A mother screamed, You betrayed me! as the father vanished without a word.
Elodie was in a deep sleep when the phone sliced 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 snapped 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 shrieked, her voice cracking. Your father is gone!
Mom Dad is dead? Elodie froze, cold blood rushing through her veins.
Come, youll see for yourself! her mother hissed. This isnt a conversation to have over the phone!
See what? Elodie almost shouted, bewildered.
Come! her mother slammed the line.
Shivering, Elodie rushed 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 brink of a abyss, and you keep asking questions! her mother sobbed.
Mom, its seven in the morning, its Saturday, she tried to reason, though anxiety swelled inside her. I have plans, the kids, my husband. Explain, or Im not coming.
You wont come? her mother choked with indignation. I no longer count for you! Youre mocking my grief!
Mom, you and Dad have been fighting all your lives, Elodie cut in. Im tired of being your gobetween.
Your father isnt here anymore! her mother screamed before the line cut out.
Whats that? her husband, Theo, grumbled, turning over in bed.
Something serious, apparently, Elodie replied softly, still reeling from the words. I have to go.
Theyre unbearable! Theo exploded. 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, but youll have to look after the kids alone.
As if its the first time, he muttered. Tell your mother, if she calls like that Im filing for divorce.
Elodie raised an eyebrow.
Seriously?
No, of course not, he forced a tight smile. But we need to spook her. Maybe shell understand.
Shell never understand, she shook her head while gathering her things.
The family home had always been a battlefield. Her mother, HélèneMarie, constantly shouted, while her father, JeanLuc, kept a tightlipped silence. He seemed to ignore her tirades, but Elodie knew he was boiling inside.
The fights began when she was a teenager. At first rare, they soon became daily. Her mother, with a scolding tone, staged scenes that woke the entire block. Even the old men on the low bench would nod, How does he survive that? Poor guy.
No one ever asked how Elodie endured that nightmare. From the outside the family looked flawless: her father ran a university lab, earned a good salary, her mother stayed home, caring for the house and daughter. Yet caring was a generous term. HélèneMarie commanded everything: her husband, Elodie, even the housekeeper her father had hired to ease his burden. It was a futile attempt.
The arguments were public and cruel. Elodie was treated like another piece of furnitureher feelings didnt matter. She dreamed of escape, and eventually she fled. She moved to study in Lyon, left their tiny village, and returned only rarely. Every visit, however, was poisoned by their shouting.
One day her father, fed up, roared at her mother, What do you need, Hélène? The moon? Her mother, shocked at his audacity, laughed briefly before falling silent.
At their wedding, her mother outdid all horror. She teased her father, criticized everything, and when the master of ceremonies proposed a toast to JeanLuc, she leapt in, Ill do it! We cant trust him with anything important! The guests exchanged uneasy looks, and Elodie burned with shame.
After the ceremony, her father secretly gave her an apartment 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 dont end up with secrets like this. Never, she replied, smiling. From my dad I learned: I cant stand conflict.
Those memories flooded her on the drive. She expected the usual complaints, her fathers weary eyes. 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 sobbed, tears streaming.
Ran away? The floor seemed to give way beneath her.
He left while I slept! He packed his things and went!
Did you call him?
Of course! He doesnt answer! Call him yourself; he wont speak to me anymore!
Elodie dialed. Her father answered immediately, his voice oddly calm, I know why youre calling. I deserve not to see your mother anymore. 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 shouted. That traitor!
Mom, enough! Dad isnt a traitor. Hes tired of your drama.
Is that what he told you?
No, Im the one saying it. Hes with a friend. Hell come back, dont worry.
He never came back. Her mother discovered the address, rushed there, knocked, screamed, but no one opened. She called repeatedlysilence. She suspected an affair. Finding none, her rage doubled: How dare he leave me without reason? Im nothing? she wept.
One day Elodie snapped, Mom, he doesnt want your forgiveness. He isnt divorcing, hes giving you his salary, he blames nothing. He just wants peace. Hes had enough.
Hes the one whos had enough? her mother gasped. I Ive endured everything! she sobbed, finally collapsing as if an invisible blade had finally pierced her truth.
A Mother Cries Out: “You’ve Betrayed Me!” as the Father Vanishes
