by Marten, Mimi
“Wait, maybe not?”
Sad turned into a big smile, and you could hear everyone’s sighs of relief. Simona reached for her bag and pulled out two wooden trains.
“Henry and Gordon!”
Francois was down from his chair with lightening speed. He grabbed the trains, one in each hand, but Simona didn’t let go.
“Pay first!”
Francois showed her the biggest smile and gave her a sugary, chocolaty, stinky, sticky kiss. Simona let go, and he ran off to show Mateas.
“Où est mo ....what? How did he say it?” Adam was trying to copy Francois.
The girls were laughing, and Monique answered, “You just ate yours.”
“I’m afraid so.” Simona was smiling, but her anxiety was rising. It was time to ‘fess’ up.
“I’m afraid I have to go...”
“Go where? You are not going to wait for Andre?”
It was just an innocent question from Adam, but her emotions started to show just by hearing his name. Simona put down her coffee cup, but her hands were shaking. It made an alarming noise.
Monique exchanged worried looks with Adam.
“Girls, go play with your new phones. Don’t call anybody, it’s too early still. Maybe grandpa,” Adam laughed.
“Mateas, take Francois to your room and help him with his trains. The tracks are under the bed.”
The kids left the kitchen, and Monique sat down. It was an awkward silence.
How was it? NOW or NEVER. Make it sweet and short. Stick to facts. No emotions!
“I’m sorry, I have to leave for business. I only came to get Francois.”
“Does Andre know you are picking him up? Are you not going to wait for him?”
“Originally I was, but due to new circumstances, I have to be in Paris this afternoon. Thank you for the coffee, and I’m really sorry I can’t stay.”
Simona smiled painfully and walked out to the hallway to go get Francois.
Monique and Adam were looking at each other, both realizing something didn’t add up.
“Call your brother. Something is up. I can feel it.”
Adam nodded in agreement and dialed the number. Monique left the kitchen and closed the door behind her.
Simona had to interrupt the precious train game, and neither boy was happy about it.
“We have to go. I’m sorry.”
“Go where? Papa?”
Simona’s knees buckled. THIS, she didn’t think about yet. How many times is he going to say Papa before it doesn’t feel like a knife stab?
“Where is your blankie, Francois?”
“I’m not going to sleep, Mama!”
“I know, love, but we need to take your blankie with us just in case you need to take a nap later, ok?”
“We are going to grandma later. Andre promised.” Mateas was like a bodyguard, supporting his little ‘brother.’
Simona didn’t look like she would change her mind, so Mateas left for support.
“Francois, which trains do you want to take?”
He picked up five trains when Simona figured that he would want to take them all.
“Which ones are your favorite?’
“Thomas, Henry, Gordon, Frank, Mathias...”
“Ok, perfect. Got them all. Let’s get blankie. We have to go on a plane.”
“We are taking a plane? Where are we going, mama?”
“Paris, mon cherie.”
“We are leaving for Paris without Papa?”
“I’m sorry, but we have to leave early.”
Simona never lied to Francois, not only because of right and wrong, but out of respect to his mature intellect.
“Are we flying commercial, or is Philippe picking us up?”
Simona had a moment of realization that no other four-year-old would ask this question, let alone have this lifestyle. But for Francois, it was just a simple matter-of-fact question.
“Yes, Philippe’s plane. And you can even talk to the pilot.”
“Raphael?”
Simona smiled. The innocence and the pure excitement of a child’s brain were finally coming out. It was something she would never get enough of.
“Yes, maybe he will lend you his hat.”
“Okay, mama, but why are you so sad? Are you sick? Is Papa sick?”
“No munchkin, nobody is sick, I’m just tired. I only flew in from New York last night.”
“I will take care of you, mama, until Papa comes home.”
Simona hugged her little big man and texted Philippe that they were ready.
Back in the hallway, Monique and Adam were trying to calm Mateas. They both had a worried look in their eyes, demanding answers. Simona picked Francois up as a reflex and walked towards the door. She only carried a little bag with the trains, Francois’ blankie - his lifeline and security - her phone, and her child.
“Tell her, dad! Andre said we are going to see grandma today. She is making us crepes.”
“Mateas, I’m sorry, but I have to go to work. I’m sure that if Andre promised, he is going to take you.”
“I want Francois to come, too. I wanted to teach him how to jump on his bike!”
Simona put Francois down and went down to be lower than Mateas.
“I would love to stay, but I can’t. Francois has to come with me this time, too.”
“Can you come back tomorrow?”
“I have to go to Paris… Do you know how long the flight is?”
“2 hours?”
“Very good, 1.5 hours. It’s pretty far. What is Paris the capital of?”
“France.”
“Excellent. So, it’s far, and it’s your birthday next week, right?”
“Yes, you can come back for my party, right?”
“I’m not sure. So that is why I brought you a present now…”
Simona pulled a beautifully wrapped box that looked like a book, wrapped in BMX gift paper.
“You can’t open it until your birthday. Promise?”
“I promise.”
Simona successfully deviated his attention to something else.
