He hesitated, looking around, and irritably thought. No, going back to the jewelry store is not an option. Anthony had left the store with such pomp that if he returned now to buy a cheap gift, he would at least look foolish.
Besides, his wife Jenny wasn’t accustomed to jewelry. She hardly ever wore even costumed jewelry, just a cross on a chain. Since the time when Anthony had just started building his business, Jenny had developed the habit of saving on herself.
In all their 15 years together, she had never once asked for a fur coat or a car. In winter, she wore a puffer jacket and insisted that it was much faster to take public transport. There was only one weakness Jenny had.
She loved old things. She often brought home porcelain figurines or silverware from flea markets. Her husband had no problem with this harmless hobby as it didn’t require significant financial investment.
Let the child amuse itself. This was her only outlet, aside from work. Anthony’s mother took care of the house, fiercely maintaining perfect order and not allowing any changes to the interior.
And after a decade and a half of marriage, they still hadn’t had children. Anthony wasn’t particularly troubled by this, and after meeting Betty, he suddenly began to wonder, did he even need Jenny anymore? The passionate relationship they once had was gone, the kind of love that made your head spin and inspired impulsive, heroic foolishness. They were still together, more out of habit than anything else.
But Betty? Yes, with her, he felt young again. He experienced the same dizzying feelings. The butterflies in his stomach.
Moreover, their secret meeting stirred his blood and heightened his emotions, turning the forbidden fruit even more desirable. What if this was fate? A chance to start over. More and more often, thoughts of divorce crossed his mind.
Especially since, if separation was imminent, why bother giving his wife anything valuable? With these thoughts, he continued walking down the shaded path, but suddenly noticed an elderly woman. She had a large, colorful shawl draped over her shoulders, and in front of her stood a small folding table where she had laid out various trinkets, talismans, charms, and amulets. A handwritten sign on a piece of cardboard made her line of work clear.
I predict, I tell fortunes, read the simple sign. Got it, the man immediately concluded. Another scammer.
But the items looked quite interesting, very much in his wife’s taste. His attention was drawn to a small handmade jewelry box. Slightly worn, but still retaining its former elegance.
Anthony picked it up and turned it over in his hands to examine it more closely. Yes, it was exquisite craftsmanship. Surely this piece had once sat on the vanity of some wealthy noblewoman.
The old woman immediately perked up. This is a lucky box, it brings good fortune, she said in a soft, coaxing tone. Anthony scoffed quietly to himself.
Such phrases wouldn’t fool him, he knew all the tricks of advertising, after all, he worked in marketing. How much, he asked, matter-of-factly and briefly. The old woman gave him a penetrating look and asked in a serious tone.
So, you’re buying it for your wife? Yes, she loves all things old. I hope this little trinket isn’t too expensive. Unexpectedly, the fortune teller leaned forward and touched his hand.
What the hell are you doing? He jerked his hand back, as if stung, outraged by the impudent gesture from the unfamiliar woman. For some reason, the old woman’s expression instantly darkened, hiding her glum gaze, and she said, Don’t worry, I’ll give you the box for a purely symbolic price. You can even decide the amount yourself.
Give whatever you think is fair. Why such generosity? Anthony’s voice dripped with sarcasm. I want to give your wife a birthday gift.
The woman replied, unperturbed. How do you? How do you know about the birthday? He stared at the old woman in shock, then suddenly burst into laughter. Ah, I see.
Clever, old lady, you guessed it. The law of probability at work. The woman gave a crooked smile, took the box from Anthony’s hands, and said, I’ll just wipe it down a bit.
It’s covered in dust after a whole day. Go ahead, wipe it. Anthony allowed graciously and stepped back to light a cigarette.
Everything was going surprisingly well. A couple of minutes later, the purchase was ready and even packed in a small bag. Anthony decided to take advantage of the fortune teller’s generous offer without hesitation.
Here you go. I think this junk is worth exactly this much, he said, squinting and placed the smallest bill, barely enough for bus fare, into her hand. She looked at him strangely and shook her head but didn’t argue.
Well, I stand by my word. Let it bring your wife what she deserves. And you too.
Jenny entered the bedroom, flopped into the chair without even undressing, and stretched out her legs, which were aching terribly. God, what bliss it was to sit here and not rush anywhere. She even closed her eyes in pleasure.
It had been an exceptionally hectic and busy day. She’d had to run around a lot. One of her co-workers had suddenly fallen ill, and there was no replacement.
She hadn’t even managed to have a proper lunch, just hastily swallowed a small sandwich and washed it down with tea on the go. That was her entire lunch break. But despite all the chaos, Jenny would never trade her profession for anything.
She had been working as a pharmacist in the pharmacy for over ten years. She had dreamed of this since childhood. At the time when boys were building rockets out of cardboard boxes, pretending to be cosmonauts, and girls were sewing outfits for dolls, little Jenny was preparing medicines from sand, dandelion flowers, and other secret ingredients.
With her magical potions, teddy bears and bunnies instantly healed from any illness. Her cherished dream was for no one to ever be sick. At that time, she lived with her grandmother in a small village.
She never knew her father, and her mother appeared only occasionally a couple of times a year. She had gone to the city in search of happiness. Her grandmother would call her flighty daughter irresponsible and try to make up for the love and attention that Jenny lacked.
Jenny always remembered Gwen with warmth, her gentle, loving hands, the affectionate gaze of her blue eyes framed with little crow’s feet. She inherited all the best qualities from her grandmother, kindness, conflict-free nature, compassion. After her grandmother’s death, Jenny moved to the city and enrolled in university.
Her mother showed no interest in her daughter’s life. By that time, she had a new family, and the first trial child had become unnecessary. Despite this, Jenny wasn’t upset and even felt sorry for the woman who was constantly searching for happiness.
She wasn’t used to holding grudges. Her grandmother often said, is not our business. They’ll sort it out later.
Everyone will get what they deserve. She didn’t want to go down to the kitchen to grab something to eat. Her mother-in-law would definitely find her there.
Rebecca had already given her a lecture on how she was a careless daughter-in-law when Jenny returned from work. No, despite the gnawing hunger, she would rather wait for Anthony and then, at dinner, let her mother-in-law continue grumbling. If he, of course, doesn’t come back too late.
Lately, her husband was staying out later and later. And those business trips. Something had changed in their lives.
And they had changed, too. Tomorrow, Jenny would turn 36. More and more often, thoughts crossed her mind.
Am I living the right life? For what? What is the point? In work? Or in a home where she can’t even move a vase to a different spot without triggering an outburst of hysteria from Rebecca? A child. Yes, she wanted so much. She couldn’t have a child.
Her relationship with her husband had cooled a bit. Maybe that’s the reason. Because she’s a barren flower, as her mother-in-law says? It seems that she’s living for no reason.
Just moving aimlessly from work to home. A hot tear slowly slid down her cheek. Outside, the sound of creaking gates echoed and Anthony’s car slowly drove into the yard.
Jenny’s heart skipped a joyful beat. Forgetting her exhaustion, she jumped up and rushed to the bathroom. Her husband had come home even earlier than usual.
She couldn’t let him see her in such a tear-streaked state. Over the years of their marriage, she had trained herself to greet him with a cheerful mood and a smile on her face. Why burden him with her inner turmoil? It was already hard enough for him to carry the weight of supporting the family.
But tomorrow was their special day. Every year, on her birthday, they would leave the house by the evening and spend the whole day together, walking in the park, going to the cinema, and then sitting in a quiet, cozy cafe. They always enjoyed each other’s company.