“It’s not just about the job. I also need my... my old room back. Which is why we should talk privately.”
Out of reflex, I glance over at Claire to see her reaction. I might care too much about what strangers think, but I can’t help it. I’m a private person, my life is my own, and I hate that she has to be here during my moment of vulnerability.
My dad frowns at me. “I thought you had another place to live?”
“I did, but I don’t anymore. Please, Dad?”
I can tell we’re both thinking back to when I was bragging about my new place and telling him I wasn’t going to come back. How wrong was I?
Now, I can only hope he won’t mention it. This is embarrassing enough as it is.
“I must say, Luc, you told me you weren’t coming back, and you sounded like you meant it, so I reorganized the place. It’s not the way you left it.”
“I don’t care.” I’m relieved he’s not dragging me for this. Maybe it’s because Claire is here. If that’s the reason, her presence will have benefited me after all.
“Alright. Just know there’s some equipment in there. It’s pretty big, but you’re free to move it if you’re able, and if you can find a place where it won’t be in the way.”
“Equipment?” I ask, confused. “What kind of equipment?”
His expression turns cold. “Do you want the room or not?”
“Yes, yes, I do, thank you. The room and... my job back.”
Claire has been quiet until now. “I need the job too, Monsieur Pierre! Please don’t fire me!”
She sounds more desperate than I would have expected, and because of it, she’s already doing a good job pleading with him. I try to make a case for myself by telling him, “I’m your son!” with my eyes. I don’t dare to say it out loud—he would probably think it’s whiny and desperate, which it perhaps is.
“Well, seeing as you both want the job, you two will need to find a way to make it work. You seemed capable of that just now, so how’s this: I’ve been meaning to cut back, so Claire, you can take the weekend morning shifts. Luc, the weekend afternoon. The rest you’ll have to split fifty-fifty.”
“But dad!” I say as Claire says, “But monsieur!”
He raises his hand, shushing us. “That’s my final decision. You can take it or leave it, both of you.”
I glare at him. So much for being his son; that hasn’t worked in my favor. He should have picked me without hesitation, but instead, I’m still competing with this woman who doesn’t belong here. I’m still stuck with a half-ass solution I don’t want. But it’s not as if I’m going to refuse it; I still know it’s better than nothing. And given that Claire is also silent, I think she believes the same thing.
“Take the rest of the day off, Luc, and get your stuff in order. Do you still have your key to the house?”
“I do,” I reply.
Part of me wants to tell him that this will only be temporary, that I met somebody I really like who I can hopefully move in with, and maybe I could... but I don’t think I should. It’s not that my father’s a homophobe—he doesn’t care who’s with whom—it’s more that everything having to do with love is pointless to him, including when it’s me who’s in love. No, telling him that won’t do me any good. He probably won’t believe me when I tell him it’s temporary anyway, and who could blame him after the last time?
Before I leave, and when my father’s out of hearing distance, Claire unexpectedly places her hand on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Luc. I didn’t want to get between you and your dad. It’s just, I lost my previous job and I’m already behind on rent, so I really need this paycheck. Maybe, in time, I can find something else, and you can get your shifts back. You could help me look.”
It’s nice of her to say that, but I can’t manage a smile, not today. All I can do is nod and murmur, “Peut-être.”
Maybe. That’s what my life has become—an endless string of hollow maybes, none of them leading anywhere. How is it that everything’s fallen apart in just one day?
Chapter 14: Luc
Using my key, I unlock the door to my dad’s house and swing it open. I came here alone. My dad stayed at the store with Claire because he said he had to check the supplies. It’s not unusual for him, but still, I don’t like it. Who knows what kind of arrangements he’ll make with Claire without me? Will there still be any shifts left at the shop for me to take on, or will he change his mind about what we discussed and give them all to her? I’m not sure what will happen.
At first sight, not much seems to have changed in my father’s house. That’s not news to me; I already knew that from the times I visited here in the past months. But I didn’t know before today that he’d changed my old bedroom, and even if I did, it wouldn’t have mattered. After all, I had another, better place to stay until my friend suddenly kicked me out of their apartment.
What will I be confronted with this time? After losing my room at Maxime’s place, my job, and my chance at romance, this day couldn’t possibly get worse, could it? My dad’s reorganization of my room can’t be that bad, right?
But when I open the door and look inside, I realize it can be. Fuck.
