Arrived? Who invited you, honestly? You shouldve helped with money, Aunt Marie snapped coldly.
Elodie frowned as the insistent ringtone pulled her from sleep.
She stared, surprised, at the phone screenher cousin, whom she hadnt spoken to in over two years, was calling.
Are you asleep? Lucky me, I cant stop crying
Yes, of course Im asleep; its the middle of the night, Elodie replied, glancing at her alarm that read 1:30a.m.
If youre sleeping so peacefully, you must still be clueless, her cousin whispered cryptically.
Jeanne, can you get to the point? Elodie sighed into the handset. I have to get up early.
Youll sleep later. Theres a tragedy in the family, her sister said, as if Elodie were at fault.
What kind of tragedy? Elodie asked, fearing something had happened to her mother.
Uncle Timothée died this morning, Jeanne sobbed. It was sudden. Aunt Marie is in shock. Theres no money. We need to chip in to help. Tomorrow my brother and I are going to the village. Will you come with us?
No, I cant. Ill only attend the wake.
Then send me a transfer; well give the money to Aunt Marie tomorrow, Jeanne insisted. Seven hundred euros.
Elodie immediately sent the sum to her cousin via her phone and fell back asleep.
She wasnt deeply upset by the news, since she had long since cut ties with her fathers side of the family. After the death, they had severed all connections, claiming she was no longer family. Nevertheless, Elodie felt it would be rude to stay completely out of it and decided to help.
After the transfer, no one called her back. Jeanne forgot about her instantly. Elodie tried several times to reach her cousin for the wakes date, but Jeanne remained silent. With difficulty she located her through mutual acquaintances and went to pay a final tribute to her uncle.
Aunt Marie greeted her with a sour expression, as if Elodies presence disturbed her more than her husbands death.
You showed up who sent you? It wouldve been better to give money, she retorted disdainfully.
I sent you seven hundred euros, Elodie replied.
Strangely, I havent seen any, Aunt Marie sniffed, doubtful.
I gave the money to Jeanne
Oh, youre making things up, she crossed her arms over her belly. She and Arthur only gave me a thousand eurosfive hundred each. You werent mentioned.
I dont understand, Elodie said, scanning the crowd for Jeanne.
By chance, Jeanne had disappeared. Elodie finally found her outside, near the gate.
Jeanne, didnt you pass the money to Aunt Marie for me? Where did it go? Elodie demanded.
Yes, I did, Jeanne answered reluctantly.
She told me the money came only from you and Arthur
Shes mistaken, Jeanne replied flatly.
You gave a thousand euros?
Yes.
That was for the two of us, not three!
Well then, whos paying for the fuel? Jeanne lifted her eyes and grimaced.
Seven hundred euros for a twohundredkilometer trip? And why should I cover your travel? Elodie asked.
You want me to return the money, right? Jeanne mocked.
Yes, I do!
Not now; Ill transfer it later, Jeanne said, turning away with her head held high.
Disgusted by her aunts attitude and her cousins behavior, Elodie decided she could no longer stay in that house. She quietly called a taxi and left. A week later her mother called, crying.
Sweetheart, is it true you gave money for Uncle Timothées funeral and then took it back? her mother asked, on the verge of tears.
I gave the money; I never took it back, Elodie replied.
Aunt Marie is spreading rumors through the whole village that you reclaimed the funds. Shes upset you werent welcomed, her mother said sadly. Im ashamed to walk through the village; everyone looks at me.
Mom, thats not how it happened! Elodie protested, angry at the gossip.
She explained the real events at Aunt Maries house.
Jeanne never returned my money, Elodie concluded.
She took it from Aunt Marie and said you demanded it back! What a cheek! I hope that money will choke them! her mother exclaimed furiously.
Initially, Elodie considered calling Jeanne, but she chose to spare herself the stress and simply stopped speaking to her. Months later, her cousin resurfaced.
Weve decided to erect a monument for Uncle Timothée. Itll cost you a thousand euros, Jeanne announced in a businesslike tone.
No, I wont give another cent!
What an attitude toward family, Jeanne shouted over the phone, surprised. Im honestly shocked.
Me too; I didnt expect to be swindled and then hear gossip, Elodie replied.
What are you talking about?
You took Aunt Maries money and never gave it back, then blamed me Do you think Ill deal with you again? After my fathers death you said my mother and I were no longer family, so I owe you nothing! Elodie declared before blocking her cousins number.
Arriving? Who invited you, honestly? You would have done better to offer some financial help, replied the aunt coolly.
