Саша Кая – Stupid genius (страница 3)

Later, when their parents got sick more often and barely left the apartment, Mom abandoned her hobbies to spend more time with them. Returning home, she grumbled and cursed everything her fate and the unfair world. Her parents were happier receiving postcards from the youngest daughter once every six months than from the eldest, who helped cook soup and clean the apartment. Who would be proud of a servant?

I dug up a twenty-year-old photo of my aunt because she suddenly decided to visit to meet Mom after many years. I was curious. More than curious I had been waiting for her, secretly considering her my childhood idol.

But I was also dying to know: why does Mom still hate her so much? Childhood jealousy… fine. But over forty? I thought a man must be involved. Maybe Dad once had to choose between them? No joke, like a TV series.

I couldn’t resist and asked Dad on Saturday, the day before the sisters’ meeting:

“Dad, why is Mom so mad at Aunt Anya? “

Dad adjusted his glasses, put down the vacuum, and answered melancholically:

“Your mom had a first love. And that guy once dated her sister. She didn’t even know. Then Mom broke up with him. She grieved for a long time, almost until we met. That guy and Anya kept drifting apart and together. Then she forgot about hum. I think Mom is much happier now than in those young years. I’m sure if she had more free time, she’d have finished her studies. She’s smart, really. Your mother is a very kind and selfless person, but many people were unfair to her…“

“So did they break up in the end? Anya and that guy? “ I interrupted.

“Anya always had plenty of admirers. By the time rumors reached the family, she already had someone new. That guy is getting married soon, I heard. He’s over forty, but found his happiness. Let’s be happy for him. As for Anya herself… I don’t know. We’ll find out when Mom comes back from the meeting.“

In the evening, I searched for her on social media how did I not think of it earlier? And I found… oh God, she aged a lot. Where did all the energy go? In the photo no smile. Passive, quiet face, like a woman tired of life. I was shocked. And I felt sorry for her: how had life led her to this! Now Mom would surely feel victorious. That’s why she decided to meet her. No danger anymore. You could even feel sympathy and support for your own sister.

On Sunday, Anya’s daughter, named after her, Anya Junior, visited us again. Anya Two lived with her grandmother in the suburbs and came to us on weekends because she had late lectures in the city center preparing for university. Anya was a nerd in the sense of being pedantic, always trying to assert herself at others’ expense.

Being sociable and open, I decided to share my thoughts about her mother and showed her the old photograph a rare item she probably had never seen.

“Look, what a beauty she was! Not like you at all. Not like my mom either. Educated, bright, interesting. A woman like that must have stories to tell. “

“You don’t understand life if you think she’s more interesting than your mom, “ said Anya Junior. “ Judging by a photo?

“Why do I need a photo when I’ve spent my whole life hearing from people who know her personally? “

“Very smart. “

I got angry. How she annoys me! Always putting herself above others. Always! I gathered my emotions to hide weakness and said:

“How could such a beauty give birth to a fool? Where did it all go? Where are the genes?“

Anya Junior was about to leave for class, and I went out with her friends were waiting for me at the club that evening. I almost opened the door when I heard a familiar voice outside. It was Mom. She was talking to a loud woman.

I peeked carefully. It was Aunt Anya. Not like the last social media photo. Yes, age added some wrinkles, but the dimples on her cheeks were still there when she smiled, and she smiled often. Radiant, bright, fashionably dressed, still with the short haircut and bold curls at the neck only now lightened, looking noticeably younger. Also elegant accessories: earrings and rings. Probably the bad photos were for official documents or colleagues. Or maybe it really had been a difficult period.

“Oh, is that you, Zhenya? – she exclaimed seeing me, and I was happy she recognized me.“

“Sweetie, let me through. Aunt will stay with us, she has nowhere else to live, – said Mom.“

“Oh, how’s that? – I asked Anya, thinking life had brought her to a point where Mom finally had a sympathetic expression.“

“Don’t be so dramatic! “ Anya laughed. “ I came here for a wedding. My future husband and I will leave for our honeymoon right after. He works in Germany, and I decided to stay with you. Better with family than a fancy hotel, right? “

It turned out the difficult period for my aunt was long over. She had reunited with Mom’s first boyfriend two years ago. Soon they would have a wedding. Everyone thought it was now mature love. They had both grown up. Especially Aunt Anya.

