Irina was washing the dishes after dinner in her three-room apartment. She had been married for four years, lived with Oleg in the city center, and worked as an accountant at a medical clinic. Her husband was a driver for a transport company; the pay was decent, and life seemed to be on track.
Seemed—because from the very start of the marriage, Irina had noticed one unpleasant pattern. Her mother-in-law, Raisa Petrovna, constantly interfered in the young family’s life. She called every day, gave housekeeping advice, and criticized.
In the summer the situation escalated. Raisa Petrovna called Oleg and, without any discussion, announced the news.
“Son, Natasha and I decided to come stay with you for a couple of weeks to relax,” the mother-in-law declared. “You have air conditioning, and our apartment is unbearably stuffy.”
Oleg was delighted and didn’t consult his wife.
“Of course, Mom!” he exclaimed. “Come whenever you like. We’ll be happy to have you!”
“Wonderful!” rejoiced Raisa Petrovna. “We’ll buy tickets tomorrow. I think we’ll be there around the seventh or eighth.”
The call ended, and Oleg hung up and happily headed to the kitchen, where Irina was making dinner.
“Can you believe it? Great news!” he announced. “Mom and Natasha are coming to us on vacation! For two weeks!”
Irina froze, a ladle in her hand. Her husband’s words sounded like a verdict, as if his wife’s opinion simply didn’t exist.
“How are they ‘coming’?” Irina asked quietly.
“Well, they want to get some rest,” Oleg explained. “It’s hot at their place, and we’ve got air conditioning. Makes sense, right?”
“It didn’t occur to you to ask me?” Irina set the ladle on the table.
“Ask about what?” her husband was surprised. “It’s Mom and my sister, not strangers.”
“Precisely why you should have asked,” Irina retorted. “Two weeks isn’t the same as a couple of hours as guests.”
Oleg frowned.
“Ira, come on,” he said, displeased. “Are you really so begrudging about taking in family?”
“It’s not about that,” Irina began to explain, but Oleg cut her off.
“Then what’s the problem?” he raised his voice. “There’s plenty of space, plenty of food. What’s stopping you?”
Irina looked at her husband, her face flushing with indignation.
“Your mother and sister are coming to our place for their vacation? Wonderful!” she said, not hiding the sarcasm. “Then I’m off to the seaside, and you can wait on them yourself!”
Oleg’s mouth fell open.
“Ira, what are you saying?”
“What I mean,” his wife replied. “Since you make decisions for the two of us so easily, you can take care of the guests yourself.”
“But that’s impossible!” he protested. “I work—I won’t have time to cook and clean!”
“And I don’t work?” Irina narrowed her eyes. “Or does my job not count?”
“It counts, but…” Oleg faltered.
“But what?” she pressed. “But a woman is supposed to do everything by herself?”
Oleg realized he’d put himself in an awkward position. His wife was right—he really hadn’t consulted her and had made a unilateral decision.
“Okay,” he gave in. “Maybe we can postpone their visit?”
“Too late,” Irina shook her head. “You’ve already agreed. Now sort it out yourself.”
“Ira, don’t be mad,” Oleg tried to smooth things over. “Let’s welcome them together.”
“No,” his wife said firmly. “Since you made the decision without me, you can deal with the consequences alone.”
But despite her principled stance, Irina couldn’t bring herself to leave her husband alone with the guests. When Raisa Petrovna and Natalia arrived, the wife was there with Oleg to meet them.
The next day Raisa Petrovna called to clarify the details.
“Irinochka, we’ll arrive on the seventh,” the mother-in-law reported. “The train gets in at half past six in the morning. Will Olezhek meet us?”
“Of course he will,” Irina replied.
“Wonderful!” said Raisa Petrovna, pleased. “And you, dear, prepare something tasty for our arrival. We’ll be hungry from the road.”
“All right,” Irina agreed.
“And change the bed linens,” the mother-in-law continued with instructions. “We’re used to cleanliness. Also, make some room in the fridge—we’re bringing treats.”
“Got it,” Irina answered curtly.
“And one more thing, dear,” Raisa wouldn’t let up, “is the TV in the bedroom working? We like to watch the news before bed.”
“It works,” Irina confirmed.
“Excellent!” the mother-in-law concluded. “See you then—get ready for our arrival!”
Irina hung up and pondered. Two weeks with Raisa Petrovna and Natalia in the same apartment. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, waiting on the guests. And they’d be watching TV in the bedroom, which meant they’d go to bed late and make noise.
That evening her husband came home from work in high spirits.
“Irish, just think how great this is!” Oleg shared his joy. “Mom and Natasha will relax, we’ll chat, spend time as a family!”
“Mm-hmm,” Irina nodded. “Very nice.”
“Why the long face?” he noticed her mood. “You should be happy!”
“I am,” Irina answered dryly.
“Doesn’t look like it,” Oleg shook his head. “Ira, you can’t treat relatives like this!”
“I treat them fine,” his wife objected.
