AIR NATION A FREE TICKET AROUND THE WORLD
CHAPTER 9
MONTREAL CANADA
Louis comes back at the same time and looks at Youssef and button up his coat.
-Well, this is better, it’s cold outside my little chick, be careful. He buttons up all the way.
-I’m fine, I’m fine, says Youssef. Let go of my scarf!
Let’s go Louis, says Max happy to see him.
In the parking lot, Lorenzo is trying to remove all the snow from his car and at the same time he is looking at Jade trying to start her car.
“Ah! Shit! She screams. “I’m not going to stay here freezing my ass! Come on piece of metal! Go!
Start!”
The battery of her car is completely discharged. The car is making no sound at all.
“Ah no!”
She tries at many occasions but unfortunately her battery is dead.
‘I’m so tired; I want to go to bed! No this cannot be happening.”
Jade is so tired she starts crying. Exhausted and discouraged, she bangs on the wheel and tries again. -That’s enough, says Lorenzo opening up her door. You can come and get it tomorrow. Come with me I will drive you home. You should of wait a little before starting your car like you just did. Now, it’s too late the battery is dead.
-If we charge it with yours...
-No, what are you deciding, you stay here and froze your butt or you come with me. Hurry its cold.
-I’m coming, she says discourage.
Lorenzo all ready had put her suitcase in his trunk
-Thank-you, she said closing the door completely frozen.
-We could of try to start it but I don’t have any cables with me.
-Listen, she tells him. I now it’s not on your way at all, you can stay overnight it will be best for you.
-I don’t say no. I’m tired too.
-Me too and I’m hungry on top of it. In the plane, I didn’t feel like eating, but now I would like to eat a good pizza all dressed.
-Ah! That’s a good idea. Look in my bag and take my cellular. We could order one and pick it up on our way to your place, like this we wouldn’t waste any time.
-Great Lorenzo. Let me remember what’s the phone number of Bentley’s, their pizza is really delicious and we pass just in front of it.
-Call the operator.
-No, I remember it. She thinks a moment and then composes the number. Yes, miss, I would like to order an extra large all dresses to go we will be there in twenty minutes.
Lorenzo spend the night at Jade’s place. This night that he is been dreaming of for a long time is however not turning like he wanted too. After eating the pizza and drink a bottle of Los Cavos red wine, Jade prepares him the guess room.
-That’s all you offer me? Ask Lorenzo deceive.
-For the moment, it’s to take or to leave, I don’t want to precipitate the things.
-But we know each other for a while now.
-That’s why I prefer to start slowly. She kisses him on both cheek, looks at him right in the eyes and smiles.
-Perfect, I’m at your entire disposition if Madame needs anything she knows where to find me.
-Very well, Lorenzo, good night.
As soon as Jade leave the room, Lorenzo undresses rapidly, jumps under the sheets and starts screaming like hell.
-Jade! Jade!
She goes in the room right away.
-But what’s the matter? Ask Jade. Are you nuts or what?
-Would you mind tucking me to bed...I would really appreciate it instead of...
-Ah this isn’t true, really.
She turns around to leave.
-Jade! Screams Lorenzo again. I’m going to scream your name as long as you don’t tuck me in good night. Just a little, please...
She finally falls for his game and sits on the side of his bed. She pulls the sheet tightly under the mattress and puff up his pillow. She looks at him and kisses him on both cheeks again.
-Hum! He does, showing his lips.
She kisses him on the lips for a long moment. He takes her shoulders and kisses her on the front head.
-Good night, Jade, he says satisfied.
-Good night Lorenzo.
Tiffany went to get her little lovely dog that she has left with the little boy who leaves on the fourth floor of the building. He adores the dogs and wanted to take care of Bijou while she was gone. She goes up to the apartment right away.
“Bijou”, exclaims Tiffany all nervous. “Someone came in our place,” she whispers to her dog. “Look Bijou! Look the door is not close completely. Oh! Darling! What are we going to do? Hurry, let’s go down. Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry! Ah! Zut! My suit case”
She turns around to get her suitcase and presses on the bottom of the elevator to go down.
“Come my dear, stay on the floor close to me, I’m going to call the police. Hurry, hurry let’s go out! Come Bijou, come, and stay here.”
She gets out her cellular phone and dials the 911 number, trembling and very frightened.
-Yes, hello! Miss, hurry, hurry! I just come back from a trip and my apartment, I mean the door of my apartment is open and I’m afraid to go in.
-I cannot do anything for you Madame, cut right away the operator. Was there a brake in?
-I don’t know but the door is open and I didn’t put foot in it since three weeks.
-Go inside to see if you were robbed and call us back.
-But this is non-sense, Miss. Who knows if the robbers are not in my apartment still, she screams furious.
-I cannot do anything for you, answers harshly the woman. There are more important cases than yours to take care at this moment. I’m sorry but these are the procedures to fallow,
-Miss! Miss!
The line is cut.
“But it’s not true. I cannot return there without knowing...Ha no Come Bijou The little Francis and his mother ca not do anything for me either. Ah! The concierge, that’s it, number one, yes.”
She rings many times but no one come to answer.
“Ah! Zut! But what am I going to do, darling?” She says very disoriented. She seats down in the stairs and lights up a cigarette trying to think. She is shivering and freezing.
“Ah! This is it; I’m going to call the lawyer I’ve met the other day. That’s not bad. Where did I put my Epson? There I’ve got it,” she says taking it out of her purse. She dials the number.
-Yes hello, could I talk to Mr. Brofman, please?
-Yes, this is him, who is it?
-It’s Tiffany Baker. I don’t know if you remember me but I have a service to ask you.
-Tiffany! He says happy to hear her. But of course I remember you. We had dinner at the hotel de la Montagne.
-Yes, that’s correct.
-How was your trip?
-For the moment, I have a more important problem to solve.
-What is it? You seem very nervous.
-I just arrive from my trip and I had a very long day, it’s very cold and I’m stock in the lobby of my apartment.
-Did you lose your keys?
-No, my apartment door is open and I’m scared to get in the concierge of the building is not answering the door and the police has more serious problem to solve than to come and see.
-Don’t worry. I’m going to have a look for you. Give-me your address again.
-It’s 645 de la Montagne street.
-Ah! But you are very close to me. I’m on Crescent, I’m on my way.
-Thanks, she says hanging up. “Bijou, he is going to come and help us. It’s so cold here; let’s go warm up in the car. Brrr! I hate winter.”
She trembles of cold and is very afraid.
“Oh darling Bijou, I hope I’m not making this up and that I left the door open when I left but ...I don’t think so.”
She starts the engine of her car and light s up another cigarette.
But during that time, in her apartment, the rubbers are busy taking everything out of there and making sure not to leave anything behind. There are still there stealing all the stuff. She is getting impatient and to calm herself down like usual, she decides to put on some more lip sticks. She brings down her mirror to look at herself closely and sees three big fellows behind her getting out of the exit door of the building with her new furniture that they put in a small van.
“That’s not true Bijou, look, these are my things, look!”
She rushes to find her cell phone and dials 911 again.
-Miss! Miss! Three men are emptying my apartment leaving with all my furniture. If this is not urgent for you, she says furiously. Are you going to come or not?
-Don’t panic Miss it’s not a fire and give us your address.
-Its 645 de la Montagne street. They are leaving with everything, hurry, hurry up!
-Very well, we are on our way.
She hangs up. Tiffany cannot believe her eyes, here they are in the back alley taking all her stuff and there is nothing else she can do than watch.
She gets out of her car and returns to the lobby.
“Come Bijou, let’s try to do something. I’m going to pull the fire alarm, what do you think of that? It’s a great idea, isn’t it?”
At the same time, she bends down to put her small dog on the floor, Brofman enters behind her and makes her jumps and scares her like hell.
-Ah! Ah! She screams completely paranoid.
Bijou is barking with all its strength.
-Hey! Relax, it’s me. Tiffany turns around look at me. It’s you that call me or what?
-Yes, ah! Darling, I’m so happy to see you, she says
All nervously. Listen, there are there, I saw them, they are still putting my stuff in their van. I saw them, she continue saying. I went to warmed up in the car...they...they are emptying my place. I phone the police again but they are going to leave before they arrive if we could at least take their license plate number.
-Tiffany, calm down. Stay here; I will see what I can do. Don’t move.
