While carrying sparkling new pipes from the basement, the plumber collided shoulder-to-shoulder with his boss. The boss’s comment came swiftly:
— Hey, Nick… Selling off construction materials on the side again? Watch out, if the director catches you, he won’t exactly pat you on the head.
Glancing around, Nicholas scratched the back of his head, as if trying to recall something.
— Good day to you too, Pete. You’ve got it wrong. I’m taking these for a job. You’ll probably show up at my country house this winter, won’t you? Haven’t forgotten the way or the smell of those tasty barbecues, I bet.
The boss waved his hand dismissively, muttering:
— Get going. I don’t want to see your feet here in ten minutes. Oh, and thanks for the reminder. Set up the sauna for me this weekend—I’m bringing a new lady friend I just met.
Nicholas rolled his eyes comically and chuckled with a sly grin:
— What happened to the old one? Oh, Pete… Always chasing women, never serious. Your new lady might just tie you down. Then we’ll see how you run after the others.
Squinting his left eye, the boss said:
— Yeah, right, Saint Nick. Never cheated on your wife, I suppose?
— Wouldn’t know what that’s like, — the plumber replied, nodding. — You’re right, Pete, I love and respect my wife. You wouldn’t get it, being a bachelor and all. Anyway, no time to chat. I’ll load the pipes into the truck. And if you come to use the sauna, you’re chopping the firewood yourself. I’ve got enough on my plate without catering to you. You’re a hit with the ladies—let them fuss over you.
Nicholas could afford to speak so boldly to his boss because Pete had his own skeletons in the closet, on a scale no plumber could dream of.
By the way, Pete had his own country house, but his mother often visited, so to avoid straining their relationship, he met women elsewhere. It wasn’t always a separate apartment—more often, as in this case, it was Nicholas’s country house. It was convenient and free of prying eyes that could tarnish his reputation.
After unloading the pipes, Nicholas returned home an hour later. Seeing her husband’s sour expression, his wife quickly figured out who was to blame for his mood and asked sternly:
— That scoundrel invited himself over again? How much longer, Nick? Is our place a dating spot now?
Nicholas lowered his head guiltily and said:
— You know my paycheck depends on him. If the boss isn’t happy, the good money dries up.
Shrugging, his wife said with a cunning tone:
— Well, don’t worry… I’ll figure out a way to put him in his place. You’ll see, he’ll stop coming to our country house soon. I’ll pray he forgets the way altogether.
Nicholas didn’t delve into his wife’s plan, but that weekend, Pete indeed changed his mind about using their country house for his escapades. As usual, they met outside the office.
— Oh, Nick, Nick, and you claimed to be a model family man. I knew you were hiding something, but I still believed you. Guess I’ll have to find another spot, or I’ll never get any female attention.
Nicholas didn’t immediately grasp what Pete meant and initially hesitated to dig deeper, fearing some unpleasant details might surface. But since Pete had brought up his personal life, it was worth considering where this was coming from. Then it hit him—his wife had made good on her promise. She’d said she’d find a way to deal with the womanizer, and it seemed she’d sped things up to keep him away from their country house.
The following Saturday, Nicholas went to the country house with his wife. Nothing beats relaxing in nature, especially with your loved one. The quiet, the escape from the city’s hustle—car horns can drive you mad sometimes. Looking at the garden, Nicholas thought about moving to the country house permanently. He was fed up with their apartment—dust blowing in through the windows, noisy neighbors, or some other annoyance always cropping up. Living in the countryside was different: peaceful, with birds singing and the scent of grass and flowers so strong it felt like being in a greenhouse. Noticing Nicholas daydreaming in the gazebo, his wife approached and hugged him from behind:
— It’s great we put your boss in his place. Such bliss—no one bothering us, and best of all, no need to feel embarrassed.
The mention of Pete piqued Nicholas’s curiosity, and he asked seriously:
— Hold on, how did you manage it? Did my boss really just give up on coming to our place?
His wife smiled slyly and replied:
— Not exactly. I had to use a little deception. I told him you’ve been secretly meeting his women and that I caught you at it a few times. Sorry, Nick, I had to sacrifice your reputation.
The news hit him like a sledgehammer.
— Well, that’s something. Quite the story, served with a spicy twist, — Nicholas said, wiping sweat from his brow. — You say you love me, huh? Fine, if it’s for the cause, I can deal with it. By the way, the pipes I brought will be enough to fix your mom’s plumbing too. She’s been talking about replacing them for a while. I’ll handle it so she doesn’t have to hire anyone else. Just remind me, because next week the director’s planning a heating system overhaul. I’ll try to swing by your mom’s place in the evening.
