Forgive me for missing your birthday; I had an accident.
Sorry, Paul, for not showing up at your party the other day. I hit a child on the road, Vincent said, gulping a swig of pastis I was leaving a construction site, got into my car, and as soon as I was on the road a kid threw himself onto my hood.
Can you believe it? Luckily I wasnt going fast. I jumped out, saw the boy still alive, asked if he was okay and he said he was fine. A little redhaired boy, 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 find a solution.
He led me to his building, pointed out the apartment door, and lingered behind me. I rang the bell; a woman opened. She was stunning, a rare charm, though her eyes were dim.
Excuse me, I started, something happened. Please dont worry; I ran over your son with my car. Hes fine, here he is, I brought the child to the front seat. 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 so?
Marc, go to your room, she ordered her son firmly. Come into the kitchen, please. Tea? Or maybe coffee?
Her tea was, in fact, delightful, infused with herbs.
Im sorry, Isabelle told me, that was her name. A few days ago Marc overheard me telling a friend how hard it was to live without a husband, and he decided to find us a dad that way. Youre at least the fifth man hes tried this on. He almost gave two of them a heart attack. I tell him Im the only one who matters to me, but hes stubborn, just like his grandfatheralways a scheme, never letting go. Did the car sustain much damage? I could reimburse the repair, if you like.
And I just stood there watching her, realizing I was falling in love. You wont believe it, Paul, but for the first time I saw the woman of my lifetired, in a nightgown, natural. I felt that if I lost her, I might as well jump off a roof.
I know it sounds ridiculous, but perhaps I could invite you and Marc to the cinema as compensation?
No need, she replied. You know Marc could imagine things again.
Do I not please you? I asked.
Its not that. Its just under different circumstances it feels like Im deliberately sending my son under cars to find a husband. Its shameful.
Yes, and I look like a profiteer of the situation, I joked. And here we are, headed for hell together. But if thats how it is, maybe we could go to the same fire?
I cant recall exactly what I said after that, but the next day I picked them up and we watched *Transformers* at the movies. Then we went to a restaurant. And
Anyway, Paul, thats why Im here. Were getting married in June. We 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 sure Cupid has no wings, but he does have freckles and two baby teeth missing. His name is Marc. As for his surname Vincent will give him his soon enough. I have no doubt about that.
