Bob hired a car when his wife was discharged from the hospital, carried her into the house with the neighbor. “Everything will be fine,” he comforted his wife, “you just live. Even if you sit and talk with me. Just live. And I can manage everything. Just don’t leave me, my little dove…!”Bob hired a car when his wife was discharged from the hospital, carried her into the house with the neighbor. “Everything will be fine,” he comforted his wife, “you just live. Even if you sit and talk with me. Just live. And I can manage everything. Just don’t leave me, my little dove…!

Margaret was thirty-five when she thought she would never experience the joy of being a woman, but fate had different ideas. They met when both were close to forty. William had been a widower for three years at that point. Margaret had never married, although she had a son. As folks say, she had him just for herself. Back in her youth, she was involved with a handsome dark-haired Oliver who promised to wed her and charmed the young Margaret. She took his promises seriously, but they proved to be hollow. It later emerged that this city visitor was already a married man. Even Oliver’s legal wife came to Margaret to ask the girl not to ruin another family. The young and inexperienced Margaret yielded. Yet she chose to keep the baby. So it was. Margaret bore Edward. The boy became her only solace and delight. Edward was raised properly and excelled in his studies. Upon completing school, he went to the economics university. William dropped by to see Margaret several times. He suggested they move in together. The woman hesitated, though she found William appealing. Margaret felt a bit ashamed regarding her son and the prospect of finally being happy. One evening Edward chose to speak with his mother. He said he had no objections: “Mom, I won’t be living here much longer anyway. William is a trustworthy man. Just make sure he doesn’t hurt you. What matters most to me is your happiness.” William’s son had no problem with it either. Thus they started living as a couple. They married and held a modest celebration. Margaret was employed at the village library, while William worked as an agronomist. They shared all tasks. They handled the household, kept animals, and worked the plot of land. They loved and respected one another, though it was unfortunate that God had not blessed them with children together. Both sons married in time, and they got to know their grandchildren. For every holiday they prepared gifts for the children and grandchildren. These included home-produced eggs, milk, cream, pork, and chicken. During holidays their home filled with many guests. William and Margaret would sit at the table enjoying themselves. They were glad to have company for the festivities. Only in the evenings, as the older pair retired for the night, each would quietly hope to depart this world first so as never to feel alone. The years did their work. And one day misfortune approached unnoticed. In the morning Margaret began to feel poorly just as she started making a stew in the kitchen. The older woman collapsed. William called an ambulance with the neighbors’ assistance. The doctors said Margaret had had a stroke. Everything else was fine except she could no longer walk. Edward came with his wife to visit his mother. He gave money for the medicines and departed. William rented a vehicle, and after his wife was released from the hospital, he and a neighbor brought her into the house. “It will all be okay,” he consoled his wife, “just keep on living. You can sit and talk to me. Just live. I’ll take care of everything else. Don’t leave me, my dear one!” William cared for his wife well. Within a month she was sitting in a chair. She helped him in the kitchen. They went on doing things together. They peeled potatoes and carrots and sorted beans. They even made bread. In the evenings Margaret and William talked over how they would continue. Winter lay ahead. And William lacked the power to chop firewood. Perhaps the children could take us in for the winter, and come spring and summer we might cope on our own. That weekend Edward arrived along with his wife. The daughter-in-law Sarah looked around the room and concluded: You lovebirds will have to be split apart. We’ll fetch mother the following week. I’ll ready the room. Then we’ll come for her. What about me? William whispered uneasily. We have never separated. How can this be, children. That was back when you had the strength for the farm work and could manage by yourselves, but now it’s not the same. Let your son come for you too. Nobody will take both of you. Edward and his wife returned home. William and Margaret sighed sadly and pondered what to do. Each fell asleep hoping not to awaken and see this reality. On the next weekend both sons came. They began collecting the belongings. William remained next to Margaret’s bed. He looked at her constantly, recalling their younger days. He wept. He pressed close to his ill wife and whispered: “Forgive me, Margaret, for how things have turned out. We must have missed something in bringing up the children. They are dividing us like stray kittens. Forgive me. I love you.” Margaret wished to caress her husband’s cheek but no longer possessed the strength. William left, wiping his tears on his sleeve. And once seated in the car he did not wipe them any longer. After that the son, his wife, and the neighbor wrapped Margaret in a blanket and started carrying her out of the house feet first. The