A couple of days later, Pete approached him again and quietly asked:
— Nick, were you really with my women? I’m not holding a grudge, just curious. What did they see in a regular plumber like you? Sure, meeting your wife might’ve been luck, but I only date beautiful, wealthy women. What did they find in you? Come on, spill it. You must have some gift of persuasion. Or maybe you’re better than me physically.
Burning with embarrassment, Nicholas scrambled for an answer:
— It’s about the soul, Pete. That’s what they saw in me. You think women only care about looks? No, they’ve got hearts that feel sincerity and kindness. Take you, for example. If you told one of your ladies you’re short on cash but want to have fun, how would she react?
Pete craned his neck like a goose and grumbled:
— She’d dump me and never meet again.
— Exactly, no other outcome.
— What, you thought she’d stick around for my charming eyes?
Pointing a finger skyward, Nicholas said enthusiastically:
— That’s the thing—your relationships are all about money. Without it, you’re nobody to them. It’s different when you’re together for love. Feelings and responsibility matter most. If you’re ready to stand by your woman, your relationship will be solid. Remember that, Pete, or better yet, tattoo it on your forehead. Though why bother teaching you? It’s like feeding oats to a horse that won’t run. You don’t get the finesse of love, where a kind word can work wonders.
The plumber had really laid into his boss. But as he rightly said, unless Pete wanted to change, nothing would.
A few days later, Nicholas’s wife suddenly remembered she’d promised to send him to her mother’s, but he was swamped with the heating system repairs. The city authorities were rushing the job, so he barely made it home before his wife was already asleep.
Fed up with his long absences, this time she waited up and let him have it:
— Enough living at work, Nick. You’ve got an apartment, a country house, and me, for heaven’s sake! My opinion matters too! Tomorrow, go to my mom’s and check her plumbing. And please, don’t overdo it with her homemade liqueur, or I’ll have to call a taxi to drag you home again.
Say what you will, but Nicholas’s mother-in-law adored her son-in-law. She always set the table and fed him like it was a holiday. Climbing the stairs, Nicholas nearly bumped into an old lady coming down. She carried a tattered bag, her eyes so vacant they seemed to have lost all spark of life. Shaking his head, he thought to himself:
*“That’s how it goes—old age creeps up, and you don’t even notice.”*
He knocked on the door, heard shuffling footsteps, and then the familiar voice of Valentina, his mother-in-law:
— Coming, just a moment. I’m not a racecar, you know, hopping around.
Valentina’s face lit up when she saw her favorite son-in-law.
— Nick, come in, don’t stand in the doorway. I just baked some berry pies—you’ll lick your fingers clean. Just don’t tell Laura, or she’ll get upset.
Grateful for the attention, Nicholas had no intention of telling his wife. He knew she’d harp on about her mother’s cooking. Sitting at the table, he grabbed two pies and devoured them, loving his mother-in-law’s baking—he could visit her every day.
After a quick bite, Nicholas went to inspect the plumbing and was dismayed to find at least several days’ worth of work. Dialing his wife, he said calmly:
— Laura, there’s work here for more than a day. Either I take it on, or she’ll need to hire someone.
Hearing that someone would have to be paid, his wife snapped:
— Don’t make excuses. You’ll do it yourself. No need to throw money around, and don’t try to pull one over on me—I’m not that gullible.
The short beeps signaled the call was over. His mother-in-law chimed in:
— Really, Nick, you’re a master at this. If money’s needed, I’d rather give it to you, my dear.
Bolstered by the praise, Nicholas perked up:
— Alright, no need to ask me twice. I’ll bring the pipes in a couple of hours. Clear the way to the plumbing for now. We’ll start with the bathroom, then move to the kitchen. There’s time, so we’ll do it thoroughly, no rush.
By evening, Nicholas returned with the pipes. Passing a bench, he noticed the same old lady feeding cats, paying him no mind. Entering the apartment, he called out to his mother-in-law:
— Tell me, is your neighbor mute or something?
Valentina looked puzzled and asked:
— The one from apartment 20? She rarely talks to anyone unless she really needs something. Her kids don’t visit, but her grandson stops by sometimes—though I think it’s just for money.
Raising his hands, Nicholas said:
— Got it. None of my business then. I just thought she seemed a bit off.
Starting in the bathroom, he carefully removed the old pipes. His mother-in-law pitched in:
— Nick, I’ll at least take out the trash. If you want to rest or eat, everything’s in the kitchen.
