As it turned out, shortly after college, I had the opportunity to work in Europe. Naturally, I went forward with it, and my mother backed my decision. At the time, my mother, my younger brother, and I were all living together. My brother was still in school back then. Our father died when I was just starting college, but he always wanted us to succeed, so I was determined to make his dream come true.My mother chose to focus on my brother and myself above her own personal life. We wouldn’t have cared if she found happiness for herself, but she was too attached to our father to consider it.

So I traveled abroad. Staying in touch with my family was difficult because we didn’t have a computer at home, and phone calls were pricey. My mother’s statements led me to believe that everything was well at home. As time passed, my brother Andriy matured and brought a girl into our flat. My mother indicated that they were going to marry soon because Maria was expecting a child. I felt a mix of joy and worry since I was concerned that my brother had not completed his studies. I was gone from home for eight years, which were both lengthy and sad.

However, in return, I received essential life experience.I eventually recognized that I couldn’t go on like this. I wanted to go back home and see my family. My nephew had already begun school, and I had not even met him. Plus, my mother was lonely. I arrived unexpectedly, carrying gifts. A stranger answered the door. “Welcome! “You must be Maria?” she inquired. “Yes, and who are you?” I responded. She let me into the house and called for my brother. We hugged, and I got to meet his wife. I asked, “Where’s Mom?” My brother averted his gaze to the floor, and his wife Maria replied, “Mom no longer lives here.”

I knew right away that something was awry. “Where does she live now?” I asked. “Well, she’s been living in a dormitory,” Maria explained. “What?!” I looked at my brother, but he was silent, shyly avoiding eye contact. “Andriy, explain to me what’s going on?” I asked. “Yes, sweetheart, we hadn’t expected you. Now you’re here, seeking an explanation. Maria reacted quickly, “Go to your mother and ask her.” I assured them I’d be back later and went to see my mother. She had gotten quite skinny, and when she saw me, she was nearly speechless. So many tears and so much emotion.

Oh, my lovely Mother. She told me that when Andriy brought Maria into the flat, she instantly took over. She carried the baby while Andriy worked, and my mother handled all of the chores. My mother said nothing at the time, and they all lived together, but it was evident that Maria was a brave woman.After Maria gave birth, my mother had to leave her job to care for the granddaughter. Maria believed it was better not to spend her youth on childcare. My mother adored her grandchild and could not resist. But when the child turned five, Maria declared that they wanted a larger home with an extra room for the child.

“I’ve discovered an excellent dormitory for you. “Your peers live there, and believe me, you will not be bored,” she stated. My mother, with her generous heart, moved out of her own apartment and into a leased room in a dormitory. Maria’s bravado and my brother’s indifference horrified me. My mother stated that they still brought the grandchild to her on occasion, but he rarely slept at home overnight. “Young people need their space,” they would say. This was true. Vanya would frequently visit my mother after school instead of returning home. He was a nice youngster, obviously well-reared by his grandmother.

I decided to sell my half of the flat, let them to live there, and begin a new chapter in my life. And if my brother wanted to, he could join them. “I’m selling my share, will you be buying it out?” I asked. “What? You’ve been gone for years, and now you’re demanding for money from us? “We have a child,” my brother’s wife replied. “I will say it again. Will you buy out my shares, or should I sell them?” Later that day, my brother and Maria visited my mother’s dorm.

I was there with her. “So, because you’re demanding money from us, you should understand that we don’t want it. “We’re pleased with our child,” Maria stated. “Okay, then we’ve agreed. I’ll keep my part, and you’ll sign a statement waiving your rights to our boy,” I said. They agreed enthusiastically. Three years later, my brother called. He explained that Maria had gone for someone else, and he was now alone. He sought forgiveness. After some time, he sold the apartment and approached us. I couldn’t prevent him from visiting Vanya; after all, he was his father.