Maria, urgently! I just saw your daughterinlaw in the shop. She was buying rat poisontwo packs! She says the mice have returned, but I know you dont have any pests at all! Marias legs trembled. So thats why she suddenly decided to clean the whole house!
My lord, my friend, sighed the woman as she stepped onto the yard with a bowl of porridge. It seems its just the two of us left in the whole wide world.
The dog lifted his head, licked his mistresss hand gratefully and went straight for the food. Maria Mykolaivna was sixtyfive, yet she still looked youngersturdy, dignified, her silver hair neatly arranged.
Only her eyes betrayed the grief shed endured; they held a sorrow so deep it hurt to look at them.
Half a year earlier, Yegor had crashed his motorcycle. Hed bought a iron horse for his forties, calling it a longheld dream. Maria had objected, but who could deny a son his wish? A month later, a call from the hospital came: hed lost control on a curve.
After the funeral, Natalia took Andriy and returned to her parents in the city. At first she called often, arranging talks with her grandson, then her calls grew rarer.
Maria kept insisting on visitsby law she had the right to see her grandson. Natalia alternated excuses about the childs illness and her own busyness. Then she changed her phone number. When Maria went to the address, the neighbours told her that Natalia and her parents had sold the flat and moved to another townno one knew where.
Hey, Maria! a voice shouted over the fence. Are you still alive?
It was Petro Vasylovych, a spry seventyyearold widower, who had been friends with Marias late husband. After his death, Petro took it upon himself to look after his neighbor.
Alive, Petro, where would I go? Maria smiled. Come in, lets have some tea.
Im just on my way to townfor the pharmacy and groceries. Want me to bring anything?
No, thank you, I have everything.
Look, I know you. You sit here like an owl, never going out. That wont do, Maria. You have to live.
Petro left, and Maria returned to her house. In the hallway, photographs lined the wallher whole life displayed like an open book.
There she was, young at her wedding, Yegor taking his first steps, then a grownup son with his wife and little Andriy. All of them laughing, all of them happy.
She let out a heavy sigh and headed to the kitchen. The day stretched on endlessly. She turned the TV on but couldnt watch; everything felt alien and pointless.
She tried knitting, but her hands wouldnt obey. Eventually she went to bed early, hoping that sleep would bring forgetfulness.
Mom! Mom!
Marias eyes snapped open. Standing before her was Yegoryoung, smiling, wearing the checked shirt shed given him for his birthday.
Yegor! she choked out. My son!
Dont cry, mother. Im here to warn you. Be careful. Evil is close, right beside you. Take care of yourself.
What do you mean? What evil? Yegor!
But the boy was already fading into the predawn mist. Maria woke in tears. Outside, dawn was breaking, roosters crowing in chorus. The dream had been so vivid it seemed Yegor had truly appeared.
She got up, splashed cold water on her face, and stepped outside. The morning air was crisp and clear. In the distance, beyond the river, a mist roseso beautiful it tugged at her heart.
Grandmother Maria! Grandmother Maria!
A nineyearold girl, Varya, the granddaughter of Marias late friend, ran toward the gate. Her parents had died in a road accident two years earlier, and she lived in the local orphanage. Maria often visited, bringing treats and helping with schoolwork.
Varya, sunshine! Why so early?
Theyre taking us to the fields to harvest potatoes. I ran to say goodbye. Ill be back in a week.
Wait, Maria hurried back into the house and returned with a bag. Here, take these. Fresh cabbage pies, orchard apples, and some candy. Share with the other children.
Thank you! the girl hugged her tightly. I love you so much!
I love you too, dear. Take care of yourself.
Varya left, and Maria watched her go, thinking how often shed wanted to adopt the child. Yet the guardianship system denied a lonely elderly woman.
They required a complete family, steady income, medical certificatesnone of which Maria had.
The day passed with ordinary chores: tending the garden, feeding the chickens, preparing lunch. Exhausted, she went to bed early, and sleep returned.
In this dream, Yegor stood at the gate, waving his hand as if trying to stop someone.