sick woman found it quite symbolic. Margaret offered no resistance. She passed away when William left. The ill woman had only wished not to last until evening. A week went by. On a pleasant autumn day their dream was realized. Margaret and William encountered each other in the world beyond.Margaret was thirty-five when she thought she would never experience the joy of being a woman, but fate had different ideas. They met when both were close to forty. William had been a widower for three years at that point. Margaret had never married, although she had a son. As folks say, she had him just for herself. Back in her youth, she was involved with a handsome dark-haired Oliver who promised to wed her and charmed the young Margaret. She took his promises seriously, but they proved to be hollow. It later emerged that this city visitor was already a married man. Even Oliver’s legal wife came to Margaret to ask the girl not to ruin another family. The young and inexperienced Margaret yielded. Yet she chose to keep the baby. So it was. Margaret bore Edward. The boy became her only solace and delight. Edward was raised properly and excelled in his studies. Upon completing school, he went to the economics university. William dropped by to see Margaret several times. He suggested they move in together. The woman hesitated, though she found William appealing. Margaret felt a bit ashamed regarding her son and the prospect of finally being happy. One evening Edward chose to speak with his mother. He said he had no objections: “Mom, I won’t be living here much longer anyway. William is a trustworthy man. Just make sure he doesn’t hurt you. What matters most to me is your happiness.” William’s son had no problem with it either. Thus they started living as a couple. They married and held a modest celebration. Margaret was employed at the village library, while William worked as an agronomist. They shared all tasks. They handled the household, kept animals, and worked the plot of land. They loved and respected one another, though it was unfortunate that God had not blessed them with children together. Both sons married in time, and they got to know their grandchildren. For every holiday they prepared gifts for the children and grandchildren. These included home-produced eggs, milk, cream, pork, and chicken. During holidays their home filled with many guests. William and Margaret would sit at the table enjoying themselves. They were glad to have company for the festivities. Only in the evenings, as the older pair retired for the night, each would quietly hope to depart this world first so as never to feel alone. The years did their work. And one day misfortune approached unnoticed. In the morning Margaret began to feel poorly just as she started making a stew in the kitchen. The older woman collapsed. William called an ambulance with the neighbors’ assistance. The doctors said Margaret had had a stroke. Everything else was fine except she could no longer walk. Edward came with his wife to visit his mother. He gave money for the medicines and departed. William rented a vehicle, and after his wife was released from the hospital, he and a neighbor brought her into the house. “It will all be okay,” he consoled his wife, “just keep on living. You can sit and talk to me. Just live. I’ll take care of everything else. Don’t leave me, my dear one!” William cared for his wife well. Within a month she was sitting in a chair. She helped him in the kitchen. They went on doing things together. They peeled potatoes and carrots and sorted beans. They even made bread. In the evenings Margaret and William talked over how they would continue. Winter lay ahead. And William lacked the power to chop firewood. Perhaps the children could take us in for the winter, and come spring and summer we might cope on our own. That weekend Edward arrived along with his wife. The daughter-in-law Sarah looked around the room and concluded: You lovebirds will have to be split apart. We’ll fetch mother the following week. I’ll ready the room. Then we’ll come for her. What about me? William whispered uneasily. We have never separated. How can this be, children. That was back when you had the strength for the farm work and could manage by yourselves, but now it’s not the same. Let your son come for you too. Nobody will take both of you. Edward and his wife returned home. William and Margaret sighed sadly and pondered what to do. Each fell asleep hoping not to awaken and see this reality. On the next weekend both sons came. They began collecting the belongings. William remained next to Margaret’s bed. He looked at her constantly, recalling their younger days. He wept. He pressed close to his ill wife and whispered: “Forgive me, Margaret, for how things have turned out. We must have missed something in bringing up the children. They are dividing us like stray kittens. Forgive me. I love you.” Margaret wished to caress her husband’s cheek but no longer possessed the strength. William left, wiping his tears on his sleeve. And once seated in the car he did not wipe them any longer. After that the son, his wife, and the neighbor wrapped Margaret in a blanket and started carrying her out of the house feet first. The sick woman found it quite symbolic. Margaret offered no resistance. She passed away when William left. The ill woman had only wished not to last until evening. A week went by. On a pleasant autumn day their dream was realized. Margaret and William encountered each other in the world beyond.