Brofman gets out right away. Tiffany lights up another cigarette and walks back and forth. She is completely stunt by what’s happening to her. Finally, she hears the sirens of the police. She waits for them but she loses patience and decides to get out. She throws her cigarette, wonders for a moment, takes her dog in her arm and directs herself to the back of the building.
One of the policemen already arrested someone. He is on the ground. The other one jump in his car to pursue the rubbers.
-Miss, don’t stay here, screams the police agent.
-Yes but I’m the one who called you.
-Oh! Darling! Darling!
Bijou starts barking again. Tiffany gets close to the policeman.
-But leave him alone! Leave him alone! This is not one of them; he is a friend of mine who came to help me. There must be three of them or even more, explains Tiffany.
The policeman helps Brofman to stand up and removes his hand cuffs.
-Look! Screams Tiffany. There is one right there who is trying to escape.
Without wasting any seconds, the policeman contacts immediately his co-worker and informs them that he is going after him on foot.
-Luckily you came, says Brofman, I never went down on the ground so fast in my life. It’s hell! They don’t go easy on you.
-I’m sorry for all that, says Tiffany cleaning up his jacket full of slush.
-Ah! It’s all right, I’ll be fine. Come instead to warm yourself in my car. We will wait for them for a moment before going to your apartment. I rather not take a chance and wait that the police comes back, what do you think, Tiffany?
-Great idea, answers Tiffany trembling of cold. They get in the Volvo and wait for a moment.
-We should go up, says Brofman after thirty minutes. Who knows how much time it’s going to take before they come back?
-Yes, you’re right, I’m so tired too.
-Oh! It’s awful! What a mess! Exclaims Tiffany when she pushes the door. There is nothing left.
-I’m certain they are going to catch those guys and you will get all your stuff back. Don’t worry, says Brofman to comfort her.
-I’m so tired...
-But always dazzling, remarks Brofman helping Tiffany to remove her coat.
She looks at him surprise of his comment.
-It’s nice of you thank-you, she says with a soft voice and starts to cry.
He takes her in his arms.
-Come on it’ snot that bad. You took a real good decision not to come in to see, you know. Who knows how they would have reacted those guys. Come on, it’s over, sit down...
He looks around him and starts laughing. Tiffany stops crying and starts laughing as well. He picks her up and sits her on the counter of the kitchen.
-There, Miss, now all we have to do is wait for those policemen to come back so while we wait Miss can I offer you something to drink?, he ask passing his hands on her beautiful legs starring at her.
-Yes, please. Look in the cupboard, there must be a bottle of scotch.
-Great idea, let’s go for scotch.
He puts the bottle of Glenfidich on the counter and directs himself to the fridge.
-Ice...We’ve got ice, ah! Glasses!
He opens a few doors and finally finds what he was looking for.
-Wonderful! They have left us some glasses. Here you go Miss. He pours a good glass of Glenfidich and gives it to Tiffany than pours himself one.
-To your health!
They knock their glasses together and look at each other for a good moment in silence.
-To your return home, adds Brofman. No! What am I saying, it’s so stupid!
-No not quite, says the policeman knocking on the opened door. We have arrested them, however I cannot guaranty about the rest. The van flip on Dorchester Boulevard because of the very icy road and it caught on fire. We have arrested the three fellows though. You have insurance, I hope.
-Yes, but I just moved in. Everything was brand new.
-I understand. It’s not fun to come back home like this.
After answering to all the questions, Tiffany was really exhausted and especially quite shock by all this.
-I’m going to leave you now. I think you need a good night sleep, says Brofman, I will call you tomorrow morning if you want we could meet at the hotel de la Montagne for lunch, how’s that?
-Why not, answers Tiffany, why not!
-Okay, good night Tiffany....
-Here these are all the papers Miss, we will come back tomorrow during the day to finish all that. I have everything I need for now. Good bye!
Charles kisses tenderly and hugs her in his arms than leaves
-Thank-you for everything Charles, see you tomorrow.
-I don’t like to leave you all by yourself after what happen to you tonight.
-Don’t worry, Bijou is with me and if I’m not there tomorrow you can starts worrying, but not before.
Bye, Charles.
-Bye, Tiffany.
He kisses her again goodnight and leaves.
Fifteen minutes after, Brofman comes back. Tiffany surprise looks at him and listens to what he has to say.
-I had nice wool blankets and a nice inflatable mattress in my trunk. I never used it. My dad always told me that it was important to carry something warm in the car especially with our winters in Quebec and that perhaps one day I would have to use it. I though tonight it’s the perfect occasion to have a good use of it. What do you think? He asks getting installs in the living room.
He stops one moment and looks at her.
-To tell you the truth, I prefer to stay near you. I will feel more useful and I won’t worry for nothing thinking about you all alone without any one to cheer you up. Come on go have a nice warm shower while I organize myself comfortably.
-Very well. You are right. Thank-you for coming back.
Brofman is already sleeping when she gets out of the shower. She looks at him for a moment and decides to sleep next to him instead of being alone in her bedroom, sleeping on the wooden floor. Bijou jumps right away on the mattress and lay down between the two.
The next morning at breakfast time, David receives a cold shower. His girl friend just told him she is leaving him for good.
-You don’t have anything to say, she says furiously.
-No! Have a nice day, answers David simply without even looking at her.
-But say something, she screams.
-No, I don’t feel like it. You thought about it during my absence and on my side I thought about it too. I think there is nothing to add.
He stands up to make another toast and to pour himself more coffee.
-So...that’s it! She asks frustrated by his behaviour.
-Listen, do you take me for an idiot! Get out of here and hurry up!
-What!
-Yes, you heard me. Get out of here now and don’t intend to look back. You made me loose too much time with your stupid scene of jealousy.
He walks toward the front of the door of the apartment and opens it, waiting for her to get out of there.
-I look around me last night and I didn’t see no difference from the cold outside and your welcome so, get lost so I can warm myself up.
She takes her stuff and leaves.
-Excuse me, my key.
She takes the key and throw it to his face and leaves.
-Jealousy kills my dear, so watch out!
He closes the door and returns to the kitchen.
“Hum! Actually I did everything I could to work it out so I have nothing to blame myself of ...I even feel better now. Yes, I feel a lot better. I thought she was going to do something like this... She told me on the phone and really, I was starting to get annoyed by her little threats that she was going to leave me. Each time I was calling her in Kuwait she was telling me that she was going to leave me. I wonder why I spend all that money calling her to hear all the time the same thing. Well, I guess I was hoping that she cared for me, she loved me enough and that she loved me as much as I did loved her. Ah! He says to himself banging on the table. Was I ever stupid? You…ou! Anybody home, he says knocking on his head. Shit! Love can make you so stupid sometimes! It’s over now, over! For goodness sake! Why did it take me so much time to realise it...but I loved her. He stands up to pour himself another cup of coffee and sits down. Why did she do that? I don’t deserve to be treated like this...Ah! He says enraged.
He stays there thinking about this drinking his coffee.
Dring! Dring!
-Hello! He answered harshly thinking it was her on the phone calling him back.
-Hello David! It’s Xénia. Am I calling at a wrong time?
-No, not at all. I just hit myself on the corner of the table.
-I’m sorry. Listen, Could you come with me for a few hours. I need a strong man like you to do something. I will explain more in details when you come.
-Where are you?
-At my mom’s place at 606 Rosemont boulevard. Apartment 15.
-Let me jump in the shower and I’ll be here.
-Very Well, see you later.
Half an hour later, David arrives at Xenia.
-Hi! Thanks for coming so soon. Can I offer you a coffee? Asks Xénia smiling at him.
-Certainly. Hello Mrs Harvey. How are you?
-I’m fine like usual, my dear one but today you have to help my little girl.
-What is it? Asks David finally.
-You are going to have a good pastry with this, ask Mrs. Harvey.
-No, I just finish eating breakfast.
-But I did them myself.
-So, in this case, I’ll take some.
-Mother, says Xénia. Listen David, you must certainly have notice it but I didn’t want to talk about it with the rest of the crew but now I have to solve my problem once and for all and quickly. This can no longer go on like this. I need help. Do you take milk?
-Oh! Yes, she answers for him, and no sugar, isn’t it right?
-Yes, you have good memory Xénia.
-Listen, she says sitting next to him. I would like that this stay between us. I don’t really want the others to find out, it wouldn’t look good. Well, I’m not very proud of myself...to tell you the truth.
