My daughter is such a bright one! Oksana bragged to the neighbors. She closed the whole semester with straightAs! And she even finds side jobs, never taking a single kopek from us!
Im jealous, Oksana! the other woman sighed. My kids only know how to beg for money, they dont want to study at all. Mashka says shell run off to marriage right after college, letting her husband provide. And my son sigh! the neighbor waved her hand, clearly disappointed in her own children. But your Nastya is wonderful, living on her own smarts.
Of course, Mykhailo whispered under his breath, stepping a few paces away from the gossiping women. Hed love to head home, but his mother still hadnt finished all the shopping. If his father were at work, the honor of carrying the bags would fall on him today. If you only knew what his sister is doing in the capital, youd never speak of her, let alone boast.
Did you say something? Oksana glared at the muttering boy. Could he really wait five minutes? She still hadnt finished her story.
Yes, Mom, he replied calmly. I have a presentation and an essay for tomorrow. Maybe youll brag about me another time?
Oh, you and your father! You wont let anyone finish a sentence! Fine, lets go
Mykhailo merely shrugged, noticing the neighbors relieved expressions. They were no longer thrilled to be seen by a doting mother. Oksana kept talking about her daughter, in a tone that made it seem Nastya was a living ideal everyone should emulate.
Only he knew the truth. He kept silent, not wanting his mother to worry.
—
Does Anastasia Melnyk live here? a disdainful womans stare threw Oksana off balance, while the two men behind her offered no comfort.
My daughter now lives in the capital, studying at university, the woman answered proudly. What do you want with her?
At university? Nastya? Seriously? the guest laughed audaciously. She left after the first semester, couldnt pass a single exam. No wonder, she never attended classes, preferring to look for a beau.
How dare you speak about my daughter! Ill sue you for defamation! Oksana fell silent, hearing a noise beyond the door. Inviting the rude woman inside would admit she was right; ignoring her seemed pointless. After all, people would gossip anyway.
Go ahead, the womans hesitation was halted by her own son. No need to give them a reason to spread rumors. Mom, let them in.
But, Mykhailo!
Let them in.
For a moment the boy seemed older than his sixteen years, very serious, a tiny bit nervous. He escorted the guests to the living room, gesturing toward the sofa. The lady smiled and chose a chair a little farther away; the men remained standing.
Mykhailo! How could you invite them in! You heard what she said about Nastya!
I heard. Thats why I let them in, he snapped back at his mother. With his father away on a business trip, he was holding down the familys head. He had to minimize any damage.
What
Perhaps you know the sister better, the woman teased. Do you have any idea where she is now?
In Kyiv, Mom didnt lie. She doesnt live in a dorm, Mykhailo smirked crookedly. She rents an apartment paid for by her husband. I dont know the address, but I do know her husband is about twenty years older, has three grownup children, and is ridiculously rich.
Is his name Gregory by any chance?
Let me guess, youre his wife? Mykhailos mind raced. How had his notsobright sister become a target?
Thank God, no. Im his sister, fed up with my brothers antics, the woman replied coldly. Gregory has a wonderful wife, the daughter of our main business partner. Hes terribly upset about other women being around his husband, so hell probably file for divorce.
That cant happen, right?
Smart boy, the lady murmured. Any guesses where your cheeky sister is now?
I dont, but her friend might know. I could contact her, but first I need to hear your plans. I have one sister, you know.
Mykhailo, what does all this mean? Whos Gregory? Which rented flat? What happened to my daughter? Oksanas face turned pale. Mykhailo rushed to the bathroom where his mother kept her pills.
Should we call an ambulance? the lady seemed slightly guilty.
Mykhailo waved her off. Of course he called an ambulance while chasing after the pills. Nina Viktorivna, the sweetest woman in the building, promised to arrive within five minutes; she was probably nearby.
Mykhailo how do you know all this? Oksana asked, refusing to believe the truth. Her daughter, a lover how could she live with that?
Remember when Nastya last showed up? Her phone broke, right? She borrowed my laptop to chat with a friend and couldnt log out. I read a bit of their conversation, got curious, and asked her straight. She didnt deny anything, just begged you not to tell anyone.
Mykhailo genuinely worried about his mother. She was kindhearted, her only flaw was bragging about her childrens achievements. He blushed every time she boasted about his certificates and medals.
Later, after Oksana was placed in bed under medical supervision, Mykhailo returned to the visitors. He was eager to learn the womans intentions concerning his sister.
So, what do you plan to do?
Nothing dramatic. Ill give some money and introduce her to a few single people, the kind who can help her find a good marriage.
All right, Ill see what I can do, the boy sighed heavily, anticipating an unpleasant conversation. His friend in Nastyas circle was bold and toxic. He had to maneuver carefully. The perfect excuse was a successfully closed semester. Perhaps his brother wanted to give his sister a gift? Living so far away, only a courier could help.
Here, take this, Mykhailo handed the guest a slip of paper. I hope youll keep your word.
Ill hold you to it, dont worry.
As she left the apartment, the woman shouted loudly enough for the nosy neighbors to hear:
Sorry for the disturbance, I had no other way to talk without extra ears. I hope no nasty rumors spread. If anything, I apologize personally to Nastya. But I think youre good people here, you wont gossip.
Rumors did spread, but they were weak. Oksana immediately tried to suppress them, asking people not to tarnish her daughters name. She bragged less and left the house even more seldom.
Mykhailo discussed everything with his father, and they decided to move. Oksana felt ashamed to meet the neighbors eyes, realizing she had been deceiving them all along.
One bright day the family relocated, as Mykhailo told curious neighbors to the capital, closer to Nastya. Better doctors there, he said, and Moms health has been poor lately.
Nastya never returned; she married successfully and forgot her family entirely.
