“Don’t Worry, Slavko! Cheer Up! You Welcomed the New Year in Style!”

Nothing, Slavko! Dont be down! At least you rang in the New Year in style!
He finally reached his hometown. Slava stepped off the platform, crossed the station square and headed for the bus stop. He didnt tell his wife he would be coming today.
His mood was low because hed just had an unpleasant talk with Hanna. She would berate him again, complain, call him an indifferent selfish man.
Why indifferent? Hed tried to wish her a happy New Year, but she turned her phone off. She was offended!
For three days he kept trying to call her, but she never answered. Finally he got fed up and stopped calling.
And, by the way, she hadnt even managed to greet his parents or sister, let alone him. He would tell her that straight from the doorway.
She wasnt the only one to make mistakes, so she should answer for hers too. As they say, the best defense is a good offense.
Spurred on, Slava entered his buildings entrance with a fighting spirit.
His flat greeted him with silence.
Hey! Anyone home? Anuta, Im back! he shouted, but got no reply.
He peeked into the kitchenno wife, then another roomempty, and the nextstill empty. Yet some things were missing: the baby crib by the wall, the dresser that held the changing table and stroller his parents had gifted to Anya.
He hurried to the wardrobe; the half where his wifes clothes usually hung was bare as well.
Has she lost her mind? Dumped me? Slava thought.
He dialed his motherinlaw, but there was no answer. He tried Katya, Anyas friendsilence again. Finally he reached Mykhailo, Katerynas husband.
Myshko, hi! Can you put Katya on the line? I cant get through to her, he asked.
Katya and the baby are out in the villagewe spent New Years there. The signals spotty, Mykhailo replied.
I arrived yesterday because I had a shift today. Theyre still resting, Mykhailo continued. Why do you need Kateryna?
I hoped she might know where Anya is. I came from my parents place, but shes not at home, and everything we bought for the child is gone as well, Slava explained.
My wife was about to become a mother, wasnt she? You went off on holiday and left her alone? Mykhailo exclaimed.
She didnt want to go. They set a deadlineJanuary 1011. We could have made it in time, Slava said.
Congratulations, Sharik, youre a fool, his friend joked.
Why? Slava asked, puzzled.
Because youre probably single now. Call the hospitalyoull find her there, Mykhailo suggested.
Ten days earlier.
I dont get it, Slavko, his mother said on the phone. Why must you stay home on a holiday? Anya doesnt want to travel, you should go alone. Her due date is in about two weeksyoull be back in time.
And most of the family will be there: Aunt Vera and Uncle Serhiy, Natasha and Viktor, Olga and Pavlo, plus dad, Vika and Hlib.
Vika booked us rooms in a countryside hotel, right in the woods, for four daysfrom the 30th to the 2nd.
The 31st there will be a banquet with guest performers. I paid for you, youll reimburse later. Youll stay with us until Christmas, then leave on the 8thjust in time for your wifes deadline.
Anya refused to go.
Slava, I could be taken any day. Imagine: everyones having fun and suddenly its my turn. And the hotel is farwill an ambulance even get there?
No, Im not going anywhere.
Exactly, Mom says women count a disease as an interesting condition, but a baby as a heroic feat. She gave birth to three of us, barely stayed on maternity leave, and managed everything.
Slava understood that Anya had a point, but he imagined how dull New Years Eve would be at homejust the two of them at a modest table. Anya had already said she didnt plan any special cooking, and he felt melancholy. Meanwhile, the whole family would be celebrating in a restaurant, singing, dancing, having fun.
In short, he went alone.
The country hotel was indeed lively. Around half past midnight, after the New Year had already struck, Slava left the banquet hall for the lobby to call his wife, but she didnt answer.
So thats it, youre offended, but youre also to blame. She could be here now, having fun with everyone, he thought.
The next day his mother complained about the daughterinlaw:
Anya didnt even call to wish us a happy holiday. Shes offended! Youve completely spoiled your wife, son.
She doesnt understand what a real family is. Were all together here, and shes alone. Let her sit and think.
Anya, that New Years night, thought only of Slavanot of the inlaws or their extensive relatives.
When her parents learned their daughter was alone for the holidays, they invited her over. They werent planning a big feast.
Anyas brother lived in the capital, worked in a 24hour plant, and didnt have such a long weekend, so the parents intended to spend New Years just the two of them.
On the evening of the 31st, at nine, Anya and her mother set the table, and suddenly Anya felt ill.
An ambulance was called. Her mother rushed with her, and her father followed in his car.
Anya ended up ringing in the New Year in a hospital, while her parents waited downstairs in the wards lobby. Anya became a mother to a son
Slava decided to follow his friends advice and called the hospital.
Kolyesova? She was discharged yesterday, the operator told him.
What? Discharged? She already has a baby? Slava was stunned.
Yes. On January1, at half past midnight.
Who took her from the hospital? Slava asked.
A young man; we dont record that in the admission log.
Realizing only her parents could have taken her, Slava bought a bouquet of roses and headed to their place.
He rang the doorbell. The fatherinlaw opened.
Im listening, he said.
Hello, Im here for Hanna, Slava replied.
Why? the father asked.
Im actually her husband, Slava answered.
Anya! the father called loudly. Some guy is at the door saying hes your husband. Do you want to talk to him?
No, let him go, Anya responded from inside the apartment.
The father shrugged.
She doesnt want to. Goodbye, young man! He slammed the door.
Slava waited a few minutes, then called again.
This time his motherinlaw openedtall, sturdy, loudvoiced, a bit intimidating.
Did you not understand? she asked.
Let me in, Slava began bravely. I have the right
He didnt finish; she snatched the bouquet from his hands and jabbed it into his cheek several times.
What right? Your lawyer will explain that soon! And dont call again; my grandson is sleeping, she shouted, tossed the roses at his feet, and shut the door.
Slava walked home, rubbing his face repeatedlybeautiful roses, but full of thorns.
Back home, he first called his mother.
Can you believe it? They wouldnt even let me into the apartment, let alone see my son.
Dont worry, Slavko. Anya will come back, baby in arms, where will she go? And stop calling, stop sending money.
Let her parents feed her, if theyre that wise. A week or two will pass and shell return home herself. Now go to sleep; you have work tomorrow.
He obeyed: ate storebought dumplings for dinner and went to bed. He slept peacefully, 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. Anything left here will be thrown out by the cleaner tomorrow!
He had to move to a dormitory.
The court had divorced them. Slava grew tired of dorm life, wanted to rent an apartment, but after his salary was reduced by alimony and another five thousand for his exwifes upkeep, little was left for anything else.
Be more frugal! You still need to save for your own place, Mykhailo advised. Dont be sad, Slava! At least you celebrated the New Year in style!
Anya lived with her parents for three years while they helped raise little Sasha; they rented out the flat in the meantime. When Anya got a job, she and Sasha moved back to their own place. After a renovation, nothing there reminded anyone of Slava or his family.
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