* * *
“My dear, don’t be upset, everything will work out somehow,” mother wailed, stroking Nadya’s head with her full hand, as in childhood.
She sat on the sofa in the living room, disheveled and in tears. After leaving the hospital, Nadya first called her mother and immediately went home, and already in the family nest she was overcome by a full understanding of the current situation. Right now, within a couple of months, her fate will be decided: if she does not find a groom, she will have to go to a monastery. Because living alone in the world means leading yourself into temptation every day. And her conscience will not allow her to get married: who needs a wife who is unable to conceive and bear a child? But does it really happen that a groom, and a good one at that, with whom you can live your whole life, would appear as ordered in such a short time? But Nadya, as a believer, was not interested in the temporary option.
When she calmed down a little, mom decided to be frank.
“I so hoped that this wouldn’t affect you…” she said with a sigh.
Nadya stared at her mother in shock.
– You too..?
Mom nodded.
“I was twenty-two then, and the doctor said the same thing… He says I need it right now.” Your dad and I weren’t married yet, but I told him everything as it was, and he took on this responsibility. I prayed to God that this would not be passed on to you, but alas… The only joy the Lord sent me was that the next two children turned out to be boys.
Nadya's brothers, Misha and Gavrila, were still studying: the first at the medical academy, the second in the tenth grade of school. She herself taught at an elementary school and loved her job.
“But at least you had a fiancé,” Nadya sobbed, “but I can’t imagine what to do…
– The Lord will not leave you, daughter. The main thing is to pray, and dad and I will select a worthy candidate.
Nadya was an exceptionally well-behaved and obedient girl. And in such a matter, which she did not even know how to approach, and even more so she trusted her parents. Parents, in turn, were ready to rush to the aid of their beloved child at any moment, especially in such a delicate matter. Dad, in general, believed that it was better to bring future spouses together with the older generation, because they are experienced, and their vision is not clouded by youthful passions.