Dont let them in! he shouted. Mother, dont let anyone into the house! Danger!
Maria woke to a knock at the door. The clock read tenthirty at night. Who could be visiting at that hour?
Whos there? she asked without opening.
Maria Mykolaivna, its me, Natalia. Please open!
Her former daughterinlaw stood on the threshold, disheveled, a huge bag in hand, her clothes rumpled.
Im sorry for the hour. My house burned downcompletely. I barely escaped.
God! And Andriy? Where is he?
Hes with my parents; they went to the sea for a vacation and took him. Maria Mykolaivna, may I stay with you? Only briefly, until I find something.
Maria studied her. Natalia had never been warm to her motherinlaw, and after Yegors death shed avoided her. Now she appeared in the dead of night.
Dont let anyone in!the words from the dream echoed.
But how could she turn her away? A person in distress, even a former daughterinlaw.
Come in, Maria sighed. Yegors room is free.
At first Natalia behaved quietly, helping around, cooking, even running errands. Maria began to think perhaps shed misjudged her. Maybe grief had softened her.
How nice it is here, Maria Mykolaivna, Natalia said over dinner. Quiet, peaceful. The city is a bustle, but here its bliss.
The house is big; theres room for everyone, Maria replied. Stay as long as you need.
A week later, Natalias demeanor shifted. She stopped helping, spent whole days on the couch with her phone, demanded special meals.
Could we move the television to my room? Its inconvenient to go to the living room each time.
Take it from my bedroom; I dont watch much anyway.
Also, could you check the house documents? Maybe theres an error. I used to work at a legal office, I can help.
Maria grew suspicious. Why would Natalia need the papers?
No, thank you. Everythings fine.
Natalia left, and that night Yegor visited again in Marias dream.
Mother, shes planning something evil. Dont eat or drink what she prepares. Protect yourself, mother.
Yegor, what should I do? How do I get rid of her? Shes Andriys mother.
Andriy is safe. Youre the one in danger. Remember my words.
Morning found Maria with a pounding head. Natalia was already at the stove, preparing porridge and coffee.
Good morning! Ive made tea and porridge. Sit down to eat.
Thanks, Ill feed the chickens first.
Maria stepped outside, pondering whether Natalia truly had sinister plans. As she lingered, Petro Vasylovych appeared at the fence.
Hello, neighbor! Why so quiet?
Just thinking.
I heard your daughterinlaw came back. Hows she?
She says her house burned down.
Petro frowned.
Thats odd. I met Kolya the Red in town; he works at the same office where Natalia used to work. He told me she was fired six months ago for theft.
No fire at all. She lives with some man who threw her out, so she showed up at your door.
Marias skin went cold. The dreams had indeed been prophetic. Yegor had warned her about danger.
Thanks, Petro, for the headsup.
Be careful with her; shes not thinking clearly.
The next days, Maria stayed alert, cooking alone, watching Natalias moves. Natalia grew bolder, ordering the house as if she owned it, inviting acquaintances over.
Maria Mykolaivna, your house is spacious. You could rent rooms to travelersextra income.
I dont need money; I need peace.
Youre always so calm! You should marry! Perhaps to me, Petro Vasylovych. Youre a widow; Im a widowerwhy not?
Maria remained silent, noting that Natalia clearly wanted her out. Persuasion wouldnt work.
Then, unexpectedly, Petro rushed in one morning.
Maria, urgent! I just saw your daughterinlaw in the shop buying rat poisontwo packs! She says the mice have returned, but I know you have no mice at all!
Marias legs gave way. So thats why she decided to clean the house!
What should I do, Petro?
Pretend you dont know anything, but stay alert. If you suspect anything, call me immediately.
That evening, Natalia was unusually sweet.
Maria Mykolaivna, I baked an apple pie, just the way you like it, and brewed some herbal tea.
Thank you, dear. Put it on the table; Ill be there soon.
Maria slipped into her room and quickly texted Petro: Its started. Stay ready.
In the kitchen, Natalia poured two cups of teaone for herself, one for her motherinlawand placed the beautifully sliced pie on a plate.
