La vida

I’ll Remind You – Mrs. Mary Edwards, This Swirl Won’t Work, Murmured a Sad Year 2 Student, Tommy, Pointing His Brush at the Stubborn Green Petal Curl on His Painted Flower. “Ease Up on the Brush, Darling… That’s It—Glide It as Softly as a Feather on Your Palm. Beautiful! Not Just Any Swirl—A Masterpiece!” Smiled the Elderly Teacher. “Who’s the Lucky Recipient of Your Lovely Painting?” “It’s for Mum!” Tommy Beamed, Triumphant After Fixing the Petal. “It’s Her Birthday, and This Is My Gift!”—His Pride Swelling Under the Teacher’s Praise. “Your Mum’s a Lucky Lady, Tom. Let the Paint Dry Before You Rip the Page Out—She’ll Love It!” Mrs. Edwards Glanced Fondly at Tommy’s Bent-Over Head, Thinking to Call His Mum and Suggest Art School—Such Talents Shouldn’t Go to Waste, and She Could Ask If the Gift Was Well Received… Mrs. Edwards Couldn’t Tear Her Eyes from the Living, Spiraling Leaves and Recalled How Tom Had His Mother’s Artistic Gift—Larissa Drew Beautifully at His Age… But That Evening, a Phone Call: “Mrs. Edwards, It’s Larissa, Tommy Carter’s Mum—I’m Phoning to Say He Won’t Be In Tomorrow,” Came the Stern Voice. “Is Something Wrong?” “You Could Say That! He Ruined My Birthday—Now He’s in Bed with a Fever, and the Ambulance Only Just Left.” “But He Was Fine at School—He Had Your Gift…” “You Mean That Mess?” “What Mess, Larissa! They Were Flowers! I Was Going to Recommend Art School…” “All I Saw Was a Mucky Smudge, Not Quite What I Expected!” Mrs. Edwards Grew Increasingly Concerned, Listening to Larissa’s Frazzled Explanation, Finally Suggesting She Call Round—She Lived Nearby… Minutes Later, With Her Former Student’s Permission, Mrs. Edwards Grabbed a Bulging Old Photo Album of Her First, Beloved Class, and Set Off. In Larissa’s Chaotic Kitchen, Amidst Dirty Dishes and a Half-Eaten Cake, She Learned the Whole Sorry Story—How Tommy Came Home Late, Muddy and Soaked, With a Shivering Puppy He’d Rescued from Bullies Dumping It in a Thawing Ditch, How His Books Were Ruined, His Folder Smudged, and How He Soon Came Down with a High Fever… How the Birthday Guests Left Unserved, and the Paramedic Told Her Off for Neglect… “I Took the Puppy Back to the Dump When Tommy Fell Asleep. The Album’s Drying on the Radiator—There Isn’t Much Left after That Soaking!” Larissa Scoffed, Unnerved by Mrs. Edwards Growing Grim. When She Heard the Fate of the Rescued Pup, Mrs. Edwards Turned As Stern as Thunder, Stroked the Ruined Album, and Spoke Softly of Spiraling Green Leaves, of Flowers Come Alive, of Courage Unbecoming a Child, of Injustice, and of Bullies Who’d Thrown