– Well, what kind of soup is this? Lisa, didn’t your mother teach you to cook? My mother’s soup is always delicious. I should tell her to teach you. George continued to eat the soup and resent its “unpalatability.” When the plate became empty, he stuck it in the sink and went to the couch. Lisa began to silently wash the dishes.
– Honey, haven’t you forgotten that we’re going to my mother’s birthday party on Saturday? Bake a pie, let your mother see how you can bake. I hope you’re better at pies than soups? George laughed out loud.
Lisa wasn’t amused. She couldn’t bake pies. Not at all. And there was no desire to learn, to surprise her husband’s mother. She had lived without pies before.
– No, pies are not my thing. I can bake a nice cake at the store.
– Oh, come on, anyone can bake… Oh, Lisa, Lisa… All right, we’ll think of something…
Lisa and George got together a few months ago. They were introduced to each other by a mutual friend. It seemed to Lisa that they were a good couple, they had a lot in common, they were the same age. After a month of dating they decided to get together.
They lived at George’s place. He split the family budget. His salary stayed with him and Lisa’s for utilities and food. This was all that the small salary was enough. When the money ran out, Lisa had to beg. George liked to be asked for things. He would listen with an important look, and after a moment of silence, he would always ask if it was really necessary to buy it.
– I don’t have anything to go to your mother’s. I haven’t bought anything new for a long time.
– My soul, you have a closet full of clothes, don’t make it up. I remember the green dress is brand new, so go with it.
The green dress was ten years old. Lisa could no longer see it. And for a new one there was not enough money, both before and now. But what to do, she would have to wear it again. On Saturday numerous relatives gathered to congratulate the jubilee. Lisa sat modestly at the end of the table. George sat next to his mother.
– Son, why is your roommate sitting so far away, does not want to see us?
– Mom, don’t start, let her sit there, all your loved ones are nearby…
At Lisa looked askance almost all the guests. Six months ago, George had separated from his wife. She had left him.
No one knew the reason. George said they didn’t see eye to eye. And now he brought a new one… A few days later, Lisa fell ill. She did not call a doctor, she treated herself. But there was no money for medicine, so I had to ask George for it.
– I need to buy some medicine, will you buy it for me? I’ll write you a list.
– Honey, why are you poisoning yourself with chemicals? My mom always makes do with home recipes, so you should try it too. It will be much healthier. And now drugs are very expensive, we can not afford such spending!
– You’re really … How can you refuse me medication? It’s unbelievable! From now on I don’t give a penny from my salary, I pay for everything myself!
– It can’t be. You live in my apartment, so you pay for yourself. There’s how much water you use, you wash your hair every day, and it’s not all for free. You know what utilities are like these days.
– So I’m just your lodger? That’s quite a setup you’ve got there. And tomorrow I’m out of here. I don’t owe you anything, by any chance?
George looked at Lisa with surprise.
– You owe me a lot of money.
– What? A lot?
– I keep records of how much money I spent on you. You’re not my wife, so I’m not wasting money. Although my ex was always blaming me for not having enough money… You women are mercantile, you only want money…
Lisa laughed. What a man, he has counted everything!
– All right, George! Please give me back all the money I gave. Or well, take them on account of my, so to speak, debt. I give it to you.
The next day Lisa went home to her mother. Three days later, George showed up. He was holding oranges in a bag.
– I’ve been thinking… Come back, I’ll forgive you. All right, give me half of your salary and keep the rest. And also… I miss your soup. It’s really good, I told you that on purpose, so that you would not relax as a precaution, so to speak…
Lisa put the bag of oranges in his hands and opened the door.
– Thank you, of course, George, for such a generous offer, but no. I’m not coming back. I don’t know how I ever got on with you, how I didn’t figure you out in the first place. Take the oranges to your mother, so they won’t go to waste.
George staggered to the doorstep, sighed, and went out. Another one did not appreciate the breadth of his soul. And so well it all began! It’s true what my mother says: no one understands a son like a mother. I’ll take her some oranges, why should they go to waste? Maybe I’ll have some soup at the same time.
