A mother screamed, You betrayed me! as the father vanished without a word.
Elodie was deep in sleep when the phone ripped through the night. She snatched the handset, her heart hammering 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 that, 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, ice cold blood rushing through her veins.
Come, youll see for yourself! her mother snapped. This isnt a conversation for the phone!
See what? Elodie was about to scream in confusion.
Come! her mother hung up.
Shaking, Elodie hurried to get ready. She raced toward the family house on the outskirts of Lyon, unable to picture what awaited her.
Elodie! Come! her mothers cry rang like a funeral toll.
What now? she muttered, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
What now?! Im at the edge of a abyss and she asks questions! her mother wailed, almost in 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 come.
You wont come? her mother choked with outrage. I dont matter to you any longer! Youre mocking my grief!
Mom, you and dad have been fighting all your lives, Elodie interjected. Im tired of being your gobetween.
Your father isnt here any more! her mother yelled just as the line cut out.
Whats happening? her husband, Theo, grumbled, turning over in bed.
Something serious, it seems, Elodie replied softly, still reeling from 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, Elodie sighed. I have to leave. Sorry, youll have to watch the kids alone.
As if its the first time, he muttered. Tell your mother if she calls like that, Im asking 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 understand.
Shell never understand, Elodie shook her head, beginning to pack.
All her life the family home had been a battlefield. Her mother, HélèneMarie, shouted constantly, while her father, JeanLuc, kept his mouth shut, lips pressed into a thin line. Outwardly he seemed to ignore the tirades, but Elodie knew he was simmering inside.
The fights began when she was a teenager. At first they were rare, then they turned daily. Her mother, with a nagging tone, staged scenes that woke the entire building. Even the old men on the lower bench would nod and say, How does he live with that? Poor guy.
No one ever asked how Elodie survived that hell. From the outside the family looked perfect: her father ran a university lab, earned a good salary, her mother stayed home to manage the house and their daughter. But manage was a generous term. HélèneMarie ruled everything: her husband, Elodie, even the cleaning lady her father had hired to ease his load. A futile attempt.
The arguments were public, cruel. Elodie was just another piece of furnitureher feelings didnt count. She dreamed of escaping, and she did. She left to study in Lyon, abandoning the tiny village, returning only rarely. Yet every visit was poisoned by their shouting.
One day her father, fed up, roared at her, What do you want, Hélène? The moon? Her mother, shocked that he dared interrupt, burst out laughing before falling silent. Briefly.
At their wedding her mother outdid the horror. She teased her husband, criticized everything, and when the master of ceremonies offered JeanLuc a toast, she leapt up: Ill do it! We cant trust him with anything important! The guests exchanged uneasy glances, 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 that. 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 tired 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 erupted, tears streaming.
Ran away? The floor seemed to disappear beneath her.
He left while I was sleeping! He packed his things and gone!
Did you call him?
Of course! He doesnt answer! Call him yourself; he wont talk to me anymore!
Elodie dialed. Her father answered immediately, his voice oddly calm: I know why youre calling. I deserve not seeing your mother. Im staying with a friend. If you need anything, Im herefor you.
Dad, where are you? she asked, feeling her mothers piercing stare.
In the country. 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 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, stormed there, knocked, screamed, but no one opened. She called repeatedlysilence. She suspected a lover. Finding none, her anger grew: How dare he leave me without reason? Im nothing? she sobbed.
One day Elodie snapped: Mom, he doesnt want your forgiveness. He isnt divorcing, he gives you his salary, blames nothing. He just wants peace. Hes had enough.
Its him whos had enough? her mother shrieked. Ive endured everything! she wept, finally collapsing, as if an invisible blade had finally pierced her truth.
