Thats a fine notion of fairness you have, Evelyn Thompson! Olga exclaimed, unable to hold back. Last summer, our children sweltered in that overgrown garden, and then we spent the entire year labouring to fix up your cottage. Now Anastasias children get to enjoy all the comforts while ours sit at home? How very honest of you!
Evelyn sighed. I said it was for the grandchildren, but I never specified it was only for yours! Do you think I dont have other grandchildren? Yours had their turn last yearnow its Anastasias. Thats only fair!
Olga scoffed. Fair? Fair would be equal shares. Couldnt you take one set for a month, then the other?
Good heavens, no! Id be worn to the bone in two months, Evelyn protested. Im not as young as I used to be.
What about two weeks, then?
Impossible. Ive already promised Anastasia. She and Walter have their holiday in Julythey want time alone. Theres nothing to be done.
Bring them next Wednesday, then. Just till Friday. Ill manage a few days, but no more. Its too much.
Olga exhaled sharply. A few days? After all theyd poured into that cottage? It was nothinga pittance, considering the circumstances.
Fine. I understand perfectly. Goodbye, she said coldly before hanging up.
She pressed her hands to her temples. What now? The children had spent all year dreaming of their grandmothers cottagethe new playground, the paddling pool, all of it. And now it would go to others.
It had all begun so innocently. Last summer, Olga and her husband, Edward, had visited Evelyns cottage for the first time in years. Little had changed since her father-in-laws passing.
The place had never been luxurious, but now it was worsea dilapidated shed with creaking windows, an outdoor privy, waist-high weeds. The roof sagged; dead branches hung from the trees.
Inside was no better. Faded wallpaper, sagging floors, furniture from another era. The air smelled musty and damp.
Oh, theres so much to do, Evelyn had fretted. Edward, start with the grass and branches. Ill show you where to trim.
While Edward worked outside, Evelyn made tea for Olga and herself. They spoke of school reports, work, health. Then
Id love to have the grandchildren here, but what would they do? Evelyn sighed. Catch frogs by the brook? Dig in the vegetable patch? Theres no comfort, no fun.
Olga glanced around. She remembered summers at her own grandmothers village homefeeding chickens, hunting worms for fishing, weaving flower crowns.
Why dont we fix it up together? she suggested. Bit by bit.
Thats just what I hoped youd say! Evelyn beamed. Better than wasting money on foreign holidaysinvest in something lasting.
So they did. By summers end, new windows were in. Edward mended the fence; Olga found second-hand furniture for the childrens room.
In August, the children stayed with Evelyn and returned thrilled.
Mum, can we go back? her youngest begged. We saw snails, grasshoppers, even a mouse! And a praying mantis!
Of course, Olga smiled. Next year will be even better.
Evelyn had nodded, pleased.
The whole year passed in expenses and anticipation. They installed plumbing, a proper bathroom, did what repairs they could. An air conditioner, a gazebo, a paddling poolnothing grand, but the children were overjoyed.
Evelyn had glowed. Now theyll have paradise!
Olga had believed they were building something togetherthat this was what family did.
Yet Anastasia had done nothing. Shed listened at gatherings, silent save for one requestsand for the sandpit.
Now, after all their sacrifice, they were told, Next year.
Olga seethed. She called her mother for solace.
Evelyns played you, her mother said bluntly. She couldve warned you sooner.
But what do I tell the children? Weve saved nothing for a proper holiday.
Rent a cottage, her mother suggested. Ill mind the children.
At first, Olga hesitated. But within a week, they found a charming little place on the citys edgea cosy cabin with an apple orchard, a porch, and a barbecue.
One final task remained. They drove to Evelyns to reclaim the pool and swings.
So thats it? Evelyn cried as Edward dismantled their work. Youd deny Anastasias children their joy?
Olga folded her arms. I bought that joy for my children. Let Anastasia buy her own.
Evelyn opened her mouththen turned away, wordless.
The next month flew by. Weekends were spent at the cabinpicnics, woodland walks, the children splashing in the pool.
Olga realized, sitting on the porch, that this humble place felt warmer than Evelyns refurbished cottage. Here, there was no sense of being usedjust family.
In the end, the rental cost far less than their year of labour.
This was even better than Grannys! the children declared.
Olga smiled. At least theyd have stories for their summer essays.
Let Evelyn and Anastasia invest their own efforts, she said on the drive home. Thats fair.
She saw it all as a lesson. Shed still do anything for her childrenbut never again with blind faith in empty promises.
