Dont worry, Slava! Dont be sad! At least you rang in the New Year in style!
He finally arrived in his hometown. Slava stepped down from the platform, crossed the station square and walked toward the bus stop. He didnt tell his wife that hed be coming today.
His mood was low because hed just had an unpleasant talk with Hannah. She would start nagging again, complaining that he was an indifferent selfish man.
Why indifferent? He had tried to wish her a happy New Year, but she had cut off her phone. He felt hurt.
For three days he kept trying to reach her, but she never answered. Finally he got fed up and stopped calling.
Moreover, she hadnt even managed to greet his parents and sister, let alone him. He was about to bring all that up to her straight from the doorway.
He wasnt the only one with faults, so she should answer back! As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense.
Feeling a surge of confidence, Slava entered his buildings entrance in a rather combative mood.
The apartment greeted him with silence.
Hey! Anyone home? Anya, Im here! he shouted, but got no reply.
He peeked into the kitchenno wife there; another roomempty; a thirdalso empty. Yet he immediately noticed several things missing: the baby crib by the wall, the dresser that held a changing table and a stroller the parents had given Anya.
He rushed to the wardrobe; the half that usually held his wifes clothes was bare.
Has she lost her mind? Dumped me? he thought.
He dialed his motherinlaw, but nobody answered. Next he tried Katya, Anyas friendsilence again. Finally he got through to Mykhailo, Katyas husband.
Hey Myshko, can you pass the phone to Katya? I cant reach her, Slava asked.
Katyas with the baby in the village we spent New Years there. The signal is spotty, Mykhailo replied.
I just got back because I had a shift today, and theyre still resting, Mykhailo continued. Why do you need Katya?
I was hoping she might know where Anya is. I came from my parents place, but shes not at home. Everything we bought for the baby is gone too, Slava explained.
My wife was supposed to become a mother any day now. Did you leave her alone for the holidays? Mykhailo said, surprised.
She didnt want to go. They set a deadline for Jan1011. She could have traveled in time.
Congratulations, Sharik, youre a fool, his friend chuckled.
Why? Slava asked.
Because youre probably already single. Call the hospital; shes probably there, Mykhailo advised.
Ten days earlier.
I dont get it, Slava, his mother said on the phone. Why do you have to stay home on a holiday? Anya doesnt want to go, so you should come alone. Her due date is in less than two weeks; youll be back in time.
Most of the family will be there: Aunt Vera and Uncle Serhiy, Natasha and Viktor, Olga and Pavlo, plus my dad, Vika and Hlib.
Vika booked us rooms in a countryside hoteljust a forest lodgefrom Dec30 to Jan2.
The banquet with invited performers is on Dec31. I paid for you; youll reimburse later. Stay with us until Christmas, then leave on the 8th. Youll make it to her deadline.
Anya refused to travel:
Slava, I could go any day. Imagine: everyone having fun and I suddenly go into labor. And the hotel is out of townwill an ambulance even get there in time?
No, Im not going anywhere.
Exactly, Mom says women now treat illness as a personal issue, but a babys arrival is a heroic feat. She brought three of us into the world, barely stayed on maternity leave, and managed everything.
Of course, Slava knew Anya had a point. Still, he imagined how dull New Years Eve would be at homejust the two of them at a modest table, with Anya already saying she didnt plan any special cooking. He felt melancholy.
Meanwhile the rest of the family would be dancing, singing, and celebrating in the restaurant.
In the end, he went alone.
The countryside hotel was lively. Around half past midnight, after the New Year had struck, Slava left the banquet hall for the lobby to call his wife, but she didnt answer.
Well, fine, youre upset, but shes to blame herself. She could be here having fun with everyone right now, he thought.
The next day his mother vented about the daughterinlaw:
Anya didnt even call to wish us a happy holiday. Shes offended! Youve completely let your wife go, son.
She doesnt understand what a real family is. Thats why were all together and shes alone. Let her stay and think.
Anya, on that New Years night, thought of no one but Slavanot of the inlaws or their extended clan.
When her parents learned she was alone for the holidays, they invited her over. They didnt plan a big feast.
Her brother lived in the capital, worked nonstop, and didnt have such a break, so the parents intended to spend New Years just the two of them.
On Dec31 at nine p.m., as they were setting the table, Anyas labor began.
They called an ambulance. Mom left with Anya; Dad followed in his car.
Anya ended up ringing in the New Year in a hospital, while her parents waited in the wards lobby. Anya gave birth to a son
Slava, following his friends advice, called the hospital.
Kolyesova? She was discharged yesterday, the information desk replied.
How could she be discharged? Is there already a baby? Slava asked, stunned.
Yes, on Jan1 at half past twelve.
Who took her from the hospital? he inquired.
A young man; we dont record that in the registration journal, the clerk said.
Realizing only her parents could have taken her, Slava bought a bouquet of roses and headed there.
He rang. The fatherinlaw opened the door.
Yes?
Hello, Im here for Ganna, Slava said.
Why? the father asked.
Im her husband, actually, the soninlaw replied.
Anya! the father shouted. Theres a man at the door saying hes your husband. Do you want to talk to him?
No, let him go, Anya answered from inside the apartment.
The father shrugged.
She doesnt want to. Goodbye, young man! he said, shutting the door.
Slava waited a few minutes, then called again. This time his motherinlaw openedtall, sturdy, loud. He felt a little intimidated.
What dont you understand? she asked.
Let me in, Slava began bravely. I have the right
He didnt finish. She snatched the bouquet from his hands and swung it at his face several times.
What right? An attorney will explain that to you soon! And dont call again; my grandson is sleeping, she shouted, tossing the wilted roses at his feet and closing the door.
Slava trudged home, rubbing his face; the roses were beautiful but thorny.
Back at his place he first called his mother.
You wont believe itthey wouldnt even let me into the apartment, and I couldnt see my son.
Dont worry, Slava. Anya will come back soon, baby in her arms. Where will she go otherwise? Dont call her or send money.
Let her parents feed her if theyre that wise. In a week or two shell return home herself. Go to bed now; you have work tomorrow.
He obeyed, ate storebought dumplings for dinner, and fell asleep.
He slept soundly, unaware that this would be his last night in that flat.
The next morning, after work, he found all his belongings packed in boxes and black bags on the stairwell.
He rang again. The motherinlaw, who owned the tworoom flat where he and Anya lived, opened the door.
So, soninlaw, you remember the address of your dorm, or should I remind you? Gather your stuff. Everything left here will be cleared out by the cleaner tomorrow!
He had to move to a dormitory.
The court had dissolved their marriage. Slava grew tired of dorm life and wanted to rent an apartment, but after his salary was garnished for alimony and an extra five thousand for his exwifes upkeep, he realized little would remain for himself.
Be more thrifty! You still need to save for your own place, Mykhailo advised. Dont be sad, Slava! At least you celebrated New Years in style!
Anya lived with her parents for three years while they helped raise little Sasha; they rented out their own flat during that time.
When Anya returned to work, she and Sasha moved back into their own apartment. After a renovation, nothing reminded anyone of Slava or his family.
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