When we were making the changes, I claimed Thérèse's presence of Marc. She told me that she had spoken to Louis the day before and that he had agreed.

That night, Marc explained to Louis and me that he wanted to pay for Thérèse's university studies. He had already talked to her and wanted to cover all of her tuition and room expenses in Bordeaux.

I was practically mute. Everyone was talking so normally that I felt displaced in my decisions.

Twenty years ago, I had a romantic summer with Marc, Thérèse's real father. At the end of the summer, Marc told me that he was going to marry Eve, and that it was very nice between us but that he was already engaged.

The next month I found out I was pregnant, and I told Louis who was my best friend. He proposed to me before my abdomen grew. We got married and Thérèse, our only daughter, was born.

All this memory came to my mind while Louis, Thérèse, and Marc were talking about the future.

When I went to our room I complained to Louis that he had not told me anything about Marc's visit. He replied that Therèse had called him the day before. I was asleep and in the morning he left very early for the village.

I also asked him what he thought of Marc's intentions to pay for Thérèse's studies. He believed that Thérèse would be able to study without financial sacrifice, and Marc was a man of good economic standing who wanted to give his daughter what he never gave her.

It was the longest night of my life. I didn't sleep well, and all the memories of being in love with that man who slept in my house today and was the father of my daughter tormented me until dawn.

I got up and made coffee and toast. Marc and Louis were also up early. Marc ate breakfast and said goodbye. He left us his card with the address of his law firm and left.

I spoke to Louis and told him that I thought it was a bad idea for Therèse to accept Marc's help. Louis, with a loving look on his face, took my hand and told me that he had full confidence in the education and principles he had given to our daughter. Then, he took my other hand and told me that he trusted me too.

His serene tone and loving gaze shook me. He kissed me and left for the cooperative.

Thérèse slept almost all morning. When she woke up, we talked about her university studies. She was sure of what she wanted to do and that's why she talked to Marc.

I watched and listened to her carefully. She was a totally confident and positive young woman. Really, she was admirable.

During the day we talked about many things. It was a mother-daughter day like we hadn't had in a long time.

For dinner, Louis uncorked a bottle of white wine he had reserved for a special occasion. We spent more than two hours sitting at the table.

The next day, Thérèse would leave for Bordeaux and our lives had changed again.

I didn't sleep well that night either. Marc's memories were still swirling in my mind. Louis' words of serenity and my daughter's near emancipation were confusing revelations of a baroque night.

Thérèse, Louis and I went early to the train station. We said goodbye with hugs, kisses, laughter, advice, and tears in my eyes (I was the only one who cried).

Louis returned me to the house and went to work for the cooperative. We said goodbye until the evening. I made a cup of tea and sat on a wooden bench next to the rose garden. I took the family album with me.

I slowly passed each leaf of photographs while sipping tea. The still morning breeze was delicious along with the delicate aroma of roses.

Suddenly, waking up from my selfishness, I saw 20 years of my life. Louis was the man who had accompanied me during all this time. I respected him but I had never loved him as a man.

It was in all the photographs. On birthdays, at Christmas, and in the summers, always with his friendly smile. I closed the album and looked for a little box where I kept my precious objects. There was a picture of him and me when we were 16 years old. I took it in my hands and put it on my chest.

I couldn't imagine life without him at that moment. I had fallen in love and didn't realize when it was.

I took a salt bath and prepared a big dinner with salmon. I chose a dress with a flower print and pulled my hair up, letting some locks fall freely.

When Louis arrived I approached him with a wide smile. I kissed him on the cheek and asked him to find a bottle of good wine because I had prepared a special dinner.

Louis, somewhat perplexed, saw my radiant face. He didn't ask me anything and went to the small cellar. He brought the wine and told me –“this bottle from 1954, it is the best I have. I saved it for a special celebration”.

We hugged, without saying a word. Then, we kissed passionately for the first time.

We were both wrong, I told him. Love can be built, and we can also be blind and unjust before it.

I have always loved you, he said. To which I replied –“but you never thought that I would fall in love with you”. When I finished saying this sentence, he took me in his arms and kissed me tenderly.

I will not describe that night. Everyone will imagine what happened. For me, it was the renaissance and cubism at the same time.

My participation for Season 2 Week 2 organized by @theinkwell. If you want to know this challenge you can check the following link Theinkwell Writing Challenge | Season 2 Week 2 .

Thanks for reading.

Welcome your comments

Infinite greetings!

Story @marcybetancourt
© Nov 2020, Marcy Betancourt. All rights reserved