a Defenseless Animal Away… She Led Larissa to the Window: “See That Ditch There? Not Only Could That Puppy Have Drowned—So Could Tommy. All He Was Thinking About Was Not Ruining the Flowers He’d Painted for You. Have You Forgotten, Larissa, How You Cried on That Playground Bench, Clutching a Scruffy Kitten You’d Saved from the Local Yobs, Waiting for Your Mum?” She Showed a Faded Photo of a Delicate Girl in a White Pinafore Hugging a Fluffy Kitten, Smiling at Her Gathered Classmates, and Quietly Reminded Her of the Kindness That, Once Upon a Time, Bloomed Brightly in Larissa’s Own Heart. Out Tumbled a Old Child’s Drawing—A Little Girl Holding a Kitten With One Hand, Clutching Her Mum’s Hand With the Other… “If I Had My Way,” Mrs. Edwards Continued Firmly, “I’d Kiss That Puppy and Tommy Both, and Frame Those Colourful Smudges! There’s No Better Gift for a Mother Than to Raise a True Human Being!” Unseen, Her Words Broke Through. Larissa Kept Glancing Toward Tommy’s Closed Door, Clutching the Damp Album With White Knuckles… Then, Suddenly: “Mrs. Edwards! Please, Would You Watch Tommy for Just a Moment? I’ll Be Quick—Just a Minute!” Coat Hurriedly Thrown On, Larissa Rushed Out, Not Caring About Wet Shoes or Mud, Calling and Searching at the Dump for That Tiny Puppy—Glancing Back Anxiously at Home… Would Tommy Forgive Her? ***** “Tom, Who’s That Burying His Nose in the Flowers? Is That Your Pal—Digger?” “That’s Him, Mrs. Edwards! See the White Star on His Paw? Mum Bought a Special Little Tub to Wash Him—She Says If You Have a Friend, Look After Him!” “You’ve Got a Wonderful Mum,” Mrs. Edwards Smiled. “Drawing Her Another Picture?” “Yep—This Time for a Frame! She’s Got Those Smudges Framed and Smiles at Them—But, Mrs. Edwards, Can You Really Smile at Smudges?” “Maybe You Can… If They’re from the Heart. Tell Me, How’s Art School Going?” “Brilliant! Soon I’ll Paint Mum’s Portrait—She’ll Love That! Meanwhile—Look!” Tommy Pulled Out A Folded Sheet: “This Is From Mum—She Draws Too, Now!” Mrs. Edwards Unfolded the Paper and Squeezed Tommy’s Shoulder. On the White Page, Splashed in Bright Colours, Smiled a Radiant Tommy, His Hand on the Head of a Loyal, Loving Mutt. Next to Them, a Tiny Blonde Girl in a School Pinafore Cuddled a Kitten… and from Behind a Book-Laden Teacher’s Desk Smiled Mrs. Edwards Herself, Her Eyes Full of Endless Wisdom. In Every Line and Brushstroke, Mrs. Edwards Felt the Unspoken, Boundless Pride of a Mother. With a Tearful Smile, She Noticed In the Corner of the Drawing, Entwined in Flowering Curls and Green Swirls, a Single Word: “Remember.”

