Catherine, what's going on? You're white as a sheet, did you eat?
It's nothing… I just got caught by my superior with red eyes, and she didn't like that. Another excuse to belittle me and threaten me.
What a bitch, that woman. I don't know what she's had against you since the beginning.
She didn't want to hire me, and I'm here anyway, so she's making me pay for it, that's all.
Yeah, but that's harassment, it's been going on for months. I don't know how you put up with it. Have you talked to occupational health?
Pff… what do you want them to do about it? It's my word against hers, and she can get people to testify that I've been late, that I cry, that I forget things lately.
Yeah, we've noticed, but you know no one would testify against you.
If your job is threatened too, I think they would. I'm under no illusion, and that's normal. I'll pull myself together.
Hey… look at the new schedules.
That bitch… she put me on night shift again.
**************
How are you?
Fine, Pete, I'm okay, don't worry.
Okay… and if you stop lying, what does that look like?
It looks like I'm exhausted. I sleep little and badly. Marc doesn't call, he doesn't answer my messages.
He'll be back in two weeks, his training will be over. It'll probably already be easier if you're close to each other.
Close? I live at night, he lives during the day, so it's easy not to talk. And his kid isn't going to disappear like a nightmare that ends.
He's devastated to be putting you through this, believe me.
He doesn't really show it, actually.
Yes, I know. He's walking on eggshells. He's completely lost, I wonder how he managed to stay focused during his training.
Now that he's a helicopter pilot, he'll be able to go on missions, so at least he'll escape his two women for a few weeks. Living the dream.
Do you really think Marc wants to split himself between the two of you?
To be honest, I have no idea anymore what he might want. I'm at the end of my rope… I don't feel strong enough to go through this on top of everything else.
How's work?
Great.
Doesn't sound like it, the way you say that.
My manager resents me for being hired despite her unfavorable opinion, so she's making me pay for it every day since I got my permanent contract. So that + this… it's starting to be a lot to handle.
Yes, I understand, but you have to report her. She has no right to harass you.
No, indeed… but on what grounds? She can counter all my arguments, so I wait. I'm waiting for another opportunity to leave somewhere else… but in the meantime I need experience. So I hold on.
Until when?
************
The next day
Marc, where are you right now?
On base… I was going to call you.
You were going to call me? Weren't you rather planning to wait so we could talk?
Listen… we can't manage to talk. And talk about what, anyway? The situation is what it is, we keep arguing. To avoid arguing, we make sure not to run into each other. It's not possible anymore.
So taking your things in secret and leaving seemed like the best solution…
Cat', don't take it like that. Would you have preferred I pack my bag in front of you?
No, I would have wanted us to talk about it. For us to make a decision together, not you on your own apparently.
I think it's time we take a break. To think about what we want going forward. You didn't want to live with me… you got used to it… but in the end, look where we are today. And with the situation with Bertille… I can't force you to deal with something you don't want. You're right when you say you're only 23 and this isn't the life you want.
I didn't want any of this either. But if that kid is mine… I have to take responsibility.
Okay. So you've left. That's where it ends. Thanks for letting me know.
Caaat'…
***************
One month later
Catherine, where are you? I'm standing in front of the door, it won't open.
Hello.
What the fuck did you do?!
I'm in the elevator, I'm coming.
You changed the locks! Why did you do that?
What do you mean, why did I do that?
Shit… this is my place too, I've got all my stuff here!
Come in. We're not going to make a scene on the landing.
So no, this is no longer your place. Since the day you packed your things to "take a break" and stopped paying your share of the rent without even telling me.
Yeah… I forgot. I'm sorry.
Then don't come complaining now, okay? Do you know what the full rent represents compared to my salary? You disappear for a month without a single sign of life and now you allow yourself to come make a scene?
Okay… nothing's changed. I'll take what I need and I'll get out.
When will you take the rest?
The rest? Where do you want me to put it? I've just got a room on base!
You'll figure it out. I'm not going to be a storage unit. You chose to leave, it's up to you to deal with that too. Check with Bertille to see if she's got a garage.
Easy! Don't you dare throw my stuff out before I've found a solution.
Sure. See you very soon, then.
**********
Bertille, I won't be coming by today.
Oh really? And why? Jules is waiting for you.
I need to take a step back. I'm exhausted, and I don't think it's good for him to see me too often.
So according to you, Jules seeing his father to build a bond isn't good for him?
And what if I'm not his father… did you think about that?
No, Marc, I didn't think about it since you are his father. So stop that. Have you thought about my proposal to come live with us? It would be more practical, wouldn't it?
No, I don't want to live with you. Are you going to understand that? Okay, we may have slept together once, but it was a mistake. There were never any feelings. You tell me I'm Jules's father, so I take responsibility, but don't ask too much of me either. There is nothing between us, and there never will be anything between us, even if it's confirmed that I'm his father.
What do you mean, even if it's confirmed?
I filed a request for a DNA test.
A DNA test? How did you dare do that?
I looked into it. I wrote to the judge to start legal proceedings. But it takes a very long time.
And in the meantime? You're going to avoid Jules? Miss important moments? Deprive him of affection?
And what if it isn't me? If you're making it all up? I'd get attached to him, he'd get attached to me, and you'd rely on that to keep me. What are you trying to achieve? That I get so attached I can't leave you, even if he's not mine?
But he is yours! Stop this process, it's ridiculous!
No. What's ridiculous is believing that just because you tell me he's my son, I'm supposed to take your word for it. That's a bit too easy.