Youve arrived? Who invited you, honestly? Youd have been better off helping with money, Aunt Marie snapped.
Elodie frowned as the persistent ringtone jolted her awake.
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 glanced at her clock, which read 1:30a.m.
If youre sleeping so peacefully, does that mean you still dont know? her cousin continued 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 announced, as if Elodie were responsible.
What kind of tragedy? Elodie asked, fearing something had happened to her mother.
Uncle Timothée died this morning, Jeanne sobbed. It was unexpected. Aunt Marie was shocked. Theres no money. We need to chip in. Tomorrow my brother and I are going to the village. Will you come with us?
No, I cant. Ill only attend the vigil.
Then send me a transfer; well give the money to our aunt tomorrow, Jeanne pressed. Seven hundred euros.
Elodie sent the amount to her cousin instantly and fell back asleep.
She wasnt deeply upset by the news, having cut ties with her fathers side of the family years ago.
After his death they had severed all connections, claiming they were no longer family.
Nevertheless, Elodie thought it rude to stay silent and decided to help.
After the transfer, no one called her back. Jeanne forgot about her immediately.
Elodie tried several times to reach Jeanne for the vigil date, but her cousin stayed silent.
With some effort she located her through mutual acquaintances and went to say a final goodbye to her uncle.
Aunt Marie greeted her with a scowl, as if Elodies presence bothered her more than her husbands death.
Youre here Who sent you? It would have been better to bring money, she retorted with contempt.
I sent you seven hundred euros, Elodie replied.
Strangely, I havent seen any, Aunt Marie sniffed, incredulous.
I gave the money to Jeanne
Oh, youre making stories 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 anything, Elodie searched for Jeanne with her eyes.
But Jeanne had vanished. 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.
I did, Jeanne replied reluctantly.
She told me the money came only from you and Arthur
Shes wrong, Jeanne said dismissively.
You gave a thousand euros?
Yes.
That was for the two of us, not three!
Well then! Whos going to pay for the fuel? Jeanne looked up and grimaced.
Seven hundred euros for a twohundredkilometre trip, and why should I cover your travel? Elodie asked.
You want me to give the money back, right? Jeanne jeered.
Yes, I do!
Not now; Ill transfer it later, Jeanne turned and walked away, head held high.
Disappointed by her aunts reaction and her cousins behavior, Elodie no longer wanted to stay in that house and regretted her assistance.
She quietly called a taxi and left. A week later her mother phoned, sobbing.
My dear, is it true you gave money for Uncle Timothées funeral and then took it back? she asked, almost crying.
I gave the money; I never took it back.
Aunt Marie is telling the whole village you reclaimed the funds. Shes upset you werent welcomed with open arms, her mother said sadly. Im ashamed to walk through the village; everyone stares at me.
Mother, thats not how it happened! Elodie was outraged by the gossip spreading in her family.
She explained the real events at Aunt Maries house.
Jeanne never returned the money to me, Elodie concluded.
She took it from Aunt Marie and claimed you demanded it back! How audacious! I hope that money stays a thorn in their throats! her mother exclaimed furiously.
At first Elodie thought of calling Jeanne, but she decided to spare her nerves and simply stopped speaking to her.
Months later her cousin resurfaced.
Weve decided to erect a monument for Uncle Timothée. It will cost a thousand euros, Jeanne announced in a businesslike tone.
No, I wont give a single cent!
Such an attitude toward family, Jeanne shouted over the phone. Im honestly surprised.
Me too; I never expected to be cheated and then hear rumors.
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.
Arrival? Who invited you, honestly? You would have been better off offering financial help, the aunt replied coldly.
