“I’ve officially transferred the apartment to my daughter! Now she’ll be the one taking care of me,” declared the mother-in-law proudly.

And so, it was expected that her daughter would step up to help.

Meanwhile, Andrey calmly spread butter on his bread as his phone suddenly rang. The screen showed “Mom.” His heart tightened as usual.

“Andryusha,” his mother’s voice carried a plaintive tone, one he had come to recognize as a prelude to a request. “My joints ache, and I feel so weak. Come over tomorrow with Lena — let her wash the bathtub, and you can mop the floors.”

Lena, sitting opposite him, raised an eyebrow. Their son Maxim was smearing porridge on the table.

“Where is Katya?” Andrey put down his knife. “She promised to take care of you. Don’t you remember?”

There was a pause. All that could be heard was the ticking of old clocks on the line.

“What are you saying?” his mother sounded hurt and surprised. “Katya is far away; she has her own life. But you’re my son, you have to…”

Andrey caught his wife’s gaze.

“Mom, I need to think about this. I’ll call you back.” He then ended the call.

Since then, Andrey often found himself pondering: when did caring for his mother become an unending obligation?

The Beginning

The days that followed, Andrey seemed to carry a heavy burden. He went through his workday mechanically, but his mother’s words replayed in his mind: “You’re my son; you must…”

He reminisced about his childhood: freezing winters when his father came home tired from night shifts but always greeted the children with a smile. Back then, his mother appeared softer, more tender. Why now did each word feel like a reproach?

Lena silently observed his state, understanding the inner struggle between filial duty and the right to live his own life.

Key Insight: Navigating family responsibilities requires balancing personal boundaries with compassion.

“Do you still think about her?” she asked one evening as they tidied up toys together.

“Yes,” Andrey shrugged. “I promised my father…”

“But a promise doesn’t mean letting others take advantage of you,” Lena responded gently. “You’ve done everything possible.”

Maxim, unaware of adult conversations, happily cooed on the carpet.

Developments

1. The Unsent Letter
   Several times, Andrey tried writing a letter to his mother via his computer. He wished to express that he wasn’t abandoning her but couldn’t live by her rules any longer. Each time, he erased his words, feeling them either too cold or overly defensive.
2. Contact with Katya
   Eventually, he called his sister. Katya answered from Yekaterinburg, sounding tired and slightly irritated.
   “Andrey, I’m struggling with severe morning sickness and barely managing. Yes, I rented out the apartment, but the money goes toward treatment and living expenses. Mom’s fine; don’t make things worse.”
   He wanted to ask, “What about caring for mom, as you promised?” but only tightened his lips.
3. The Family Meeting
   Lena suggested gathering everyone for an honest video call — Andrey, Lena, their mother, and Katya.
   The call began calmly. However, when Andrey mentioned the apartment, his mother’s demeanor changed sharply:
   “You keep holding this over my head! I never threw you out onto the street! Katya has it harder — she’s a girl!”
   Katya remained silent, looking away. Lena held Maxim, who reached toward the keyboard.
   Andrey calmly stated, “Mom, I’m willing to help but cannot do it alone. You chose to leave the apartment to your daughter, so she should primarily take care of you.”
   His mother abruptly ended the call. Katya left as well. Only their family remained on the screen.
4. First Changes
   A week passed without calls from either side. Andrey felt a mixture of relief and guilt. For the first time in years, his evenings became peaceful — walks with his son, movies with Lena, warm dinners.
   He noticed how Maxim grew and how Lena laughed, realizing what he had been missing.
5. Mother’s Illness
   A month later, a neighbor called:
   “Andrey, your mother fell. Nothing severe, but she injured her leg and is upset at home.”
   Andrey went alone. His mother greeted him shyly and somewhat apologetically.
   “I thought you wouldn’t come,” she said softly.
   He helped her sit and brought groceries. For the first time in many years, they spoke without reproaches. She admitted:
   “I’m scared to be alone. I always relied on Katya, but she is far away.”
   Andrey listened, torn between fatigue and compassion.

Climax

He proposed a solution:

“Mom, I won’t abandon you. But let’s be honest. I’ll pay for a caregiver while you recover. After that, either Katya helps, or you use the apartment’s rent to pay for assistance. I’ll visit, but not every week.”

His mother was silent for a long moment, then nodded.

“Alright. I… never thought it would come to this. Sorry.”

Andrey felt the heavy weight lift off his shoulders.

That spring, the entire family — Lena, Andrey, and Maxim — visited her. The house smelled of fresh pies, and the caregiver watered plants on the balcony. His mother seemed gentler, calmer, and even smiled at Lena.

“You have a good son,” she said, looking at Maxim.

Andrey realized that he was no longer a prisoner of a promise but a grown son helping willingly, free from guilt.

“Care is not a sacrifice but a choice — a choice Andrey made so his son would never fear their family obligations.”

Reflection and Resolution

• Upon returning home late one evening, Andrey quietly opened the door, careful not to wake Maxim. He found a note from Lena on the kitchen table: “Soup is on the stove.”
• Despite the ongoing stress, he resolved to call Katya. Her tired, irritated voice confirmed her unwillingness to assist.
• With Lena’s encouragement, Andrey organized a video family discussion where honest communication brought clarity but also tension, resulting in the acknowledgment of shared responsibility.
• Ultimately, setting boundaries, hiring professional help, and evenly distributing caregiving duties restored balance.
• Visits became brighter with laughter and cooperation, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect.

Conclusion

In the end, Andrey transformed his approach to family care by establishing clear boundaries and fostering shared responsibility. He no longer allowed guilt to dictate his actions but chose to support his mother with fairness and compassion. His sister Katya began contributing financially, and his wife Lena no longer felt like an outsider in the caregiving process.

As Maxim grew up in this nurturing environment, he learned that caring for family is a conscious decision founded on love and respect, not a burdensome duty measured by property or obligations.

Remembering his father’s smile from an old photograph, Andrey understood he had finally found his own path — one free from resentment, balanced by honesty, and guided by heartfelt devotion.

This journey highlights that true care within families requires open communication, equitable effort, and the courage to define personal limits while honoring love.