For Better And For Worse
Chapter 23

Krist’s home.

Stella returns from university in the afternoon. She finds Isabelle sitting all alone and sad in the living room and thinking. When you look at her, she seems like someone who lacks any desire to live.

Stella: hello Isabelle, you’re really hurting you know?

Isabelle: yes I know, I’m sorry.

Stella: no don’t be. But actually, why are you mourning when Dad Kristian is not dead?

Isabelle: no, I’m not mourning.

Stella: but yes, look at yourself in the mirror. I know it’s really hard for you but make an effort for your baby. Do you want to give birth to a sad and unhappy child?

Isabelle: of course not.

Stella: So relax a little. Why don’t we go see what state the living room is in? That way, we clean up a little and then tomorrow I start going to work there, hmm?

Isabelle: okay, but before we go to eat, mom is in the kitchen.

Stella: okay, I’m going to change.

Stella goes to change and after eating, she carries Isabelle on her motorbike and they go to the living room. Odette decides to go out during this time. Stella and Isabelle arrive at the hair salon. She parks the motorcycle and gets out to open the living room. They go in to see and wipe away the dust to make the place clean and usable. The salon is therefore reopening its doors again.

Prison.

It’s time and making calls, Krist dials his wife’s number.

Isabelle: yes hello!

Krist: yes darling, it’s me!

Isabelle: oh my God, my love! Finally I hear you!

Krist: how are you?

Isabelle: It’s up to me to ask you this question.

Krist: I’m not sure. I’m fine, it’s you I’m worried about. Tell me how you are doing ?

Isabelle: what am I going to tell you my love? If I told you it was okay, I would be lying to you. I find it hard to live without you.

Krist: I know, I know it’s not easy. It’s very hard for me too to live without you but we have no other choice. You have to make an effort to get better because when you are bad, our baby is bad too.

Isabelle: yes I know, I do my best. Tell me, are you mistreated there, do you even eat?

Krist: don’t worry about all that my love. I am not mistreated and yes I eat. I will be perfectly fine if you are fine. We are linked, you and me.

Isabelle: yes you are right.

Krist: say, is mom home yet?

Isabelle: no, she’s still there.

Krist: Okay, tell him I k**s him.

Isabelle: okay, I won’t miss it.

Krist: Thank you. Say, how is Stella?

Isabelle: she is fine, she is here with me too.

Krist: oh yes, pass it to me please.

She passes the phone to Stella.

Stella: yes dad!

Krist: how are you Stella?

Stella: I’m better, it’s Madam who’s not doing very well.

Krist: you have to help him get better han?

Stella: of course, that’s what I do every day.

Krist: Thank you. So, have you started college?

Stella: yes, yes, I started just yesterday.

Krist: that’s good. Much courage to you.

Stella: thank you dad, we are praying for you.

Krist: Thank you! Pass me my love.

She hands him the phone again.

Isabelle: I miss you darling!

Krist: I miss you a lot too, you have no idea how much. I love you very much and thinking of you gives me strength and shortens my days here.

Isabelle: I hope my love.

Krist: go, goodbye!

Isabelle: I k**s you.

Krist: Me too.

Krist hangs up and there is a man standing in front of him holding out his hand.

Krist: what?

Armand: you have to pay.

Krist: tell your boss I didn’t plan on doing any shopping on the way here.

Armand: you have to pay otherwise you will be in trouble.

Krist: I’m telling you I don’t have any money. Or do you want me to pay with my poop?

Armand catches him and brings him in front of the boss.

Armand: he said he’ll pay you with his poop if you want, boss.

Batik: oh yes, teach him a good lesson.

He signals to two other of his men who have joined Armand and they begin to beat him. He put up no resistance and was badly bruised before the guards came to stop them from beating him. They take Krist to the infirmary to be taken care of. Curiously, the nurse is a woman, a pretty young lady of at least 25 years old. They chat while treating him.

Claire: My God! But you’re seriously damaged. Did you fight?

Krist: We can say that. What are you doing here ?

Claire: I work.

Krist: I can see that you are working, but there is no shortage of hospitals in town. This place lined with criminals is no place for a beautiful lady like you.

Claire: Do you think so? You may be right, but if I didn’t work here, I wouldn’t have met you.

Krist: That is to say?

Claire: I’m talking nonsense. My name is Claire.

Krist: delighted Claire, you are very courageous. I’m Kristian.

Claire: thank you Kristian.

After a few minutes.

Claire: OK, I’m done.

Krist: You are doing it so well, thank you.

Claire: It’s my job. Here, swallow these medicines! Here, some water!

Krist: Thank you.

He swallows his tablets while Claire looks at him with a smile and administration.

Krist: Can I leave now?

Claire: No, rest for a while first.

Krist: Okay.

Claire: in fact, I ordered some food that I haven’t eaten yet, will you share it with me?

Krist: no, that’s nice but thank you.

Claire: please, I insist.

Krist: very good, I’ll eat with you.

Claire: thank you very much.

So they eat together and Krist lies down on the bed to rest. A few minutes later, a guard comes to call him and he follows him.

Krist: where are you taking me, my treatment is not finished yet.

Guard: you have visitors.

Krist: who is visiting?

Guard: You’ll find out soon enough.