She did stay with us for a few days. But she didn’t invite us to the celebration. At the last moment, due to visa issues, the wedding was moved to another country.

One late evening I overheard my parents in the kitchen. Aunt Anya wasn’t home then.

“I’m not surprised he’s happy to be with her even now, “ Mom said, stirring a dessert.

“I’m surprised. Everything should’ve been obvious. He’s forty-five, not a boy, “ Dad noted, putting away pots after drying.

“We’re all children when Anechka starts talking to us. She seems very independent. A bright personality, under whose rays men would do anything just to be in her shadow. But inside, it’s empty. She’s very dependent on others. If only people knew… It’s just a mirror reflecting what people want to see and value. You can’t build a close connection with this person. Never. After a month of interaction, she behaves coldly, fueling interest even more. And when you think you’re free from her, feeling all the injustice and thoroughly angry, she suddenly attacks with kind, tender words the ones you always wanted to hear. You feel ashamed for thinking badly about her and voilà. Then everything repeats. And you’re alone again. I’m sure all her men went through this. Not only men. Everyone is crazy about her. A magnet.“

God, she’s whining again. Her whole life complaints and envy. Poor woman my mother.

“I think you’re right, “ Dad agreed, placing washed fruit on the table. “ I’d run from such a person. But you can’t. She is your closest relative. I wish I could take you far from all this. Maybe to a resort? Turkey, Ephesus? Maybe we’d dig up something new there, huh?.. And I think we should spend more time with the girls. Especially Anya Junior. She’s going through a hard time before university, moving. Completely alone.“

Honestly, my father increasingly disappoints me. I stopped eavesdropping at that point.

All week I tried to talk to my aunt. Sometimes she returned early morning and then slept a long time. Sometimes she came at noon, but I was at classes, and Mom was at work. Evenings were useless: Mom came home with bags of groceries, clattering pots and pans, rustling bags, cooking, and washing dishes, making noise as if deliberately. The rest of the time, Aunt Anya sat on her phone. Maybe urgent work she is, after all, a doctor of sciences, important person.

I understood everything. My envious mom thought: “How is it? Someone lived for pleasure, enjoyed life, sang, danced, stayed in people’s hearts, changed boys, traveled the world, and even found true love. What an injustice! And I’m a dropout.”

A couple of times, grandparents came during the week. They were truly happy for the younger daughter. Grandma called friends and relatives, showing via video her smiling girl beside her.

To spend the last day with Anya at our place, I canceled all night outings, and we planned the evening together. I was sure the parents would organize a farewell dinner. Mom cooked every day, so this time she would prepare something special. Moreover, there was another reason: twenty years since their own wedding.

But in the morning, Dad made a boring breakfast as usual and announced that he and Mom would go to a restaurant to celebrate their anniversary. How audacious, how selfish! Aunt was leaving when would they see her again? Only Anya Junior was home. She was supposed to have a university meeting but canceled it. Anya The Second had passed all exams and enrolled. We found out the next day. Apparently, she didn’t want to steal the spotlight today.

Returning home, I saw an envelope in the hallway, scribbled in my cousin’s handwriting: “For Mommy.” Apparently prepared for the wedding day. I smirked and asked:

“Hey, Junior! Where’s Aunt Anya?

My cousin was clearly in a mood, grumbled something like, “Here’s your aunt,” and tossed the note on the table, then went into room, slamming the door. The note was crumpled, clearly handled more than once.

“My dears, my beloved, I decided that long goodbyes are tacky and called a taxi to the airport. So we’ll see each other another time. I’ll say now what I’ve long wanted to say… You are the best thing in my life. Kisses, my dears.”