Véronique paced anxiously through her modest flat in Lyon, phone clenched in her hand as another notice of overdue payment blinked on the screen. Panic tightened around her chesthow could she now feed her family when her daughter and soninlaw were already weighing heavily on her? It all began when her nineteenyearold daughter, Élodie, announced she was pregnant and wanted to get married.
Before that, Véronique had worked alongside a colleague, Margaux, a calm and caring woman. Margaux raised her two daughters alone: Élodie, nineteen, and little Amélie, ten. Up to that point Margaux never complained. Élodie studied diligently at university, Amélie excelled at school. Both were obedient, model children, and Margaux took pride in them despite the hardships of singleparent life.
In their second year of university, Élodie fell in love with her first boyfriend, Théo. He came from another region, but after meeting him, Margaux approved the match. Théo seemed kind, sincerenot the sort to take advantage of anyone. Soon the couple decided to live together. To avoid renting, they moved into Margauxs house. She disliked the haste; her daughter was only nineteen and should first finish her studies and become independent. Yet there was no other option.
Margauxs threeroom apartment already felt cramped, the bedrooms tiny. Théos arrival, as future soninlaw, only intensified the shortage. Margaux resigned herself until she learned why they were in such a rush: Élodie confessed she was pregnant and they wanted to marry. The news felt like the floor gave way beneath her. Her daughter, barely an adult, was already about to become a mother.
Théo was unemployed. Like Élodie, he was a fulltime student, and neither wanted to switch to distance learning. Nevertheless they planned an extravagant wedding, straight out of a Hollywood film. They booked one of Lyons most expensive restaurants, invited a large crowd, and Élodie ordered a couture wedding dress as if she were walking a runway. Margaux tried to protest, saying she couldnt afford it, but Élodie, hand on her belly, began to sob:
Mother, are you going to deprive your grandchild?
With clenched teeth Margaux paid for everything. She dipped into her savings, ate the last of her woollen blankets, and even took out a new loan. She hoped that after the wedding the young couple would assume responsibility, find work, and become selfsufficient. Her hopes collapsed like a house of cards. Élodie and Théo stayed at her place, refusing any job search.
Théos parents had given the couple a used car. The two cruised around town as if on holiday, while the grooms parents covered the fuel, knowing their son had no money. All other expensesfood, bills, clothingfell back on Margaux. The youngsters didnt even know the price of a baguette. Whenever Margaux mentioned costs, Élodie rolled her eyes:
Mother, were studying, what do you expect us to do?
Élodie refused to cut back. She showed her mother a catalogue of strollers and cribs, the trendiest and most pricey models. With her average salary, Margaux was left breathless.
Élodie, I cant afford that! I have your student loan, Im raising Amélie
Are you kidding? the daughter snapped. Youre going to be a grandmother and youre making a fuss?
A deep anger rose in Margaux. They had decided to have a child, but she was the one expected to provide? She carried the whole family, worked to exhaustion, and money was always lacking. The loan for Élodies studies hung over her like Damocles sword, Amélie needed attention, and the couple lived as if in a fairytale.
One day Margaux reached her breaking point. She came home from work, drained after being scolded for being lateshe had had to do the shopping for everyone. The scene that greeted her froze her: Élodie and Théo, laughing, flipping through a babygoods magazine, picking a cot that cost half her monthly salary. Amélie sat quietly in a corner drawing, while a mountain of dirty dishes piled up in the sink.
Do I also have to wash your dishes? Margaux barked, throwing her bags onto the floor.
Mother, come on! Élodie protested. Were taking care of the baby!
Youre expecting a baby, yet Im the one paying? Margauxs voice trembled with fury. Enough! Either you find work or you leave!
Élodie burst into tears, Théo went pale, but Margaux stayed firm. She gave them one month to secure even a modest job.
Otherwise youll go to Théos parents and let them support you.
Élodie and Théo tried to sway her, but Margaux no longer yielded to sobs. She loved her daughter, yet understood that without limits they would ruin her. Watching her mothers anguish, Amélie once wrapped her arms around Véronique and whispered:
Mother, Ill never let this happen.
Margaux smiled through her tears. For her youngest, she was ready to fight. As for Élodie and Théo, reality was now knocking, and Margaux would no longer be their safety net.