Nodding in approval, Nicholas continued working. But his mother-in-law’s words about the neighbor’s family lingered in his mind, sending a chill down his spine.
*“How strange. Old folks usually have relatives looking after them.”*
At least, that’s what he thought. But he began to realize that you could have children and grandchildren and still be utterly alone. It felt like being trapped in an empty room with no one around.
After finishing part of the work, he ate dinner and said he’d head home to grab some tools. As soon as Valentina saw him out, the doorbell rang again.
— Did you forget something, Nick? — But it was the old lady at the door. — Oh, sorry, I thought it was my son-in-law. How’s your health, Grace? Everything alright?
It was clear Valentina was asking out of curiosity, not genuine concern. Grace nodded:
— I’m managing, Val. Moving along slowly, and that’s enough. I noticed you’ve got a handyman here. I could use someone to check my bathroom pipes—they’re leaking, and I keep laying down rags. My hands aren’t what they used to be; I’ll flood the neighbors below soon.
Shrugging, Valentina replied:
— That’s my son-in-law. He’s a plumber. I can call him and ask him to stop by.
Frowning, Grace said:
— No need. I’ll just put in a request—maybe a plumber will get to me. If not, I’ll keep mopping up.
Nicholas returned soon, slightly annoyed:
— Someone had to call for a plumber. The dispatcher just gave me an address—right in your building. I told her I was fixing your pipes, but she asked me to handle this call too.
Glancing at the apartment number, Valentina said regretfully:
— That’s my neighbor’s request. She’s got pipe problems too.
Looking at his mother-in-law, Nicholas muttered almost in her ear:
— You sure know how to pile it on, Valentina.
Wagging her finger, she whispered:
— Don’t be cross. As compensation, I’ll bake your favorite fish pie.
Hearing this, he softened:
— Alright, you win. You know how to get to your son-in-law. I’ll go see what’s up with that old lady.
Stepping into Grace’s apartment, Nicholas instantly felt an air of loneliness. His mother-in-law was right—hardly anyone visited her, except maybe her grandson, and even then, only when he needed something. Pointing to the bathroom, Grace said:
— Take a look, son. The pipes are completely rusted. Probably need replacing, what do you think?
Shaking his head, Nicholas replied:
— Definitely, unless you want to keep wiping up water with rags forever.
It took a few minutes to estimate the repair cost.
— Ma’am, it’ll take at least two or three hundred bucks to fix this.
In response, he watched as she pulled out a handful of change from her pocket and spilled it onto the table:
— Sorry, I can’t pay now. My pension comes next week.
Nicholas was stunned when she offered her last coins for the job.
Sitting down, Grace covered her face with her hands and quietly said:
— My grandson keeps taking my money, and I can’t say no. I don’t know where he spends it, and he’s some kind of manager.
Nicholas felt uneasy knowing her own family was bleeding her dry.
— Tell me where he works, and I’ll have a word with him. You’ll see, he’ll realize his mistake and apologize.
Hesitantly, Grace replied:
— I think he’s at some utility company. I’m not sure, I won’t lie.
Leaning against the wall, Nicholas asked again:
— What’s his name, your grandson?
Sighing heavily, Grace answered:
— They call him Anthony. I still call him Tony. He never even asks about my health.
She fell silent, and Nicholas was struck by a realization:
— Wait, is his last name Churov? Anthony Peter Churov?
Grace nodded eagerly:
— That’s right. You know him?
Crouching down, Nicholas said sadly:
— Know him? I know everything about him. I just didn’t think he’d treat his elderly relatives like this. Alright, ma’am, I’ll fix everything here, and you don’t owe me a cent.
What Grace told him next was horrifying. Her lonely life didn’t just tug at the heartstrings—it brought tears to his eyes. It turned out Pete even brought his women to his grandmother’s place and partied on her pension.
They say audacity is a second kind of happiness, though not a pleasant one.
Nicholas’s mind raced with ideas, from confronting Pete to making him beg forgiveness from his grandmother. But he knew people like Pete only change when faced with something drastic.
He replaced Grace’s pipes, and the next day at work, he publicly shamed his boss in front of everyone. Pete stood there, humiliated, then bolted outside.
Hearing the commotion, the director came over and asked:
— What’s going on? Why aren’t you working?
Nicholas didn’t back down and told him everything. The director didn’t hesitate—he ordered a full renovation of Grace’s apartment, funded by docking Pete’s salary and bonuses. Who knows, maybe that would make him rethink his behavior and stop mistreating someone so close to him.
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