Nina Petrovna had been saving for a summer cottage for twelve long years. Every thousand rubles she saved was put aside with the utmost care—she saved for retirement, cut back on food expenses, and supplemented her income with side jobs to bring her closer to fulfilling her dream. When she finally saved enough to buy an older but full-of-potential cottage in the « Rassvet » garden cooperative community, she couldn’t believe that her years of efforts had finally yielded the desired result. Each day she drew closer to her goal was a small victory, and now that she could stand on the threshold of her own home, she felt that all the hardships had been worth it.
The cottage, though a dream come true, required a great deal of work and renovation. The wooden steps on the veranda swayed with every step, as if about to collapse, the paint was peeling in patches, revealing blackened, rotten wood, and the hallway was piled high with unwanted belongings left behind by the previous owners—old furniture, rusty tools, bags with unknown contents that evoked more anxiety than curiosity. Despite this, Nina Petrovna viewed the house with love, seeing it not only as a challenge but also as an opportunity to create her own cozy retreat, where she could escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
« Mom, you know I have a project urgently needed right now, » her son Igor replied, waving his hand as if her request were completely irrelevant in his busy life. « Maybe sometime in the fall, when I find a moment, » he added, not meeting her eyes, a clear sign that he had no intention of committing to this endeavor anytime soon. Daughter Svetlana also found an excuse to justify her lack of involvement: « Mom, we’re renovating the house, and we have to drive Danilek to training, there’s simply no time. You can do it yourself, or hire someone, » she said, as if it were the simplest solution, not considering that his mother didn’t have unlimited financial resources or the strength to handle all the work herself. Her nephew Andrei didn’t even answer the phone—he dropped the call and typed a terse, « Busy, I’ll call you back later » in his instant messenger. Of course, he never called back, and his silence spoke louder than any words.
Nina Petrovna, however, didn’t resent her family – throughout her life, she had grown accustomed to relying primarily on herself, and treated the help of others as a pleasant, if rare, perk, not something she took for granted. A neighbor, Marina Ivanovna, experienced in such matters, recommended two local specialists – Vasya and Seryozha – who, for reasonable fees, would undertake any job, from minor repairs to complete renovations. « Aunt Nina, » Vasya said, carefully examining the property and mentally noting all the work to be done, « it’s a good house, just neglected. We’ll fix it up, don’t worry. » His words were a promise Nina Petrovna could trust, seeing in their eyes the genuine willingness to work and the reliability so lacking in her own children.
And indeed, they fulfilled their task admirably. They worked diligently, without cheap sloppy work, with genuine dedication that was evident in every detail. They reinforced the porch steps with new, sturdy boards that no longer sagged under the weight, painted the entire house a pleasant light blue, giving it a fresh, cheerful look, and took all the unnecessary rubble and trash to the landfill, leaving the property clean and ready for further decoration. In gratitude for their hard work, Nina Petrovna prepared them delicious, home-cooked meals and treated them to tea with homemade pancakes, which always disappeared in the blink of an eye. The men, appreciating her hospitality, worked even more enthusiastically, feeling that their efforts were noticed and respected. « Such a housewife is rare, » Seryozha told his wife, returning home after a hard day’s work. “He will feed you, pay you honestly, and even thank you,” he said with appreciation, emphasizing that it is worth working for such people to the best of your ability.
Once the renovations were complete and the cottage was sparkling new, Nina Petrovna built a small greenhouse in the garden where she grew tomatoes and cucumbers. She bought colorful string lights that she hung on the veranda, creating a magical, cozy atmosphere. She also placed pots of petunias and marigolds, which bloomed all summer long, adding even more charm to the space. The result was an incredibly charming place, filled with peace and harmony, perfectly reflecting her personality. In the evenings, as the sun set behind the trees, she would sit on the veranda with a cup of hot tea, listening to the birdsong that seemed to greet her each time she returned, and she felt her soul relax from the hustle and bustle of the city and the constant worries that accompanied her daily life in the city.
The local neighbors proved to be simple, warm, and friendly people who quickly became her natural surroundings. Marina Ivanovna often dropped in for a chat over tea, bringing tomato seedlings or exchanging gardening secrets she’d known for years. Sometimes Vasya and Seryozha joined them—this time not as employees, but as friends who simply wanted to sit in pleasant company, chat about everyday life, and spend time together. « You’ve created a corner of paradise here, » Marina Ivanovna marveled, looking around the landscaped garden. « Such peace, such harmony, simply a miracle, » she added, her words brimming with genuine sympathy and admiration for the effort Nina Petrovna had put into this place.
