It's me, are you okay?
Yes, I'm okay, and you, sweetheart? You sound a bit quiet.
When are you coming back?
In two weeks—it's not that long anymore.
We could block out the weekend and go away for a bit.
You want to go away? I was thinking more about staying quiet at home.
No, precisely, I want us to go away together, to get out of the house, not go too far, just so we don't do the usual thing.
Do the usual thing… that sounds like a reproach… and are you sure you'll even be there?
Marc, fuck, are you doing this on purpose? I'm asking you for a weekend just the two of us so we can reconnect a bit, so we can talk, walk, I don't know, do couple things, and you start pushing my buttons. Aren't you tired of us arguing all the time?
Sorry, I miss you, I can't wait to come home, and I get so frustrated when you have to go back to work on the weekends when I come back.
That's exactly why I think it's time we took stock of our situation.
Ah okay, I see, it's the six-month relationship review weekend then, is that it? And then we see if we renew the lease? I'm not sure I even feel like coming back anymore.
Do whatever you want, but it would only delay a conversation we need to have.
**********
So, this weekend—was it how you wanted it to be?
Oh, Lisa, if you only knew: yes, more than good. It's so great between us when everything is going well. When it's really just the two of us, when we manage to disconnect from our respective jobs, everything is fine. We talked a lot, we kissed, cuddled, it felt so good.
The departure must have been even harder.
Yeah, totally! But if we keep those moments in mind, maybe next time it'll be the same.
When does he come back?
In three weeks, and he'll stay for a week, so we'll see. And you—how did your weekend go?
*************
Home for a week, I'm so happy.
Yeah, for you, yes, but you know I don't have any time off and I couldn't take a single day, so I won't be able to spend much time with you, remember.
Yes, I know, don't worry, I can at least take care of everything at home so that we can spend every available minute together. Come on, let's go to a restaurant!
Oh yeah, it's a celebration! Where do you want to eat?
Anywhere, but we could start the week with a dinner just the two of us, right? How about Italian?
Yes, that's perfect.
***********
At the restaurant
Come in, madam, please!
So then, what are you planning to do with your week, since I won't be around?
Well, first of all, sleep, because I really need it. I'll try to see if Peter is free one evening—would that be okay with you?
Of course, I haven't seen him in a while either.
Hello Marc!
Hello… Bertille, is it?
Yes, that's right. I'm sorry, I didn't want to bother you, I saw you come into the restaurant and I just wanted to say hello before leaving.
No problem, you did the right thing. Let me introduce Catherine, my partner. Bertille is a friend of Jerome's, remember?
Yes, yes, very well.
Nice to meet you, and this is Jules, my son. He's three years old.
Hi there, little guy! Do you live in the neighborhood?
Not really, we had just come to visit family. Well, I'll leave you to it. See you another time.
The last time I saw her must have been at Nicolas's birthday party at his country house. Do you remember?
I don't see how I could remember, since I wasn't there. Being a mother so young, anyway, that's brave.
Yeah, to each their own. Honestly, I barely remember her, it's funny that she came to see me. We never really talked back then.
Yes, it's hilarious!
Hey, you're not going to get jealous, are you? This is our evening, baby, we're not letting other people intrude. I hadn't seen her, she came up to me—you saw that clearly.
Yes, you're right, let's move on.
**********
Three days later, at the bottom of Marc and Catherine's building.
Bertille? What are you doing here?
I need to talk to you.
Talk to me? But how do you know my address?
By doing a bit of digging…
So it wasn't a coincidence the other day, is that it?
No. I saw you go into the restaurant, but I hadn't seen that you weren't alone. That's why I left.
Bertille, what do you want? Because right now, I find this downright weird.
Jules is your son.
… excuse me???
Yes, I'm sorry to tell you like this, but I didn't find a better way.
Are you messing with me? Is this one of Jerome's jokes? Come on guys, come out, it's not funny, you really got me…
It's not a joke, Marc. I would have preferred it were, believe me.
Listen, Bertille, you're a big girl so you know how babies are made, right?
Do you really think this is funny?
Fuck, Bertille! We never slept together. How could your son be mine? Do you take me for an idiot or what?
Are you sure about that?
Sure about what?
That we didn't sleep together? Do you remember that famous night at Nicolas's place?
What do you mean?
I mean you'd had a lot to drink that night. Like the others, by the way, and it got out of hand. You were celebrating your diplomas, your entry into the army… one last very boozy night.
… got out of hand…
Yes. At the end of the evening, or rather at the beginning of the morning, we ended up in bed together. Then you went to sleep it off in the hammock outside.
I do remember waking up outside… but…
But not the hours just before. Well, there you have it: you have a son. Congratulations!
No, no, no. Don't talk bullshit! It's not possible. Are you sure you didn't…
That I didn't sleep with the whole group? That's what you're wondering? Yes, I'm sure. I had been drinking, but not enough to forget that. I was in love with you, so our first night, I remember it.
And why didn't you tell me anything before?
I don't know. I found out too late that I was pregnant, so I couldn't have an abortion. Then I felt guilty, I told myself I'd manage on my own. Which is true. But…
But what?
Jules is going to school now. He sees dads. And he asks questions. I can manage on my own, but he… he needs a father. Here, this is my number. Take the time to process it, to talk about it with your girlfriend. And then we'll call each other to see what's next.
What's next? What are you talking about?
About your presence in his life. About being part of it. I'm not asking you to marry me. But at least… don't reject him.