La Vie en Rosé - Part Four

 
by Natalie d'Arbeloff
 
Marcel Lafitte was used to silence, he craved it as others craved 
communication. But the insistent, demanding silence which now 
inhabited the room oppressed him. C'est toujours la même chose avec 
ces gens, he thought, le sexe, l'argent, le mécontentement.
 
"Alors c'est quoi?" he could not hide his irritation, "The problem? 
Sex? Money? Discontent with yourself?"
 
Susan stared at him. "The money's fine, the rest is a mess." The 
priest's lack of social graces was surprisingly encouraging. "I was 
looking out the window. My husband and yet another other woman. All 
these voice were chattering around me and suddenly I couldn't 
understand anything. Nothing real. C'etait pas vrai, you know? So I 
drank all the booze and walked out."
 
"You went looking for a nunnery."
 
Susan shrugged. "I was drunk. I am a drunk. A reformed one, at least 
until tonight. Three whole years! Trois ans j'ai pas touché la 
bouteille! Not even a sniff. "
 
"Alors, what is your next step?"
 
"I have no fucking idea!" She laughed. "What kind of a priest are 
you? You're supposed to be telling me what to do next."
 
"Madame, this collar does not give me wisdom. A gendarme's uniform 
does not make him obey the law. I have little experience of the life 
you speak of. And I must retire now, I have an early mass tomorrow. 
Do you wish me to accompany you back to your friends' house?"
 
Susan stood up reluctantly, disappointed, like a child being sent to 
bed. "No, I can manage on my own, Padre. Thank you for your 
hospitality." She extended a limp hand which the priest shook 
politely, gravely.
 
"If I can be of any assistance, you can always find me here or in my 
church. Bonne nuit, Madame."
 
Swaying a little, Susan walked out into the warm night, carrying her 
shoes. The village street was deserted, lit only by the moon.