As soon as photos of the renovated dacha appeared on the family chat, the relatives’ interest grew at an alarming rate. They began demanding get-togethers and shared celebrations, as if suddenly reminded of their mother and her new purchase. « Mom, when will the new apartment be ready? » Igor asked immediately, not hiding his curiosity and eagerness to seize the opportunity. « Aunt Nina, can we come over this weekend with the children? » chimed in daughter-in-law Olga, who had previously shown little interest in her mother-in-law’s fate. « Nina Petrovna, the place is wonderful! We have to celebrate this purchase properly! » persisted nephew Andrei, who had so far refused to return her plea for help. Everyone suddenly remembered family ties and the importance of shared moments—of course, when it came to enjoying a new, charming place.
The New Year’s party was a grand affair, and the entire family arrived, filling the house with joyful chatter and laughter. They praised the renovated cottage and admired every detail, from the new furniture to the colorful flowers on the porch. Igor, who hadn’t previously found the time to help, now admitted: « Mom, it’s great that you took care of it yourself. We couldn’t have done it ourselves, » he said appreciatively, as if forgetting his earlier excuses. « Seriously, Auntie, it looks like something out of a magazine, » Olga chimed in, snapping photos of every corner to share on social media, where her friends could admire the new, trendy space. After the celebration, requests for more frequent visits became more insistent. « Mom, can we come every weekend? The kids could use some fresh air, » Igor suggested, as if it were only natural that his mother would offer him her sanctuary without strings attached. « Nina Petrovna, won’t my friends and I get in the way? There’s plenty of room, » Andrei added, seeing this as a chance for free weekend getaways.
However, Nina Petrovna, who had learned to set boundaries over the years, began to gently but firmly refuse. The dacha became a refuge for her, a place where she could be alone with her thoughts, enjoy peace and connection with nature, without having to play hostess for the entire family. She didn’t want her dream retreat to turn into a suburban club where everyone felt at home and she had to cater to their needs. « You understand, I need this place to be alone with nature, » she explained, trying to convey to her loved ones how important this time was to her. « It’s my little happiness, » she emphasized, hoping they would understand her need for privacy. Her family, though reluctant, eventually accepted her decision, though occasional sarcastic comments appeared in the family chat, including phrases like « stingy » and « she could share her joy, » which hurt her more than she cared to admit.
At the beginning of summer, sad news arrived – Aunt Claudia, my mother’s cousin, who lived in Tver, had fallen seriously ill. She was already ninety years old, had no one close to her, and despite her declining health, she refused to be hospitalized, preferring to stay in her familiar, albeit empty, apartment. « We have to go to her, » Nina Petrovna said to her daughter, feeling an inner obligation not to leave her elderly relative alone at such a difficult time. « Mom, why do you need this trip? You haven’t seen her in twenty years, » Svetlana advised, not understanding why her mother would want to involve herself in caring for someone who seemed like a stranger to her. « Still, it’s family, » Nina Petrovna replied curtly, refusing to be deterred. Igor also didn’t support her decision: « Mom, you’re not young anymore, why do you need additional trouble? » – he said, as if he cared about her health, but in reality, it was just the convenience of not having to get involved. Despite all these voices, Nina Petrovna packed her bag and set off on her journey to be with her aunt in her final days.
Aunt Clavdia lay in her small apartment, which seemed to be filled with memories—thin, weak, but still with a clear mind that allowed her to appreciate every moment. When she saw her niece on the doorstep, tears of emotion welled up in her eyes. « Nina, my dear, you’ve arrived… and I thought everyone had forgotten me, » she whispered, squeezing Nina Petrovna’s hand with gratitude that needed no words. For two weeks, Nina Petrovna cared for her devotedly—preparing meals, cleaning, reading aloud to while away the long hours, listening to stories about the past, about her family, about the difficult years after the war, when every day was a struggle for survival. « You’re the only one in the whole family who remained with a soul, » the old lady said, looking at her tenderly. “The rest only call on special occasions, and not all of them do that,” she added, and in her voice you could hear the bitterness of disappointment in her loved ones, which had been growing over the years like a thorn in the heart.
When Aunt Claudia died, it turned out she had made a will, leaving her entire estate—a small apartment in the city center and a substantial sum in her savings book—to Nina Petrovna. « Because she was the only one who came, » the notary explained, quoting the deceased’s words. « The only person to whom she was important, not because of the inheritance, but because she was family, » he added, emphasizing that this gesture was an expression of gratitude and appreciation for her niece’s selfless attitude. Nina Petrovna returned from the funeral exhausted and grief-stricken, yearning only for some time alone at her dacha to pray for her aunt’s soul, reflect on her life, and find solace in the silence that always accompanied her there.
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