Hi Catherine, I was very surprised by your message.
How are you?
Very well—but you're the one we should be asking. Have you gone back to work?
Yes, I managed to go back, and I've also moved back into my apartment.
That's good—I'm happy for you.
I asked you to come because the last time we saw each other, I apparently wasn't in the best shape.
Uh… yes, you could say that. It was a modern version of Sleeping Beauty that I didn't really like, to be honest.
Marc told me. That's why I wanted to see you: I owe you an apology and some thanks.
No, you don't owe me anything at all. I was just there at the right time.
And then you disappeared—why?
Because I had nothing more to do around here. You had your story with Marc to rebuild, and I didn't want to interfere or get in the way.
But you didn't have to walk out of my life right after saving it.
I didn't save you—the doctor said you would have woken up sooner or later.
Stop it—you know what I mean. I understand why you did it and I thank you for it, but I absolutely wanted to see you again so I could thank you face to face. Thank you for moving heaven and earth to come get me, thank you for being there with me during that difficult time, thank you for helping me get back on my feet.
You're welcome—you did the same for me.
And I apologize for not being able to give you more, for scaring you, and then for leaving without giving any news.
Catherine, you have nothing to reproach yourself for. We needed to spend those few months together to move on. You helped me a lot—we helped each other a lot—but we'd reached the end of the road. You just had more courage than I did to admit it. I probably felt it too, but I didn't want to be alone—that's all. Are you happy with Marc now?
So yes, I'm happy—but I'm not with Marc at the moment.
Oh no! Why? You didn't manage to wipe the slate clean of your past?
Yes, we did. We spend a lot of time together, the two of us, but we're not officially together yet because I wanted us to have this conversation first. I needed to talk to you one last time, to know you were okay before getting back together with Marc.
Oh, Cathy! Yes, I'm fine—be sure of that. Keep a little place for me in your mind, but please don't let Marc slip away again. You're meant to be together. Does he know you're here?
No, of course not. I was afraid he wouldn't understand.
Then go join him and tell him everything. Don't start over like before.
Yes—you're right.
**********
That same evening
You're awfully quiet tonight. Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine. You haven't been very talkative either—something on your mind?
No, I'd just like to talk to you about something.
Go ahead, I'm listening.
Would you… agree to come back home with me?
Sorry?
Are you surprised, or did you genuinely not understand?
Hugo didn't agree, is that it?
Hugo? But how do you know that…?
Your phone was on the coffee table and a text came in, so I had time to see it. You were with him this afternoon.
Yes, that's true—but not for the reasons you seem to be imagining. You were waiting for me to talk to you about it, apparently.
Cat', we decide to take a step toward each other again. We're constantly walking on eggshells, we don't dare do anything, you're willing to sleep with me but that's all—and now I find out you waited for me to go back to work to go see him. You can imagine how my day's been!
Why didn't you talk to me about it directly? I didn't want to hide anything from you—I just thought you wouldn't understand and that it might hurt you, that's all.
But trying to protect the other person all the time ends up having the opposite effect.
Okay, then I'm sorry. I did want to go see Hugo—not call him, but see him—because the last time I spoke to him was before…
Your suicide attempt!
Yes—that's it. And I didn't feel capable of calling him; I needed to see him in person.
So it's not over?
Yes, of course it's over with Hugo—well before I even went to the hospital. He told you we weren't together anymore.
I don't get it then—explain!
I needed to apologize for what I did and to thank him anyway. Apparently I would have woken up—almost certainly—but he still sensed I was in danger, and he found the courage to come get you out of your military base. That's no small thing, right?
Yes, I admit it—and I reacted very badly toward him, too.
In my mind, there was something unfinished. And I realized that the only time he ever set foot in my apartment was to see me unconscious. That's pretty violent. I needed to see him again to close that chapter for good and finally move on peacefully… with you…
Could you remind me of your first question?
Would you agree to come back home…to live with me… again?
Are you sure you want to live again with an idiot like me?
Yes, I'm sure.
Then let's go home.