Xenia’s mother sits next to them and starts cutting the pastry.
-Before I left for London, I found Alain with another girl. I took the car and I had an accident, nothing serious, beside my cat Pistache who die on the spot. It’s awful but it could have been worst. That night, I spend it at my mothers and I never went back to my apartment. I send him a few letters since the accident to let him know that this relation was over...is over. He phones me and begs me to come back but I cannot relive this nightmare. It’s really over between me and him.
-Oh well! Says David taking a sip of his coffee not telling her that he also ended his relation.
-But now, I need to go get my stuff over there and I’m afraid to go by myself with him in the apartment.
-But why? Is he dangerous?
-Yes and no.
She looks at her mom and looks at David again.
-To tell you the truth...I’m afraid of his reaction.
-You didn’t tell me everything Xénia, I know you now, says David. Come on tell me everything.
-Well alright...he...hit me at a few occasions but he was drunk...so...it’s understandable.
-Xénia! Screams her mother completely stunt. You never told me that! My poor daughter you should have told me my dear little Xénia. You must get out of there as soon as possible.
-Xénia! It’s serious what you are saying, and your mother is right, says David stunt as well by this confidence.
-Yes...but...I don’t think he is going to hit me if we go there early in the morning. I want to get my stuff and I’m coming back here, that’s all and then this entire story is over and I don’t want to talk about it ever again.
-So, let’s go right away. Maybe we can phone Youssef to give us a hand.
-No, I prefer you be the only one to know about this, David.
-Youssef won’t tell anyone but what about if I go there with you alone he will think that we are together and he will have another good reason to hit you.
-No, I don’t think so and I really don’t want anyone to know about it.
-Very well but there is a risk you know.
-I know.
-Fine.
-Be careful, says Mrs. Harvey. If you are not back in an hour, I will call the cops.
-Don’t worry Mrs. Harvey. She is in good hands, he says getting out if the apartment.
-I’M so sorry to bother you but I didn’t have anyone to turn too and I need to recuperate my stuff as fast as possible, she says getting in the car.
-I understand. It’s normal. I was wondering that there was something with you when I saw you at Harold’s in London but I didn’t dare asking. I should of...
-Hum! It’s okay. A page of my life will soon be flipped over. Continue straight ahead it’s not too far.
-I understand very well what you mean, says David.
-There, we are almost there. It’s the third street on your right. Shit! We have no chance! He’s car is there.
-He doesn’t work? Asks David.
-No, it’s been six months he’s unemployed. That’s why we postponed the wedding. What a great mess isn’t it?
-But it’s for the best Xénia. Tell yourself that it’s better to find out before than after and it proves that he wasn’t worth it. Everything will be fine, don’t worry, I’m here. Let’s get out of here and find your stuff. I’m here okay, don’t worry, he repeats.
She unlocks the front door and enters without ringing the door. She looks around in the living room in a hurry and takes a few minutes to look at her engagement picture and puts it back where it was. She goes downstairs to pick up all her belonging while David waits for her in the living room.
-Who is there? Screams Alain coming down the stairs.
-It’s me Xénia, she screams to answer him but he cannot hear her and charges like a furious bull on David who was looking at the picture that Xénia had left on the table.
-But no! Screams Xénia coming up the stairs running. Are you crazy!
David didn’t have time to react and is projected on the floor with Alain on top of him. Xénia jumps on him to try to stop him from beating up David.
-But stop it! Stop it! I just came to get my stuff, she screams afraid of him trying to stop him.
Alain turns around to pushes off with his arms and she fells down on the floor unconscious. David enraged moves Alain with all his strength but he is really strong and very big. He is double the side of David who finally succeed to get up the floor and give him a few good kicks to immobilize him for a while. He turns around to look at Xénia lying down on the floor. He picks her up and takes her in his arms and looks at her. Her front head is wounded. After a while, she finally comes back to her senses.
-Aye! She groans opening up her eyes.
-It’s a light wound only, nothing serious.
She looks at Alain who is on the floor next to her.
-I imagine it’s temporary, she says.
-I hope so, says David uncertain.
-It won’t be too long, David, she says standing up but she is completely dizzy and topples over in David’s arm.
He holds her beside him and looks at her without saying a word.
-I’ll be fine David thanks, she finally says after a long moment trying to move from David’s arm. I can go on.
-Go ahead! I’m looking after him, he says observing Alain who is still knock out. Hurry up though!
She goes up the third floor to take the rest of her belongings and do a rapid walk around in the kitchen and decides not to take anything else. She walks towards Alain still on the floor and pulls his hair to have a good look at him for a last time. He comes back slowly to his senses, groaning of pain.
-You look for it pig! Says Xénia.
-Let’s go, signals David I don’t feel like finishing him up.
On the way to the apartment, Xénia tries to find a way to break this unbearable silence. David is not to talkative today.
-It’s better like this, except for you, you received a hit for nothing, and I’m very sorry David.
-I’m fine, I think he didn’t hear you when you answer him and since I had my back turn on him he must thought someone was braking in and he just hit me like a mad man. But he had no right to push you, on the floor, he knew dam well it was you on top of him.
-He always gets easily furious.
-He must have hit you more than once, affirms David.
-No, twice...well I don’t remember and I don’t want to talk about him anymore.
-It’s not a life Xénia.
-No, but I loved him David or I did I don’t know anymore I don’t know where I am at. All I know for now is that story, that nightmare is over.
-Well that’s good, it’s a start.
He stops the car and helps her get the stuff out in silence.
-Do you want to come in and have another cup of coffee and a pastry?
-No, it’s nice of you, but I have some errands to run. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need me all right. O.k.
-O.K., thank-you so much.
-Good bye David, says Mrs. Harvey who was helping Xénia with her bags.
He leaves not saying another word more.
-He’s a real good guy. That’s the kind of guy you need Xénia, says her mother looking at him leave.
-Hum! Affirms Xénia. But he is just a colleague, a good friend.
-There is something about him that tells me he is not so happy today. He seemed...
-Mother! Come on, help me. A good pastry will make me feel good. Maybe all of the pastry will help me forget about this nightmare.
David returns home and spend the entire day laying down on the divan listening to music. He looks at his album photos of him and her ex girl friend, one after another. He cannot believe it but he tries to get over it and go on with the idea that this part of his life is over like Xenia’s life and that probably another one will start, soon.
Chanel, a lot more lucky than her two friends, received a message on her answering machine of her Italian guy who would like to see her soon and she receive another message of her nice Patrice, the doctor who would like to go for a Tête-à -Tête at the restaurant the Versant up in the Laurentian. Patrice lives in Ste-Agathe and Chanel had rented a condominium in Mont Gabriel right beside the golf course. He will come and pick her up around sevennish.
So this morning, Chanel is taking it easy for all the good cause of course. She stays in bed as long as she can to be in good shape for her date. She takes a good breakfast and now is going to the beauty parlour. She will than spend the rest of the afternoon at Air Santé Spa in Piedmont where she can relax taking a nice sauna, a steam bath and a great Jacuzzi. It’s so wild to go there in the middle of winter and it’s so relaxing. In the late afternoon, she goes to the hair dresser to look as best as she can possibly be.
Back to her house, Chanel cannot decide on what to wear for this special occasion. She is deciding between a nice purple tailor suits Coco Chanel style, very classic or a nice black leather dress or a long evening gone in red velvet. There is nothing she can do she just cannot decide. Half naked, not knowing what to wear, she is laying down on her bed when the bell of the intercom rings. All at once she jumps off the bed to go answer it.
-Yes, you can come up Patrice; she answers out of breath pressing on the bottom.
-Hum! I think you are waiting for me, this is fantastic! I’m coming right away, answers Patrice.
-Yes, come up, I can wait to see you, answers Chanel getting her finger off the button. “Oh no!” she says to herself all nervous. “I’m not ready. Shit! What am I going to wear?”
She finally chooses the long velvet red dress new age style and dresses up rapidly. She throws all the others in her closet and closes the door and hurry to apply some lips stick on, but she hardly have time to get a good look of herself that Patrice is knocking at the door.
-I’m coming, she screams buckling up her sandals.
She directs herself to the front door and splashes on some Shalimar before answering the door. She takes the time to look at herself for the last time and sees that her zipper in the back was not up completely.
