Mom, dad, hello, you asked us to come over, whats happening? Marina and her husband Tolya barged into their parents apartment.
Actually, this had begun long ago. Mom had been ill, suffering from a serious disease, stage two
She completed a chemotherapy cycle, then radiation. She entered remission, her hair had started to grow back. Yet it was still too early to relax; her condition worsened again.
Marina, Tolya, good evening, please come in, Mom said, pale and thin as a girl.
Children, have a seat. We have an unusual request for you; please hear Mom, Dad replied, a little flustered.
Marina and Tolya sat on the couch and stared anxiously at Mom. Irina sighed, glanced at her husband Boris as if seeking support.
Marina, Tolya, dont be surprised; I have a rather odd favor to ask. In short were pleading with you.
Please adopt a boy for us, both of us. They wont give us a child because of our age, among other reasons.
A brief silence fell.
The first to speak was the daughter:
Mom, I think youll be very surprised; weve wanted to tell you for a long time but were afraid. Tolya and I really want a son, and we already have two daughtersyour grandchildren with dad.
Theres no guarantee the third child will be a boy. Its also about healthMasha is due for a Csection, doctors advise against more pregnancies. We had even considered adopting a little boy from an orphanage.
A sweet little son to join our family. And now you, Mom, say the same thing to us. Where did you get these ideas?
Marina, I dont even know where to begin, Irina ran a trembling hand over the patch of regrown hair on her scalp, the thing is, Ive felt worse again.
Then my friend, Aunt Nadia from my old job, stopped by. Remember her? She once had a mole hanging over an eye, almost covering it. They warned her it might become malignant and needed removal. Yet when Nadia came to see me, the mole was gone and her eye looked fine.
She had visited Grandma Zina in the village, talked with her, and then Nadia said, Lets go to Grandma Zina. Many people from other towns come to her; shes helped a lot. I thought about what I was missing, and we went.
Marina and Tolya listened to Moms story, holding their breath, but they didnt quite grasp where it was heading.
So, children, Irina continued, Grandma Zina asked me a strange question right away: do I have a son?
When she learned I had one daughter, Marina, and two beloved granddaughters, Masha and Tania, Grandma Zina pressed furtherwhat about a daughter?
I was stunned, because nobody except Dad and me knew that Id had a lateterm miscarriage. It was supposed to be a boy, my first child, Marina.
But he didnt survive, Irina fidgeted with the edge of her shirt.
And then? Marina looked at her mother with big eyes.
Then, just as Grandma Zina saidadopt a boy. She turned and left. Tears spilled from me as if I were at fault for not being able to keep my first son.
Now I must give warmth and love to another boy, to restore the balance that was broken.
And you know, I listened to my own heartand I truly want this. My husband and I can give a child both warmth and love, everything he needs!
Not just to heal myself. I simply have a conscious desire to save at least one little life from orphanhood and loneliness. Do you understand?
Mom, I get it and I fully support you, Marina, tears streaming, rushed to her mother, lets do it!
Marina and Tolya had already spoken with the director of the childrens home about adopting a little boy, and they were invited to see the children.
Irina and Boris, of course, went along. In the playroom, kids aged three and up were sitting on a carpet, playing.
Mom, look at that blond boy, he looks like you, how carefully he builds that tower. He even stuck out his little tongue, Marina whispered, pointing to a child on the floor.
Irina looked and liked him too. Then, from a corner of the room, some indistinct words were heard.
Irina turnedthere, in the corner, stood an older boy with sad eyes, whispering barely audible.
Are you talking to us? Speak a bit louder, I didnt catch that, Irina asked.
The boy stepped toward her and repeated, Auntie, please take me, I promise youll never regret it. Take me
Marina and Tolya quickly completed the paperwork and adopted Mykyta. Masha and Tanya were proud to have a little brother.
Mykyta settled in fast, calling Marina and Tolya mom and dad. He often visited Grandma Ira and Grandpa Boris, since they lived nearby and his school was within walking distance.
He oddly called Irina mom Ira, not grandma. She, holding her breath, watched Mykyta and felt as if he truly were the son she had lost.
At the doctors insistence, Irina began a new treatment cycle, but it only worsened her condition.
Mykyta looked into her eyes, stroked his short hair, and said,
Mom Ira, why are you sick? I want you to get better!
I dont know, Mykyta, thats how it goes, but Ill try to heal, I promise you, Irina loved how he called her mom Ira.
Boris spoke with the surgeon, who pressed for an operation.
What are the chances? Boris asked.
The doctor didnt mince words:
Fifty out of fifty. Well do everything possible; it could save her.
Boris and Irina decided to go ahead.
On the day of the surgery everyone was on edge. Marina kept calling her father nonstop. Dad arranged with the surgeon to inform him as soon as things were clear, and Boris felt like he was on pins and needles.
He didnt immediately realize where Mykyta was. He found the boy in their bedroom, near the chair where Irinas robe lay.
Mykyta didnt hear Boris enter; he was on the floor, his face buried in Irinas robe, crying and whispering,
Mom Ira, dont go, I dont want to lose you again, please! I want you with me always, Mom Ira!
The phone rang, startling both Boris and Mykyta.
The surgeons voice was tired and joyless, and Boriss heart sank like a stone.
Is it really over? Did Irina not survive the operation?
Boris, this is Mykhailo Ivanovich. The operation was difficult, but it was ultimately successful; your wife made it through.
She was on the brink; Ive never seen anything like it, as if someone from above was helping her in those moments when her life seemed about to snap.
Congratulations, it looks like she has more life ahead, there is still a reason to live
Thank you, doctor! Boris hugged Mykyta.
You got it, everythings fine, our Mom Ira is alive, alive! What joy that youre here, little one.
Im sorry, I heard you praying for Mom Ira, thank you, my dear son!