ILL REMIND YOU Miss Mary, my curl wont come out right here, whispered young Thomas sadly, nudging his

La vida

The Empty Park Bench

An Empty Bench Richard Campbell placed his flask on his lap and checked the lid, making sure it wasnt leaking.

La vida

At 62, I Found Love with a Wonderful Man and Was Truly Happy—Until I Overheard a Late-Night Conversation with His Sister That Changed Everything

At 62, I never imagined Id fall in love again with the same intensity as I did in my younger days.

La vida

011

Divorce Because of the Woman Next Door – Just explain to me, why out of all the women in the world did you choose her? From me—to her, why? Karina was losing to Masha on every front. And it would have been one thing if Valery had said something like, “She’s fun, easy-going, not as strict, not as much of a bore as you.” “How could this happen, Masha? How? You two were so happy…” mourned her mother, her sister, and all her friends when they heard about the coming divorce. “We were,” Maria would agree. “But we won’t be anymore.” “Masha, think thirty times before you leave a man like him. He earns money, loves his kids, and he doesn’t even want the divorce…” And after that, anyone who uttered those words was promptly banished by Maria—blocked for life on social media, messengers, and of course, in real life too. A colleague who used to chat with Maria as a friend now just got a nod and a routine “hello” in passing. And when this colleague tried to reignite their friendship, Maria let her have it—for the unsolicited advice and for all but forcing her to return to her cheating husband. Yes, cheating! Masha still couldn’t wrap her head around it. Everything was fine! Twenty years together, since university—they’d been through a lorry-load of salt, as the saying goes, which is how you know a marriage can last. They’d weathered poverty, unemployment, illness—both their own and the kids’… They had two kids, a son and a daughter—a perfect family, as they say. The house was always spotless, dinner always made, and Masha never had a headache… She looked after herself, never treated her husband like a walking cash machine, always found time for him, and didn’t abandon poor Valery after the kids arrived… So what more could that philanderer possibly want that he suddenly decided to stray? And with whom! If he’d been drawn to a younger woman, at least that would have made some sense. But no—either his heart, or rather, his other head, led Valery to a divorced woman with a child who lived practically next door. “Just tell me, what did you see in her?” Masha alternated between laughter and tears after the affair came to light, and Valery had to answer for his actions. “Why her, of all the women in the world? Why her instead of me?” Karina lost to Masha on every count. And Valery didn’t even offer any character traits like “she’s more fun, more free, less uptight than you…” Nope. Not even that. Was he drunk when it started? Nope, stone-cold sober. All he could do was bleat, “It just happened,” and beg, humiliated, to be allowed back into the family. Suddenly, and not as planned, Valery saw his hopes dashed: he’d thought, like a naughty cat, he could have fun on the side and then innocently waltz back home, crawl into bed with his wife, and pretend nothing ever happened. And maybe that’s exactly what would have happened—if only his new lover hadn’t gotten pregnant, and then decided to drag him off to the registry office to serve as daddy for both her new baby and the first one. She stormed around to Maria’s, scandal in tow. Maria didn’t believe it at first. How could she? After twenty years with a man you think you know inside out! But Karina knew things, as it turned out—like birthmarks, scars, and shapes you can’t just invent. Clearly, the affair was real. Cornered, Valery had no option but to confess and beg forgiveness. Unexpectedly, some friends took his side. Not even mutual friends—her colleague from work, a few girlfriends who’d always treated Valery like a nonentity, even distant relatives… All insisted Maria should forgive and stick with Valery, pretending nothing happened. Maria just couldn’t understand it. Sure, her mother-in-law pleaded for her to “save the family.” At least that made some sense—her son was sorry, and she wanted to help fix things for his sake. She even went so far as to get the kids to beg their mum to stay with their dad. Gross, manipulative—but at least there was a logic. But why did everyone else care so much about Maria’s choice? Was it pure crab bucket mentality: “We’re all sitting in a pile of it, so you’d better sit with us”? Maria didn’t know. But one thing was certain—she refused to put up with it. She was her father’s daughter, after all. He’d taught her one thing above all: if people shame you into sacrificing or forgiving just because “that’s what people do” or “God says so”—don’t believe it for a second. That’s just people trying to exploit you for their own comfort. Maria remembered her dad’s words well, and sure enough, she recognized shaming, guilt-tripping, and obligation-laden manipulation for exactly what it was. And she wasn’t having any of it. Nor were her children, it turned out: after Maria filed for divorce, her mother-in-law called, demanding the children unblock her and stay in touch. “She’s driving us mad,” explained her daughter, Ksenia, at dinner. Her son Victor was staying with his girlfriend, so it was left to Ksenia to explain: “All Grandma ever talks about is trying to get you and Dad back together. I said once—let you two sort it out—but she went on and on, so I just blocked her until she can be a normal grandma again.” “Thank you. I know you probably don’t like what’s going on, and I appreciate that you’re not giving in to her or joining her manipulations.” “Mum, I’m not stupid,” Ksenia sighed. “I know what Dad did. If you two had just argued about holidays or curtains, that’s one thing. But cheating? Normal people don’t forgive that. And Dad knew it too. So what did he expect? What does Grandma expect now?” Maria had no answer. Just a month before, she’d have said she could answer any question from her daughter. But how do you answer, when you don’t even know yourself? How can you explain why the man everyone thought was a model husband and father for twenty years would suddenly go off the rails so spectacularly? Sure, things happen—but nothing like this. Was it a midlife crisis? Was there really another demon inside him? And with that, Valery chose to unleash those demons on his “ex-family” in a most extraordinary way—five years after the divorce. Divorce Because of the Woman Next Door

