Antonella Baccaro v
“Ditems the last time you were happy “. Sitting around a Christmas table, the candles lighting our eyes, the wine about to break down the last defenses, the hostess’s provocation takes us by surprise.
In the silence, which not even the wittiest of us can cut with one of his jokes, only the voice of Dean Martin can be heard singing happily Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
«Come on, I’ll start – cut short our guest, aware of having suddenly transported us elsewhere -. The last time was in New York, it was Christmas and it started snowing. I had seen it in so many films that being there, in the midst of my dreams, made my heart burst with happiness ».
The table roars. The eldest of us coughs to get attention: “My first grandson was born a year ago. I thought that the heart would not have held up for the joy ».
And then: “Well, then I was happy when, a few months ago, I brought my shorthaired dachshund home“. Beside: «Last night, I found one hundred euros in my coat pocket. Who remembered them! ». Laughs.
“So I was happy when my ex called me the other day to invite me to dinner.” The confession distracts the company, intent on guessing the identity of the young man. “What an ex! I threw out all the numbers. Happy I was when I finally got my promotion. I had lost all hope… ».
“The usual pessimist. I was happy to retire. Think you! ». “Good boy!” is the unanimous chorus. All heads turn to the guest following: «I was happy when my father came back from the hospital: a month without seeing him and in short, you know…». The tour stops here, just a step away from me, who was the only one not to have opened my mouth.
The diner we hadn’t calculated is the one my neighbor has just evoked, the one that has invaded our lives, our dreams, our prospects for happiness for two years. “And you, Anto?” the hostess calls me back, inflexible. “I’m happy now to be able to hug you”. And I really am. Best wishes, from the heart, to everyone.
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