Marlene arrived at her sister’s gate at dusk. Over the hedge, she could see Richard in the kitchen and Nath pacing from room to room, arms folded. A few lights shone in the surrounding windows; the neighborhood was deserted, silent. She wondered whether she should ring or use the door code to enter directly. She rang. She said into the intercom that she wanted to come in. Go to hell, Richard answered. You go straight to hell.
The wind had risen again, the eucalyptus leaves clacked against each other. So that’s how it was going to be. Anyway, she wasn’t really surprised, she’d figured they would be in that state of mind. She rang again for form’s sake.
She saw their agitated movements inside. She found a rock and flung it at their window. The sound of breaking glass echoed and hung in the air.
Richard and Nath stared at each other, dumbstruck.
I didn’t come here to talk, Marlene shouted. Stop trying to turn Dan against me. Just stop it.
Richard and Nath exchanged a few words. Then he disappeared for an instant and reappeared at the front door, which he’d yanked open. He charged across the yard like a buffalo, head lowered, under the eyes of Nath who remained silent, undecided, as he rushed toward the gate.
You take one more step, Richard, and I’ll tell her everything, Marlene warned him in a dull voice. It’s you, the two of you, who were the bad influence. So just fuck off and leave us alone.
He had already set one foot on the sidewalk but he stopped dead. What’s she saying, Nath nervously asked from the window. Richard, what’s she telling you.
And you, shut the fuck up, Marlene turned to her. I’ve had enough of you.
Richard seemed a little drunk but he grabbed her by the arm. She shook free.
Don’t touch me. You’re monsters, both of you, that’s all you are. Dan doesn’t know, but I do.
Fuck you, you’re just a goddam troublemaker.
I could be worse than that.
Don’t listen to her, Richard, make her shut up, Nath yelled. She’s trying to destroy us, can’t you see that.
Dusk was falling, a neighbor was standing behind his curtains, a night bird hovering in a circle above the woods plunged toward the leafy canopy while Nath let out a bellow of rage and vanished from the window.
This is driving us crazy, Marlene shouted, shaking her head. You’re both driving me crazy, do you hear.
She turned toward Nath, who strode rapidly over the lawn and emptied the shotgun straight into her chest.
Dan raised his eyes to the bronze sky and let out a long sigh of satisfaction. Brigitte hadn’t gotten him this time. He’d stood up to her, taking as his excuse that he had to look after his sick mother, that he couldn’t stay any longer, and although she hadn’t believed a word of it, she had to give in when he threatened to talk to his union rep.
He straddled his motorcycle and smoked a cigarette before starting up. The early evening was warm, the air smelled new. When he arrived at his door, he ran into the dentist, who was watering his flowers.
Dan, he said, come over here a minute, I wanted to tell you, I think there’s a woman who’s been living at your place for a few days.
Yes, absolutely, you’ve got good eyesight. She’s not walking around in the buff, I hope.
No, of course not, I never said that.
Because she’s kind of like that, you know. But whatever, she does what she likes. She’s a bit of a free spirit. You’ll get used to her.
Without further ado, he turned and went into his house, addressed a slight smile to the ghost of the coat-rack, and dropped his jacket on a chair. Marlene wasn’t home.
He glanced into the bedroom and noticed that her things had been put away. He even found a few more, a large suitcase and some cardboard boxes that she had neatly lined up against the garage wall. The hint of a smile came over him. He went back into the kitchen to pour himself a drink. Night was coming on. He sat on the floor, on the cushions in the living room, and relaxed in the uncertain dusk. It just might work. He would tell her that when she got home. Hmm, you and me, I think it could work out. Glad you’ll be here.
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