After cleaning a stranger’s abandoned grave at the cemetery, the next morning I FROZE from what I saw…

Now it’s mine.” “Got it,” — the woman replied tenderly. “Antoshka, why are you keeping guests on the doorstep? Come inside!” — a middle-aged woman’s voice called out, suddenly appearing at the door.

Her dark hair was neatly tied in a bun. Karina, embarrassed, blushed slightly and quickly introduced herself. Then they entered the house.

A year passed since then. Antoshka, peering into the stroller, curiously asked Karina, “When will my little sister Anechka grow up?” Karina just smiled and reassured him. “It’ll happen faster than you think, and you won’t even notice how she grows.”

She suggested Antoshka go play with his friends, who were already waiting for him, sitting on a nearby fence. The boy eagerly agreed and ran to his friends, shouting something joyfully along the way. Karina, looking at little Anya, gently said.

“Well, darling, shall we go home for lunch?” She carefully put away her knitting, stood up from the bench, and headed toward the house with the stroller. At home, Karina lay on the bed for a bit and quickly fell into a deep, sweet sleep. “Hello, Mommy!” — Karina exclaimed joyfully, seeing her mother.

“Karinochka, hello, my dear! I want to introduce you to my friend Anechka!” — her mom said softly, pointing to the woman standing nearby. Karina smiled and greeted Anna Petrovna, her mom’s best friend. She closely studied the woman in a snow-white dress; her magical charm had now turned to calm wisdom, as evidenced by the wrinkles on her forehead, mouth, and corners of her eyes….