Youve arrived? Who invited you, honestly? Youd have been better off contributing money, Aunt Marie replied coldly.
Elodie frowned at the persistent ringtone that jolted her awake.
She stared, surprised, at the phone screenher cousin, someone she hadnt spoken to in over two years, was calling.
Are you asleep? Lucky me, I cant stop crying
Yes, Im obviously asleep; its the middle of the night, Elodie glanced at her alarm showing 1:30a.m.
If youre sleeping so peacefully, does that mean you still dont know? her cousin continued cryptically.
Jeanne, can you get to the point? Elodie sighed into the handset. I have to get up early.
You can sleep later. Theres a tragedy in the family! her sister declared, as if Elodie were at fault.
What kind of tragedy? Elodie asked, fearing something had happened to her mother.
Uncle Timothée died this morning, Jeanne sobbed. It was sudden. Aunt Marie was shocked. Theres no money; we need to collect contributions. Tomorrow, my brother and I are heading to the village. Will you come with us?
No, I cant. Ill only attend the wake.
Then send me a transfer; well give the money to our aunt tomorrow, Jeanne pressed. Seven hundred euros.
Elodie instantly transferred the amount to her cousin via her phone and fell back asleep.
She wasnt deeply grieved by the news, since she hadnt spoken to her fathers side of the family for a long time.
After his death they had cut all ties with Elodie and her relatives, claiming they were no longer family.
Nevertheless, Elodie felt it would be rude to stay out of it and decided to help.
After the transfer, no one called her back. Jeanne forgot about her immediately.
Elodie tried several times to reach her cousin to learn the wakes date, but Jeanne didnt answer.
With difficulty she located her through mutual acquaintances and went to pay her last respects to her uncle.
Aunt Marie greeted her with a displeased look, as if Elodies presence bothered her more than her husbands death.
You showed up Who sent you? It would have been better to give money, she retorted disdainfully.
I sent you seven hundred euros, Elodie replied.
Strangely, I havent seen any, Aunt Marie sniffed, incredulous.
I gave the money to Jeanne
Oh, youre making stories up, she crossed her arms over her belly. She and Arthur only brought me a thousand eurosfive hundred each. You werent mentioned.
I dont understand anything, Elodie searched for Jeanne with her eyes.
But, as if by chance, Jeanne had vanished. Elodie eventually found her outside, near the gate.
Jeanne, you didnt pass my money to Aunt Marie, did you? Where is it? Elodie demanded an explanation.
I did, Jeanne answered reluctantly.
She told me the money only came from you and Arthur
Shes wrong, Jeanne replied indifferently.
You gave a thousand euros?
Yes.
It was for the two of us, not three!
Well, whos going to pay for the fuel then? Jeanne looked up and made a grimace.
Seven hundred euros for a twohundredkilometre trip, and why should I cover your travel? Elodie asked.
You want me to give the money back, right? Jeanne mocked.
Yes, I do!
Not now; Ill transfer it later, Jeanne turned and walked away, head held high.
After all that, Elodie no longer wanted to stay in that house; disappointed by her aunts reaction and her cousins behavior, she regretted her assistance.
She quietly called a taxi and left. A week later, her mother called, crying.
My daughter, is it true you gave money for Timothées funeral and then took it back? she asked, almost in tears.
I gave the money; I never took it back.
Aunt Marie is telling the whole village you reclaimed the money. Shes upset you werent welcomed with open arms, her mother said sadly. Im ashamed to walk through the village; everyone stares at me.
Mom, thats not how it happened! Elodie was outraged by the gossip spreading through her family.
She explained to her mother what really occurred at Aunt Maries house.
Jeanne never returned the money to me, Elodie concluded.
She took the money from Aunt Marie and claimed you demanded it back! How brazen! I hope that money stays stuck in their throats! her mother exclaimed furiously.
At first Elodie wanted to call Jeanne, but she chose to spare her nerves and simply stopped speaking to her.
Months later, her cousin resurfaced.
Weve decided to erect a monument for Uncle Timothée. It will cost you a thousand euros, Jeanne announced in a businesslike tone.
No, I wont give another cent!
What an attitude toward family, Jeanne shouted over the phone. Im truly shocked.
Me too; I never expected to be cheated and then hear rumors.
What are you talking about?
You took Aunt Maries money and didnt give it back, then blamed me and you think Ill still deal with you? After my fathers death you said my mother and I were no longer family, so I owe you nothing! Elodie declared before blocking her cousins number.
Arrival? Who invited you, honestly? You would have been better off offering financial help, the aunt replied coldly.