“‘Fine’ means being happy to see them,” he lectured. “And you look sour.”
Irina didn’t argue. Talking wouldn’t help anyway.
Over the next few days she prepared for the guests’ arrival. She bought groceries, changed the bed linens, tidied the apartment. Oleg didn’t offer to help, considering the prep “women’s work.”
“You know better what’s needed,” he waved her off. “I’ll just get in the way.”
Raisa Petrovna called every day, clarifying details.
On the seventh at half past six in the morning, Oleg went to meet his mother and sister. Irina stayed home to finish breakfast. Pancakes, an omelet, sliced vegetables, sausage, and cheese were already on the table. A casserole was finishing in the oven.
At eight o’clock voices sounded in the hall.
“Irisha!” called Raisa Petrovna. “We’re here!”
“Coming!” Irina answered, stepping out of the kitchen.
The mother-in-law looked lively despite the night on the road. Natalia yawned and looked sleepy.
“How was the trip?” Irina asked.
“Fine,” said Raisa. “We got a good car—didn’t rattle.”
“I didn’t shut my eyes all night,” Natalia complained. “The neighbors snored.”
“You’ll catch up on sleep at home,” the mother comforted her daughter.
Oleg brought in the suitcases and set them in the living room.
“Breakfast is ready,” Irina announced. “Come to the kitchen.”
“Oh, it smells wonderful!” rejoiced Raisa. “Irisha, well done, you really went to some trouble!”
The guests sat down at the table, and Irina began bringing out dishes. Raisa and Natalia ate with appetite, praising the food.
“Olezhek, your wife has golden hands!” the mother-in-law gushed. “She cooks so deliciously!”
“I told you, Mom,” Oleg said proudly. “My Ira is a first-rate homemaker.”
“You can see she tries,” Raisa nodded. “That’s how it should be; a wife should feed her husband well.”
After breakfast the guests went to unpack, and Irina stayed to wash the dishes. Oleg didn’t offer to help; he went with his mother and sister to show them the apartment.
“Oh, how lovely!” Raisa marveled. “Fresh renovation, new furniture!”
“We redid it last year,” Oleg said proudly.
“Good for you!” his mother approved. “You spend money sensibly, I can see.”
From the kitchen Irina listened and smirked. She had done most of the renovation: chosen materials, hired workers, and supervised the process. Oleg had only provided the money and occasionally offered an opinion.
By lunchtime the guests were fully settled. Raisa occupied the armchair in front of the TV; Natalia stretched out on the living-room sofa. Oleg rested too, considering a day off well deserved.
“Irisha,” the mother-in-law called from the living room, “what time will lunch be?”
“One o’clock,” Irina replied.
“What are you making?” Natalia asked.
“Soup and cutlets,” the hostess answered.
“Oh, cutlets!” the sister-in-law brightened. “I love them!”
“With potatoes, I hope?” Raisa clarified.
“Of course,” Irina confirmed.
“Splendid!” the mother-in-law concluded. “We’ll keep resting, and you cook.”
Standing at the stove, Irina realized these two weeks would be long. The guests had already shown their colors: they relaxed while the hostess worked. And so it would be every day.
By evening Irina was exhausted. She had made breakfast, lunch, and dinner; cleaned; and washed the bed linens. The guests amused themselves, watched TV, and shared news.
“Irisha is tired,” Oleg observed at dinner. “You can tell it’s hard.”
“What’s hard about it?” Raisa was surprised. “Just ordinary housework.”
“Right,” Natalia backed up her mother. “We’re not being picky—we eat whatever’s served.”
“Ira’s just not used to guests,” Oleg tried to defend his wife. “We usually live alone.”
“She’ll get used to it,” the mother-in-law said confidently. “Give it two weeks.”
Irina ate her dinner in silence. A week already lived through, one more to go. And no one even thought to help or at least wash their own plate.
“Oleg,” Irina said quietly when her husband came into the kitchen for water.
“What is it, dear?” he asked.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Right now?” Oleg looked at the clock. “Maybe later? Mom turned on an interesting program.”
“No, now,” Irina insisted.
Oleg sighed and stayed in the kitchen.
“I’m listening,” he said.
“It’s hard for me,” Irina began. “I can’t handle this amount of work.”
“What work?” Oleg didn’t understand.
“Cooking for four three times a day, cleaning, laundry,” his wife listed. “And no one helps.”
“Then ask them to help,” her husband suggested.
“Seriously?” Irina looked at him. “Ask guests to wash dishes?”
“What’s the big deal?” he shrugged. “Natashka’s not proud—she’ll help.”
“Oleg, it’s not about pride,” Irina explained. “It’s that your mother and sister came to rest, and I’ve turned into the hired help.”
“Oh, come on,” he waved her off. “No one thinks of you as the help.”
“No?” Irina asked. “Then who’s been cooking, cleaning, and doing the laundry?”
“Well, you’re the hostess,” Oleg replied. “That’s your job.”
