A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
Vincent is there. He looks unwell. Cecilia arrives, somewhat flustered.
Cecilia – I’ve managed to reach them.
Vincent – So?
Cecilia – They’re sending an ambulance. How are you feeling?
Vincent – I can’t feel my arm…
Cecilia – You’ll be fine. They’ll be here in a few minutes. Well, I hope…
Vincent – A heart attack, at my age… It seems I was only early for this…
Cecilia – Don’t talk nonsense. And it might not be a heart attack. But it’s best not to take any risks.
Vincent – I’m really sorry for you… Becoming a widow on your wedding anniversary would be quite a blow…
Cecilia – Don’t joke about that. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you pull through.
Vincent – Of course… (A pause) But if, by some misfortune, I don’t make it, there’s something I need to tell you.
Cecilia – Please. I know better than you where all the paperwork is; I’m the one who files it. Maybe you should rest instead.
Vincent – I wasn’t talking about the paperwork, but… while we’re waiting for the ambulance, we can talk, can’t we?
Cecilia – Of course… But if it’s to confess that you’ve been cheating on me with my best friend, think carefully. If you get out of the hospital in two hours, you might regret sharing that kind of confession…
Vincent – I’ve never cheated on you, Cecilia.
Cecilia – So I’m listening…
Vincent – First, you need to know that I love you.
Cecilia – I know, Vincent. You tell me every day.
Vincent – And you respond that you love me too.
Cecilia – Because it’s true.
Vincent – But you only respond… You never say it first.
Cecilia – I love you, Vincent. How can you doubt it?
Vincent – I know, but…
Cecilia – What?
Vincent – I’ve always wondered if I’m really the love of your life.
Cecilia – The love of your life?
Vincent – It sounds a bit silly, but… I’ve always thought that deep down… you were still in love with Fred.
Cecilia – Fred?
Vincent – The weekend I celebrated my birthday in Normandy, you went out with him.
Cecilia – That was a long time ago, Vincent. You and I weren’t together yet.
Vincent – Of course. I’m not blaming you for cheating on me. In fact, I’m not blaming you for anything.
Cecilia – I never saw him again after that weekend. He didn’t even come to our wedding. How can you say that?
Vincent – Exactly. Maybe if you had seen him again…
Cecilia – You’re torturing yourself unnecessarily, Vincent… Do you really think this is the right time?
Vincent – I’ve never dared to talk to you about this. And maybe I won’t have another chance.
Cecilia – My affair with Fred lasted only one evening. I had a bit too much to drink. It was a trivial matter. I’ve known a few men before you, you know?
Vincent – But Fred was my best friend.
Cecilia – Tell me instead how you’re feeling?
Vincent – Terrible.
Cecilia – I think I hear the ambulance.
Vincent – That’s a police siren. Ambulances don’t make that noise.
Cecilia – They should be here soon…
Vincent – So?
Cecilia – So what?
Vincent – I was there too that evening. I courted you. But it was Fred you went out with.
Cecilia – Yes.
Vincent – Why?
Cecilia – Fred was leaving for the United States the next day. He was leaving France for a long time. Perhaps forever.
Vincent – And that’s why you went out with him.
Cecilia – I knew I wouldn’t see him again. Not for a long time anyway. Yes, maybe I was in love with him. But I didn’t love him. It’s you I love. And it’s you I married.
Vincent – I wish you’d been in love with me back then.
Cecilia – I am now. And I won’t let you go.
Vincent – I won’t go, I promise.
Cecilia – I chose you, Vincent. Could we have lived another life, either of us? I don’t think so. Not all adolescent dreams are meant to become realities.
Vincent – My dream was you. And you made it come true.
A moment of emotion.
Cecilia – My turn to ask a question. I need to know.
Vincent – Yes…
Cecilia – Did you know you had heart problems?
A pause.
Vincent – Yes.
Cecilia – But you didn’t tell me…
Vincent – Would you have married me if you had known?
Cecilia – That’s a strange question.
Vincent – Sorry… I was afraid that… I didn’t want you to see me like this.
Cecilia – Like this?
Vincent – I didn’t want you to pity me.
She holds his hand.
Cecilia – I still hear a siren.
Vincent – This time, it’s definitely an ambulance.
Cecilia – I’ll go and let them in. It’ll be alright, I promise…
Vincent – Of course… It’ll be alright…
Black.
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A sketch from the collection The Rebels
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