Sit down before it gets cold.
Maria sat, sipping slowly.
You know, Natalia, I dreamed of Yegor last night.
Natalia tensed.
Really? What did he say?
He warned me of danger, that someone wanted to hurt me.
Dreams are just dreams, Natalia chuckled nervously. Have some tea; its getting cold.
Just a moment, Ill add sugar.
Maria rose, supposedly for the sugar bowl, but while walking she quietly swapped the cups. She returned, stirred sugar into her drink, and asked with a smile,
What are we toasting?
To health! Natalia replied.
To health, indeed.
Both lifted their cups. Maria pretended to drink, eyes fixed on Natalia, then took a big gulp, followed by another.
Suddenly she turned pale, clutching her throat.
What what? You switched the cups!
Whats wrong with the tea, Natalia? You made it yourself.
Natalia tried to stand, but her legs gave out.
Scoundrel! Old witch! Ive waited my whole life for thisyour house, your money! I endured your Yegor for years, and now hes dead!
Call an ambulance? Maria asked calmly, reaching for her phone.
Call it fast
Maria dialed emergency services and the police, then sent a text to Petro. He arrived within a minute of the ambulance and police. Natalia was taken away, her stomach rinsed first.
The dose of poison was small, not lethal, but enough to cause serious trouble.
On the kitchen table remained evidence: the empty poison package in the trash bin and the two cups with remnants of tea.
How did you know the cups were swapped? the detective asked.
My son warned me in a dream, Maria replied simply.
The young officer smirked but didnt record it in the report, noting acted on intuition.
After everything, Maria struggled to recover. The house felt emptier than before; even the hostile presence of Natalia created an illusion that she wasnt alone.
Petro visited daily, bringing food and helping with chores.
Maria, why dont we really get married? At our age we could be together, enjoy life, and Im still strong enough to manage the household. I wont hurt you.
Maria looked at him, thinking. Petro was kind, hardworking, and had been friends with her late husband. Yet memories of her own husband lingered.
Petro, what will people say? At our age
Let them talk! We dont live for them. My daughter lives in the capital; I wont see my grandchildren. And theres Varya Maybe we could adopt her? As a couple wed get approval faster.
Marias heart leapt. Varya! She hadnt thought of that.
Youre really ready to take Varya in?
Of course. Shes a good girl, smart. Shell have someone to bring her a glass of water in old age.
Tears fellfinally, not of grief but of joy.
Thank you, Petro. I agree.
Their wedding was modest, shared with close neighbours. Then began the lengthy process of gaining guardianship over Varya.
First, they gathered documentsincome statements, health certificates, personal records. Then officials inspected the home, ensuring Varya would have her own room and a space for study.
They attended parenttraining sessions for two months on weekends at the district centre, had interviews with a psychologist, and met with the childwelfare office.
The procedure stretched over six months, but they persisted. Varya lived with hope, while Maria and Petro visited the orphanage regularly.
Finally, the decision came: guardianship approved. A retired couple with a house and stable income were deemed suitable caregivers.
When Varya learned she would live with Grandma Maria and Grandpa Petro, she burst into tears of happiness.
Ive dreamed of this! Every day!
The house filled with life again. Varya ran through the rooms, Petro built bookshelves for her, Maria taught her to bake pies. Evenings were spent together at the table, sipping tea and chatting.
At night, Maria dreamed of Yegor again, but this time he smiled.
Thank you, mother. You did the right thing. Varya will be like a granddaughter to you. And safeguard Petrohes a good man. Im at peace because of you.
Maria awoke with a light heart. Life went on, and happiness returned.
A year later, spring arrived. Childrens laughter rang in the yard as Varya swung on the swing Petro had built. Baron’s dog chased a ball. Maria stood on the porch, watching the scene with tears of tenderness.
Grandma, look how I can do it! Varya shouted, swinging higher.
Careful, dear!
Granddaughter the word felt natural. Somewhere far away, Maria imagined Yegor sharing in their joy.
Life settled into its rhythm. The house was no longer empty; it was once again filled with happiness.
