Chapter 3 CHAPITRE 2

I went to pick up Maeva because she's starting to drift away from us and with everything that's happening on these so-called beaches, I don't feel like losing sight of my daughter or letting her wander off. She wanted to sulk but I picked her up.

Maeva: Dad...

Me: You stay right next to me Maeva, stand over there.

Ben (smiling): Would you like another ice cream, Maeva?

Maeva: Yes, Uncle Ben!

He ordered her another vanilla and caramel ice cream. She sat down and busied herself getting ice cream all over herself. I'm back on the subject with Ben, I don't really understand what he's getting at.

Me (looking at him): Yes, so explain it to me clearly?

Ben (holding my gaze): I'm asking if you're motivated to work?

Me: You know I am, but I'd like to know what it's all about.

Ben : Accounting!

Me: Yes, but what kind of work will you be doing? I mean the scope of the job?

Ben: Look, you're getting yourself worked up over nothing. It's general accounting, nothing more and nothing less than what you've learned in class and seen on your internships.

Me: Yes, but I've only done two six-month internships and that was at the Central Post Office.

Ben (placing his hands behind his head): Well? That's enough. Do you have a CV?

Me: Yes, I must have one somewhere.

Ben: Update it and get back to me within the week. I'll give it to the boss, and we'll certainly give you a call.

Me (raising an eyebrow): Hmm, that sounds too easy!

Ben (laughing): It's called being tapped, my boy.

I think there's something wrong with this, it's too easy. At the same time, maybe I'm lucky too? Ben took another sip of his heineken.

Ben: ooh there's a moist cake on the horizon!

Me (following his gaze): pfff

Ben (devouring her with his eyes): look at that pair of buttocks! The girls in Libreville are good, aren't they?

There's a group of three girls in front of us, two of them in bathing suits. I take a sip of my Coke. It's not for me, they're okay, but it still reminds me that I don't have Laetitia anymore. Ben looked at me, and when he saw I was distracted, he sighed.

Ben: Are you still thinking about Laetitia?

Me: That's kind of hot!

Ben (straightening up): She's not worth it, David!

Me: She's also Maeva's mother...

Ben: So what? What haven't we seen before? I'll tell you one thing, I knew it was going to happen like this sooner or later. Look, Laetitia is like all those women out there. You have to show them a few bucks, take them out to eat and they're in your bed, chasing after you...

Me: Well, there's more to life than money.

Ben: No, it's not just money, but it's what controls the world.

He waved to the waitress who came to our table smiling with the bill. He took out his wallet to pay, then looked at his watch.

Ben: Well, I've got to run... Can I give you a lift?

Me: No, we're going to enjoy ourselves a little longer.

Ben (getting up): ok, but think about the job, it's an opportunity not to be missed.

Me: Okay, we'll call you!

He left and I stayed with my daughter, pacing up and down the beach. I could see her running away from the waves, laughing. I look at Maeva and she reminds me so much of her mother when she's laughing with her pale complexion and small mouth. I thought back to the conversation with Laurence, I can't believe she's moved on, it's too easy, she has to explain.

The next day at work, it was a bit difficult, I wasn't in high spirits. As I was carrying the bricks, I thought I was better than this, but deep down I know I'm not cut out for it. Ben's right, I should think about going into accountancy, that's what I got my BTS for anyway, not to end up here!

The morning was hard with all the work and thoughts in my head. I took a break with Gildas, and we went to a cafeteria for spaghetti and meat. During the meal, we chatted quietly. This life is such shit.

Me: And Marina? How's her health?

Gildas: For the moment, her health is stable, as is the baby's. She's on a fairly strict treatment and diet.

Me: Okay, when is she due?

Gildas: Normally in three months.

Me: It'll be fine, don't worry! Ah la vie...

Gildas: And Laetitia?

I explained to her what her sister had told me on the phone, that girl's a witch! Then we were back in the field, and I told him the story of Angélique, the boss's wife. He died laughing.

Gildas: She's still good, she's probably 35 or 38 max.