Divorce Over the Woman Next Door “Can you just explain to me, why of all the women in the world

La vida

My Father-in-Law Thought We’d Support Him Forever: After Eleven Years Living With Us, He’s Not Ready to Move On – and I’m Exhausted

My father-in-law thought we would continue to support him. My wifes father grew up in a cheerful and

La vida

Fate on the Hospital Bed: How I Nursed a Lost Husband Back to Life, Won His Heart, and Built a Family While His Wife Walked Away—A British Nurse’s True Tale of Compassion, Love, and Second Chances

FATE ON THE HOSPITAL BED Miss, please, take care of him for me! Im too scared to even get near, let alone

La vida

The Number 13 Spanner He called that morning, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary: “Can you pop round? Need a hand with the bike, really. Don’t fancy doing it on my own.” The words “can you pop round” and “don’t fancy” sounded oddly together. Usually Dad would say “got to” and “I’ll sort it myself.” His grown-up son, grey already at the temples, caught himself looking for the catch in this invitation, like in their old conversations. But there was no catch—just a simple request, and that somehow made it more uncomfortable. He arrived just before lunch, climbed to the third floor, hesitated on the landing as the key turned in the lock. The door opened straightaway, as if Dad had been standing behind it, waiting. “Come in. Shoes off,” Dad said, stepping aside. Everything was in its place in the hallway: doormat, side table, a neat stack of newspapers. Dad looked just the same, only his shoulders seemed smaller, and when he adjusted his sleeve, his hands trembled for a moment. “Where’s the bike?” his son asked, just so he wouldn’t have to ask anything else. “On the balcony. Put it there out of the way. Thought I’d manage myself, but… ” Dad waved it off and led the way. The balcony was glazed, but cold, full of boxes and jars. The bike stood by the wall, covered with an old sheet. Dad pulled it off as if uncovering something precious, and brushed his hand gently over the frame. “It’s yours,” he said. “Remember? Got it for your birthday.” His son remembered. He remembered riding around the estate, falling, his father silently picking him up, brushing the grit from his knees, checking the chain. Back then, Dad hardly ever praised, but always looked at things as if they were alive, as if he was responsible for them. “Tyre’s flat,” the son observed. “That’s nothing. Hub’s rattling, rear brake’s gone. Tried it yesterday, made my heart skip,” Dad said with a short, uneasy grin. They carried the bike into the room that doubled as Dad’s “workshop” — not a real one, just a corner with a table by the window, a mat, lamp, and a box of tools. Pliers, screwdrivers, and spanners hung on the wall, all sorted. His son automatically noticed this, as he always did: Dad kept things orderly where he could. “Can you find a number thirteen spanner?” Dad asked. The son opened the tool box. The spanners lay in neat lines, but somehow the thirteen wasn’t there. “Here’s twelve, fourteen… no thirteen.” Dad raised his eyebrows. “How can it be missing? It’s always…” He fell quiet, as if he didn’t want to say “always.” The son rummaged through the tools, pulled out the desk drawer. Old nuts, washers, tape, a bit of sandpaper. The spanner turned up under a pack of rubber gloves. “Here it is,” the son said. Dad took the spanner, weighed it as if testing it. “So I put it there. My memory,” he grunted. “Right, let’s have the bike, then.” They set the bike on its side, son tucking a rag under the pedal. Dad crouched next to it, carefully, as if his knees might betray him. His son noticed, but pretended he didn’t. “Wheel off first,” Dad instructed. “You hold, I’ll loosen the nuts.” He gripped the spanner, twisted. The nut resisted; Dad tightened his lips. His son took the spanner and together they shifted it. “I’d manage,” Dad muttered. “I’m just trying to help—” “I know. Hold it steady.” They worked