Lidiya Sergeevna was twisting the glossy brochure of the restaurant “Goldfish” in her hands, her eyes wide with excitement as she examined the photos of luxurious dishes and glamorous interiors. Seventy years old was a monumental milestone, and such an anniversary deserved to be celebrated in style, she thought. The grandeur of the occasion deserved a setting just as magnificent.
“Andryusha, look at what a wonderful restaurant!” she exclaimed, calling her son from the other room. “I want to celebrate my anniversary there. Can you imagine? Live music, a special holiday menu, and such a beautiful hall!”
Andrey, sitting in his office at the kitchen table, rubbed his temples. It had been a long, exhausting day filled with back-to-back meetings. The last thing he needed was more of his mother’s plans.
“How much is it going to cost?” Andrey asked cautiously, trying to gauge his response.
“Don’t worry about the money!” Lidiya Sergeevna waved her hand dismissively, as if brushing off the concern as trivial. “Once in a lifetime, Andryusha! I’ve already talked to my friends, and they are all so excited. Galina Petrovna told me her son had his 55th birthday at the same place and it was fabulous!”
Andrey sighed heavily, already knowing it would be pointless to argue. His mother always had a way of making her plans feel like an unstoppable train.
“Okay, Mom. Go ahead and organize it,” he said, exhausted but resigned.
Later that evening, Andrey relayed the news to his wife, Marina, while they put their five-year-old son to bed. Marina’s expression was a mix of concern and disbelief.
“Do you realize how much this could cost?” she asked quietly, her voice filled with a quiet intensity. “The restaurant isn’t cheap, and your mom always goes overboard.”
Andrey shrugged helplessly. “What can I do? It’s her anniversary, once in a lifetime.”
Marina remained silent, her worry palpable, but she knew it would be impossible to change Lidiya Sergeevna’s mind. After all, her mother-in-law had always been the type to spare no expense when it came to celebrations. Self-indulgence was her way of life, especially on special occasions.
The following weeks were a whirlwind of preparations. Lidiya Sergeevna meticulously arranged every detail of the event. She had chosen the most expensive banquet hall, commissioned a handcrafted cake, ordered fresh flowers, and even hired a photographer to capture every moment. The guest list grew exponentially—work friends, neighbors, distant relatives, and even acquaintances who had barely been in her life.
And then, two days before the celebration, came the phone call.
Marina picked up the receiver, her face paling as she listened. When she hung up, she turned to Andrey with a stunned look on her face.
“They said… what?” Andrey blinked, not quite comprehending her words.
Marina took a deep breath, her voice trembling. “Andryusha, we… we’re expected to cover the entire bill.”
He stared at her in disbelief. “What do you mean? I thought Mom was paying for this.”
Marina’s face twisted with frustration. “No, apparently she thinks it’s only fair for us to contribute. All her friends are attending and they’re making it sound like it’s our responsibility. Your mother passed the bill to us, Andryusha.”
Andrey felt his chest tighten. He had no idea how they could afford this. It was a celebration for his mother, but the financial strain was going to be immense, especially with a young child to care for.
As the evening of the anniversary arrived, Marina and Andrey found themselves standing at the entrance of the “Goldfish” restaurant, an elegant yet imposing building that seemed to mock their financial situation. Lidiya Sergeevna was already inside, radiant and excited, oblivious to the tension that had been building up between her son and daughter-in-law.
The banquet hall shimmered with opulence, every table adorned with fine china and gleaming crystal. Guests mingled, enjoying the live music and elegant atmosphere, while Marina and Andrey exchanged strained looks.
When the bill arrived, it was as much of a shock to Andrey as it was to Marina. The total cost was staggering, and they both knew they could not cover it without putting themselves in serious debt.
Lidiya Sergeevna, her face glowing with happiness, turned to them with a satisfied smile. “Well, now you see, Andryusha, it’s all worth it. This is what family is about—treating each other to the best life has to offer.”
But Andrey and Marina were left in a difficult position. They had no choice but to pay, gritting their teeth as they handed over their credit card.
Little did Lidiya Sergeevna know, her extravagant celebration had come at a high price for the very family she thought she was treating.
As they left the restaurant, the night air felt heavy. The weight of the anniversary celebrations had shifted from joy to resentment. What was meant to be a time for family togetherness had left them with nothing but an uncomfortable silence and the lingering cost of her expectations.
Andrey didn’t know if he would ever be able to recover from this financial strain, but for the moment, he was too tired to argue. They had been forced to pay for a celebration that had, ironically, brought them nothing but heartache.
At least Lidiya Sergeevna had her perfect anniversary.
But Andrey knew, all too well, that some costs were too high to pay.