According to Vera, the landlady was a difficult woman. She refused to replace the cooker, disliked late payments, and raised the rent every other year. Ruža listened to these complaints and reliably paid her share. After her divorce she had moved in with her old friend, grateful not to search for a flat alone. They had separate rooms, shared Saturday breakfasts, and an agreement to split all costs equally. She had never seen the landlady. Vera said that was for the best.
When the latest increase became too much, Ruža cancelled a trip to her daughter. Vera consoled her, saying they would somehow manage. That month Vera's son came for lunch with his girlfriend. They looked around the kitchen, discussed a new cooker, and talked about how they might arrange the flat when they eventually took it over. Ruža asked from whom. The young man pointed to his mother, not understanding the question.
Lunch ended quickly. At first Vera said ownership was none of Ruža's business since she had a roof over her head at a reasonable price. Ruža agreed that an owner could charge rent. But she had not agreed to rent openly set by an owner. She had agreed to share a cost with a friend who sat opposite her every month pretending to endure the same worry.
Vera had been sending the money from the latest increase to her son. She was helping him pay for a car. 'You would understand if you were in my position,' she said. Ruža raised her voice for the first time. She too had a child, one she had not visited because of that increase. She did not want to hear again that one woman's maternal love was taken for granted while another's could wait for a cheaper month.
She did not leave that night. She spent three weeks looking for another room, and meanwhile talked to Vera about water, keys, and who had finished the coffee. The absence of arguments did not mean reconciliation. It was strange living with a person to whom you suddenly had nothing to tell. Vera offered a lower price, then a free month. Ruža realised that staying would require a friend, whereas only a landlady was addressing her now.
Before leaving she washed her shelf in the fridge. Vera stood by the door holding their two Saturday mugs. She asked whether Ruža would ever come for breakfast. Ruža took her mug from Vera's hand. She said she had a bus to catch, which was true, but not a complete answer. This time she did not owe a fuller one.