“Oh Shit! Luckily I saw that before. Well, let’s go Chanel open that door.”
-Hi, she says welcoming Patrice calmly like usual. Come in, Patrice! We have time to take a Martini no! Asks Chanel who doesn’t know what to say anymore.
-Ah yes, yes of course but before let me look at you, he says grabbing her arm. You are...
He couldn’t find the exact words he was looking for to explain his adoration.
-It’s like you are...
-It’s like I have in front of me an angel who fall from the sky.
He takes her hand and gives her a gentle kiss without stopping to look at her. You are phenomenal! Chanel you are ravishing!
-A Martini, she asks a bit shy.
-Of course, says Patrice sitting him comfortably in the living-room.
She stops to put a compact disc of Lou Bega and continues to the kitchen.
While she is preparing the cocktails, Patrice goes on non-stop complimenting her.
-I was not dreaming. You are the most beautiful girl I think I ever met and I think I will never encounter another one as beautiful as you and so charming. Every night, after our conversation on the phone, I couldn’t stop thinking about you for hours. Even though we had little time together, like thirty minutes maybe...
He starts laughing. Chanel gives him his Martini.
-You forgot that we spend twelve hours together in that plane that night.
-Yes, but I’ve met, together talking to each other. It feels like I know you for so long. So, let’s toast to my intuition.
-What! Exclaims Chanel.
-Yes to my intuition. I knew that I didn’t make a mistake when I saw you. You are the girl of my dreams! Chin! Chin!
-Chin! Chin!
-Can I hold you in my arms? He puts his cocktail on the table and stands up to hold her. Oh! Chanel! You cannot imagine how I couldn’t wait any longer.
He hugs her in his arms without wasting any more precious minutes.
-But...you have a beeper on, exclaims Chanel deceive.
-Yes, unfortunately, tonight I’m on call but don’t worry we are three doctors on calls. Ste-Agathe hospital is a little quieter than the hospitals in Montreal so don’t do that grin and let’s enjoy ourselves together and enjoy our very first dinner.
-All right, let’s go.
Patrice helps her with her coat and putting on her boots. He then kisses her tenderly on the lips. He looks at her a second or two and can’t hold himself any longer from kissing her again and a way more passionately.
The ambiance in the restaurant is very romantic. When Patrice had made the reservation he insisted on having the table in front of the fire place, he also asks them to bring a nice Laurent Perrier Jouet bottle of champagne when it will be time for dessert.
Patrice was in love. A real love at first sight, he was thinking of her day and night and couldn’t handle it any longer so tonight he had plan to ask her to be wed.
Chanel is very happy. Patrice is all she desire in a man. He is good looking, charming, intelligent, responsible and funny. He always want to know more about her instead of going on all night talking about himself or his job like all the other dates she had. No, Patrice is different. He is attentive, soft and shares the same passion as Chanel. They both like to train, to go mountain biking, to play golf and to travel...
During the nice dinner he even ask her to dance in the middle of the restaurant telling her she could be the perfect mother of his children and that both of them will make the most adorable children of the world. He wanted a family and to have children. Chanel was really surprised that he was the first one who brought the subject first. She admires him. She finally had found a serious guy who likes to discuss with her and to listen to what she has to say.
-Is everything to your liking my sweet Chanel?
-Oh but what are you talking about? My salmon or you? Questions Chanel laughing.
-Hum! Since you are asking both of them but let’s start with the first one.
-The salmon is delicious. It’s really the place up North to come and savour there salmon dish.
Beep-beep-beep-beeep-...
-Ah no! It’s not true, exclaims Patrice furious.
He looks at his beeper.
-It’s perhaps just a light problem. Let’s not panic.
Garcon! Can you bring me your phone, please? I left my cellular at home.
-Yes, certainly doctor Tracy.
-Ah! My poor Chanel don’t look at me like this. If you only knew what I had plan for this evening you would be more discourage than me, trust me but let’s not jump into conclusion right away.
-Here you go doctor Tracy, says the garcon putting the phone on the table.
-I’ll go visit the washroom in the mean time, says Chanel very sad. I’ll come back.
She stands up to kiss him but like a real gentleman Patrice was already up.
-Yes, this is Doctor Tracy, you call me.
-Yes, a bus that was bringing back some students from their night ski collapse into the bridge poll and reverses itself up side down, doctor. We have about fifty kids injured, precise the nurse to him. The less injured are going to go St-Jerome hospital and the serious one will be send to our hospital. The ambulances are on their way but tonight’s road is very slippery you know doctor.
-I’m coming. I could perhaps arrive before them. Where exactly is the accident?
-In front of Mount Gabriel.
He hangs up completely discourage.
Chanel gets out the washroom and joins him.
-Chanel, he says, I really have to go. Stay, finish your dinner I will leave you my car and I will take a taxi. There has been a catastrophe. A bus full of children has crash on the high way, just in front of Mount Gabriel.
-Oh my! I’m going with you.
-No.
-But of course, Patrice, end of discussion. You forgot that I am trained for these kinds of things and I can be very useful.
-You’re right. Let’s go.
-Garcon! Take this and wrap up the rest we will be back tomorrow and take it from where we left it if you know what I’m saying.
-Yes indeed, doctor, it’s unfortunate for you. Good night and don’t worry Doctor Tracy you are a good costumer.
They arrive at the site of the accident at the same time of the ambulance. Children are screaming out their pain. It’s awful. The scene is terrifying. The bus is completely upside down blocking the entire circulation on both sides of the highway. There are about twenty children out of the bus all ready but others are still stuck inside the bus screaming for help.
-Take care of those who are out, ask Patrice to Chanel getting out of the car. Warm them up real good and verify if they are not injured all right.
Patrice gives her a few blankets that he found in his trunk and takes his medical bag.
-Don’t worry, says Chanel tying up the hood of her coat.
It’s so cold outside tonight, the temperature is around the minus 15 Celsius. Chanel is trying to regroup the children as fast as she can in Patrice car so they can warm themselves up. Without wasting a second, she takes some blankets from the ambulance vehicle that is park next to her and warm up the kids that she just saws sitting in the snow pile, shivering, without hats and mitts or coats, crying their hearts out. She brings them to the car and squeezes them together so they can warm themselves faster. They are all in state of shock. Chanel goes back and gives a hand to Patrice who is getting out a young boy, bleeding a lot from his injury.
-Give me the bandages, orders Patrice when he sees Chanel close to him. He has an open wound on the skull. We have to stop the haemorrhage right away.
-Hey! Screams Chanel to the stretcher-bearer come here. He is a doctor! He needs your help!
-Ah! Help me someone. Help! Screams a little girl trying to get out of the snow bench not too far from the bus.
She doesn’t know where she is and can no longer see a thing. Chanel, terrify to see that she could have die right there not knowing she was there runs to help her to dig her out of there with her hands and right away slides her under her coat to warm her up.
-Hey! Hey! Says Chanel. It’s over. What’s your name?
-Why? Asks the young girl.
-You have been in an accident sweetie, the bus had an accident.
-But I cannot see anything, screams the girl. It’s dark. I cannot see, she says petrify and crying.
-Come I’m going to help you, says Chanel crying as well.
-My brother! Where is my brother? She ask completely stunt by what was going on.
-What’s his name? Ask Chanel helping her walk.
-Simon and my name is Cassandra.
-We are going to find him. Come and sit here yes that’s it. Sir! She doesn’t see anything, screams Chanel. Sir! She doesn’t see anything, she repeats to a first-aider and we need to find her brother.
The man is discouraged to see the enormity of this accident.
-We need to find his brother right away before it’s too late, screams the first-aider to the others. Go this way and tell everyone who is there to help us.
On the white snow, the red blood of innocent’s children is leaving tragic marks all ready. Three of them are dead. Patrice got four children out of the bus who were stuck inside, he had them lying down in the snow. One of them is Simon.
Chanel is trying to regroup all the children. She covers them with blankets and applies bandages on the minor injuries and she tries to comfort them as best as she can. She wrote down a number on every child face with her lips stick to know if they have found everybody.
-Hurry! Help me, screams Patrice getting out another child from the bus. Bring me some oxygen. The first-aiders are running to his side. The policemen and the firemen help Patrice to get the children out. There are six ambulances on the site now. Chanel distributes the children to the new stretchers-bearers that just arrive and explains the case of each and everyone.