in silence, communicating with short phrases: “hold this,” “don’t pull,” “here,” “watch the washer.” The son realised he found this easier. When words are kept to the job, there’s nothing to guess at. They took off the wheel and set it aside. Dad fetched the old pump and checked the hose. It was battered and worn. “Tube’s probably fine. Just dried out,” Dad said. His son wanted to ask how he was so sure, but didn’t. Dad always sounded confident, even when he wasn’t. While Dad pumped, his son inspected the brake—pads worn down, cable rusty. “Cable needs replacing,” he said. “Cable… think I’ve got a spare.” Dad searched a cupboard under the table, brought out box after box. Each was neatly labelled. His son saw in this not just tidiness, but a need to keep time from slipping—the more things are labelled, the less likely they are to drift. “Don’t see it,” Dad snapped, closing a box with frustration. “Maybe in the cupboard?” his son offered. “There’s chaos in there,” Dad confessed, as if it were a crime. The son grinned. “You? Chaos? That’s new.” Dad gave him a sideways look, but there was gratitude in it for the joke. “Go on, have a look. I’ll get on with this.” The small cupboard was crammed with boxes. The son flicked on the light, rummaged, and finally found a coil of brake cable wrapped in newspaper on the top shelf. “Got it,” he shouted. “Knew I had,” Dad called back. He handed the cable over. Dad tested the ends. “All good. Need to find the right end caps though.” Dad rummaged again, producing some small metal sleeves. “Right, let’s do the brake,” Dad said. Son held the frame, Dad undid the bolts. His father’s fingers were dry and cracked, nails close-cut. His son remembered, as a boy, thinking those hands were invincible. Now, there was a new strength in them: patient, measured. “Why are you looking at me?” Dad asked, not looking up. “Just… wondering how you remember it all.” Dad snorted. “I remember. Just not where I put the spanners. Funny, isn’t it?” The son wanted to say “It’s not funny,” but understood Dad didn’t mean ha-ha. He meant scary. “It’s normal,” the son said quietly. “I get it too.” Dad nodded, accepting it as permission not to be perfect. Taking apart the brake, they found a spring missing. Dad stared at the empty spot, then met his son’s eyes. “Mucked about yesterday—could’ve dropped it. Did look on the floor.” “Let’s have another go then,” his son replied. They knelt, feeling round the floor, checking under the table. His son found the spring by the skirting, near a chair leg. “Here it is.” Dad took the spring, peered at it. “Thank God. Otherwise…” He didn’t finish. The son knew he’d meant, “or I’d really be losing it.” But didn’t say it. “Tea?” Dad asked suddenly, as if tea would fill up the silence. “Yes, please.” In the kitchen, Dad put on the kettle, got out two mugs. His son sat, watching old routines—familiar, but a little slower now. Dad poured tea and set a plate of digestives in front of his son. “Eat. You’re looking thin.” His son wanted to protest, but let it pass. In that phrase was all the care Dad could put into words. “How’s work?” Dad asked. “Alright. Project finished, starting a new one.” “Good. As long as they pay you on time.” The son smiled. “Always about the money, Dad.” “What else should I talk about—feelings?” Dad stared at him, frank. “Feelings?” His son felt something tighten inside. He never thought he’d hear Dad use the word. “I don’t know,” he said honestly. Dad was quiet, then cradled his mug in both hands. “I sometimes think you just come here out of obligation. Ticking a box,” he said. The son put his mug down. The tea was hot; it scalded his fingers but he didn’t move. “And do you think it’s easy for me, coming here?” he asked. “It’s like being a kid again. You always know better.” Dad half-laughed, not unkindly. “I do think I know better. Old habit.” “And also,” the son breathed, “you never really asked how I am. Not for real.” Dad looked into his mug, as though it held