Marisha, it’s great you’re already on vacation. So, here’s the thing…
Her husband hesitated a bit. He always acted like this when he wanted to ask his wife for something. He knew her strong-willed personality all too well. That’s why he didn’t always have the courage to explain his requests right away. Just like now.
What’s happened now? Come on, spit it out, don’t drag it on. And what does my vacation have to do with this? his wife asked irritably.
Oksana called me yesterday. The thing is… Well, she and her husband are coming to our city for a few days. An old friend of my sister invited them for an anniversary. So, they want to stay with us. You don’t mind, right?
Of course, I mind! I know your sister-in-law. She’ll show up, lie on the couch all day, and I’ll be the one waiting on everyone!—Marina shot back instantly.—I’m against it, just so you know!
What couch? Come on, they won’t have any time. They’re just planning to sleep here, two or three nights at most, that’s what my sister explained.
Misha, are you trying to ruin my vacation? You know how much I’ve been looking forward to it, I’m exhausted from work. And now your pushy relatives are about to descend on us! Let them stay at a hotel. They can easily afford it.
You’re being harsh! And have you thought about what my parents will say? Or what they’ll say to you? Oksana will run straight to my mom and complain, Mikhail said, clearly upset. She’ll talk all sorts of bad things about us, I know her. She’ll make it sound terrible, like we refused to welcome close family. Then I’ll have to listen to complaints from my parents all year long. Do I need that?
This is the Stone Age! Everyone stays in hotels or rented apartments these days. They don’t crash with relatives who are already up to their necks in their own stuff. And besides, we’re not exactly living in a palace ourselves.
Oh come on, our apartment’s just fine. So, is that a total no? You don’t even want to see them?—her husband pressed.
Why not? We can meet up, sit down together for an hour or two. I get that we should welcome the family, share a meal. But that’s it. Tell Oksana exactly that, Marina instructed her husband firmly. And let them stay somewhere else. My mom also promised to visit in the next few days, and she still hasn’t decided which day exactly.
Your mother’s coming to stay with us?—Mikhail was surprised, and then cheered up.—See, you’re expecting guests too.
Oh, really? You’re comparing my mom to your sister and that random guy she’s bringing?
How is he random? He’s my brother-in-law.
Who knows what Mikhail actually told his sister, but sure enough, two days later she and her husband showed up at their place. With travel bags in hand, clearly intending to stay with her brother and sister-in-law.
Hi, Marisha! So happy to see you! You look amazing as always! It’s so perfect that you’re on vacation, Oksana chirped as she hugged her sister-in-law.
Really? And why is that so perfect? For you especially?—Marina replied, surprised.
Come on, it’s one thing when the hostess is at home, but it’s completely different when you have to cook in someone else’s apartment. You know, I have a rule — I never take over someone else’s kitchen. I don’t even go in there. Just not my habit. I know any hostess hates that.
You’re right about that, Marina replied with a sigh as she set the table. Who would actually like that?
That’s exactly why it’s good you’re home these days. You’ll be the one to cook and set the table for us, declared the cheeky sister-in-law, flashing a wide smile.
Yeah right! As if! Marina muttered to herself.
But the following events forced her to make a few adjustments to her plans.
The next day, the sister-in-law and her husband didn’t wake up until almost lunchtime. Once they got up, they headed straight for the kitchen, craving a delicious breakfast—and, given the hour, lunch too.
But the kitchen was quiet and spotlessly clean. On top of that, there was no one else at home. Where did the hostess go? She was supposed to be on vacation, greeting her guests with a welcoming smile and a set table in the kitchen, but her whereabouts were a mystery.
Marisha, where are you? Did you run out to the store or something? Oksana asked, surprised, as she dialed her sister-in-law’s number.
No. I’ve got things to do. I left. You guys go ahead and run the kitchen yourselves.
Oksana wasn’t happy about this at all, but she had to put the kettle on and hunt through the fridge for leftovers. She and her husband had to make do with reheated food from last night.
That evening, there was going to be a banquet at a restaurant—the whole reason they’d come to visit. So Oksana wasn’t too upset about Marina’s absence from home, knowing a hearty dinner was in their future. After another couple of hours relaxing after their meal, she and her husband started getting ready for their friend’s anniversary celebration.
