We have nothing to ask of you
We want nothing from you
Son, think carefully before its too late! That boy isnt you at all! Your Alice probably had that child with her ex and now wants you to raise it! I know it!
Mother, enough! Damien is my son Why do you always dig up drama? Fine, Im going home.
MarieCatherine raised her son alone. She and Alexandre had always gotten along perfectly: he never disrespected her, never argued, and always excelled at school. As an adult he became an engineer, just as his mother wanted. It was time now to look after his love life. MarieCatherine arranged a fiancée for hima charming young woman named Louise, daughter of her friend Antonine.
At his mothers urging, Alexandre and Louise began seeing each other, but the romance never truly sparked. After a few difficult months they broke up. Then Alexandre met Hélène. Their connection was instant; he saw in her a spirit that matched his own. They married after three months, much to MarieCatherines dismay. Six months later Hélène became pregnant. They welcomed a boy they named Damien. Everything could have been perfect if it werent for the motherinlaw who hated her daughterinlaw. At every gathering she tore into her son, even though four years had passed since the wedding:
Look at what shes done to you! You always seem neglected
Mother, Im not neglected! The shirt just got a little wrinkled in the wash
Sit down, eat something! Your wife surely hasnt cooked, and youll go hungry.
Mother, Ill have dinner at home. Hélène cooks well.
I know her! Supermarket steaks or, worse, frozen ravioli. Meanwhile Louise took pastry classes. What a genius she is
Alexandre tried to deflect his mothers attacks as best he could. He ignored her gossip and never passed her complaints on to his wife, since they had no basis. Yet MarieCatherine kept up her cold war against Hélène. One day her tactics finally paid off.
Good morning, son Why does your Hélène never visit me? You always come alone!
Mother, how could she come if youre constantly criticizing her?
Id criticize if I had a reason, believe me! While youre here sipping tea, shes probably spending time with her ex. I know who she saw before you. That useless Christophe! The child looks like that man. She had him first and now youre feeding him.
That evening Alexandre had a fierce argument with his mother. He was fed up with the endless accusations and rumors, and went home in a foul mood.
Dad, dad, hi! little Damien ran to him.
Hey, son. What happened today? What did you do?
Mom and I went to the park. There was Mr. Christophe. He bought me a chocolate and some juice!
The notion that his mother might be right crossed Alexandres mind. Later that night he asked his wife:
Why did you run into your ex?
Alex, it was a chance meeting. We were walking, he happened to be there. We chatted a bit, then he walked us home.
But why would he escort my wife and son? Could Damien not be my son, but his?
Alex, why are you saying that? Are you serious?
That night the couple fought bitterly for the first time since their wedding. From then on, arguments became a regular feature of their household. Eventually Hélène had enough, gathered her things, took the boy, and moved back to her parents home in her hometown.
Divorce followed, and Alexandre was forced to pay alimony. He was convinced the child wasnt his, yet he never tried to prove it legally, simply accepting the payments. MarieCatherine delighted in the situation and launched a campaign to revive the relationship between her son and the famed Louise, whom she considered the perfect daughterinlaw.
She succeeded, and Alexandre married Louise. But the new marriage turned out to be turbulent. Louise constantly berated Alexandre, demanding a lavish lifestyle.
Look at Irènes husbandalready buying her a second fur coat! The Surkovs have a brandnew luxury car! And Im stuck in my old winter coat, driving a cheap car! Are you even a man?
Fifteen long years passed. Alexandre worked tirelessly on two construction sites while Louise lounged at seaside resorts and refused to miss any pleasure. She didnt want children, saying she first needed to live for herself and then maybe later. Seeing this, MarieCatherine tried to impose stricter rules, but Louise quickly put her in her place.
One day Alexandre received a call from the hospital: his mother, MarieCatherine, had suffered a stroke and was rushed in. She was seriously ill and would need home care after discharge. Louise immediately declared:
Im not spending my days and nights at that old womans bedside. We should place her in a care facility.
Louise, maybe I should stop working
Have you lost your mind? How are we supposed to live? I still have four years left on my car loan
In the end, MarieCatherine was moved to a retirement home, Alexandre went back to work far away, and Louise stayed at home. A month later MarieCatherine died. Alexandre returned to say goodbye to his mother, but he was so shaken that he forgot to tell his wife he was coming back. When he opened the door with his keys, he was met with his partner in the arms of the neighbor Alexandre said nothing. He gathered his belongings and moved into his mothers apartment.
After MarieCatherines funeral, Alexandre remained holed up in her flat, bitterly replaying his mothers wise advice. Why had he ever listened? A life wasted, alone, childless, friendless Not even a careverything he owned went to Louise. While ruminating, he remembered Hélène and Damien. Hed never known for sure whether Damien was his son or his expartners. It no longer mattered.
Damien must be nineteen now an adult how is he doing? Alexandre whispered into the void, receiving no answer.
The next morning he bought a train ticket to Hélènes hometown. He found the house and the building without trouble. He rang the familiar doorbell, but no one answered. They must be at work, he thought, and waited outside. After twenty minutes he turned around and was stunned A young man approachedhis own face, but twenty years younger.
Damien Damien my son
You? What are you doing here? Damien asked coldly.
My son, I owe you an apology The resemblance is uncanny Where is your mother?
Mom isnt here. Shes been gone a long time. She died in a car accident ten years ago
And you? Who do you live with? Maybe I can help. I have moneyjust ask!
I live with my grandmother. We want nothing from you.
But son I wanted
Alexandre couldnt finish. Damien went back into the building and slammed the door in his face.
Son! Son, open up! How can this be, my son? I am your father! Your father!!!
Christophe stood long before the closed door, crying, his tears wetting his face. Or was it just the rain? After that, he returned many times, trying to reach his son. Alexandre prayed, begged, tried to explain, but Damien resolutely cut off all contact.
