Jeseň bola v plnom prúde.

Autumn was in full swing.

Veľké okno v jedálni rodinného domu zobrazovalo pestré farby jesenných listov.

The large window in the dining room of the family house showcased the vibrant colors of autumn leaves.

Stôl bol jednoducho, ale vkusne upravený s motívmi suchej trávy a tekvíc.

The table was simply but tastefully decorated with themes of dry grass and pumpkins.

Marek sa pripravil na večeru s neistotou v srdci.

Marek prepared for dinner with uncertainty in his heart.

Vedel, že večere s rodinou občas pripomínajú turistiku po tenkom ľade.

He knew that dinners with the family sometimes resembled walking on thin ice.

Zuzana už čakala v kuchyni, kde pomáhala dokončiť posledné úkony.

Zuzana was already waiting in the kitchen, helping finish the final tasks.

"Marek, jedlo je už skoro hotové.

"Marek, the food is almost ready.

Len dúfam, že dnes nebudeme mať ďalšiu drámu," povedala s pochybovačným úsmevom.

I just hope we won't have another drama today," she said with a doubtful smile.

Marek ju len povzbudzujúco potľapkal po pleci.

Marek just patted her shoulder encouragingly.

"Robím, čo môžem," odpovedal.

"I'm doing what I can," he replied.

Keď dorazil Jakub, prvý čo Marek pocítil, bola napätá energia v miestnosti.

When Jakub arrived, the first thing Marek felt was the tense energy in the room.

Jakub pozdravil všetkých s povrchovým úsmevom a ihneď sa usadil do kresla.

Jakub greeted everyone with a superficial smile and immediately settled into a chair.

Bol to rozpor medzi jeho pozdravom a telovou rečou, čo naznačovalo, že sa niečo deje.

There was a dissonance between his greeting and body language, indicating something was going on.

Jedlo sa začalo podávať, ale ticho pri stole bolo hlasnejšie ako reč.

The meal started being served, but the silence at the table was louder than conversation.

Marek sa pokúšal štandardnými otázkami uvoľniť atmosféru.

Marek tried to ease the atmosphere with standard questions.

"Jakub, ako ide práca?

"Jakub, how's work going?"

" opýtal sa.

he asked.

Jakub len zdvihol plecia.

Jakub just shrugged.

"Mohlo by to byť lepšie.

"Could be better.

Alebo horšie," odvetil trochu náhle.

Or worse," he replied somewhat abruptly.

Zuzana naňho pohliadla a ticho vydýchla.

Zuzana glanced at him and sighed quietly.

"Marek, nerob si starosti s otázkami," navrhla.

"Marek, don't worry about the questions," she suggested.

Marek pochopil, že sa musí postaviť k problému razantnejšie.

Marek understood that he needed to approach the problem more assertively.

"Dobre, myslím, že máme toho dosť všetci.

"Okay, I think we've all had enough.

Možno by sme mali konečne o niektorých veciach otvorene hovoriť," povedal.

Maybe we should finally talk openly about some things," he said.

Zuzana sa zamračila, ale prikývla.

Zuzana frowned but nodded.

"Aj ja som toho názoru.

"I agree with that."

"Rozprávali sa o veciach, ktoré dlhé roky ticho mátali ich vzťahy.

They talked about things that had silently haunted their relationships for years.

Rozhovor sa vyhrotil až do bodu, keď Zuzana náhle vstala.

The conversation escalated to the point where Zuzana suddenly stood up.

"Vždy som bola tá, ktorú nikto nepočúval," vybuchla.

"I've always been the one nobody listened to," she burst out.

Jakub ju sarkasticky odbil, ale Marek videl, že obaja potrebujú jasné hranice.

Jakub replied sarcastically, but Marek saw that both needed clear boundaries.

"Prestaňte!

"Stop!"

" zvolal Marek.

called out Marek.

"Toto nie je hádka, je to rodina.

"This isn't a fight; it's family.

Potrebujeme sa spolu porozprávať, nie spolu bojovať.

We need to talk to each other, not battle each other."

" Zrazu bolo ticho.

Suddenly, there was silence.

Atmosféra dôvery a rešpektu sa opatrne navrátila.

An atmosphere of trust and respect cautiously returned.

Každý si všimol, že Marek bol unavený z toho, že všetko ťahal sám.

Everyone noticed that Marek was tired of carrying everything alone.

Večer pokračoval s menej napätou atmosférou.

The evening continued with a less tense atmosphere.

Misky sa pomaly vyprázdňovali a Marek s napätím sledoval priebeh večera.

The dishes slowly emptied, and Marek watched the evening's progress with anticipation.

Keď sa rozhodol, že už je koniec, na všetkých sa usmial: "Možno je načase, aby sme si všetci uvedomili, že to musíme zvládnuť spoločne.

When he decided it was over, he smiled at everyone: "Perhaps it's time we all realize that we have to handle it together."

"Pre tentokrát odišli s pocitom, že keď sa návraty stanú rutinou, neznamenajú nutne návrat k starým zraneniam.

For this time, they left with the feeling that when returns become routine, they don't necessarily mean a return to old wounds.

Pre Mareka bola dôležitá nádej, že jedného dňa budú všetci spolu bez ťarchy minulosti.

For Marek, the hope was crucial that one day they would all be together without the burden of the past.