After two hours trying to save every one, they leave the site without wasting a second to go to the Hospital in Ste-Agathe.
-Miss, nurse, calls Patrice getting in rapidly inside the hospital. Give her a good cup of coffee she deserves it and give her blanket she is freezing and nurse take good care of her she is what I cheeriest the most in the world.
Chanel is cover with blood and her boots are full of snow. Her legs are red of cold. She is trembling a lot. After her long stay in Kuwait and this drastic come back in Quebec, she risks catching a serious cold.
-Come fallow me Miss, orders nurse Monette. Take a good hot bath right away it will make you feel good.
She prepares the bath for her. Here you can put this on afterwards. Your dress is completely wet. Here is a blanket that will keep you warm. Take your time; you are in the doctor’s lounge. I’m going to start some coffee and when you will be finish there will be some nice coffee for you and Doctor Tracy will come and see you later, I’m certain of that.
After a good hot bath, Chanel tries to find Patrice but tired, she fall asleep on a chair in the middle of the corridor that takes you to the emergency.
Four long hours after passes by before Patrice has the time to join Chanel. When he sees her getting out of the emergency room, he really is angry at him that the night went all wrong, he had planned just a great evening for her and his love one but not this catastrophic accident. He takes the time to look at her and sits next to her to observe her attentively. After a long moment, he decides to lay her down on a stretcher so she can sleep more comfortably. When she takes her in his arms, Chanel wakes up.
-Where are you taking me?
-On a stretcher to lie down.
-Why? Asks Chanel holding on to his neck.
-I still have a few hours before I can free myself and bring you home, he says putting her on the stretcher.
She sits to look at him better and smile.
-I’m fine don’t worry for me how about you? Asks Chanel taking his hand.
-Yes I’ll be fine but before I go see my patients I would like to give you this. At dessert, I had plane a good bottle of champagne and than... he waits a second before continuing well here it is. I don’t want to wait until tomorrow.
-He tries to look in his pocket for a small box to give it to her.
-Ah! I put it in my sport jacket not in my over all! Well there it is I find it. Open it Chanel.
Surprise she looks at him not knowing what to say to him. When she opens the box, Patrice bends down on his knees in the middle of the corridor.
The nurses stop for a moment to see what was going on and what was Doctor Tracy doing on his knees.
-Would you like to marry me Chanel? He asks while putting the ring on her finger.
Chanel cannot believe her eyes. She smiles and starts laughing. Nervously.
-But yes but of course yes, yes....but...
She looks at him without adding another word before finishing her sentence.
-But don’t you think you are going a little fast here.
The people around them are applauding and after a short stop they go back to work, leaving them together alone.
-Well by the look of things, says Patrice standing up. We could perhaps see each other next year’s so I rather not take a chance to lose you Chanel. I love you with all my heart. Marry me.
He kisses her and looks at her happy to be with her.
-Go on! She says. Go back to your patients Patrice and let me dream a little, she says looking at her engagement ring shinning.
-No, no Chanel you are not dreaming, all this is real.
He takes her hand and makes it slide on his cheek.
-You see, you felt me, no!
He leaves happy sending her a flying kiss
Chanel cannot believe it.
“I didn’t even sleep with the guy that he all ready propose to me, she says to herself. It’s incredible. Ah!” she sights.
-Congratulations! Miss, says a man nurse passing by. You know, Doctor Tracy is a good guy. He is how should I put it... a real one, you know those who are on the extinction process. So grab him before it’s too late all the nurses here are crazy about him.
-Thanks for the advice.
It’s finally six o’clock in the morning before Patrice can leave the hospital. He drinks a cup of coffee and wait patiently for Chanel to wake up. He looks at her sleeping and a few minutes after swallowing a dose of caffeine or not he falls asleep besides her sitting on a chair.
Chanel wakes up an hour later and looks for a long moment at him before waking him up.
-Patrice, she whispers in his ears. Come my love, I’m driving you home.
-Oh no, he says jumping up. It’s out of the question.
What a night for our first date!
He helps her down the stretcher.
-I never imagine my first night with you to be sleeping like this beside you. No not at all.
They walk towards the exit, holding themselves very close to one another.
-So, how did you imagine it? Asks Chanel waiting for him to unlock the door.
-It’s a bit indiscrete, no! It’s certainly not sitting on a chair and you on a stretcher, oh no, not at all.
-But who knows...perhaps me in a little nurse uniform and you....
-Ah! Maybe. It’s true that we were a great team last night, my poor Chanel...you were so cold, he says getting in his car.
-Hum! I’m going to take care of you, you will see. I’m a good doctor, I will not let my new wife die of cold no. It will be the opposite; I will take good care of warming you up as soon as we arrive.
Patrice lives not too far from the hospital right on a majestic lake.
-Here we are. I thought that it will be best to come to my place. It’s closer and since I think you are still freezing form last night, I cannot take a chance that you become sick, I have to warm you up right away. I wouldn’t want you to get pneumonia because of me. We will go to your place in the afternoon, my beautiful fiancé.
Dring! Dring!
-Yes, hello! Answers Arlene on the phone.
She is sitting eating a Bio K yoghurt.
“You are sensational Arlene; I would love to hold you in my arms”
-But who is it? Asks Arlene shock by this comment.
“Someone who dreams about you night and day, my pretty flight attendant...I saw you last night...”
-But who is talking? She asks enrage.
Click, the obsess man hang up.
“Shit! It’s the sixth time since I arrive that this bloody man calls me. I can’t stand it anymore. It has to stop immediately.”
The phone rings again but she leaves her answering machine to take the call.
“It’s me again Arlene, answer the phone, I know you are there, I just talk to you on the phone my sweetie, pick up the phone. You are so pretty you know and I love the shape of your body, your breast, your hips...”
Arlene takes the phone again.
-You are a crazy old man get treated and stop calling me, jerk!
She hangs up furious and starts getting really scared. She dials the operator’s number.
-Miss, I’m receiving some obscene phone calls and I really don’t know what to do anymore.
-You could change your phone number, advises the operator or you could try to scare him by making him believe your line is tap by the phone company all you have to do is to knock on the receptacle with a pen as soon as you pick up the phone and continue knocking at a steady pace and you could tell your maniac that you had place a detector to trace him.
-But it’s not going to work. I try star 69 to know is phone number but it doesn’t work.
-Yes, I know sometime it works sometime it does because they have block their phone number but for the moment it’s the best thing you can do before changing your phone number and if after that he still calls you we will change your phone number you have to be patient and maybe signal him to the police if this individual is getting to personal who let them know that he knows you a bit too well.
-Well okay but I don’t know how much time I can stand this and listen to his dirty comments.
-I understand you but try it okay.
-Thank-you, says Arlene not to satisfy with her answer.
Dring! Dring!
-Yes hello, answers Jade who is still asleep.
“Jade you are so pretty. I would love to hold you in my arms real tight so I can feel your breast close to my chest...I saw you last night you look like you were very cold...my pretty face I could of warm you up you know...”
-You psycho! She screams with all her strength.
She sits in her bed enrage to receive a phone call like this first thing in the morning than wonders for a second to know if it’s not Lorenzo who is playing a trick on her.
The phone rings again. She lets it ring. Lorenzo jumps off the bed to see why Jade is not answering the phone this time. He stands at the threshold of the door and looks at Jade sitting in her bed not doing anything. He listens to the Waco on the answering machine repeating her how she looks good and that one day he will be with her forever.
Jade is terrified to listen to this man telling her how he desire her but at the same time now she is relieve to know that it is not Lorenzo and he is there with her.
“Jade answer me my dear one, I know you are there, continue the man. Come on my little red hair my beautiful stewardess come and pick up the phone so I can listen to your voice again.
Jade is petrified.
Enrage Lorenzo jumps on the phone to yell at him
-You are going to stop this right away maniac! Leave her alone!
-There, there, there, Jade has a new lover enjoy it why it last body because you want have her indefinitely. My intentions are that she will be with me for ever...
-You are sick! Screams Lorenzo hanging up.
Lorenzo looks at Jade and picks her up to hold her in his arms. She is crying.
-I’m so afraid Lorenzo.
He holds her really thigh against him and they stay like this for a while.
-It’s been a while you know...that’s it like this, admits Jade to Lorenzo. I’m really afraid now.
-What? How come you never mention it to me?
They leave to go to the kitchen.
