Episode 13

"Don't steal from me!" she screamed. Gerard Dubois looked at the woman who had fainted in his arms.

"Damn it!" he exclaimed, trying to see the face hidden under a tangle of hair. "What happened?" Joanne asked.

"She almost killed me with a bottle," he said, amused. "I think she's drunk more than just water from the vase. She smells worse than a bar."

"This can't be! We need to bring her inside. I'll help you carry her," Joanne said.

"I can do it myself, just tell me where," Gerard replied.

While Gerard carried her in his arms, they entered the house. Inside, she was surprised to see the chaos that was the kitchen, dining room, and living room, with photos scattered everywhere. She cleared off the couch and instructed Gerard to place her there.

"I don't even recognize Susan anymore! Look at the number of bottles she's consumed. Do you think we should call a doctor?" Joanne asked, concerned.

"I don't think so, but if it worries you, we can put her in the shower and try to wake her up. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes tomorrow," he said, brushing her hair away from her face. She was a beautiful woman.

He picked up one of the photographs and looked at the happy couple posing.

"That's the jerk of the year," Joanne informed him. "They celebrated their anniversary with a big party, and two days later he left her for a younger girl the same age as their daughters. Men!"

"Thanks, I guess, but maybe he didn't decide to leave to avoid losing the security of the life he knew. Just like her, clinging to this out of fear of the unknown," he responded, pointing to the photograph.

"It doesn't make him any less of a jerk. Do you want me to call you a taxi? I'll stay with Susan and try to clean up a bit," she said.

"I'll stay and help you for a while. Are you planning to leave her on the couch?" he asked.

"Her room is upstairs, but you can take her up there," she asked.

"She weighs less than my sculptures. Just guide me, Goldilocks, I'll take you to your room," he said, picking up Susan again.

They carried her to her room and laid her on the bed. Then they went back downstairs to the living room, as Gerard had promised, and he left for the hotel.

...

The next day, Susan woke up with a pounding headache and a stomachache. She got up carefully and headed to the bathroom, feeling nauseous.

The door to her room opened when she heard Joanne's voice. Susan was surprised to see her friend there.

"How are you feeling?" Joanne asked.

"What are you doing here?" Susan asked.

"I came last night, you looked so bad that I didn't want to leave you alone. Do you want me to get you some painkillers?"

"I had a few too many drinks last night. I feel awful," she said.

"I wouldn't call it a few drinks. It was more like seven bottles, and you probably spilled a good portion on the carpet and in the kitchen," Joanne said.

"Seven bottles! The carpet," Susan repeated. "I'll go shower. Thank you, Joanne, for coming!"

"Don't thank me, I'm your friend. I'll go make you something to drink," Joanne said.

Joanne returned to the kitchen, where Gerard was washing the lunch dishes.

"She woke up, she's showering, but she doesn't remember anything. She was surprised to see me here," Joanne said.

"It shouldn't surprise you. I'm surprised that she reacted," he replied, amused.

"Do you want coffee? I'll make one for Susan," Joanne offered.

"Yes, make me one," he said, drying his hands.

Susan dressed in sweatpants and a simple blouse, fixed her hair, and went down to the kitchen. She sensed an unfamiliar scent in the air, and then she saw him, smiling.

"The thief!" she exclaimed.

Gerard raised an eyebrow. It was the second time she had called him a thief, but at least this time she wasn't armed with a bottle.

He smiled and crossed his arms, waiting for Joanne to speak.

"Susan, this is Gerard Dubois. Remember I told you about him? I met him in Paris," Joanne explained.

"The young man who painted you naked!" Susan exclaimed. He couldn't help but laugh, and she looked at him in surprise that he would so boldly mock what she had said.

"It was a topless! Not nudity. He came to see me for my birthday and didn't want to leave me alone. Last night, you nearly killed him with a bottle," Joanne informed her. For some reason, he couldn't stop smiling and for some strange reason, that irritated her.

"I'm sorry, I guess I was a bit confused."

"It's not surprising, you had too much to drink. Here, have a seat. I made you some coffee," Joanne said, trying to ease the tension.

Susan sat down and started drinking her coffee. Gerard Dubois looked at the woman in front of him with interest.

"Gerard came to the country to present an exhibition in New York. I would love for you to come with me," Joanne said.

"He'll have a good time, Mrs. Cooper. He doesn't just paint nudes, he commented in a mocking tone."

Susan looked at him, not understanding what irritated her more, his mocking tone, the way he looked at her, or the damn headache she had.

"I don't know if I can," she said, realizing how ridiculous that sounded.

"We can talk later. How about the three of us go out to dinner tonight? Gerard will be returning to New York tomorrow," Joanne asked.

"I'd be delighted," he said. But Susan wasn't delighted. She didn't want to go out. She couldn't face the world after what happened at the beauty salon. He observed her. Cheer up, Mrs. Cooper, believe me, it's better than staying here, licking your wounds and continuing to damage your liver.

"Young man, I haven't given you the confidence to speak to me like that."

"Ha, ha, ha, why do you have this habit of talking to me like that? I may be a few years younger than you, and you're right, you didn't give me that confidence, but I don't need it to give my opinion. The problem isn't that you can't live without him, the problem is that you don't know how to live without your life revolving around him. I'll see you later, Joanne," he said, standing up and leaving that house.

"I'm sorry, Susan. Gerard loses his temper easily, but he's right, you can't go on like this."

"I swear I tried. I was going to go to your party, but yesterday I went to the beauty salon. I was there, trying to regain my life, and then I heard that damn woman start talking about the car David bought her. And about how ridiculous I looked at that anniversary party. He not only cheated and abandoned me, but he also made me the laughingstock of all of Seattle."

"And what do you plan to do? Stay locked up here for the rest of your life? Come on, cheer up. Go out tonight with us. I'll invite some friends so you won't have to deal with Gerard alone. You owe me. You missed my birthday, and I had to clean your house."

Susan looked around, took her friend's hand.

"Alright, I'll go with you tonight."

"That's my Susan, and just to make sure you go out, I'll come to pick you up, Joanne warned."

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