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Lena reread the familiar message from Galina Ivanovna for the umpteenth time. She was about to put the phone down when it beeped again — a new message. “My kitchen faucet is dripping too. Maybe you and Lyosha could come take a look? And bring the money for the utilities while you’re at it.” Lena … Read more

After the death of her mother-in-law, Valentina arrived at the notary’s office where the reading of the will was to take place. The building was familiar to her — old, with a cracked sign and massive doors behind which there was always the smell of dust, wood, and paper. Valya was the first to arrive. … Read more

Lyuba woke up from the icy cold. Her old jacket, a rag long since lost its shape, could no longer keep her warm. Autumn was confidently taking hold: the nights were growing longer, the wind harsher, and even under the roof of the abandoned attic, it was unbearably cold. In winter, survival here would be … Read more

In one of the large business centers, where day after day bustling business activity took place, worked a woman named Maria. Her profession — cleaning lady — was not associated with anything remarkable in the eyes of most employees. To everyone, she was simply part of the familiar background: the soft rustle of a brush … Read more

“— Miss, may I help you?” he called to the woman, noticing how she was struggling to carry two heavy bags. “— Sorry to approach so suddenly, but it looks like the bags are about to slip from your hands. Let me carry them for you.” “— Oh, really? Are you sure? Aren’t they too … Read more

Madam, you don’t have a ticket. Please get off the bus,” the driver snapped, looking at the frail woman in the old coat who was barely clinging to the handrail to keep from falling.   The bus was nearly empty. Outside, wet snow was falling slowly, and gray twilight had enveloped the city. She said … Read more

When Sofia announced that she was going to marry a man with a disability, her loved ones seemed to lose the power of speech. Her family was in shock, her friends were stunned, and distant relatives gathered for an informal family council as if deciding a matter of national importance. Everyone felt it was their … Read more

Zhanna didn’t utter a word when saying goodbye to her husband. The doctors said he was leaving — slowly but inexorably. She left the hospital overwhelmed with grief, still feeling the warmth of his fingers in her hands. While she was near Denis, Zhanna remained strong. She tried not to show fear, not to reveal … Read more

And when she entered the restaurant, her mother couldn’t believe her eyes…” “Have you completely lost it?” she almost shouted, recoiling as if caught red-handed. “Me? In this? Playing your fiancée? Yesterday, I was digging food out of the trash!”   He calmly clicked the lock, closing the door, and, tiredly leaning against the wall, … Read more

A seven-year-old orphan boy lay in the hospital room, as if already cut off from life. He was a lonely child — without parents, without love, without a chance, or so it seemed to everyone around. Only the doctors, the ticking clock, cold walls, and the hum of medical machines. They were about to disconnect … Read more