Meanwhile, Marina went off to the market. She needed to pick up some groceries before her mom arrived. Then she stopped by her colleague’s place, just to avoid having to wait on guests at home.
Let them fuss in there themselves. Can you believe her? ‘I don’t take over someone else’s kitchen.’ What a princess! So Marina is just supposed to wait on them—cook, set the table, wash up. Yeah, right! Not with me! Marina vented to her colleague.
Wow, your sister-in-law really is bold! Mine, when she visits, we cook together, set the table together, and she always does the dishes. She even tells me to sit down and rest while she handles everything. But yours, she acts like royalty! Some kind of lady of the manor! her colleague chimed in supportively.
When Marina got home, she found a mountain of dirty dishes in the sink, and the kitchen table and floor were covered in crumbs and trash.
Typical. They finished everything from the fridge, but their pride won’t let them clean up after themselves! muttered the frustrated hostess as she surveyed the mess in the kitchen.
The sister-in-law and her husband returned from the banquet close to midnight. Tipsy and fired up from all the fun, they tried to continue socializing with Marina and her husband, but the couple was already asleep. Still, their guests talked loudly and laughed boisterously, filling the night with their tipsy chatter.
Misha, Marisha, come on! Let’s sit together, have a drink, and sing! Why are you guys such bores? Oksana shouted, clearly drunk. You’ll have plenty of time to sleep! continued in the comments
Finally, the pushy guests eventually settled down and fell asleep.
In the morning, Marina’s mother, Vera Leonidovna, arrived.
It was nearly eleven when the guests woke up and asked the hosts for breakfast.
Normal people have breakfast in the morning, precisely when the hosts set the table. Not closer to noon, or whenever you feel like it. This isn’t a hotel. Acting this way is simply bad manners! Vera Leonidovna scolded them sternly. ‘You missed breakfast, so now you’ll have to make it yourselves. And don’t forget to wash your own dishes! I’ll make sure of it.’
After making their own breakfast and begrudgingly washing their dishes, the sister-in-law and her husband got ready to leave on some errands.
‘Just so you know—if you’re planning to have dinner here, come early. You’ll need to peel potatoes, onions, carrots, and help me with a few other things. And don’t forget to buy good meat for the roast, as well as vegetables and fruit. You’re not staying at a hotel where someone waits on you,’ Vera Leonidovna said firmly. ‘Is that clear?’
Oksana made a sour face. Who did this strange woman think she was, bossing her around? This was going too far! And besides—they were guests. What kind of commands were those? The nerve of it.
‘Oh, one more thing. After dinner, you’re responsible for cleaning the kitchen too,’ Vera Leonidovna added to the departing Oksana. ‘Marina told me you left a mess after yourselves yesterday. That’s just not right! You can’t behave like that, my friends. If you come to visit, act like decent people, not like barbarians. It’s embarrassing even for you. All grown-ups, but I still have to spell it out for you like kids.’
Vera Leonidovna went on with her speech, completely ignoring Oksana’s disgruntled expression. The older woman knew very well that audacity needed to be met with equal audacity.
“Uh… We’ll think about it. Maybe we won’t come back to spend the night,” Oksana said. “Actually, yesterday my friend invited us over, so we’ll probably accept her offer. Vlad! Vladik, where are you? Grab our bags, just in case,” she told her husband, who was already out of the apartment. “And send our warmest regards to Mikhail.”
“There you go! And you said I wouldn’t be able to handle them,” Vera Leonidovna told her daughter. “I’ve brought even more difficult people into line before. If you only knew how many rivals I’ve taken out of the running! Your situation is nothing—a mere trifle. You, daughter, feel uncomfortable saying anything, but I don’t care; to her I’m a stranger!”
“Yes, mom, you did great. I’m proud of you. I warned Misha right away—tell them to stay at a hotel instead. But they burst right in and started acting entitled,” Marina confided to her mother.
“Well, I’m staying with you for a week. Think you can handle me?”
“Mom, you’re family. Of course we can handle it. What are you talking about?”
“Alright then, I’ll head to the kitchen to make lunch,” Vera Leonidovna said with cheerful determination.
In the evening, just as expected, the guests didn’t return. The arrival of Marina’s mother had changed everything completely—and the overbearing relatives certainly didn’t like that one bit.
