We Have Nothing to Ask of You

We have nothing to ask of you.
We want nothing from you.
Son, think carefully before its too late! That boy doesnt look like you at all! Your Alice probably had that child with her ex and now wants you to raise him! I know it!
Mom, enough! Damien is my son Why do you keep digging up stories? Fine, Im going home.
MarieCatherine raised her son alone. Between her and Alexandre their relationship had been excellent: he never disrespected her, never contradicted her, and always succeeded at school. As an adult he became an engineer, just as his mother had hoped. It was time now to tend to his love life. MarieCatherine found him a fiancée, a lovely young woman named Louise, the daughter of her friend Antonine.
At his mothers urging, Alexandre and Louise began to see each other, but the romance never truly blossomed. After a few difficult months they broke up. Then Alexandre met Hélène. Their connection was instant; the young man recognized in her a spirit much like his own. They married three months later, much to MarieCatherines dismay. Six months after the wedding Hélène became pregnant. A boy was born, and they named him Damien. Everything could have been perfect if it werent for the motherinlaw who loathed her daughterinlaw. At every meeting she criticized her son, even though four years had passed since the marriage:
Look at what shes done to you! You always seem neglected
Mom, Im not neglected! The shirt just got a little wrinkled in the wash
Sit down, have something to eat! Your wife surely hasnt prepared anything and youll stay hungry.
Mom, 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 stories and never passed her complaints on to his wife, which were, in any case, unfounded. Yet MarieCatherine continued her cold war against her daughterinlaw. One day her scheme finally paid off
Good morning, son Why does your Hélène never come to see me? You always visit alone!
Mom, how could she come here if youre constantly criticizing her?
Id criticize if I had a reason, believe me! And while youre here sipping tea, shes probably spending time with her ex. I know who she saw before you. That goodfornothing Christophe! The little one looks just like that man. She had him before and now youre feeding him.
That evening Alexandre had a violent argument with his mother. He was fed up with the endless criticism and gossip and went home in a foul mood.
Daddy, daddy, 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 thought that his mother might be right crossed Alexandres mind. Later that night he asked his wife:
Why did you see your ex?
Alex, it was a chance encounter. We were walking and he happened to be there. We chatted a bit, then he walked us home.
But why would my wife and my son be escorted home by him? Could Damien not be my son but his?
Alex, why are you saying that? Are you serious?
That night the couple fought fiercely for the first time since their wedding. From then on arguments became common in their household. Eventually Hélène had had enough; she gathered her things, took their little boy, and moved back to her parents house in her hometown.
Divorce followed, and Alexandre was forced to pay alimony. He remained convinced the child wasnt his, yet he never tried to prove it in court, simply accepting the payments. MarieCatherine was thrilled and launched a major campaign to revive the relationship between her son and the famed Louise, whom she deemed the perfect daughterinlaw.
Her plan succeeded, and Alexandre married Louise. But their new life quickly turned turbulent. Louise constantly berated Alexandre, demanding a luxurious lifestyle.
Look at Irènes husband; he already bought her a second fur coat! The Surkovs got a brandnew luxury car! And here I am, shivering in my old winter coat, driving a cheap car! Are you even a man?
Thus fifteen long years passed. Alexandre toiled on two construction sites while Louise lounged at seaside resorts and indulged herself. She didnt want children, saying she first wanted to live for herself and maybe later consider it. Seeing this, MarieCatherine tried to impose stricter rules, but her daughterinlaw swiftly 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 gravely ill and would need home care after discharge. Louise immediately declared:
Im certainly not going to spend 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 returned to work far away, and Louise stayed behind. A month later MarieCatherine passed away. Alexandre came back to say goodbye to his mother, but he was so distraught he forgot to inform his wife of his return. When he opened the door with his keys, he was met with a shocking sight: his partner in the arms of the neighbor. Alexandre made no scene; he simply gathered his belongings and moved into his mothers apartment.
After MarieCatherines funeral, Alexandre remained holed up there, bitterly replaying his mothers wise advice. Why had he ever listened? A life wasted, without family, children, or friends Not even a careverything he earned went to Louise While ruminating, he remembered Hélène and Damien. He never knew for sure whether Damien was his son or Hélènes exs, but it no longer mattered.
Damien must be nineteen now an adult how is he? Alexandre whispered the question into the void, receiving no answer.
The next morning he bought a train ticket to Hélènes hometown. He found the house and the apartment without trouble, rang the familiar doorbell, and no one answered. They must be at work, he thought, deciding to wait outside. After twenty minutes he turned around and was stunned A young man approachedhis own likeness, but twenty years younger.
Damien Damien my son
You? What are you doing here? Damien asked coldly.
My son, I owe you an apology Such a striking resemblance Where is your mother?
Mom isnt here anymore. She died in a car accident ten years ago
And you? Who do you live with? Maybe I can help. I have money. Just 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 for a long time at the closed door, weeping, his tears wetting his face. Or was it just the rain? After that he returned several more times, trying to make contact with his son. Alexandre prayed, begged, tried to explain, but Damien flatly refused any communication.