We have nothing to ask of you.
We want nothing from you.
Son, think carefully before its too late! That boy doesnt resemble 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 are you always looking for trouble? Fine, Im going home.
MarieCatherine brought up her son on her own. Between her and Alexandre, the relationship had always 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 wanted. It was time now to tend to her sons love life. MarieCatherine found him a fiancée, a pleasant young woman named Louise, the daughter of her friend Antonine.
At their mothers urging, Alexandre and Louise began seeing each other, but the romance never truly ignited. After a few difficult months they broke up. Then Alexandre met Hélène. Their connection was instant; the young man instantly recognized in her a spirit much like his own. They married after three months, to MarieCatherines great dismay. Six months later 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 visit she chastised 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! My shirt just got a little wrinkled in the wash
Sit down, have something to eat! Your wife surely didnt prepare anything and youll go hungry.
Mother, Ill eat at home. Hélène cooks well.
I know her! Storebought steaks or, worse, readymade ravioli. Meanwhile Louise signed up for pastry classes. Genius, that one
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, in any case, were unfounded. Yet MarieCatherine continued her cold campaign against her daughterinlaw. One day her tactics finally bore fruit
Good morning, son Why does your Hélène never come to see me? You always come alone!
Mother, how could she come here when youre criticizing her all the time?
Id criticize if I had a reason, believe me! And while youre sipping tea, shes probably spending time with her ex. I know who she saw before you. That useless Christophe! The little one looks like that man. She had him first and now youre feeding him.
That evening Alexandre got into a fierce argument with his mother. He was fed up with the endless criticisms and gossip, and went home in a bad mood.
Dad, dad, hi! little Damien ran to him.
Hello, son. How was your day? 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 meet your ex?
Alex, it was a chance encounter. We were walking, he happened to be there. We chatted a bit, then he walked us back home.
Why would my wife and my son be escorted home by him? Maybe Damien isnt my son but his?!
Alex, why are you saying that? Are you serious?
That night the couple fought badly for the first time since their wedding. From then on arguments became frequent in their house. Eventually Hélène had enough; she gathered her things, took their little boy, and moved back to her parents place in her hometown.
Divorce followed, and Alexandre was forced to pay alimony. He was convinced the child wasnt his, but he didnt try to prove it in court, simply accepting the payments. MarieCatherine was elated and launched a widescale campaign to revive the connection between her son and the famous Louise, whom she regarded as the perfect daughterinlaw.
Her plan succeeded, and Alexandre married Louise. Yet the new marriage plunged into turbulence. Louise constantly criticized Alexandre, demanding an extravagant lifestyle.
Look at Irènes husband; he already bought her a second fur coat! The Surkovs bought 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 vacationed at seaside resorts and never denied herself anything. She refused to have children, saying she first wanted to live for herself, then maybe later. Seeing this, MarieCatherine tried to impose her rules even more, 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:
I certainly wont spend my days and nights at the bedside of that old woman. We should place her in a care facility.
Louise, maybe I should stop working
Have you lost your mind? How would we survive? 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 passed away. Alexandre returned to say goodbye to his mother, but he was so upset he forgot to tell his wife he was coming. When he opened the door with his keys, he was met with his partner in the arms of the neighbour Alexandre made no scene. He simply collected his belongings and moved into his mothers apartment.
After MarieCatherines funeral, Alexandre remained holed up there, bitterly replaying his mothers precious advice. Why had he ever listened? A wasted life, alone, childless, without friends Not even a careverything he acquired went to Louise While ruminating, Alexandre thought of Hélène and Damien. He never knew if 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 opened. They must be at work, he thought, deciding to wait outside. After twenty minutes he turned around, stunned A young man approachedhis own face, but twenty years younger.
Damien Damien my son
You? What are you doing here? Damien asked coldly.
Son, I owe you an apology What a striking resemblance Wheres 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 in front of the closed door, crying, his tears soaking his cheeks. Or was it just the rain? After that he returned many times, trying to reach his son. Alexandre prayed, pleaded, tried to explain, but Damien flatly refused any communication.
