The girl stood on the threshold with wide-open eyes, in which there was a lot of fear.
– “Mom, let me introduce you. This is my fiancée Kate, – Harry said, returning from another business trip.
My son had been away for three weeks, and he came home not alone. We lived in a two-room apartment. Kate stayed overnight in Harry’s room, and he stayed in the kitchen.
– Where did you find such a girl? – I whispered before going to bed. – All young people now wear neon clothes, with perms and nose piercings.
– That’s how lucky I was. She’s from an orphanage herself. And I met her in the dormitory where I was accommodated.
– What a story, – I was surprised.
In the morning my sister came to the kitchen. She asked where the newlyweds were. I replied that they went to apply for marriage registration.
– But your Harry is still very young! Where can he marry? And on this rascal! You can hide the money now, because it is dangerous to leave something in a visible place!
– Oh, don’t be ridiculous, – I said.
– I’m from an orphanage too! And did you grow up to be a criminal?” – my husband defended the girl.
– Well, you are another matter. Your parents did not drink, and her genes will make themselves felt! – said my sister.
– Don’t you dare insult Kate!” my husband growled.
As for me, my son was a grown man and had the right to make his own decisions. So I was not going to interfere in his personal life.
At first they decided to live with us for a while and promised that they would move after the wedding. Kate was a terrible housekeeper. She could neither wash clothes nor cook. However, every time I was on the verge of reproaching her, her husband defended the girl.
Later, the son said that his bride was going to study at the medical school. It turns out that only he will work. I did not like it, but how could I object? After all, nowhere without a profession.
After marriage, the young people moved to their own apartment. Kate started working part-time as a nurse on night shifts. I felt sorry for my son, because it was not easy for them. I persuaded them to stay with us to save some money, but they did not want to. My husband supported the young people’s decision.
One day my sister brought me two non-stick pans and said:
– Look what I have! They are of high quality! I can sell one to you if you want. You can give it to your son and daughter-in-law. Because now everyone is short of money, especially them.
– Tell me about it! But Kate is doing well. She goes to work and has time to study, and the house is clean and tidy. However, the girl is tired. Her cheekbones are sticking out on her face.
– Enough of that snot. Just say that you want to keep the frying pan.
Anyway, I gave the frying pan to my daughter-in-law. She immediately gave instructions on how to use it: stir only with a wooden spatula, and drink with a sponge and a napkin.
About a week later I went to visit my son again. I came and Kate was sitting on the floor and crying. I asked what happened?
– The cutlets are burnt… – the girl starts crying. – What did I do? I washed the frying pan wrong, – the tears continued to fall. – And it was your gift!
– Enough, enough, – I began to calm my daughter-in-law and burst into tears myself.
Harry found us both on the kitchen floor. We were sobbing, and he wanted to say something, but changed his mind and just waved his hand, saying, “You figure it out.
Since then, 25 years have passed. Kate has long since graduated and is now a senior nurse. The children made us happy with two grandchildren. The girl is now 21 years old, and the boy is 17. Kate became my family, and my sister envied our relationship.
What do you think about the children who grew up in the orphanage?