-Where do you put the coffee? Asks Lorenzo.
-Let me I’ll do it, it will change my mind.
-So, let me prepare the breakfast. Do you have something to do a nice Spanish omelette?
-Ah! No, I don’t think so. I empty my fridge pretty much before I left, you know. I might have some bacon left and some eggs and perhaps some cheese.
-That will do. So go on, explain me this story from the start. I don’t like this at all. You know sick people like this can be very dangerous. He even knows your name on top of it!
-Listen Lorenzo, says Jade starting the coffee machine. At the beginning...how could I explain this to you. At the beginning, we started to fly; I was receiving some phone calls. It was not on regular bases, in my room the phone will ring but there was no one at the end of the line, so you see what I mean it can happen to anyone at any time...
-Yes but to a certain limit.
-Well, I didn’t make a big deal out of it. After, I receive other phone calls and than they were calling me by my name. I thought that it was the receptionist of the hotel you know verifying by saying:
Miss Bergeron... So I will say yes, it’s me so they would tell me it’s for a verification or again simply: You really want your waking call at six o’clock...you know things like this. But after, I realise that anywhere I would go it was all the time the same voice. Conclusion, it took me a while to figure it out...I know but I really pay attention to this.
She gets out the ingredients of the fridge to give them to Lorenzo who starts breaking the eggs right away to make the omelette.
-You know, remarks Jade, you make a great picture in my kitchen with your boxer short on making breakfast.
-Leave the compliments aside and get to the point Jade. I really don’t like those obscene phone calls you know. It’s serious Jade.
-At the beginning...when I talk to Danyele and David about it well...they though like me that...she stops hesitant to tell him the truth but then go on.
Lorenzo looks at her while grating the Emmental cheese and starts to grate a little bit faster.
-But what Jade? Go to the point, he asks her a bit frustrated.
He stops and pours himself some more coffee. She puts her empty cup next to his and looks at him seriously.
-But I thought...we thought, she starts saying very slowly poring herself some coffee. That...it was you who was wondering my where about ...you know...
She waits a moment and continues her explanation. He pushes her arm a little to get some milk.
-To know...you know...if I was in my room or I don’t know. I’m sorry Lorenzo but we all arrive to the same conclusion. I’m sorry, she says sitting at the table.
-What! But this is stupid! Man! Everyone knows about this except me!
Lorenzo cannot believe it. He turns his back and starts whipping the eggs. He beats them faster and faster, he is furious that she could think that he was capable of something like this.
-Well, now I see that it’s not you because you are here and that person call while you were here, says Jade to save the situation.
-But still Jade, exclaims Lorenzo. Man! If I want to know where you are I don’t need to harass you on the phone. You don’t know me at all. Come on, Man! You know dam well it doesn’t make any senses.
He turns around to pour the omelette into the pan. Lorenzo is real upset and very deceive.
-Yes but Danyele and David though the same thing, she says putting on the table.
She stops suddenly with her two dishes in her hands.
-Anyway! How do you want us to think otherwise it happen in Kuwait also and it’s there that I realise it was the same voice.
-But it’s insane. Man! Can’t you see I’m here with you? Shit! Go play back your answering machine so I can listen to the voice.
They both go back to the bedroom to listen.
“Jade answer me ...I know you are there, there...Come on my little red hair stewardess.....
-But who is it? Who can do something like this? Asks Lorenzo don’t recognize the voice at all,
-I guess it’s anybody! Anyway, I don’t recognize the voice either and now I’m hundred per cent sure it’s not you, says Jade with a soft voice.
They go back to the kitchen without saying a word. Lorenzo is cooking the bacon in the pan and prefers to be quiet for a while. He is so deceive that Jade underestimated him. He doesn’t deserve this.
She sits and looks at him in silence. She is sad that by telling him the truth he wouldn’t like it.
She gets close to him and after a while takes the spatula away from him and hugs him.
-I’m sorry, Lorenzo.
-Listen, he says. I’m very sad that you thought it was me but actually you couldn’t think otherwise I guess to conclude foolishly like you did anyway let’s try to find the guilty one and starts our day again...Hello my sweet sleeping beauty, he says kissing her. Did you slept well?
-Not really.
-How’s that?
-It’s your fault, I turn from one side to another couldn’t believe that you were next to me sleeping in the other room.
-You would have preferred to be closer to me? He asks holding her next to him.
She waits a few second before answering him and then looks at him seriously.
-Maybe, yes. I don’t know yes, yes, well, well, I said it!
He holds her again really tight and kisses her passionately while the omelette is slowly burning.
Dring! Dring!
Jade jumps and stay still.
-Ah no, it’s not true.
-Ah shit! The omelette is burning let’s calm Down! -Man!! Don’t get excited it could be someone else.
The answering machine is responding for them.
“Ah! Ah! Ah!”
We can hear very long breaths at the end of the line.
“Ah! Ah! Ah!”
Jade runs to unplug the machine. She hurries up and then plugs it back in and dial star 69 to retrace the caller. But she cannot do it he had block his number of course.
-Ah shit it’s not true. It doesn’t work.
She is shivering of freight.
-Lorenzo I can no longer move. I’m too afraid. What if he is hiding in my very own place?
-Wait! This time, I will not let our breakfast burn
Completely. Come here Jade.
-Lorenzo I can’t. I’m too afraid of the idea that he could be here.
-I’m coming.
He moves his pan away from the stove and goes join her and hold Jade in his arms.
-Come we are going to go around your chalet and do room by room to make sure he is not here.
Jade lives in her parent’s cottage while they spend the winter in Florida. Jade prefers to live in the cottage up North instead of being in the city. She is closer to Mirabel Airport too and can go skiing on her days off. She spends most of her time skiing in Tremblant. She lives about an hour from her favourite slopes and she loves to party in St-Sauveur with her friends.
-Let’s go see in the basement, it’s not finish Jade, says Lorenzo pulling her by the arm.
-You go.
-No, I don’t want to leave you all by yourself, he says opening up the basement door.
They go down the stairs.
-Ah! You see there is nobody here. Wow! You are really full equipped. You have the top of the top in skiing equipment. Heads parabolic, super. Wow! When you told me you skied I didn’t think you were that gifted. Would you look at these pictures?
Jade’s father had hanged up all of her trophy and
Medals from every competition she won.
-Wow a real pro! You never told me.
He puts his hands on her shoulders, brings her close to him and continues to look at the picture on the walls for a long moment just like two love birds.
-Can we go up now? Asks Jade. I’m a bit cold.
He turns around and kisses her.
-Yes, Miss, let’s go before our omelette turns into ice cube.
Lorenzo is really impressed.
-Wow! My Jade is a ski champ. Very interesting. I’m going to compete with my own girl friend. That’s quite news. You never mention it to me, hum!
He closes the door of the basement but let it go.
-Ah! Screams Jade jumping.
-Sorry Jade! We are going to have breakfast and think of a plan than we are going to get your car.
-But which plan? Asks Jade. There is only one solution is to change your phone number.
-No! You forget he is calling me you on your lay over, he says giving her a big piece of omelette. If you say that this guy is calling you all over he must be a crew member. To know our entire schedule and our where about...hum! It can only be a crew member but whom?
-But it’s insane what you are saying, says Jade. You are telling me that one of us is sick that one of us is a Waco. Iark! Lorenzo I rather not think about it and again not to know who he is.
-Jade, he can be very dangerous, says Lorenzo seriously. We need to phone the police.
-Stop it! I’m all ready afraid you don’t have to
Make it worst. Listen, he had all the opportunities of the world to catch me so I think he is just a little be fool and wants to have fun to scare us, that’s all.
-Jade, says Lorenzo looking at her right in the eyes, it’s you that he is scaring not me, wake up my darling you can no longer leave like this indefinitely in terror. Eat! I hope you like it.
She gets close to him and pushes him to sit on his knees and kisses him.
-Maybe, I’m starting to like it even before tasting it, she says standing up to sit in front of him. Lorenzo you are starting to pleases me. All right, we will call the police after breakfast, you are right.
-What did you just say earlier...I’m just starting to please you! Ah!
He takes his knife and points it right to his heart.
-What a hit, I’m hurt...I love you since the beginning of our class.
-Chut! Lorenzo and eat.
Lorenzo is very happy he finally conquered Jade’s heart.
