Forgive me for missing your birthday, PaulI had an accident.
Sorry, Paul, for not showing up at your party the other day, Vincent began, gulping down a swig of pastis. I ran over a kid on the road he continued. I was leaving a construction site, got into my car, and the moment I was on the street a child leapt onto my hood.
Can you believe that? I asked. Fortunately, I wasnt speeding.
I leapt out, saw the boy still breathing, asked if he was alright, and he replied that everything was fine. A little redhead, barely six years old.
Where are your parents? I inquired.
Moms at home, cooking dinner, he said.
Lets go then, I suggested. Well speak with your mother and sort this out.
He led me to his building, pointed to his apartment door, and lingered behind me. I rang the bell; a woman opened. She was striking, an elegant beauty, though her eyes seemed dim.
Excuse me, I started, something happened. Please dont worry, I ran over your son with my car. Hes finehere he is, I called the boy forward. Would you like to call the police?
No need for the police, she replied softly. This is the fifth time hes done that.
How so?
Marc, go to your room, she ordered her son firmly. Come into the kitchen, please. Tea? Or maybe coffee?
Her tea was, in fact, delightful, brewed with herbs.
Sorry about this, said Isabelle, introducing herself. Marc heard a few days ago that I told a friend how hard it is to live without a husband, so he decided to find us a dad that way. Youre at least the fifth man hes tried this on. He nearly gave two of them a heart attack. I tell him Im the only one that matters to me, but hes stubborn, just like his grandfatheralways a plan, never giving up. Did the car sustain much damage? I could cover the repairs, if youd like.
I stood there, watching her, and realized I was falling in love. You wont believe it, Paul, but for the first time I see the woman of my lifetired, in a nightgown, completely natural. If I lose her, I might as well jump off a roof.
I know it sounds ridiculous, but perhaps I could invite you and Marc to the cinema as a gesture?
Its unnecessary, she answered. You know Marc can imagine all sorts of things again.
Am I not to your liking? I asked.
Its not that. Its just in other circumstances right now it feels like Im deliberately sending my son to the road to find a husband. Its shameful.
Yes, and I look like a profiteer of the situation, I joked. And here we are, heading for hell together. But if thats the case, maybe we could go to the same fire?
I cant recall exactly what I said after, but the next day I picked them up and we went to see *Transformers* at the movies. Afterwards we dined out, and then
In short, Paul, thats why Im here. Were getting married in June and need a photographer. Can you handle that? Look how photogenic they are.
Vincent pulled out his phone and showed a picture of a laughing, beautiful redhead sitting beside a little boy.
Now Im convinced Cupid has no wings, but he does have freckles and two missing baby teeth. His name is Marc. As for the surname well, Vincent will give him his soon enough. I have no doubt about that.
