Chapter 3

After sunset, twilight spread its rays. Darkness stood by, waiting for twilight to go away and let it have its turn. On the pavement, vehicles and motorcycles rolled by. On the sidewalk, pedestrians passed wearily by. The sky was dark, black and very cloudy. Rain was threatening. The crack of thunder gave warning to the courageous, who were ready for anything. Meanwhile, Florencia, returning from her business, was hurrying along like a nursemaid thinking of her baby, who would be home in tears. Her bowl of sugar cane sat firmly on her head. Despite the speed of her footsteps, the tub was safe on her head. Suddenly, she was hailed by someone who, despite the threat of thunderbolts, was sitting on a parked motorcycle. Without hesitation, the young woman made her way towards the stranger. From a distance, she was unable to stare at the man for want of the darkness of the night, which had gradually come to be seen. Although she was in a hurry, she didn't reject his call.

- Good evening, Miss Florencia," the caller said calmly.

Astonished, the young woman opened her eyes slightly and looked for her interlocutor's eyes, but alas!

- Don't you recognize me?" continued the stranger.

- No, I don't! Who are you, please?

- Wasn't it you I saw yesterday?

- Yesterday? Please remind me of the occasion!

- Miss Florencia, don't you remember me?

- I have trouble memorizing people's faces, that's my biggest flaw, sir! If you can remind me of our tête-à-tête, I'd be delighted.

The man, by his silence, began to observe her with his mouth closed.

- Please sir," continued the young shopkeeper, "I'm in too much of a hurry, because I don't want this rain that's gathering in the sky to catch me outside the house.

- You're always in a hurry, aren't you? Yesterday, you were in a hurry, afraid that the night wouldn't catch you out. Today, you're still afraid of the rain; tomorrow, it'll probably be the storm's turn.

It was at this point that the young woman laughed and gradually remembered the tone of voice and the hidden face of her interlocutor.

- I finally remember! Wasn't it you I saw in the car yesterday?

- Yes, it was! That was me!

- Was it? And where did you park your car?

- In the garage.

- Okay, that's good. What do you say?

Slowly, the man abandoned his bicycle and moved closer to the girl, grabbing her hands and beginning to speak softly to her. He told her how he couldn't live without her. He was also telling her those nice flattering phrases that men are wont to tell young women to seduce them before they are later put to the test of all life's setbacks.

- Please Miss Florencia, I've been single for several years and after seeing you, I fell in love with you and...

- Please sir, I'm not in need of a husband!

- Miss Florencia, I'm serious. If I'm obliged to wait for you today, it's because I love you and I want to be serious with you.

- My brother, this is not yet a real sentimental emotion. In fact, I don't even know how to love a man.

- I'll teach you, my dear Florencia.

- I don't need to. Besides, we don't know each other from anywhere. I don't even know your first or last name, let alone your profession. My mother once told me a story about a young man who always came to the market to see a young girl. The girl, unaware of it, had been seduced by the young man's physical features and, fool that she had been, had also fallen blindly in love with the young man without her even bothering to find out who he was. The young man had even had the courage to come all the way to the girl's parents to ask for her hands. A few weeks after the parents' acquaintance, he came to endow the girl, and until then, no one had tried to find out where he lived. A month or even seven weeks later, the bride had visited her husband for the very first time. Who could imagine that this young man could be a real demon?

The unknown man twitched in amazement and opened his mouth.

- Yes, that's what happened with the girl," added Florencia, looking serious.

- Hmm? This story can only ever be fiction.

- Hmm, don't say that! Anything is possible in this life.

- That's true, isn't it? But fortunately, I have parents.

- That's still not enough. Anyway, let me think about it. I don't want to hurt myself.

- What's wrong again? Mademoiselle Florencia, I love you.

- You love me that you sing to me doesn't reassure me yet; it could all be a set of flatteries!

- No, I'm not blaspheming, believe me.

- Please sir, the darkness is already spreading its black ink. Please let me come in quickly.

- How about I leave you my phone number?

- And do what with it? I don't even have a cell phone.

- You've got to call me, please!

- Have you forgotten that the only time you phone someone is when you have something to say?

- I'm sure you do!

- And now I've got nothing to say to you! So why should I call you?

- Miss Florencia, you're hurting me!" exclaimed the man.

- I'm so sorry! It's because I don't even have a phone!

- If you agree, I'll give you one of mine right now.

- Hm? I don't even know how to operate a telephone...

- You're never born with knowledge, you have to learn everything.

- I don't disagree, but I'd prefer it if you kept your phone and your number. If the God who crosses our paths isn't tired yet, he'll certainly cross our paths again.

- But you're being a bit ridiculous!

- It's only natural! It's because I know where I come from.

- You do? Where are you from then?

- I don't think it matters!

- Hm? Florencia!

- Yes boss! Well, I'm off! Best wishes to the family! said the young lady as she hurried off.