Me: Yeah, but I don't think she's up to it either... no, it's too risky!

Gildas: You can relax, take a good shot and zap unless you're afraid of the rails.

Me: I don't think so, that kind is worse than a leech brother.

Gildas: in any case

We went through the gate and Angélique's car was parked in the dealership. I went around to continue on the back terrace. I was mixing the cement when she came up behind me and touched my arm.

Me: ah hello ma'am

Angelique (smiling): David I've already told you that you can call me by my first name!

Me: Okay.

Angelique: So how are you?

Me: Pretty good and you?

She began to type quietly, I answered as I worked, her gaze always on me.

Angélique: So, have you thought about my proposal?

Me: Which one?

Angelique (looking at me): Have a drink with me.

Me (holding her gaze): That's not going to be possible, sorry.

Angelique : Why not?

Me: I've got to look after my daughter tonight and take my mom for a check-up.

Angelique: ah, you have a daughter? So you're a couple?

Me: I'm not with my daughter's mother anymore.

Angélique (looking at her phone): ok! Let's do it again. Call me David, it'll make me happy and... I hope we'll have time to get to know each other better.

Unexpectedly, she gave me a peck on the cheek, and I was a little embarrassed, especially as I'm not very fresh at the moment. I still let out a little smile, I must say she's not bad-looking, but there's no time for that right now.

Three days later.

Mom: David, don't miss your chance.

Me: Mom, I don't know, I don't have much experience and it goes fast anyway.

Mom (looking at me): You've got a degree, do you think your father would be happy to see you doing the odd jobs in the meantime you can get better?

Me (sighing): You're right, Mum.

Yesterday I went to Ben's company for an interview, which went really well, and I have to give him an answer this evening. I'm happy and also anxious at the same time, but when I see all the advantages behind it, I'll be able to look after my mother properly, pay off my debts, send my daughter to school. I'm going to accept, especially as I'll be guided and trained from the start. I've spoken to Gildas about it and he's also encouraging me to go for it, so I'm going to call to confirm and I'll start next Monday. Once I called Ben to tell him, he was happy and said he'd pass on the message tomorrow.

Ben: I hope you're ready, it's going to go pretty fast.

Me: Do I have a choice? You don't miss opportunities like that.

Ben: You'll have to make concessions sometimes, but above all you'll have to make the right choice to evolve and line your pockets.

Me: I haven't even started yet, Ben!

Ben: That's right! Soon they'll all be eating out of your hand, believe me.

Anything. I looked after Maeva and then watched a bit of TV before going to bed. The next day Mom wasn't feeling well so I had to run to the general hospital with her. I sent a message to Gildas to let him know.

We had to keep Mom, so I went back home, leaving Maeva with the neighbor. I took some money from my savings, gave the neighbor 2,000 fcfa for Maeva and went back to the hospital. I was surprised to be told that Mom had a kidney stone problem and that I had to pay for tests and other things. I didn't have enough money, I'll have to lend again.

I tried to call Ben to help me out, but his number was unavailable; he must be busy. I was sitting in the corridor cogitating and looking at my contacts when I saw Angelique and a waitress coming towards me. What's she doing here?

Angelique: I'm going to sort it all out.

Me (surprised): No, don't worry, I'll...

Angelique: It's too late.

Apparently she's taken care of the hospital bills and the prescription. I was embarrassed, how does she know I'm here? How am I going to thank her? How am I going to pay her back?

Angélique: Gildas told me everything.

Me: Thank you, I'll pay you back. You can take it out of my salary.

Angélique : But no, David, I'll give you a hand, it's normal, you do good work for us too.

Me: Thank you then!

Angelique (winking): You can thank me later.

She stayed with me for a while. I was lost, I didn't know what to do because Mom was spending the night, so I had to go home and spend the night. I couldn't leave my daughter alone. I got to the neighborhood and went straight to the neighbor's. Maeva wasn't there. Maeva wasn't there, so I went to the house. The door was open, and when I came in, I found Laetitia sitting in the living room with Maeva. Did she come back?