A mother screamed, You betrayed me! as the father vanished without a word.
Elodie was in a deep sleep when the phone ripped through the night. She grabbed the handset, her heart pounding in her chest.
Elodie! her mothers voice trembled with desperation. Come right now!
Mom, whats happening? Elodie snapped awake, trying to steady her panic. Another fight with dad? Youve spent your whole life like that, figure it out!
Theres nobody left to argue with! her mother shouted, her voice cracking. Your father is gone!
Mom dad is dead? Elodie froze, icy blood rushing through her veins.
Come, youll see for yourself! her mother urged. This isnt a conversation you can have over the phone!
See what? Elodie nearly screamed in confusion.
Come! her mother hung up.
Shaking, Elodie hurried to get ready. She rushed toward the family house on the outskirts of Lyon, unable to picture what awaited her.
Elodie! Come! her mothers voice rang like a funeral bell.
What now? she murmured, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
What now?! Im at the edge of a precipice and shes asking questions! Her mother was almost weeping.
Mom, its seven in the morning, its Saturday, she tried to reason, though anxiety grew inside her. I have plans, the kids, my husband. Explain, otherwise I wont come.
You wont come? her mother choked with indignation. I dont matter to you any longer! Youre mocking my grief!
Mom, you and dad have been fighting all your lives, Elodie cut in. Im tired of being your gobetween.
Your father isnt here anymore! her mother yelled before the line died.
Whats that about? her husband, Theo, grumbled, turning over in bed.
Something serious, it seems, she 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. We dont choose our parents, she sighed. I have to leave. Sorry, youll have to watch the kids alone.
As if this is the first time, he muttered. Tell your mother, if she calls like that Im filing for divorce.
Elodie raised an eyebrow.
Seriously?
No, of course not, he forced a tight smile. But we need to scare her. Maybe shell finally understand.
Shell never understand, she shook her head while packing her things.
The family home had always been a battlefield. Her mother, HélèneMarie, shouted constantly, while her father, JeanLuc, kept his mouth tight, appearing to ignore the tirades. Inside, Elodie knew he was simmering.
The fights began when she was a teenager. Rare at first, they soon became daily. Her mother, with a shrill, nagging voice, staged scenes that woke the whole building. Even the old men on the low bench would nod: How can he live with that? Poor guy.
Nobody ever asked how Elodie survived the torment. To outsiders, the family looked perfect: her father ran a university lab and earned a good salary; her mother stayed home, taking care of the house and daughter. Taking care was a generous term. HélèneMarie ruled everything: her husband, Elodie, even the maid her father hired to relieve him. It was a futile attempt.
The arguments were public and cruel. Elodie was treated like another piece of furnitureher feelings didnt count. She dreamed of escape. She did it. She moved to study in Lyon, left the tiny village, and returned only rarely. Every visit was poisoned by shouting.
One day her father, fed up, roared at her mother, What do you need, Hélène? The moon? Her mother, shocked that he dared interrupt her, burst out laughing before falling silent. Briefly.
At their wedding, her mother outdid the horror. She pulled her fathers hair, criticized everything, and when the master of ceremonies offered a toast to JeanLuc, 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 a flat in Lyon, begging her not to tell her mother. She kept the secret, sharing it only with Theo. What a surprise! he exclaimed. I hope we wont have secrets like this. Never, she smiled. From my father I learned: I cant stand conflict.
Those memories flooded her during the drive. She expected the usual complaints, her fathers tired eyes. Reality was worse.
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 burst out, tears streaming.
Ran away? The floor seemed to give way beneath her.
He left while I was sleeping! He packed his things and went!
Did you call him?
Of course! He doesnt answer! Call him yourself; he refuses to talk to me!
Elodie dialed his number. He answered immediately, his voice oddly calm: I know why youre calling. I deserve not to see your mother any more. 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 countryside for now. Well see later. Okay?
Okay, she whispered.
What did you promise him? her mother shrieked. You traitor!
Enough, Mom! Dad isnt a traitor. Hes tired of your dramas.
Did he say that?
No, I said it. Hes with a friend. Hell come back, dont worry.
He never returned. Her mother found his address, rushed there, knocked, shouted, but no one opened. She called repeatedlysilence. She suspected a lover. Finding none, her fury doubled: How dare he leave me without reason? Am I nothing? she sobbed.
One day Elodie broke down: Mom, he doesnt want your forgiveness. He isnt divorcing, he still sends his salary, he blames nobody. He just wants peace. Hes had enough.
Its him whos had enough? her mother snapped. I endured everything! she sobbed, finally collapsing, as if an invisible blade had finally cut through her truth.
