Ms. Galina suddenly stood up, exasperated.
— I’m going to sleep, — she said shortly. — I’m tired.
After she left, Marina took Silvia’s hand.
— Okay, let’s see. When did they notify you?
— Today… They told me in two weeks… — Silvia sighed.
Marina took a deep breath.
— I know someone at a private kindergarten, — she said. — Do you remember Olga? She is looking for a teacher…
— Really? — Silvia’s eyes lit up for the first time that evening.
Silvia looked at her skeptically, hope mixed with tears. Marina smiled warmly at her, like a mother soothing her child.
— Yes, really. I will call her tomorrow morning. I think she will take you; she needs someone trustworthy.
Silvia burst into tears again, but this time the tears were different. Liberating.
— I don’t know what I would do without you, Marina…
Marina squeezed her hand and looked out the window. It was lightly raining outside, and the streetlights sparkled like little stars. At that moment, she felt that all the fatigue of the day had dissipated. She had a purpose again.
When Silvia left, the apartment became quiet. Only the clock in the kitchen ticked slowly, like a calm heart. Marina turned off the light in the living room and went to the bedroom.
Andrei was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding his phone.
— Was someone here again? — he asked without reproach, but with a hint of fatigue in his voice.
— Yes, Silvia… She lost her job, — Marina replied, undressing quietly.
— And you, of course, helped her.
— Of course, — she smiled slightly. — What else could I have done?
Andrei sighed and moved closer to her.
— You know, my mom thinks you are too kind. That people take advantage of you.
— Maybe, — Marina said, — but if there weren’t people who help, the world would collapse.
He looked at her for a long time. In his eyes, there was pride, but also that silent fear that her kindness would cost her too much.
In the following days, the apartment was filled with visits, phone calls, the smell of coffee, and whispers of gratitude. Ms. Galina, who at first had frowned, began to look at things differently. One morning, while Marina was making tea, the old woman said quietly:
— That girl… Silvia… She came yesterday with flowers. She told me you found her a job.
— Yes, — Marina smiled. — A friend of mine helped.
— Not everyone would do that… — the woman murmured. — I… maybe I judged you too harshly.
Marina stopped, holding the cup in her hand. She didn’t expect that.
— Thank you, Ms. Galina. I appreciate it.
— Don’t thank me. Just… make sure you don’t forget about yourself.
In the evening, Andrei came in with a bouquet of white lilies.
— For the best woman I know, — he said simply.
Marina smiled, and her eyes filled with tears.
— Maybe I can’t change the world, Andrei, but I can make my corner of it a better place.
And at that moment, in their small apartment, with the smell of tea and rain, it seemed that goodness truly had a home.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher do not assume responsibility for the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretations. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed belong to the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
