A mother shouts, Youve betrayed me! as the father vanishes.
Elodie was in a deep sleep when the phone ripped through the night. She grabbed the handset, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Elodie! her mothers voice trembled with despair. Come now!
Mom, whats happening? Elodie snapped awake, trying to steady her panic. Another fight with Dad? Youve spent your whole life like that, figure it out!
Theres no one left to argue with! her mother yelled, 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 snapped. This isnt something to discuss over the phone!
See what? Elodie almost screamed, bewildered.
Come! her mother hung up.
Shaking, Elodie hurried to get dressed. She rushed toward the family house on the outskirts of Lyon, unable to picture what awaited her.
Elodie! Come! her mothers voice rang like a funeral toll.
What now? she muttered, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
What now?! Im at the brink of a abyss, and shes asking questions! her mother wailed, on the verge of tears.
Mom, its seven in the morning, its Saturday, Elodie tried to reason, though anxiety swelled inside her. I have plans, the kids, my husband. Explain, or I wont go.
You wont go? her mother gasped, indignant. I dont matter to you any longer! Youre mocking my grief!
Mom, you and Dad have quarreled all your lives, Elodie cut in. Im tired of being your gobetween.
Your father is no longer here! her mother screamed just before the line cut out.
Whats happening? Theo, her husband, growled, turning over in bed.
Something serious, apparently, Elodie replied softly, still stunned by the words. I have to leave.
Theyre unbearable! Theo erupted. Your mother doesnt understand you have a family of your own!
Theo, stop it. We dont choose our parents, she sighed. I have to go. Sorry, youll have to watch the kids alone.
As if its the first time, he grumbled. Tell your mother if she calls like this, Ill ask for a divorce.
Elodie raised an eyebrow.
Seriously?
No, of course not, he forced a thin smile. But we should scare her. Maybe shell finally get it.
Shell never understand, Elodie shook her head, beginning to gather her things.
The family home had always been a battlefield. Her mother, HélèneMarie, constantly berated, while her father, JeanLuc, kept a tightlipped silence. Outwardly he seemed to ignore the tirades, but Elodie knew he was simmering inside.
The fights started when she was a teenagerinitially rare, then daily. Her mothers shrill voice could wake the whole building. Even the elderly couple on the lower bench would nod, muttering, How can he live with that? Poor man.
No one asked how Elodie endured that nightmare. To outsiders the family looked flawless: a university lab director father earning a good salary, a mother who stayed home to look after the house and daughter. Yet looking after was a grand understatement. HélèneMarie ruled everythingher husband, Elodie, even the maid her father hired to ease his burden. A futile attempt.
The arguments were public and brutal. Elodie was treated like a piece of furnitureher feelings didnt count. She dreamed of escape, and eventually she fled to study in Lyon, leaving their tiny village and returning only seldom. Each visit, however, was poisoned by shouting.
One day her father, fed up, roared at her mother, What do you want, Hélène? The moon? Her mother, stunned by his audacity, burst into laughter before falling silent. Briefly.
At their wedding, her mother outdid even the horror. She teased her father, criticized everything, and when the master of ceremonies offered a toast to JeanLuc, she leapt up: Ill do it! We cant entrust him with anything important! The guests exchanged uneasy glances, and Elodie burned with shame.
After the ceremony, her father secretly arranged an apartment for her in Lyon, insisting she keep it from 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 replied with a smile. I inherited from my dad: 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.
He fled tonight! her mother exploded, tears streaming.
Fled? 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 wont answer! Call him yourself; he refuses to speak to me!
Elodie dialed. Her father answered immediately, his voice strangely calm: I know why youre calling. Ive earned not seeing your mother again. Im staying with a friend. If you need anything, Im herefor you.
Dad, where are you? she asked, feeling her mothers sharp stare.
In the countryside, for now. Well see later. Okay?
Okay, she murmured.
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, thats me. Hes with a friend. Hell come back, dont worry.
He never returned. Her mother discovered the address, rushed there, knocked, shouted, but no one opened. She called repeatedlyonly silence. She suspected an affair. Finding none, her anger intensified: How dare he abandon me without reason? Im nothing? she sobbed.
One day Elodie snapped: Mom, he doesnt want your forgiveness. He wont divorce, he gives you his salary, blames nothing. He just wants peace. Hes had enough.
Hes the one whos had enough? her mother gasped. II endured everything! she wailed, finally collapsing as if an invisible blade had pierced her truth.
A Mother Cries Out: “You’ve Betrayed Me!” as the Father Vanishes