Once again, the stranger watched the girl disappear with his buttocks.

***

As usual, when Florencia returned home, she always shared her favorite moments with her mother. Today's were centered on the same stranger. The mother listened calmly to her daughter's story, which lasted about fifteen minutes. When the mother had finished listening attentively, she cleared her throat and whispered:

- Daughter, that's so kind of you! First of all, I must congratulate you once again. Yes, you deserve a great big congratulations. You know, a woman your age has to be worthy of herself. If you were the kind of woman I'm looking at, you'd have already accepted the advances of that man who keeps bothering you. You know, keep it that way. If you give him your word early, he'll make you suffer, and that's no good. Even the young man you're talking about will understand that you're not a greedy, materialistic woman, let alone an easy one. The day you give him your consent, I swear it will be a great celebration. Not only will he be proud of himself, but he'll respect you and never want to lose you. Men care more about women who don't let themselves be treated easily than other kinds of women. So don't worry. Don't let anything scare you. If this man is the one for you, he'll never get tired of bothering you. But if he's just passing through, he won't care about you. My daughter, you have my full blessing and never let yourself be flabbergasted by someone's charm, mode of dress or social standing, because the best thing for a housewife is consideration first. After consideration comes respect. That's why what's yours will never run away from you. Etch that in your mind.

- Thanks, Mom.

***

Three days later. Today is Saturday. Like every weekend, Florencia gave herself a little rest and didn't go to the market. Weekends were her private days. A few yards from her house was a marigot where most of the young women in the village went to wash their clothes.

This morning, the young woman, as usual, loaded a large basin of cloths onto her head. Among the cloths were her own and those of both her parents.

She walked for a good few minutes and finally came to the pond. She approached the pond more closely and emptied the cloths onto the ground. Then, little by little, she began washing. Florencia, following her mother's daily advice, had chosen not to make friends, let alone better ones. She preferred to live alone, without any friends. She was even proud of herself. She had chosen her small sugarcane business as her close friend.

That morning, in her lively mood, she was startled by a voice which, even from her head down in the basin, she recognized as the owner. She jumped up in amazement. Frowning in astonishment, she opened her mouth wide to stare at the visitor.

- Sir," she called, "where are you from? Who dared to tell you where I live? Who even told you I was here?

Instead of answering the series of questions addressed to him by his interlocutor, the handsome man chose instead to offer her his smile.

- Answer my question, because there's nothing laughable about it! Who are you looking for?

Until then, the stranger still didn't answer, instead contenting himself with stepping towards his hostess.

- Mademoiselle Florencia," he said at last, "I didn't come here to hurt you. I just wanted to spend the beginning of the weekends with you! And if it's going to cause you any harm, I could just step aside.

- There's nothing to worry about! But who told you I'm here, that's my worry!

- I just followed the voice of my intuition.

- That's so wrong! And if you don't tell me the truth, I swear I'll scream for help.

- Yes, I'd rather die a vindictive death for you than stay alive losing your hands.

The girl, overcome with pity, lowered her voice and let the cloth fall from her hand.

- Okay, I won't shout anymore. But I'd like you to tell me the truth. Who told you I'm here? For God's sake, please tell me.

The young man lowered his head as if to remind himself and whispered:

- Do you remember yesterday? If so, then you shouldn't forget that I asked you for your days off!

- Yes, I remember. And I think I even told you that on Saturdays and Sundays, I don't go anywhere.

- That's great! Do you remember I was on a bike?

- Yes, a mountain bike.

- Very good! That's because I'd already mapped out my route and knew that since you wouldn't show me your house, I'd follow you in silence. So, after our talks, I followed you without you knowing.

- That's not true!" exclaimed the young woman, all smiles.

- Why should I lie to you? What's in it for me? I followed you home and then saw you open a gate. It was after you'd disappeared that I turned around.

- Hmm? How terrible you are!" exclaimed Florencia, bursting into laughter. Okay, I believed you. And now, who told you I'm here?

- Very well, then! I stopped off at home, at your place. Once I got to the gate, I knocked on it and a young girl had come out of a room. I'm sure she's just your sister. I asked her about you and she told me that you had gone to the marigot. I then asked her to tell me where the marigot was and, after giving me some directions, I was able to get in touch with you, voilà!

- Right, then! And what's the reason for your visit?

- No reason at all! I'm just here to visit you!

- Is it? Unfortunately I have a lot to do!

- I don't mind! I can keep you company until you finish your homework.

- Are you serious?

- Yes! I'm dead serious.

- All right, come and settle in.

At this, the girl grabbed a loincloth and spread it out on the floor.

- Please have a seat.

- Thank you, young lady! You're so kind!

- Thank you so much! What can I offer you now that we don't sell anything here?

- Don't bother, my dear! Just do what you do.

- Will I?

- Yes, my dear.

- Thank you so much!

