Anton had always treated himself the boss of his life. While others were plodding through textbooks, Anton was already busy with business. Sometimes he was reselling cars, other times he was collecting computers to order. It was then that he met Albina. She was a humble honor student, studying a foreign language.
They became lovers. Then, they got married. Soon their firstborn, Dimka, was born. Albina threw herself wholeheartedly into motherhood. A couple of years later, a daughter, Lenochka, arrived. Taking care of two little ones wasted all her time and energy. Albina wanted to hire a nanny.
But Anton rejected it.
Children should be cared for by their mother. Anton said that he was investing everything in developing his business. Meanwhile, he’d buy a big TV, or a car for himself, or go out with friends. And when Albina required a hairdryer, her husband said that her old one was just good.
Time passed away. The children grew up and started school. Albina began to feel lonely and tired. If Albina asked him to go somewhere, Anton would say he was busy while he always found time to meet with his friends.
— We’d better get divorce, — Anton blurted out. — I’m tired of this whole family game. I have my own life. And I need freedom.
— Break up? — Albina said. — What about the children? What about me?
— Well, you’ll be fine, — Anton shrugged. — You’re a mother, after all. You’ll handle somehow.
That very evening, Anton moved out, pick up all his things. Albina couldn’t believe that her comfortable life had destr0yed overnight. She began to find a job. She had to leave the children with a neighbor.
With great difficulty, she handled to get a job as a cleaner at a shopping mall.
It wasn’t the job Albina had wanted, She had to take on extra shifts at night. Albina was ripped between work and home. And then she would be busted in the evenings.
— Mommy, why are you always at work? — little Lena asked. — I miss you so much.
— I’m sorry, sweetheart, — Albina sighed. — I need to earn money to buy us food and clothes.
— And what about Daddy? He earns a lot. Why doesn’t he help us?
Albina didn’t know what to say. Anton had seemingly disappeared from their lives.
Albina barely controlled to get time off from work and went to the office. There, she was in for a sh0ck. It happened that grandfather had been quietly buying shares of various companies throughout his life. And now he had left his entire inheritance to his beloved granddaughter.
Albina couldn’t believe her ears.
She remembered how grandfather always said, “Save your pennies, granddaughter. They’ll come in handy someday.” Now shae understood it.
Albina decided to use the money shrewdly.
She entered in professional development courses to return to her field. And part of the funds was invested in a small business. She opened a café in their neighborhood.
She was happy in working in the dining area sometimes—it helps her feel better the café’s atmosphere and chat with the patrons.
Albina naturally turned to welcome the new guests—and froze. He is Anton. Next to him was a young, striking blonde. She approached the table the couple had chosen.
— Good afternoon. What would you like to order? — Albina said.
Anton looked up from the menu and stared at his ex-wife in sh0ck:
— Albina? Are you working here as a waitress?
— Yes, I work here, — the woman replied calmly. — So, what will you have?
— Two cappuccinos and croissants, — Anton said. — Look at you, down on your luck. I thought you were still working as a cleaner. – he smirked.
— Your order will be ready in a few minutes, — she said.
When Albina brought the order, Anton couldn’t continue commenting again:
— You’re doing pretty well. Maybe serving coffee really is your calling?
Albina said nothing.
— Albina! How are you? So, shall we discuss our proposal? Are you free now?
Albina smiled:
— Well, as you can see, I’m working a bit on the side.
The second man laughed.
— You, as usual. In your situation, everyone is in offices, and here you are, out among the people.
Albina said:
— Enjoy your meal.
Anton sat there, mouth agape.
— So you’re the owner? — he finally managed to ask.
Albina smiled:
— Yes, this is my cafe’. Enjoy. If you need anything, you can ask the waitress Lena.
And Albina came into the office. She could experience her ex-husband’s surprised gaze on her back. It was obvious that she had finally let go of the past.
My Demanding Neighbor Complained to the HOA About My Halloween Decorations – The Following Day, She Was Pleading for Assistance on My Doorstep
My neighbor reported me to the HOA over some plastic skeletons and cobwebs I put up for Halloween. Less than a day later, she was at my door, begging for help. Why the sudden change of heart? Well, you’ll soon find out!
At 73, I’ve seen my fair share of life’s little dramas. But let me tell you, nothing quite prepared me for the Halloween hullabaloo in our sleepy little neighborhood last year.
I’m Wendy, a retired schoolteacher, proud grandma, and apparently, public enemy number one, according to my neighbor, Irene. All because of a few plastic tombstones and some cotton cobwebs.
“Wendy! Wendy!” I heard Irene’s shrill voice cutting through the crisp October air. I was on my knees, arranging a plastic skeleton by my front porch. “What in heaven’s name are you doing?”