the answer. “I was afraid to ask. If you ask, you have to listen. And I…” He met his son’s eyes. “I don’t always know how.” His son felt unburdened. Dad didn’t say sorry or explain himself. Just admitted not knowing. It was truer than any big speech. “I don’t know either.” Dad nodded. “Guess we’ll learn, eh. With the bike, for starters.” There was a wry smile, as if he couldn’t quite believe he’d said it. They finished tea and went back. The bicycle was still there, wheel off, the new cable on the table. Dad dived back in. “Right. You thread the cable, I’ll do the pads.” His son tried, less deft than his father, annoyed with himself. Dad noticed. “No rush. It’s not about strength, it’s about patience.” His son looked at him. “You mean just with the bike?” “With everything,” Dad replied, and turned away, as if he’d said too much. They lined up the pads, tightened the bolts. Dad tested the brake lever a few times. “Much better.” His son pumped up the tyre, checked for leaks. Tube held. They put the wheel back and tightened the nuts. Dad asked for the number thirteen spanner, and his son handed it over wordlessly. The spanner fitted Dad’s hand like it belonged there. “That’s it,” Dad declared. “Let’s give it a go.” They wheeled the bike outside. Dad held the handlebars, son beside him. The estate was empty, just a neighbour with her shopping bag nodding at them. “Go on, have a ride,” Dad said. “Me?” “Well, I’m no acrobat any more.” He climbed on. The saddle was low, knees high—like childhood. He circled the patch of grass, braked. The bike stopped obediently. “It works,” he said, dismounting. Dad took the bike, tried a cautious lap, then stopped, foot on the ground. “Not bad. Time well spent.” His son saw Dad wasn’t talking about the bike. He was glad he’d called. “Take the toolkit home with you,” Dad said suddenly, nodding at the tools. “I’ve got plenty. You’ll need them more. You’re always doing things yourself.” His son thought to argue, but realised this was Dad’s way. Not “I love you”—but “take these, make life easier.” “Alright, I will. But keep the number thirteen spanner. That one’s yours.” Dad smiled. “I’ll put it back where it belongs now.” Back inside, his son put on his coat in the hallway. Dad stood nearby, unhurried. “Will you pop round next week?” Dad asked, as if casually. “The cupboard door in the box room sticks. Could use some oil—but my hands aren’t what they were.” He said it simply, no excuses. His son heard an invitation, not a complaint. “I’ll come. Call first, though, so I don’t barge in.” Dad nodded and, as the door closed, added quietly, “Thanks for coming.” His son walked down the stairs, carrying a few of Dad’s spanners and screwdrivers in an old rag. They felt heavy, but not burdensome. Outside, he looked up at the window on the third floor. The curtain twitched—maybe Dad was watching. He didn’t wave. He just went to the car, knowing now he could come round not just for a “favour,” but for what they’d both finally learned was truly important.

He rang me up in the morning and said it like it was nothing at all: Could you pop round? Got a bicycle

La vida

017

Mum Left Homeless with Three Children After Our Father Took All the Money from Selling the Flat and Disappeared

Mum was left homeless with three children! Our father took the money from the sale of our flat and vanished.

La vida

I Never Took What Wasn’t Mine: A Story of Jealousy, Kindness, and Second Chances in the Lives of Martha, Nastya, and Max, from School Days Through Heartbreak, Addiction, and New Beginnings

I HAVE NEVER TAKEN WHAT WASNT MINE In those distant school days, Mary found herself both scorning and

La vida

How My Son’s Mother-in-Law Took Him Away from Us: Ever Since Our Son Got Married, He Hardly Visits, Always Rushing to Help His Mother-in-Law With “Emergencies”—Now We’re Left Out, and Our Family Is Falling Apart

Ever since our son got married, he barely pays us a visit. Instead, hes constantly round his mother-in-laws place.