A mother shouted, You betrayed me! as the father vanished without a word.
Elodie was in a deep sleep when the phone ripped through the night. She grabbed the handset, her heart pounding in her chest.
Elodie! her mothers voice trembled with desperation. Come! Right now!
Mom, whats happening? Elodie jolted awake, trying to steady her panic. Another fight with dad? Youve spent your whole life like this, figure it out!
Theres no one left to argue with! her mother screamed, her voice cracking. Your father is gone!
Mom dad is dead? Elodie froze, ice running through her veins.
Come, youll see for yourself! her mother replied. This isnt a conversation to have over the phone!
See what? Elodie nearly shouted, bewildered.
Come! her mother hung up.
Shaking, Elodie began to get ready. She raced toward the family house on the outskirts of Lyon, unable to picture what awaited her.
Elodie! Come! her mothers voice rang like a funeral bell.
What now? she murmured, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
What now?! Im at the edge of a cliff, and shes asking questions! Her mother was almost crying.
Mom, its seven in the morning, its Saturday, she tried to reason, though her anxiety grew. I have plans, the kids, my husband. Explain, or Im not coming.
You wont come? Her mother choked with indignation. I dont matter to you any more! Youre mocking my grief!
Mom, you and dad have quarreled your whole lives, Elodie cut in. Im tired of being your mediator.
Your father isnt here! her mother shrieked before the line went dead.
Whats that? her husband, Theo, grumbled, turning over in bed.
Something serious, apparently, she answered softly, still stunned by the words. I have to go.
Theyre unbearable! Theo snapped. Your mother doesnt get that you have your own family!
Theo, dont start again. You cant choose your parents, she sighed. I have to leave. Sorry, youll have to look after the kids alone.
As if its the first time, he growled. Tell your mother: if she calls like that, Im asking for a divorce.
Elodie raised an eyebrow:
Seriously?
No, of course not, he gave a tight smile. But we need to scare her. Maybe shell understand.
She wont, Elodie shook her head while gathering her things.
The family home had always been a battlefield. Her mother, HélèneMarie, screamed nonstop, while her father, JeanLuc, kept a thin line of lipsealed silence. Outwardly he seemed to ignore the tirades, but Elodie knew he was seething inside.
The fights began when she was a teenager. Initially rare, they soon became daily. Her mother, with a shrill, nagging voice, staged scenes that woke the entire building. Even the old folks on the bottom floor would nod, saying, How does he survive that? Poor man.
No one ever asked how Elodie endured that nightmare. To outsiders the family looked perfect: her father ran a university laboratory and earned a good living; her mother didnt work, managing the house and their daughter. But managing was a generous term. HélèneMarie ruled everything: her husband, Elodie, even the housekeeper her father had hired to relieve her. A futile attempt.
The arguments were public, brutal. Elodie was treated like another piece of furnitureher feelings didnt count. She dreamed of escaping, and eventually did. She left for studies in Lyon, abandoning their little village and returning only rarely. Yet every visit was poisoned by their shouting.
One day her father, fed up, barked at her, What do you want, Hélène? The moon? Her mother, shocked that he dared to interrupt, burst into laughter before silencing herself briefly.
At their wedding, her mother outdid even the horror. She jabbed at her husband, criticized everything, and when the MC proposed a toast to JeanLuc, she leapt up: Ill do it! We cant trust him with something important! The guests exchanged glances, and Elodie burned with shame.
After the ceremony, her father secretly gave her a flat in Lyon, urging her not to tell her mother. She kept the secret, sharing it only with Theo. What a surprise! he exclaimed. I hope we wont have secrets like this. Never, she smiled. From my dad I learned I cant stand conflict.
Those memories flooded her during the drive. She expected the usual complaints, her fathers weary eyes. The reality was harsher.
Her mother opened the door, wailing, I gave him everythingmy youth, my life! And he dares!
Mom, wheres dad? Elodie grabbed her shoulders.
Your father ran away last night! her mother erupted, tears streaming.
Ran away? The floor seemed to give way beneath her.
He left while I was sleeping! He packed his things and went!
Did you call him?
Of course! He doesnt answer! Call him yourself; he refuses to speak to me!
Elodie dialed. Her father answered immediately, his voice oddly calm: I know why youre calling. I deserve not to see your mother any more. Im staying with a friend. If you need anything, Im here for you.
Dad, where are you? she asked, feeling her mothers piercing stare.
In the countryside. For now. Well see later. Okay?
Okay, she whispered.
What did you promise him? her mother screamed. That traitor!
Mom, enough! Dad isnt a traitor. Hes tired of your dramas.
Is that what he told you?
No, thats me. Hes at a friends place. Hell come back, dont worry.
He never returned. Her mother found the address, rushed there, knocked, shouted, but no one opened. She called repeatedlysilence. She suspected a mistress. Finding none, her anger intensified: How dare he leave me without reason? Im nothing? she sobbed.
One day Elodie broke down: Mom, he doesnt want your forgiveness. Hes not divorcing, he gives you his salary, he blames no one. He just wants peace. Hes had enough.
Hes the one whos had enough? her mother wailed. I Ive endured everything! she sobbed, finally collapsing as if an invisible blade had finally pierced her truth.
