The fifth shot (2)
Finally, we were in our home. The war was over, and the nurse’s cap and the doctor’s halo were removed, and we were what we always were: ordinary people. But it seemed that what war united, peace divided. I remember the first time Pierre came to me with love and passion, unhinged by the niceties imposed on him by those around us; We gave our bodies to each other willingly and I felt every curve of his delicate body as he took me from virginity to womanhood. Every moment he was with me felt like an eternity and there was no power on earth that could change this. But, as it turned out, there was. They’re called children. No sooner than him touching me, and in nine months, we had our first child Michelle. He was a beautiful boy and the new love of my life. It seemed he was so new that I may have forgotten the ‘old’ love of my life.
But life went on and Michelle grew up a fine and healthy boy, so full of life. Then, Pierre told me that he had joined a political party and was now ready to embark on his political career and that he needed me by his side. I told him that it may be best that I was not with him. I did not understand politics very well and I feared that I would embarrass him with my ignorance. He told me that that could not be because all the members of the political party would be there with their wives and that he would look like a complete fool if he was there without his.
I struggled with myself thinking about how on the outside I might gloss and shine, with sophisticated dresses, latest makeup and expensive jewelry but when I open my mouth all these glamorous items might turn pale. I thought about feigning a condition that would lead me to apologize for the event. But I did not want to lose Pierre, the love of my life. This was so important to him and apparently me appearing by his side meant something in that world.
So, the important night came. Pierre appeared dashing in his tuxedo and I wore my black dress with an open back which he admired. I gave last minute advice to Michelle's nanny to make sure he was well fed and goes to be at the right time, and not stay up late no matter how much he nagged about it. We got into our car and headed to the political party headquarter. I could see a lot of light coming out and the sound of music, faint at a distance, roaming around us like a sneaky fog. We got out and stepped into the headquarters where we were greeted by a butler who took our overcoats.
We headed into the crowd and Pierre started shaking hands with people who appeared to me not only as strangers but also strange themselves. From an overaged man to a man whose height not really overreach. Then came the part I dreaded and that was wife introducing. And Pierre started flaunting me as his prized possession 'This is my wife, Yvonne. She was the headnurse at St. Marie's hospital'. I was no such thing. I was just an ordinary nurse. Then, these strange men started kissing my hand and saying 'Enchante, madam. Pleased to meet you. Pierre has told so much about you.' Really? What has he said about me exactly? When exactly did he do that? It didn't seem to me that I would be his topic of conversation. Then came the turn of introducing other men's wives and Pierre would say 'Mrs. Carron, this is my wife Yvonne.' and said wife looks at me and says 'Wow. She's a gorgeous woman. You should join us in the parlor for a drink away from the men and their awful politics. They're always fighting, oh, God knows about what! Almost everything.' I just smiled and I wanted to say something but I really didn't know what was the right thing to say. Pierre joined in immediately 'Of course, she will, as soon as we have met the other members. This is our first event, and it's important we meet everyone'. 'Ok, dear' said Mrs. Carron smiling. 'We'll be expecting you.'. I wasn't really sure if these words were being directed to me or Pierre.
Finally, the panoramic circle ended and I felt like I knew everyone in the place and yet had not been acquainted with a single soul. There were so many decorated men in fancy suits and women in exaggerated dresses and overblown accessories. It seemed it would take but a moment to deconstruct that smile everyone was wearing on their face to see the reality of the face underneath. I certainly was no better than that. It took the events of that evening to show it.
As the evening went on, and we dined. The gentlemen retired for a meeting and as promised Mrs. Carron took us to the parlor where we had drinks. There, every wife manifested her true feelings towards men, money, and politics. It seemed that second was the priority and very little to be said about politics. Mrs. Carron told everyone 'Let me introduce to our newest addition. Madam Chavellier. You know dear. Here all gloves are off. Our men like to parade us like precious item and we let them. Why? Because we love them, of course!". There was a round of laugher in the room. 'How much do you lover your precious Chavellier, dear?' said one of them. "He's the love of my life, and the father of my child and the only man I've ever known.' I replied. One of them hissed from somewhere in the room. "Well, that's about to change soon." Another one said. "He's the only one in your life. Are you sure you're the only one in his?". The question shook me to my foundation. It is not possible that Pierre would be unfaithful to me. We had such love and passion. We stood up against the world so our love would thrive. I answered "I'm sure I'm the only woman in his life." They all laughed almost hysterically. One of them said "Well I can't say that about that fat big I'm married to. He's definitely got his hooves into someone. I'm not sure which of them I feel more sorry for' and then she snorted like a big with a loud voice. I really couldn't take what was going on. I couldn't leave with Pierre and I couldn't stay and I didn't want to make a scene, so I drank and I fended the offensive missiles that came at me from every direction.
The evening quieted down and it was almost an hour after midnight. At last, Pierre came to my rescue. But it wasn't rescue I needed. It was schooling. And apparently Pierre had an education for me. He pressured my arm under his and said with scolding but smilingly 'You're drunk! What's the matter with you? Do you want to embarrass me in front of the party?" I vaguely remembering saying something like "I love you and now they all know it. You don't know the other woman, do you?" Then I thought I saw myself caress his face. I think he just dropped my hand down. As we walked towards the door I heard voices saying something like "Nice to have met you, Mrs. Chavellier. Please come again." I'm not sure if I heard "It's been such fun." or "You're so much fun."
I woke up the next day not sure exactly where I was. I was dressed in my nightgown but have no idea how I got into it. I felt like everything weighted on my head as if everything around was magnified. I couldn't stand the sound of my own voice. I kept trying to remember what happened between the time we left and the time we got home. I remember saying many things I didn't like to hear in the car. I tried to focus on what he said. Did he say "This is my future." and "You have to something about it."
and "they were right". That's all I could remember. As the day went by, I just formed another impression of Pierre. Pierre the hero became Pierre the ambitious and it seems these two were not the same person I fell in love with. I was in love with Dr. Jekyll but it seems he drank the potion of ambition and he remained Mr. Hyde although Obvious he would become within days from this day.