Marta went to work early, as usual on weekends. Young people often leave a lot of trash behind after partying, and as the janitor, she arrived early to clean it all up. She had been doing this job for many years, but her life used to be very different.
With a broom in her hands, Marta thought about her son, who was everything to her. She had him at 35, deciding to live solely for her child, as she had no luck with men. Her son was smart and handsome, and always made her proud. But one day, he said:
– Mom, when I grow up, I’ll become a cool guy!
– Of course, you will! – she replied with a smile.
Soon, Slavik moved into a dorm to attend a technical school. At first, he visited often, but then he got a girlfriend, and their contact became less frequent. One day, he returned with devastating news—he was terminally ill.
Marta, losing all her strength, did everything she could to help him. The doctor said he could be treated in another clinic, but it would cost a lot of money. Without hesitation, Marta sold her apartment. But one night, she received a call.
– Your son is gone! – the doctor said.
Marta didn’t know how to go on. Everything she held dear was gone.
Time passed, and one day, as she was cleaning the park, Marta noticed someone had left a phone on a bench. She picked it up, turned it on, and when she saw the photos on the screen, she unexpectedly began to cry.
– My son! Slavik! – she sobbed, recognizing him in the pictures.
At that moment, music played from the phone, and Marta instinctively answered the call. A woman’s voice came through the receiver.
– Hello! This is my phone. Can I come and pick it up?
Marta snapped out of her shock and gave the woman the address to pick up the phone.
A while later, a young woman knocked on her door.
– Excuse me, but where did you get pictures of my son in your phone? Is that Egor?
And suddenly, a young man appeared behind her.
– Slavik! – Marta cried out, fainting.
– What’s wrong with her? – the young man asked, rushing to her.
– She must have confused you with someone else, – the woman said. – We should call an ambulance.
The ambulance arrived quickly, and a few minutes later, Marta came to her senses. After the doctor left, she was finally able to learn the truth.
– Are you Marta Valeryevna? – the woman asked.
– Yes, and who are you? – Marta asked, still confused.
– My name is Oksana. I used to date your son, but he left me when I found out I was pregnant, – the woman said with a sad sigh.
– He left you? He never mentioned anything about it, – Marta replied, even more confused.
– We were together for a few months, but when I told him I was pregnant, he disappeared. I thought he was just scared, – Oksana explained. – But now I understand, he just wanted to protect me.
– My son… he was sick, – Marta said, barely holding back tears. – He didn’t want to upset you. He died many years ago…
Oksana’s eyes widened in shock.
– What do you mean, he died? – she exclaimed. – But he was alive! I saw his pictures on the phone…
– Slavik is no longer with us, – Marta said, once again feeling the ache of loss. – I sold the apartment to help him, but he didn’t survive.
Oksana stood there in disbelief but soon understood everything.
– He was protecting us. Slavik just didn’t want to hurt me even more, – she said, her voice full of sorrow.
Oksana turned to her son, who was standing behind her.
– Egor! Come here, please! – she called out.
– Yes, Mom, – the boy answered, walking toward her.
– I once told you that your father abandoned us, but that wasn’t true. He was sick and died before you were born. Meet your grandmother, this is Marta Valeryevna, your father’s mother, – Oksana said, leading Egor to Marta.
Marta smiled, but tears welled up in her eyes again.
A little later, there was a knock at the door.
– May I come in? – asked Semen Lvovich, holding a bouquet of flowers.
He handed them to Marta and, smiling cheerfully, said:
– The weather is nice, shall we go for a walk?
Marta smiled and nodded.
– Of course, Semen Lvovich. – And she noticed that Oksana and Egor had come out from the kitchen.
– What about us? – they both asked at once.
Semen Lvovich laughed.
– Will you behave? I didn’t know we had guests. I should’ve brought some sweets!
Two months later, Marta married Semen Lvovich. Their dog Vityaz was happy about the changes in the family. And Egor, who often went for walks with the dog in the park, was enjoying the new chapter of his life while his grandmother baked pies for the family.