This morning, the captain has to take a serious decision: to divorce or not. His wife let him a lawyer’s letter that she had put on the kitchen table and to make sure to put his preferred bottle of scotch beside it. He had drank the entire bottle the night before like he did the last time to one close exception he didn’t have the courage to read the letter.
While he prepares himself a big four cups of coffee, someone enter the house in a hurry.
-Daddy! Daddy! You are here? Says his son jumping in his arms.
-Hey! Sonny-boy, I’m so happy to see you, what a great surprise, ah!
He takes him up in his arm and gives him a big hug.
-Papa, papa! Screams her little girl coming in.
-My darling, you are so pretty. Come and kiss me.
He hugs both of them real hard. He is very happy to find them there this morning.
His wife comes in without saying a word and looks at them for a moment before addressing him.
-I though you would like to see them. I’m leaving for the week-end; I will be back on Monday. Would you like to come and help me upstairs?
-Well kids stay here, daddy is coming back. Have some cereals and a glass of juice.
He goes up the stairs.
-I saw that you didn’t read my letter, she says getting out a few evening dresses.
-No, I know for sure what’s in it. Stop two seconds, ask the captain and sit down.
But his wife is busy taking out her clothes from the closet.
-I only ask you one thing, don’t mention it to the children. They don’t know about it yet. I would like you to take some time to think before taking a decision, she says without even looking at him.
-Who me? It should be you, who should take a decision. I don’t want to divorce and I don’t want to lose you and for the love of my children, I think we could put some water in our wine and ameliorate our situation, says the captain getting closer to her.
-Very well, says his wife. I think I took care of the children long enough. So starting today when you come back from your trips you take care of them. I think you owe me that. Don’t you think? I’m going to my sister Huguette if you need me. Have fun!
She closes her suitcase and stops finally for a moment.
-Listen, I’m sick and tired to receive orders from you, I’m not your first officer or your engineer. All I ask you is to stop giving me orders and to fill me with thousands of errands to do when you are gone. You wanted those apartment buildings well you take care of them, you renovate them, you paint them, you collect the rent and you get someone to take care of them. I can’t and I won’t do it anymore, can you understand that! I want to have free time for myself. Is it clear? Enough is enough!
-I hear you. Is there anything else my general? He says to make her laugh a little.
-Start with this and maybe we will have time to find you and to share some time together. Well, I have to go. Take some time to think about it and to see your children. You wanted them as much as me? Yes or no?
The captain sits on his bed, thinking at what she just said while she says good bye to the children.
-Daddy! Daddy! Come down, screams his little boy.
-Yes, I’m coming. Give me five minutes I need make an important phone call.
He takes his cellular phone and finds a number in his agenda.
-Yes, hello, I would like to talk to Mr. Rudolph Lapalme, please.
-One moment.
-Mr. Lapalme, its Mr. Champagne on the phone.
-Yes hello. How are you?
-Very well, thanks. I would like to get rid of all my buildings.
-Wait a second let me pull out your file, sir.
-Yes it’s okay. Go ahead I’m listening.
I would like to put them on the market starting today I want you to sell them all.
-The four of them?
-Yes, the shopping mall and the hangar. Everything. You know my price you have been taking care of this for many years so I can trust you in finding a good price. I’m sure of that.
-I will call you as soon as I have some good deals for you Mr. Champagne.
-Thank-you.
He hangs up and looks at himself in the mirror than satisfy of his decision he goes downstairs to see his children.
“Well, I just need to try again; I guess it’s for the best, hopefully”
.
-Hey! Children! He screams walking in the kitchen. Would you like to rent a video for tonight?
-We could buy some pop corn too daddy? Asks his little daughter.
-Lots and lots of pop corn my princess.
-M&M too. Let’s go. Put your coats on, it’s so cold outside. We need to do the grocery. I’m going to shovel the snow off the car. I didn’t put it in the garage last night we need to pass the snow-plow.
-You daddy are going to do the grocery, says his girl stunt.
-Well yes, starting today, it will be my first time my sweetie, he says kissing her on the front head.
-Oh daddy! I missed you so much, you know, says his son giving him a big hug.
-Me too son. I missed both of you. Hurry up we have a lot of catching up to do.
Lolitta and her aunt are preparing breakfast for the kids when suddenly someone knocks at the door.
-Go answer the door Mimi! Screams Lolita. I’m cooking.
-Si, si, si, si!, answers Mimi running at the door.
Her little sister opens the door screaming.
-It’s a man Lolita. I don’t know him!
-I always told you to look by the window before opening the door Mimi, screams Lolitta furious.
She goes to the door with her spatula in her hand and when she sees the man she stop and froze. She doesn’t move at all. At the same time, Mimi runs to hide behind her. The man looks at her and removes his hat. He waits patiently for Lolitta to salute him.
-Can I come in? He says to break the ice after a long moment of silence. Lolitta tighten the grip of her spatula, furious to see him there.
-You are not welcome in this house, get out! She says very angry.
Her aunt arrives in the living-room.
-Lili! Exclaims the man opening up his arm to hug her.
-Pedro! You really took sometimes to arrive, admits Lolitta’s aunt.
-I told you not to write to him, screams Lolitta to her. You betrayed me. Get out of here too! She orders.
-Let’s take some time to discuss a little Lolitta, insist her father. I’ve changed; I leave in the states now. I don’t drink anymore. It’s over all this...
-And you too, she orders looking at her aunt. Both of you get out all at once, now and forever!
-I will get my stuff, says Lili.
-I’ll wait for you outside.
-You shouldn’t have done that Lolitta! It’s my father, screams Miguel enrage. Mi padré! Carramba!
Lolitta closes the door behind him and goes back to the kitchen.
-Your memory is short Miguel. That’s it go back to your room and remembers what your dad was doing to you Miguel, than we will talk.
The door bell rings again.
-It’s father Perron, screams Mimi this time looking at him by the window.
-Let him in.
- Come sit down, father, she says after he had remove his winter coat and boots. Would you like some coffee? Children come and have breakfast
He stands there for a few second wondering about the man outside but doesn’t want to get involve with what doesn’t concern him, not just yet.
She shares equally the meal with all the children and prepares a plate for the priest who declines it.
-No, eat Lolitta, says the priest receiving the plate.
-It’s okay, I have enough for everybody, explains Lolitta. This was my aunt’s plate anyway.
We hear the front door close at the same time. No one dares to say a word during breakfast. Miguel stands up all at once without touching is food and pushes his chair making it fall on the floor.
-Miguel! Where are you going? Sit down and eat! Orders Lolitta.
-You had no rights to do that, Lolitta! Its’ my father. Es mi padré Lolitta dé malor!
He leaves and takes refuge in his room.
-How old is Miguel? Asks the priest to save the situation.
-He is thirteen, answers Henrietta.
-And you?
-I’m twelve. Sanchez is 10 and Mimi is three years old, explains Henrietta.
-Ah, says the priest. You are all quite young.
-I finish my plate, says little Mimi. Can I go see Miguel? Asks her little sister showing Lolitta her plate.
-Yes Mimi but go wash it pequina.
-Me too, say Sanchez getting up.
-Go play with Mimi, Sanchez I’m going to take care of your plates, says Henrietta.
-There are very sweet, aren’t they? Comment the priest. But I think it’s time to take a decision Lolitta. You took a temporary decision when you call your aunt. Poor one, she met well you know when she advise your father.
-But I forbidden her to do so, she says standing up. She didn’t listen!
-Don’t get mad my child. She came to consult me. I didn’t know that she had mentioned it to you, and I though at that time it was a good idea. She never mentioned it to me that you oppose of it and she did read me all of your letters.
-She had no right to do what she did. My father beat us up, she says furiously and he will never have the chance to do it ever again, you hear me, never, she takes the towel to dry the dishes.
-But he might of change, says Henrietta. Maybe padré is nice now, adds her sister washing the dishes.
-Henrietta is right. You have to forget him. I know you have a lot of pain and a lot of sorrow because your mother is not there child but you have to do something for your brothers and sisters.
He waits a few minutes and continues.
-Your father is now a famous doctor, he could very well take care of all of you without any difficulties.
-And who tells you that he will not beat us again father, carramba! I saw him when he was doing it this pig!
-You have to forgive him my child and have faith. God is with you!
-Faith ...father...
Lolitta cannot believe it.