Adam and Monique were still standing there as if they wouldn’t let her leave. Simona gave Mateas a hug, and stood up, grabbing Francois again.
“When is Andre coming?” Mateas wouldn’t give up.
“He is still sleeping, I’m sure he will come for lunch. Are you going to make him something?”
“Lunch is at grandma’s house,” Mateas continued stubbornly.
“Aha. Well, I’m sure he didn’t forget if he promised.”
Simona was almost by the door.
“Where are you going with him like that? Francois has pajamas on. You can’t take him on a plane in pajamas,” Monique was protesting. It was hard to say if it was to gain time or if Monique was genuinely concerned about Francois’ clothes.
Simona hesitated. She didn’t care what he was wearing, and they sensed her hesitation, which was very unnatural.
Monique had her arm out as Francois moved towards her.
“I will get him dressed and get his stuff.”
“I don’t need his stuff,” another weird statement, but a great sign for Mateas.
“Mateas, come. You need to get dressed, too.”
“Mami, that’s a good sign. Aunty doesn’t want his bag. That means they will be back soon.”
Monique smiled, but she wasn’t convinced about that philosophy. Quite the opposite.
They all walked back to the kids’ room. Adam and Simona were alone in the hallway, eying each other cautiously.
“What is going on, Simona?!”
Simona looked at this man. He was the kindest human, brilliant in his own way. A unique combination of dedication to the people he loved, with one of the highest IQ’s you ever met. She couldn’t, and wouldn’t, lie to this man. She couldn’t bring herself to talk about Andre either.
“Tell me in English. What did he do?!”
“Why do you assume he has done something?”
/> “Because every time somebody says his name, you look like you get electrocuted.”
“I’m sorry, Adam. I really am.”
“Listen, even if he fucked up, everyone deserves to be heard. You have to hear him out. Innocent until proven guilty.”
“You hear him out. I don’t want to hear it anymore.”
Adam grabbed her shoulders as if he was going to shake it out of her.
“Please, don’t do this, Simona!”
“I didn’t do THIS!”
He was so close that she could feel his breath, staring in her eyes, trying to change her mind with magical powers. She was looking right back at him with devastation and pain in her eyes. Adam saw it all. This gentle family man saw all the way deep inside. He couldn’t take it anymore, so he hugged her.
That is when he felt her heartbeat going through the roof, and her body shivering. He hugged her even tighter.
Simona felt his positive energy, same as when she got a hug from Trouble. When she can suck his energy, and feel safe.
The boys were coming back with Monique. Adam didn’t let go, and they saw the hug, too. When Adam pulled away, he was still holding her shoulders, stepping back slowly, as if trying to make sure that the fragile figurine in front of him would stand on her own.
There were no tears, but the pain took his breath away.
The girls came out to say good-bye. She hugged them both, telling them that they have her number, and to text her anytime. She thanked Mateas for taking care of his little cousin and gave Monique a hug, without saying a word.
She looked around that room, the famous messy house filled with love where everyone feels home. Where they always greet you with open arms no matter what hour, day or night, you show up.
“You are all amazing. I love you very much,” Simona breathed as if saying good-bye forever. She finally grabbed Francois by hand, and Adam opened the door. She looked at him one more time. He almost couldn’t bare to look back at her.
“Where are you going?”
“Where he will never find me.”
....which Adam translated to himself as…'where he can’t ever hurt me again.’
That was the moment that took him over the edge, and he got tears in his eyes. They were looking in each other’s eyes, hers filled with pain, his filled with sorrow.
One tear came rolling down his face. She wiped it off, and kissed him on that cheek.
“Take care of him. I will always love him.”
28
"SILENCE IS A DEADLY KILLER. IT'S THE WORST NOISE WHEN YOUR WORLD IS COLLAPSING."
MONIQUE AND THE kids were standing by the window, watching Simona walk slowly with Francois, matching his tiny steps. Adam was standing frozen by the door.
Did this really happen? Am I going to wake up from this bad dream?! This is not a bad dream. This is a full-blown nightmare!
“Dad, come here!”
Adam finally snapped out of it and walked to the kitchen. He was the tallest. He stood above everyone, holding his daughters and his wife as if he wanted to protect them. Simona was waving with Francois’ little hand, pointing to the window until he saw them. Then he blew them a kiss, and she turned around and handed him to someone inside the car. The driver was patiently waiting until Simona got in, too. She held the door open, had one last look at the window, got inside, and closed the door behind her.
“Mami, whose car is it?”
“I don’t know, Mateas. It’s probably something like a better taxi.”
Of course, it’s not a taxi. Simona wouldn’t do anything like that. She is too smart for just getting a cab and going to the airport to get on a plane. Too easy, too predictable. That is not this woman’s description…
“Adam, snap out of it! We have to do something,” Monique pleaded with her husband.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. We can’t just let her leave.”
“We just did.”
“Yes, but we had Francois in our care. Andre trusted us with his well-being. He is going to come, and we say what? We let your son walk out of here?”
