Chapter 9: Debt and Destruction

† Friday, November 10, 2023 (one day after the explosion).

Addressing Sylvie, Julie takes on an angry tone of voice.

“Sit down, I have something to say. I shouldn’t have to remind you how smart your daughter is. This morning, Sette told you that she already knew about being evicted. Remember?

“Sette is incredibly intelligent. But she has no life experience at her age. She believes that you’re on the brink of being destitute and homeless. And that, going on welfare means no longer having a father, because the poor children she knows on welfare all have only a mother.

“All of this is in her head, and worst of all you are being secretive with her, and she knows it. Instead of telling her the truth, you tell her ‘It’s all going to be fine.’ When she KNOWS that is NOT true.

“And that, Sylvie, that is why she is back in that bedroom right now trying (and failing) to hold it together. How alone she must feel—friendless and disconnected from her parents. Losing her home and possessions just makes it all worse.

“Are you listening to me? Do I have your full attention?”

Sylvie nodded her head, tears on her cheeks.

“Good. Now, I want to know what the HELL is going on. You’re going to explain things to me first, as practice. And then, you’re going to do the same thing with your wonderful daughter. Sette is too old and too smart for any more cowardly bullshit.”

“The truth is, Julie, we were behind on the rent. Theo hasn’t had a paycheck in four months, and we also owe tens of thousands.”

“I don’t understand. You weren’t spending frivolously, from what I could see. Cosette was wearing obviously used clothing. Your one car was an old wreck that didn’t survive the fire last night. Oh, wait, now I understand. It was the medical bills, wasn’t it?”

“That’s right, Julie. From last year. Remember all those weeks when you had Cosette sleeping over here with you, while Theo stayed overnight in my hospital room? He managed to keep his job through most of that, but by the end they lost patience and shit-canned his ass.”

“Alright, for shit’s sake. I’ve been really patient. But now you’re going to tell me. Where the FUCK is your husband?”

“I woke up alone three days ago. There was a note left on the bed for me. It’s in my bag if you want to read it.”

“No, Syl, just tell me.”

“He’s been really torn up over...”

“No! Tell me what he wrote. Exactly!”

“He said, uh, he was leaving so that Sette and I would be able to stay in the women’s shelter and qualify for SNAP (that’s food stamps) and welfare. He would try to find some kind of work and send us money when he could. And he asked me not to tell Cosette what a failure her father was. He asked me not to hate him but to remember when he was a good husband.”