“I see,” Irina nodded. “So I’m supposed to wait on your relatives?”
“Ira, why do you always take things to extremes?” her husband snapped. “Just one more week to put up with.”
“‘Put up with,’” Irina repeated. “Good word.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Bear with it a little—they aren’t staying forever.”
Irina looked at her husband and understood the talk was pointless. Oleg didn’t see the problem and wasn’t going to solve it.
The next morning at breakfast, Raisa announced the plan.
“Irisha, dear,” the mother-in-law addressed her daughter-in-law, “we’re going to stroll around the city today. And you stay home and tidy up.”
“I have work,” Irina reminded her.
“Oh, right,” Raisa caught herself. “Well, no matter, you can tidy up in the evening.”
“I still have to cook after work,” Irina objected.
“You’ll manage,” Raisa said confidently. “You’re young—you’ve got the energy.”
“Maybe you could tidy up yourselves?” Irina suggested. “Since you’re staying home?”
Raisa looked at her daughter-in-law in surprise.
“Irisha, we’re guests,” she reminded her. “Guests don’t clean.”
“Not even their own mess?” Irina clarified.
“Olezhek,” Raisa turned to her son, “explain to your wife how she should behave with guests.”
Oleg glanced at Irina.
“Ira, Mom’s right,” he said. “Guests shouldn’t have to clean.”
“Got it,” Irina nodded.
The next morning at breakfast, Raisa announced the plan again.
“Irisha, dear,” the mother-in-law addressed her daughter-in-law, “we’re going to stroll around the city today. And you stay home and tidy up.”
“I have work,” Irina reminded her.
“Oh, right,” Raisa caught herself. “Well, no matter, you can tidy up in the evening.”
“I still have to cook after work,” Irina objected.
“You’ll manage,” Raisa said confidently. “You’re young—you’ve got the energy.”
“Maybe you could tidy up yourselves?” Irina suggested. “Since you’re staying home?”
Raisa looked at her daughter-in-law in surprise.
“Irisha, we’re guests,” she reminded her. “Guests don’t clean.”
“Not even their own mess?” Irina clarified.
“Olezhek,” Raisa turned to her son, “explain to your wife how she should behave with guests.”
Oleg glanced at Irina.
“Ira, Mom’s right,” he said. “Guests shouldn’t have to clean.”
“Got it,” Irina nodded.
Ten days passed. Irina was completely worn out. She worked all day, came home—and there were new chores waiting. She made breakfast, lunch, dinner; cleaned; washed the bed linens. The guests relaxed, watched TV, and shared news.
“Irisha is tired,” Oleg observed at dinner. “You can tell it’s hard.”
“What’s hard about it?” Raisa was surprised. “Just ordinary housework.”
“Right,” Natalia chimed in. “We’re not being picky—we eat whatever’s served.”
“Ira’s just not used to guests,” Oleg tried to defend his wife. “We usually live alone.”
“She’ll get used to it,” the mother-in-law said confidently. “She’ll settle in after a couple of weeks.”
Irina finished her dinner in silence. A week and a half already done; a few more days to go. And no one even thought to help or at least wash their own plate.
The next day Raisa announced new plans.
“Irisha, dear,” said the mother-in-law, “we’ve decided to invite some friends to the theater. We’ll all meet up.”
“Understood,” Irina replied.
“And after the theater we’ll drop by here,” Raisa continued. “We’ll have some tea and chat.”
Irina froze with a cup in her hand.
“How many people?” she asked.
“About six or seven,” the mother-in-law estimated. “Not many.”
“And who will prepare the refreshments?” Irina specified.
“Well, you, of course,” Raisa was surprised by the question. “Who else?”
Irina set the cup on the table and looked at her. Her patience snapped once and for all.
“Raisa Petrovna,” she said slowly, “you came here to relax. I’m not a travel agent or a restaurant.”
“What are you talking about?” the mother-in-law flared up.
“I’m saying I’m tired of being the help,” Irina replied.
“Olezhek!” Raisa called out to her son. “Your wife is being rude to me!”
Oleg ran in from the bathroom with shaving foam on his face.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Irina refuses to receive guests!” his mother complained.
“Ira, what’s going on?” Oleg turned to his wife.
Irina rose from the table and looked at him.
“Remember what I said when you told me they were coming?” she asked.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Oleg didn’t understand.
“Everything,” Irina answered. “I warned you I wouldn’t be waiting on your relatives. And you didn’t believe me.”
“But you agreed to have them!” he objected.
“I agreed to have them, not to be a maid,” Irina clarified. “And that’s exactly what everyone expects of me.”
Irina pressed her lips together, exhaled sharply, and repeated the words she had said a few days earlier.
Oleg was taken aback; he hadn’t expected such a response. He had thought his wife was just blowing off steam and would calm down and keep playing the role of the gracious hostess.
“Ira, you’re not serious, are you?” Oleg muttered.
“Dead serious,” she said, turning for the door.