Florencia, considering the young man's qualities, began to remember her mother's advice once more, and a feeling began to take root in her. In spite of herself, she made small efforts not to let herself be tempted by the spirit that animated her.

The washing lasted several hours. Florencia had been here since eight o'clock in the morning, and finished at four o'clock - eight hours of work without rest.

The stranger, lying on the spread loincloth, had been asleep for several hours. He woke up at last and saw that the young girl was rinsing the underside of the two large basins she had brought from home to help her. When she finished a few minutes later, Florencia approached her visitor and thanked him for waiting and for the time spent with her.

- Thank you, sir! Thank you for keeping me company, you're too kind.

- Oh, it's free, young lady! You're worth more than that!

And the two new friends threw themselves into the street.

- I'm very honored by your visit," Florencia said to her interlocutor.

- The pleasure's all mine!

- So tell me, why did you refuse to touch the meal I served you today?

- It was nothing serious! It's just that I don't really like sweet potatoes.

- Are you serious?

- Quite serious!

- In that case, it goes without saying! This is my home!

- Yes, this is exactly where I came from.

- Right, then! Just give me a few minutes while I drop these work materials off at home.

- No problem, dear admirable lady.

- Hm? All these expressions are mine?

- Yes, because you deserve them, my dear.

- Thanks for the compliments; just a moment!

Florencia abandoned her visitor and entered the courtyard.

After a few minutes, she emerged this time from the house wearing a dress that covered her chest to below the knees.

- Let's go now," she suggested.

The man calmly complied. The two of them took a direction and, as they talked, advanced little by little.

- Well, I think I've kept you company a lot; now I'll go back to the house because I have to go and cook," Florencia said to her companion.

- That's no problem. Thank you for taking me in. Thank you so much for being so kind to me.

- You're very welcome! It's me who should be grateful!

- Then it's a shared pleasure! I'd like to give you a present, but I know you'll refuse again.

- What would you like to give me?

The young man stuck his right hand in one of his pockets and pulled out a few bundles of banknotes, handing two of them to his companion; they were ten-thousand-franc bills.

- No, I don't need them," rejected the young girl.

- Mademoiselle Florencia, why are you doing this to me?" asked the young man, sadly.

- But why? We haven't even met yet! I don't know if I'll ever love you. What's the point of taking your money if I don't love you yet? And besides, my mother didn't teach me to take advantage of men's earnings. I'm proud of who I am and the family I come from. In fact, I'm proud of myself! My concern is how to become a great businesswoman one day, and I don't think it's late yet, since I have perseverance and faith to guide me every time. So my dear unknown man, please allow me to refuse this second gift you've given me. I'll accept your first gift perhaps the day you let me know what you're called!

At this tirade, the young man gasped with fright and replied:

- I'm very sorry I haven't told you my first name yet. They call me Jean-Paul.

- Wow! You've got a lovely name, but the problem is, I hate people who call themselves John and Paul! And what's worse, you're the only one who goes by both! Which means that this relationship is already in a state of uncertainty.

Florencia hadn't yet finished her sentence when, all of a sudden, her companion bent his knees on the floor and started begging her.

- It's not on purpose that I have these two first names; I could change them for you and...

- Oh please get up!" exclaimed the girl, helping the man up from the floor. I was only teasing, really! So, as for your concern, I'll see to it.

The two friends stood looking each other straight in the eye and finally let go.

***

That night, after dinner, Florencia tossed and turned on her mat. Lying alone on the mat, she rolled and rolled. She herself didn't know what was going on. Two images passed through her mind. She saw herself standing with a certain young man. Sometimes, she saw the young man begging her; sometimes, she saw him holding her by the hands. She tried to erase the images that passed effortlessly through her mind, but she couldn't. In her ears, two voices mingled. In her ears, two voices mingled: her own and that of her interlocutor for the day.

- Nonnnnn !!!! she finally exclaimed.

Her mother, alerted by her cry, immediately came to her rescue.

- My daughter, what's wrong? Is it a nightmare?

What could she say? She had to say yes.

- All right, say your prayers and go back to bed," advised her mother.

Florencia nodded in agreement. After her mother left and soon abandoned her, Florencia could no longer sleep. And sleep kept her company all night long.

At dawn, Florencia got up from her bed, all worried. In her imaginings, one could read how much she missed the presence of someone. She didn't know how or where to find the man who called himself Jean-Paul to tell him how much she finally agreed with his proposals.

From morning to night, Florencia had lost her balance. The next day was still Monday, one of her business days. On her way back from the Wando market, one of the biggest in the city of Porto-Novo, Florencia passed by the same place where she used to find Jean-Paul sitting, but to her dismay, the man wasn't there. Imagining that she would see him during the day before returning home, the young woman unloaded her basin and stood there, waiting for a while for the man who offered her the whiteness of his teeth. Unfortunately for her, the man never arrived.