“Are you serious? You can’t be serious?!”
“Now it’s going to be our fault that he screwed up? Are you mad?!”
“That’s not what I’m saying. It just doesn’t feel right. I hate this hopeless feeling.”
“Well, let me call the idiot again.”
“Adam!”
“What?”
“What do you mean what? The kids are here.”
“That’s why I said idiot and not a F….. moron!”
“Adam! Kids, leave us alone for a moment, please.”
“He is still not picking up. What else do you want me to do?”
“Leave him a message.”
“Good morning, asshole! Call me! It’s urgent!”
“Nice. Mature. Constructive. Really?”
“Moni, I want to kill him myself. I hate him right now. What do you want me to do? Sugarcoat it?”
“You have to go to the airport or something. You have to stop her. I feel guilty. He trusted us with his son, and we just let him go.”
Adam was finally getting where Monique’s guilt was coming from. He felt it, too. As a father, he would be trusting someone with his precious possession, his child and… Comes back less than 24 hours later, and doesn’t find him where he left him. He would blame the caretaker.
“It’s different. She had the right to do it.”
“And he has the right to explain and be heard.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Just go after her. Keep calling him.”
Adam wasn’t convinced about this mission’s success, but it was better than doing nothing.
“Simona is too smart. She wouldn’t make a beginner’s mistake like going to the airport.”
“You are smart, too. Think like her.”
“She probably chartered a plane. Our best bet is the Vaclav Havel Airport private plane terminal.”
“Great. You go. I will keep calling Andre to meet you there.”
Adam was dressed in a heartbeat, still with his morning hairdo. He was barely out of the door when ‘auntie’ from downstairs showed up.
“Who’s car was that?”
“Morning, auntie.”
“Morning. You guys made so much noise this morning. I knew somebody was here, but I didn’t want to intrude.”
“Listen, auntie. Was the car there the whole time?”
Adam knew that she would have been glued to the window spying on everything, and would have a precise answer.
“No, first the lady and the driver carrying presents, many trays. Then the car left, and came back, waiting for about 10 min.”
“Great, thanks.”
Adam was already running down the stairs when she yelled behind him.
“Someone else was in the car besides the driver. Francois said, ‘Bonjour!’”
“Auntie, I didn’t know you spoke French.”
“The little devil taught me ‘Merci! Oui!..... and ‘Bonjour!’”
“Haha. Auntie, go have some breakfast upstairs. We left you some.”
Monique rolled her eyes as if to say… Thanks a lot! Now I have to deal with her?
Adam was speeding on the highway. His head pounding. His mind overloaded with a million thoughts, firing in every direction. Then the phone rang.
“Bro. What the hell is going on?”
Adam wanted to yell, scream, take his frustration out on him. But that wouldn’t help right now, he needed to stay calm.
“Where the hell are you?”
“I don’t understand. Why are you so mad? What is the emergency?!”
Silence. Andre was immediately out of the bed, on his feet, with his heartbeat through the roof, afraid to ask...
“Francois? Something happened to Francois?! Adam!!!”
“Francois is ok. Where are you?”
“What the hell does that matter? I’m in a hotel room.”
“Well, I’m on my way to the airport, private terminal. Get a cab and meet me there!”
“I don’t fucking understand. What is going on?”
“I don’t have the patience or the will to explain. Just do it!” Adam hung up.
Andre looked at the phone in disbelief. Then he finally realized that he had 10 missed calls from Adam and Monique. He decided to call Monique while getting dressed.
“Moni, what is going on?”
“Are you ok? Did you talk to Adam?”
“Yes. But he didn’t tell me anything. Except to meet him at the airport.”
“For the love of God, hurry up, Andre!”
“Why is everybody talking like the world is coming to an end? Without telling me what the fuck is going on?!”
“Simona came. She took Francois.”
Silence. A lightening strike. Electricity on death row. It wasn’t like anything he ever felt before. The knife in his stomach from last night was a bee sting compared to this. This ran straight through the heart. It physically knocked him down. The phone fell out of his hand, and he didn’t think he could take another breath.
Monique was screaming on the phone...
The time stopped. The world had a dot. Finished. Is this how death feels? Why is your brain still functioning? Why is it not dead, too?! You can’t move, can’t breath, your heart is paralyzed, but your brain is there to remind you that NO, NO, you are not dead yet. You are in a state of shock. The pain is gearing up her weapons. It’s coming.
Shock is kind. It has a sarcastic satisfaction in the moment of surprise. In return it gives you numbness until the bitch Pain comes at full throttle.Then HE will go home and let HER have it…
Monique’s voice was getting hysterical by now. Andre finally picked up the phone from the floor.
“Yes.”
“....ok, thank God. You don’t have much time, Andre. You need to get it together.”
“Get it together? Which part?”
“Well, right now, yourself. Then the rest. Hurry up!”
Monique’s commanding voice brought him to his feet, and his legs resumed their function. His brain was shut, but he was following orders.
“Get in a taxi, and meet Adam at the private plane terminal. Okay?”
“What did she say?”