And my husband was madly in love with his sister; for him, she was an indisputable authority.
— Come on, I said, feigning confusion.
— It's really unpleasant.
— Oh! We're family, I said, smiling.
— Let me organize everything.
— I'm looking for a restaurant, I'll take care of the menu.
I wrote it to the organizer of the birthday party to which I wasn't invited.
I spent three weeks looking for a restaurant.
I called dozens of establishments, compared prices, and looked for the best value for money.
I found a cozy place with a summer terrace — exactly what Ira would have liked.
The video menu appeared.
And when others have used it:
— It's too simple.
— That's vulgar.
— I won't eat that.
— So you have no taste?
I put on a good show.
After all, it was his birthday.
When it came time to pay, my husband opened his arms wide:
— Len, I don't have any money at the moment.
— I invested in equipment for the company.
— Could you pay temporarily for me?
— Max, that's two hundred and thirty thousand!
- I know.
— But I will reimburse you.
— I promise.
— Irka dreams so much of this wonderful holiday…
I withdrew the money from my term deposit account.
I had been saving up for two years to replace my old car.
I consoled myself by thinking that my husband would really pay me back.
Then the invitations began.
Ira invited some relatives over in my presence, speaking enthusiastically about the restaurant:
— Imagine, Tanya, panoramic!
— Live music!
— I've been looking for this place for so long!
She was looking for him.
Of course.
I remained silent.
Why would I have upset her?
But a week later, when I casually asked her what time she was due to arrive the next day, Ira looked at me, surprised:
— But why?
— What do you mean, why?
— After all, it's your birthday.
— Lena, don't take this the wrong way, but this party is reserved for close family and friends.
— My friends from high school, from university, my colleagues will be there.
— You don't know them, you'd be bored.
My heart sank.
— But I'm the one who organized it…
— And for that, I am very grateful to you!
- Really.
— But you understand, there aren't many places.
— I can't upset my old friends.
That evening, I told Maxim everything.
I was hoping he would get angry and tell his sister.
— Well, Len, in a way you're right — he scratched the back of his neck.
— You don't know anyone there at all.
— You're going to sit all evening, all alone.
— I PAID for this banquet!
— And we'll reimburse you.
- Absolutely.
— But what does it matter whether you go or not?
I looked at my husband and I didn't recognize him.
Twenty-three years of marriage… and he doesn't see any problem with me being excluded from a family celebration?
— Max, are you really going without me?
— Len, don't make a fuss.
— This is my sister.
— This anniversary only comes around every fifty years.
That's when I understood: there's no way out.
The next day, among other things, Maxim took care of it.
I acted mechanically: clothes, papers, jewelry.
"What is it?" my husband wondered.
— To my mother.
— I'm going to rest a little with her.
- A long time ?
— I don't know yet.
He simply shrugged and left for his sister's birthday.
At the party I had paid for.
I got in the car and left.
But not to go to my mother's house.
The restaurant welcomed me in a subdued atmosphere, soothed by soft music.
A banquet was in full swing.
Message from the administrator:
- Good evening.
— I paid for this banquet.
— I would like to clarify one point.
