Chapter 9: Fresh Start

As Aunt Mélanie was a very nice person, all the inhabitants of the sector contributed to the funeral. This morning, Aunt Melanie's funeral took place. Everyone was present. Friends, acquaintances, neighbors, no one wanted to miss the opportunity to say goodbye to this charming woman.

After the funeral, the little family returned home alone.

Marcel: Bea, we all know that you considered your aunt to be your mother and she loved you too. That's why Yolande and I agree that you come with one of us.

Béa: No, I want to stay here and take care of this house so that I can feel better. If I leave who will take care of this house? You know she liked that house, right? I stay here because I can feel his presence.

Yolande: Bea please listen to us. We're not giving up on this house, we just want you to get some fresh air. We'll come back every weekend and if you want you can come back and settle in later, okay?

Marcel: Bea please accept it's just for a while okay? Then you can occupy this house. we won't leave you alone or you'll get depressed here and there won't be anyone to help you.

Béa: Ok, I accept. I'll go to Yolande's but I want you to give me two days. I will come after having tidied up and covered all the furniture.

Yolande: Understood. Mathieu and I will pick you up at the station.

So two days later, Bea was in the capital. Arriving in this big city, Bea promised herself to be more happy than ever because from that moment, she had become a new person. A person who will never know humiliation or sadness again, a person for whom the word love will never again matter, an independent person. That was the new Bea.

The third week after her arrival, she rented a studio despite the protests of Yolande and her husband. She didn't want to disturb the couple.

To support herself and save money, she became a housekeeper in a very wealthy family. This job was very important to her because not only were her employers very friendly, but her salary was much higher than the average salary of a housewife.

Every morning, omitted Sundays, she got up at six o'clock and tidied up her little one apparently, took a shower and then her breakfast. After her little routine, she went to work and didn't come home until seven o'clock in the evening.

Since she didn't have enough expenses, she was able to save enough money in one year of work. So she wanted to quit that job and start her own little business; she just had to finish the month and she only had one week left. She encouraged herself inwardly "Hold on for another week, my dear, another week.

That morning, his boss informed him of the visit of his cousin who was to arrive from another city. At the villa everyone was busy because everything had to be ready for the arrival of the guest.

Bea went shopping. As it was a Saturday, it was crowded and the traffic was very heavy.

She arrived home an hour late. And when she got home her boss insisted on introducing her to her cousin.

Ms. Suy: Ah Béa, you're here at last. Come let me introduce you to my cousin.

Hélène, let me introduce you to Béa, my cleaning lady. It's real love. It is thanks to her that the house looks so great. Béa, she is Hélène, my cousin.

When Bea raised her head to greet the guest, she froze. This woman, she knew her. It was she who had insisted that she be removed from the neighborhood women's association when she was still married at Christmas.

Hélène: Well, it's Mrs. Mel!

Bea: Ex.

Hélène: Sorry, I didn't hear you.

Béa: I'm no longer one of the Mels, but you already know that. I'm just miss Mina but call me Bea it's even better between old acquaintances.

Hélène: What right do you have to call me familiar? Caroline, is that how your employees talk to people?

Mrs. Suy: Bea please leave us alone. I'll let you know if I need you.

Bea went into the kitchen without forgetting to give Hélène a warning look.

Mrs. Suy: You knew her before today, didn't you?

Helen: Of course yes. Do you remember I told you about a poor, uninteresting girl who married my husband's boss?

Ms Suy: Yes I remember, but what is the connection? Oh don't tell me it's her.

Hélène: Well yes, she is beautiful and good. In the end he threw her away like the trash she is because she was unable to give him a child.

Ms. Suy: Oh poor thing.

Helen: Oh please don't tell me you have pity. I'm so sorry she was barren but she wasn't fit to be Mrs. Mel.

Mrs. Suy: You are unbelievable. Are you jealous?

Hélène: Not even…. Bea can you come please

Béa: Yes ma'am you asked me?

Hélène: I just wanted to invite you one of these days to one of our meetings. Here's my card with my phone numbers call me when you're ready. We will be very happy to see you again.

Béa: I don't think I have a place there, but if one day I pass in this city then I will come ma'am. Madame Suy can I see you in private please?

Mrs. Suy: yes, let's go to my office.

Once in the office, it is Béa who speaks.

Béa: I wanted to inform you that I will stop this work at the end of this month.

Mrs. Suy: I hope it's not because of Hélène? She's a little crazy so ignore what she said.

Béa: No it's not for her, I had already made up my mind a while ago. I just wanted to let you know today.

Ms Suy: If that's really what you want then I can't object. I'm going to miss you a lot you know?