were arriving. She washed and ironed the bedding, prepared clean towels, drove into town for suppliesfresh fish, meat for kebabs, fruit, sweetsso the relatives would feel welcome.
Maybe everything will be fine, she told herself while hanging towels. Even a little help would be good.
When Gleb and Olga finally arrived, Lisa greeted them with a smile, trying to mask her doubts. The guests looked relaxed, as if theyd just returned from a resort.
Here we are! Gleb announced cheerfully, spreading his arms.
Lisa forced a grin and led them to the table. On the veranda waited salads, hot pies, and cold compote. The first halfhour passed with lively chatter, then Artem cautiously laid out the plan for the coming days.
Tomorrow we start with the haycutting, then well gather berries. Theres a lot to do, but together well manage.
Sure, of course, Olga nodded, though Lisa saw a flicker of surprise and a hint of confusion in her eyes, as if the word haycutting belonged to another world.
Lisa caught that look and felt a premonition in her chest: something told her the help might turn out invisible.
The first day unfolded like a celebration. Lisa tried not to think about the waistdeep grass, the strawberry patch overrun with weeds, and the barrels of apples waiting in the shed. Gleb was in high spirits, loudly telling jokes, snapping photos with seed packets, boasting that he was tired of the city and so happy to be in nature.
Olga, in a new sundress, posed against the sunset and the lake, snapping dozens of pictures. Artem smiledhe was glad his brother had finally arrived and hoped the work would go faster.
But by the next morning the mood shifted. Lisa woke at dawn to the roosters crow, pulled on rubber boots, and stepped into the yard. Dew glittered on the grass, the air smelled of fresh hay. The chickens clucked, demanding feed. She scooped grain, then glanced at the guest room windowquiet, curtains drawn.
By eight oclock she had fed the birds, filled a bucket with green cucumbers, and watered the beds. Artem came out with a cup of tea and announced:
Gleb and Olga went back to town. Some urgent business.
Lisa nodded silently, though something uncomfortable pricked inside her. She had hoped the helpers would return after breakfast. They came back only in the evening, radiant and satisfied. Gleb hauled bags of chips, soda, and sparkling water from the trunk as if hed performed a feat.
Lisa, youve got a fullblown sanatorium here! he shouted, flopping into a veranda chair. Everything does itself!
The following day Lisa felt irritation building. She mowed the grass alone, hauled heavy buckets, washed floors, and cooked lunch. Gleb lounged in a hammock, lazily scrolling his phone, complaining of a headache.
I think Ive caught a cold. Ill stay in today.
Olga stretched on a beach towel by the water, taking selfies. New captions appeared on her social media: #CountryRelax, #LifeIsBeautiful, #NatureGetaway.
Each day Lisa grew more exhausted and irritated. She rose at five, went to bed after midnight, washing dishes and cleaning up after the guests. The visitors never offered to helpthey genuinely believed their presence was a gift.
Were here as guests, Olga wondered when Lisa asked her to wash the dishes. Should guests be working?
From that point the hostesss smile became permanently strained, and every request from the guests felt like a blow to her patience.
Gradually, the hospitality was reaching its breaking point. On the fifth day the hostess could no longer stay silent. The irritation that had been mounting since the guests arrival finally snapped.
All day she toiled in the garden, weeding rows, hauling water buckets, while laughter drifted from the veranda where Olga, sprawled on a deck chair, chatted with friends. When Artem returned from the field, tired and dusty, Lisa met him with a serious expression.
I cant take this any longer, she said. They dont even clean up after themselves! Today Gleb asked to have his shirt washed, and Olga called breakfast some simple thing.
Artem nodded, and they decided to involve the guests in tomorrows work: Gleb would finally help Artem fix the fence, and Olga would take care of weeding the strawberries.
Lisa hoped that at least the guests would realize that leisure is fine, but the farm wont run itself.
Gleb, we need to repair the fence tomorrow, Artem said over dinner. Will you help?
Of course, of course, Gleb waved, chewing a kebab without looking away from his phone.
It was clear he cared more about messaging than the chores.
The next morning Artem rose early. The air was fresh, scented with hay and dew. He fetched tools from the shed, inspected boards and nails, even brewed strong tea for his brother to start the day on a good note. He knocked on the guestroom door. Silence. He knocked again, louder. Only the faint hum of the air conditioner answered. When he opened the door, the room was empty.
A note lay on the nightstand:
Were in town, will be back by evening! Barbecue tonight!
That evening Gleb and Olga returned, laden with bags of meat, bubbly drinks, and dried fish. They laughed, complaining about horrible traffic and the heat. Lisa, utterly exhausted, barely stood on the porch.
We agreed on work around the plot, she said.
Ah, right, Gleb replied absentmindedly, waving a bag of meat. Well definitely help tomorrow! I promise.
But on the seventh morning he announced:
We have to leave urgently. Too bad we didnt get to help!
Then, smiling, he added:
Lisa, pack your signature pie for the road, and bring a couple of jars of raspberry jam. Its just wonderful!
Anger boiled inside Lisa. A week of hard laborsunrise in the garden, endless cooking, laundry, cleaning, and tending to ungrateful guestsculminated in a firm refusal.
We wont give you anything, she said, trying to keep her voice steady, though it trembled. You havent done a single task all week.
Gleb froze, disbelief written on his face. His cheeks flushed, eyes narrowed.
Thats how you are! he shouted, his voice cracking into a scream. And what about hospitality? We came with heart!
With what heart? Lisa snapped. You came to vacation at our expense! I did all the work while you lounged in hammocks and shopped!
Artem, usually the peacemaker, stepped beside his wife, placed a hand on her shoulder, and looked straight at his brother. Calmly but firmly he said:
Gleb, you yourself offered to help. Yet you only ate, drank, and complained about the heat.
What are you saying, Artem! Gleb exploded, stepping forward. Were family! And youre demanding money for food! Shame on you, brother!
Olga, standing by the porch, let out a loud sigh, raised her arms to the sky in a gesture of disdain, pressed her lips together, and walked to the car. She slammed the door dramatically. Outraged that a family gathering had ended in a scandal, she shouted from the vehicle:
Lets go, Gleb! they dont value us here! And thats what family means
Gleb turned to Artem and Lisa. He seemed about to speak, then simply waved his hand dismissively, as if brushing off all the accusations, and hurried to his car. He slammed the trunk shut, got into the drivers seat, his face twisted with anger, his eyes a mix of shock and grievance, as if the world had turned unjust.
He tossed over his shoulder:
Keep your pies to yourselves! he shouted, closing the door. Well never come back!
When the car vanished around the bend, Lisa and Artem remained on the porch, feeling both relief and the lingering fatigue of emotional strain. Artem let out a heavy sigh and sank onto the step.
Experience is costly but useful, he said, looking at his wife with understanding. We wont have any more freeloaders.
Lisa nodded, realizing it truly had been a valuable lesson.
That evening they walked the plot, assessing the work still left undone. The fence still needed repair, the strawberry patch required weeding, and the hay was still uncut. They strolled slowly along the path, listening to the night sounds of the garden. Lisa caught herself thinking that the exhaustion from hard labor felt better than the weariness caused by others arrogance.
Later they lit the sauna, brewed tea with raspberry jamthe very jam Gleb had so insistently asked forand gazed at the lake. Lisa felt their little cottage had once again become their quiet world.
From now on well only welcome guests who arrive with a rake, not with phones, she said, and they both laughed, understanding that the most important things in life are mutual help and respect.