I looked up, shielding my eyes from the afternoon sun. There she was, all five-foot-two, hands on hips, looking like she’d just bitten into a lemon.
“Why? I’m decorating for Halloween, Irene. Same as I’ve done for the past 30 years.”
“But it’s so…” She waved her hands around, searching for the right word. “GARISH!”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s Halloween, Irene. It’s supposed to be a little garish.”
“Well, I don’t like it. It’s bringing down the tone of the neighborhood.”
As she stomped away, I sighed. Welcome to Whisperwood Lane, where the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence unless it’s half an inch too long, of course.
“You know, Irene,” I called after her, “a little fun never hurt anyone. Maybe you should try it sometime!”
She turned, her face seething with shock and anger. “I’ll have you know, Wendy, that I know plenty about fun. I just prefer it to be tasteful.”
With that, she marched off, leaving me to wonder what her idea of “tasteful fun” might be. Competitive flower arranging, perhaps?
A week later, I was enjoying my morning coffee when I gazed at the mailbox. Among the usual bills and flyers was an official-looking envelope from the Homeowners Association.
My hands slightly shook as I opened it. “Dear Miss Wendy,” it read, “We regret to inform you that a complaint has been filed regarding your Halloween decorations…”
I didn’t need to read further. I knew exactly who was behind this.
I looked at the HOA letter again. Irene had no idea what real problems looked like.
I picked up the phone and dialed the HOA office. “Hello, this is Wendy. I’ve just received a letter about my Halloween decorations, and I’d like to discuss it.”
The receptionist’s voice was polite. “I’m sorry, Miss Wendy, but the board has already made its decision. The decorations must come down within 48 hours because your neighbor has a problem with it.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I’m afraid we’ll have to issue a fine.”
I thanked her and hung up, my mind boiling. I had bigger things to worry about than fake tombstones and plastic skeletons. But something in me just couldn’t let Irene win this one.
The next few hours were a blur of phone calls and preparations. I was so focused on my Halloween decorations that I barely noticed Irene’s smug looks every time she passed by my house.
It wasn’t until the next morning that things came to a head. I was sitting on my porch, trying to calm my nerves with a cup of chamomile tea, when I heard excited laughter coming from Irene’s yard.
To my surprise, I saw a young boy, probably 10 years old, running around with one of my carved pumpkins on his head. It took me a moment to recognize him as Irene’s grandson, Willie.
“Look, Grandma!” he shouted, his voice muffled by the pumpkin. “I’m the Headless Horseman!”
I couldn’t help but smile. At least someone was enjoying my decorations.
Then I heard Irene’s voice, sharp and angry. “William! You take that thing off right this instant!”
Willie stopped in his tracks. “But Grandma, it’s fun! Miss Wendy’s yard is the coolest on the whole street!”
I leaned forward, curious to see how this would play out. Irene’s face was turning an interesting shade of red.
“That’s… that’s not the point,” she sputtered. “We don’t need any of those tacky decorations. Now, give me that pumpkin!”
But Willie wasn’t giving up so easily. “Why can’t we have fun stuff like Miss Wendy? Our yard is so boring and ugly!”
I almost felt bad for Irene. Almost.
“William,” Irene’s voice softened slightly, “you don’t understand. These decorations aren’t appropriate for our neighborhood. We have standards to maintain.”
The boy’s shoulders slumped. “Standards are no fun, Grandma. I wish we could be more like Miss Wendy.”
As the boy trudged back to the house, pumpkin in hand, I couldn’t help but call out, “You’re welcome to come carve pumpkins with me anytime, Willie!”
Irene shot me a glare that could have curdled milk, but I just waved cheerily. Let her stew in her bitterness. I had a Halloween to prepare for and a family to celebrate with.
As the sun started to set, I was surprised to see Irene making her way up my driveway. She looked different. Smaller somehow, less sure of herself.
“Wendy?” she called out hesitantly. “Can we talk?”
I nodded, gesturing to the chair next to me. “Have a seat, Irene. Tea?”
She sat down heavily, wringing her hands. “I wanted to apologize. About the HOA complaint. I shouldn’t have done that.”
I raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
“It’s just…” She took a deep breath. “My grandson loves coming here because of your decorations. He says it’s the highlight of his visits. And I realized I’ve been so focused on keeping up appearances that I forgot what it’s like to just have fun.”
I felt a pang of sympathy. “We all get caught up in the wrong things sometimes, Irene.”
She nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. “The thing is, Willie’s parents are going through a nasty divorce. These visits are the only bright spots in his life right now. And I almost ruined that with my silly rules and complaints.”
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