Forgive me for missing your birthday, PaulI had an accident.
Sorry, Paul, for not showing up the other day, Vincent said, swigging a gulp of pastis. I hit a kid on the street, he continued. I was leaving a construction site, got into my car, and as soon as I was on the road a child leapt onto the hood.
Can you believe it? Luckily I wasnt speeding.
I jumped out, saw the boy alive, asked if he was okay, and he nodded. A little redhaired kid, no older than six.
Where are your parents? I asked.
Moms at home, he replied, shes making dinner.
Lets go then, I suggested, well talk to your mother and sort this out.
He led me to his building, pointed to his apartment door, and slipped behind me. I rang the bell; a woman opened itstunning, with a rare charm, yet a weary look.
Excuse me, I began, something happened. Please dont worry; I ran over your son with my car. Hes finehere he is, I called the boy to the front. Do you want to call the police?
No need for the police, she said softly. This is already the fifth time hes done that.
How?
Marc, go to your room, she ordered her son firmly. Come into the kitchen, please. Tea? Or maybe coffee?
Her tea, brewed with herbs, was delicious.
Sorry about this, the lady, Isabelle, told me. A few days ago Marc heard me telling a friend how hard it is to live without a husband, so he decided to find us a dad that way. Youre at least the fifth man hes targeted. He nearly gave two of them a heart attack. I tell him hes the only one that matters to me, but hes stubborn, just like his grandfatheralways fixated on an idea, never letting go. The car isnt badly damaged? I could cover the repair if you want.
I stood there watching her and realized I was falling in love. You wont believe it, Paul, but for the first time I truly saw the woman of my lifetired, in a nightgown, natural. I felt that losing her would be worth jumping off a roof.
I know this sounds absurd, but maybe I could invite you and Marc to the cinema as a way to make up for it?
Its not necessary, she replied. You know Marc tends to imagine things again.
Do I not please you? I asked.
Its not that. Its just in other circumstances it feels like Im deliberately letting my son run under cars to find a husband. Its shameful.
Yes, and I look like Im exploiting the situation, I joked. Now were headed for hell together. But if thats the case, perhaps we could share the same pyre?
I cant recall exactly what I said after that, but the next day I picked them up and we went to see *Transformers* at the movies, then dinner, and
So, Paul, thats why Im here. Were getting married in June and need a photographer. Can you handle it? Look how photogenic they are.
Vincent pulled out his phone and showed a picture of a laughing redhead sitting beside a little boy.
Now Im convinced Cupid has no wings, but he does have freckles and two missing baby teeth, and his name is Marc. As for the surname Vincent will give him his soon enough. I have no doubt about that.
Forgive Me for Missing Your Birthday – I Had an Accident!