-God took my mother! You say that God is with me! Father! And now you want me to give my brothers and sisters to this filthy beast. No never! Do you hear me never!
-Come on Lolitta calm down my child come and sit next to me and let me show you the things on the bright side. Come my child.
She takes time to put away all the stuff before going to sit with him.
-Listen, we can perhaps starts with small visit from your father and do it in the presence of a social worker and then we can see from there. Think about it Lolitta, you are young, you must think of having a family of your own and live your life child. You are not the mother of these children you don’t have to take the responsibilities to raise those children it’s a burden that you charge yourself of. You feel responsible for the death of your mother. You don’t have to do that , God called your mother and it’s like this there is nothing you could of done my child but now starting from today...you can give Miguel, Sanchez, Henrietta and the little Mimi a chance to grow up next to their dad, to have a good education, nice clothing a nice house to live in. Think about it Lolitta, when you are going back again soon I presume who is going to take care of the children? There are four children to take care of its not easy those days to find someone responsible to take care of four children.
-Lorenzo knows someone that could do it
-Yes but it won’t be like this all the time and how are you going to live your life when you have so much to take care of. The rent, the food, the clothing....what will happen when one of the kids will become ill when you are up in the air or in another country? Think about it my child; you cannot in your position cut all the bonds...bad or goods.
-Very well, but for the moment, I can take care of them all by myself.
-I’m going to leave you now and if you need anything Lolitta don’t hesitate to call upon me at any time. I’m going to pray for you.
-Yes, that’s it.
She brings him back to the front door giving him his coat.
-Children! Come and say good bye to Father Perron.
They run to say good bye and run back to their room as fast as they arrives.
Lolitta looks at him leave and goes back to the kitchen to finish her coffee.
After thinking for a very long time, she calls the children to the kitchen.
-Everyone! Come I want to talk to you all, she yells.
They come in right at once wondering what was going on.
-Miguel, we are going to start with you. You remember now how it was when you were living with your dad; you remember when he was coming back from work what was going on all night long.
-Yes, I remember, says Miguel without adding another word.
-Well, than explain to the others maybe they forgot how it was, maybe they have lost their memory like you did... you really forgot that he was beating you my dear Miguel, you Henrietta, your mother and I.
-And me? Asks Sanchez innocently.
-No, you were too small and Mimi too. Mother was protecting you and was receiving all the hits for you
-Yes, but that was happening only when he was drinking and he was really drunk, exclaims Miguel standing up to take his defence. He had to work to pay is University to become a doctor! He doesn’t drink anymore! He yells furiously.
-Who told you that Miguel? Who? Ask Lolitta raising her voice too. Are you really sure? You have no proof of that! There are all nice words from your dad.
-But maybe he is nice now, says Henrietta.
-Me, I don’t like him, says Sanchez. He hurt my mother. I want my mother, says the boy crying. Madré, madré...
-Come here Sanchez, says Lolitta opening up her arms but Sanchez refuses and goes hide in Miguel’s arms.
-I want my mother too, screams Mimi at her turn. She than starts crying too.
All the children are crying the lost of their mother. Henrietta tries to comfort Mimi, and Miguel is blowing the nose of Sanchez crying as well.
-What do you want me to do? Ask Lolitta very desperate. What do you want to do Carramba! Tell me, asks Lolitta taking her head with her two hands. I can’t stand it, anymore! I’m trying to do my best, she says standing up.
-Miguel! Says Lolitta pointing at him. It’s you who is taking father’s place in this house... so you decide!
Everyone is waiting for Miguel’s answer. The little one stop crying and look at him.
-We can manage by ourselves, admits Miguel. When you will work, I can babysit the others.
-You are too young, the law says you have to go to school until you are sixteen, I think.
-There Lolitta, look in the news paper, maybe we can find a baby-sitter who would like to take care of us, suggests Henrietta giving her the news paper.
-Great idea! Says Lolitta drying her eyes. We are going to find our new baby sitter and if it doesn’t work we will have to go with the other solution.
-Which one? Asks Sanchez finally not crying anymore.
-You will go live with your father and I will go and visit you.
-Very well, answers Miguel lifting up Sanchez. I think we will arrive to an understanding after all, Lolitta. Mother would really like that, I guess, I’m sure she is watching us.
He pulls Lolitta to hug her and kisses her on the front head in sign of reconciliation at the surprise of the children who are very happy. Lolitta is charge with very big decision to take and she has to solve them before she leaves again to go to work.
Danyele’s decision is much easier than Lolitta. Should she go to the post-office to pick up a parcel from the nice charming prince or not? You don’t have to even ask, when her mother told her the news this morning; she left all at once to get it.
-Hello, Miss Tremblay, says the postman. You receive a very precious parcel and quite heavy too. Here you go, do you mind signing just right there, please.
Danyele rapidly signs and opens the box right away. She can’t wait all the way back home to see what’s in the box.
Even the postman is excited, it’s not every day he receive a parcel form Kuwait. He stops his work to see what she receives but Danyele takes the time to read the note first.
“If my calculation is good, I post this the day you left so you should receive it as soon as you arrived in Canada. I think it took the same plane as you. It’s a little something in appreciation of what you did for me. I love you, Marouan”
Danyele takes a good breath and opens the box.
-Oh, she exclaims. It’s the gold necklace I really loved.
-Ouf! Exclaims the postman at his turn, he must be rich your new boy friend!
-He is a prince, explains Danyele trying on her new necklace.
-He has taste by the way your prince charming, comments the postman. Like we say around here it is worth is gold nugget!
Ding, ding, ding!
The tiny bells of the post office are ringing each time the front door is opening.
-Hello mister the pilot, says the postman smiling.
-Hello, answers Mike coming in. Hi Danyele! He says happy to see her there.
Danyele turns around to look at him.
-Hum! It’s quite stunning...it must be a gift from your Kuwaiti, I presume. Mike didn’t expect that at all and he was a bit sad.
-Yes effectively, it’s from Marouan, she says taking the rest of her mail rapidly.
-He doesn’t waste his time.
-No, however there are some unfortunately who don’t know what is passing them under their very own nose don’t you agree?
She turns around and leaves without waiting for him to answer. We can hear the little bells ring again.
Ding, ding, ding!
The postman gives Mike his mail but couldn’t hold himself back.
-Is it you...who don’t know...
-That doesn’t concern you, says Mike harshly.
He takes his mail and leaves without thanking him. He tries to hurry to meet Danyele.
-Hey Danyele, he screams. Would you care to join me for dinner, tonight, you know for...
I’m sorry Mike but I’m busy, she says starting her car.
-Maybe another night, he says deceive.
-Yeah! Maybe...answers Danyele.
“When you finish your round of flight attendant, no!” she says to herself.
-Bye Mike!
She brings up the window of the car and leave without looking at him.
“Ah! Men they are all the same, No it’s not true Marouan is an exception to the rule but...he is Kuwaiti, a Muslim and a prince... but what am I getting into?”
She stops at a red light and waits. She looks in a mirror to admire the new necklace and smiles.
“Ah! And so what! Might as well get spoil while it last. It’s not a Canadian that could offer me something like this, that’s for sure. It takes everything for one of them to buy me a god dam beer, these habitants!”
She pushes her cassette of Pavarotti, brings up the volume and leaves singing along very happy from receiving this nice surprise.
“Anyway, when the day will come and that a man from here will be as polite as him to take me out and buy me a beer, I will considerate, but for now, no one is around. Who knows if Marouan and I couldn’t get together one day? Why not? There is the wife of the king of Jordan or again the pass away princess of Monaco and the one that married the prince Andrew...Sara ...I guess it’s possible! Everything is possible in life it just take will power. La la La la La la La la La la ...!”
Mike returns to his house, his ego hurt real badly so without wasting a moment, he calls Arlene to invite her for dinner.
-Hello Arlene! It’s Mike, how are you?
-Very well and you? She asks not to make too much fuss about it.
-Well, thanks, I’m finally rested from our very long day and I’m in good shape. I’m ready to play! What do you think of coming over for dinner?
-Ah! You are calling too late Mike, I’m busy.
-Oh! Well.
-What about tomorrow?
-Not even, I have dinner with some friends in the city.
-So I guess another time.
Yes that’s correct, Bye Mike!
Bye Arlene.
He hangs up discourage and phones right away his ex wife to see his children but no chance there too, it’s the answering machine. He hangs up without leaving a message.
