Dima, time for breakfast!” Katya called out, placing a plate of golden pancakes, a bowl of thick jam, and steaming cups of tea on the table.
Her ten-year-old son entered the kitchen slowly, his usual downcast mood apparent. He sat in silence and looked gloomily at his mother.
“Mom, can I skip school today?” he asked quietly.
This morning exchange had become a daily routine for over a month. Katya gently stroked his head, concerned:
“Sweetheart, school is important. Is someone bothering you there?”
“No, it’s fine,” Dima mumbled, “I just don’t want to go. That’s all.”
Katya pressed further: “Tell me what’s changed? You used to enjoy school, your teachers were kind, and you came home smiling.”
“Nothing’s different!” Dima snapped and abruptly left the table.
Katya watched as he hurried to put on his jacket and shoes. She urged him to eat first, but he grabbed his backpack and rushed out without a bite.
From the window, she saw Dima walk briskly to the school right across their yard, a place where crossing busy streets wasn’t needed and the walk took minutes. Once vibrant and social, with excellent grades and many friends, his demeanor had shifted drastically over weeks. He increasingly refused to attend classes, stayed indoors after school, and brought home disappointing marks.
Conversations to understand his feelings failed as he withdrew further. Katya understood this was largely due to their recent divorce. The departure of his father, Oleg, two months prior seemed to weigh heavily on Dima.
Katya recalled the painful evening when Oleg confessed he was leaving for another woman. Despite her pleas and promises to change, he left quietly after assuring he’d provide financial support and visit on weekends.
Dima consoled her, saying, “Mom, don’t cry. He’s a traitor. We’ll manage together.”
Life after Oleg’s departure became financially difficult; money intended for repairs and vacations disappeared. Katya was left managing with her modest salary as a nurse in oncology, while Oleg, an electrician, ceased contributing. The emotional toll was immense.
In a desperate call, Katya confronted Oleg about Dima’s troubles and impending divorce, but he dismissed her concerns coldly. Their bitter exchange ended with threats over property and responsibilities.
“I’m done hoping he’ll come back,” she thought, tears streaming despite efforts to stay strong.
Determined not to crumble, Katya threw away her makeup, wore worn clothes, and headed to work, anxiously pondering Oleg’s claims and Dima’s growing distress.
At the hospital, she joined the morning rounds with head nurse Rimma Pavlovna, a strict woman nicknamed “the Grim Reaper” by staff. Rimma ordered strict care for a wealthy patient recently admitted with severe abdominal pain suspected to be cancer.
Rimma confided to Katya that the man’s condition was serious but they would manage it carefully, masking the gravity to avoid distress. She encouraged Katya to regain confidence and embrace her femininity, even announcing a promotion with increased responsibility and salary.
Katya smiled, invigorated by Rimma’s encouragement—a needed boost after her personal turmoil.
Later, Katya collected blood samples from the patient, Valentin Viktorovich, who amused her with wit and charm despite his pain.
In conversation, Valentin shared reflections on his legal career and personal life, touching on complex family struggles involving his estranged daughter Dasha, whom he had adopted but who now rejected him.
- Valentin recounted the tragic loss of his wife Larisa and how that profoundly affected their family.
- He described the challenges of reconnecting with Dasha after years of estrangement and misunderstandings about her biological mother.
Katya expressed sympathy, prompting Valentin to reveal he was in the final stages of cancer. Despite the prognosis, he chose hope and preparation for surgery.
Inspired by Valentin’s courage, Katya explained her own worries about Dima’s behavior lately and their suspicions of bullying at school.
Valentin suggested a bold plan: secretly placing a miniature recording device in Dima’s backpack to uncover the truth behind his silence.
Grateful and hopeful, Katya accepted the device. That evening, after Dima left for school, she carefully hid the microphone in his bag and handed over the receiver to Valentin.
After reviewing the recordings, they discovered that several sixth-graders were extorting money from younger classmates, threatening violence against them and their families, convinced their influential parents would protect them.
This revelation shocked Katya, who planned to confront school authorities and, if necessary, escalate the matter to wider social institutions.
Her resolve was further tested when Dima was unexpectedly called to the principal’s office but insisted he was innocent. Katya comforted him:
“I trust you, and no one will hurt you anymore.”
With advice from Valentin, she prepared to record all interactions and stand firm against institutional pressures.
The following day, Katya arrived at the principal’s office, encountering Mikhail Yuryevich, a young but sincere man who admitted that bullying was a worrying issue affecting the school community.
Rather than punishing the aggressors outright, Mikhail proposed enrolling Dima in sambo classes—a martial art focusing on self-defense and confidence building. His own experience with bullying and sports lent credibility to this approach.
Katya appreciated the thoughtful solution and accepted the free training offer, encouraged further by Mikhail’s family background in teaching.
Surprisingly, Mikhail revealed he had already spoken with Dima about attending classes, needing only Katya’s consent.
- Katya was struck by Mikhail’s warmth and genuine care, reconsidering her biases against his name.
- Returning to Valentin, she shared news of the principal, who was soon to be dismissed due to interference from wealthy parents.
Meanwhile, Valentin’s health remained fragile but hopeful thanks to promising surgery results. Their conversation revealed deeper family conflicts with his daughter Dasha, whose bitterness led to harsh confrontations.
Dasha’s arrival and hostile rejection of her father shocked Katya, who rebuked the young woman for her cruelty during a tense encounter.
Despite these challenges, gradual progress occurred. Dima thrived in sambo, regaining confidence and joy, while Katya and Mikhail grew closer, sharing tender moments that signaled new beginnings.
Though Mikhail lost his school position due to standing up for students, he continued training Dima at home, committed to their cause.
Eventually, educational authorities intervened after the recordings exposed systemic corruption and bullying. The school implemented reforms, and former aggressors began to learn respect.
Several years later, Dasha started a family of her own, Katya married Mikhail, and together they raised their children with renewed hope and strength.
Key Insight: This story demonstrates how courage, community support, and perseverance can combat the damaging effects of bullying and family upheaval.
It also highlights the transformative power of empathy, honesty, and standing up for what is right—even when faced with resistance and hardship.
In summary, the journey of Katya and her son reflects the resilience of the human spirit when nurtured by understanding and proactive care.