For Better And For Worse
Chapter 26

At 10 a.m., Isabelle, her mother-in-law and Stella go to the prison to see Krist.

Isabelle: hello sir.

Guard: hello ladies.

Isabelle: we come to see the inmate named Krist.

Guard: Wait a moment…oops, sorry ladies, this inmate is not allowed visitors.

Odette: what, but why?

Guard: I can’t tell you.

Isabelle: but he’s my husband, I have the right to see him, right?

Guard: I’m sorry ma’am, I can’t do anything for you.

A man arrives.

Him: hello sir, I came to see my son, the inmate Olivier.

Guard: Wait a moment. Okay, what is your name?

Him: Sergius Ramadji.

Guard: ok, you can go.

The gentleman leaves.

Stella: but it’s unfair, why does he have to see his son and not us?

Guard: It’s not up to me, I’m sorry.

Isabelle: when can we come back and see him?

Guard: I can’t tell you when, ladies, I have no information on this subject.

Odette: let’s go home, my daughter, there is nothing to do.

They were therefore forced to return without being able to see Krist. Isabelle couldn’t stop crying and was inconsolable.

Isabelle: why are I being prevented from seeing my husband, why is all this happening to me, what have I done so wrong to deserve all this, my God?

Odette and Stella try to console and comfort her in vain. Meanwhile in prison, Krist suddenly becomes sad.

Aristide: why are you suddenly becoming so sad, what’s wrong?

Krist: I don’t know, my soul is sad. It must be because I miss my wife.

Aristide: I understand, I’m sorry.

Krist: I wonder why she didn’t come see me.

Isabelle: she must surely still be too upset.

Krist: I imagine! But seeing me would comfort her, right?

Aristide: surely but I’m sure she would come.

Krist: I hope so.

He picks up his book to try to occupy his mind with something else even if it’s not easy.

On the other side, in the evening, Inspector Kevin and Lieutenant John continue their mission at the fountain bar and for the moment, nothing to report.

On the weekend, Master Célestin calls Stella.

Stella: hello!

Célestin: hello Stella, how are you?

Stella: I’m fine. So you’re a liar?

Célestin: I am very happy that you recognize my voice.

Stella: of course, I always recognize the voice of liars.

Célestin: but why do you judge me like that?

Stella: Don’t you remember you said you’d call me once you got home?

Célestin: oh yes, I’m sorry. I had a family problem which had disturbed me quite a bit and to make up for it, I invite you this evening.

Stella: Do you think I’ll forgive you that easily?

Célestin: if you don’t forgive me for so little, could you forgive me for something bigger?

Stella: you don’t know how to joke.

Célestin: oh yes. Agree to see you tonight and you’ll see.

Stella: It’s okay.

Célestin: great, I’ll come pick you up, be ready at 4 p.m.

Stella: It works.

He hangs up with a smile and joy in his heart.

In prison, Krist’s father stops by to see his son but is told that this inmate is not allowed visitors. He insisted in vain and leaves without having seen his son. He goes to meet his wife at his son’s home. Stella goes to welcome him and brings him inside. Isabelle gets up to greet him.

Isabelle: hello step-dad.

Vincent: hello my daughter, how are you?

Isabelle: It’s not really going well, Dad.

Vincent: I understand, courage to you.

Isabelle: thank you dad. Take place.

Vincent: thank you.

He sits. Stella had gone to report his wife who was in the kitchen and she arrives. She greets and k****s her husband then they talk.

Vincent: I’m coming back from prison and…

He hasn’t finished yet, so Isabelle is quick to ask him.

Isabelle: were you able to see Krist?

Vincent: unfortunately no. I don’t know why I’m being prevented from seeing it.

She becomes sad.

Odette: it’s true, we too were forbidden to see him saying that he is not authorized to receive visitors.

Vincent: that’s what I was told too.

Isabelle: there is someone who wants to harm my husband but why does God let that happen?

Vincent: everything has its time, my daughter. The time for this man to fall will come.

Isabelle: I hope so with all my heart.

Vincent: courage, my daughter. Okay honey, I’m here too so we can go home.

Odette: oh well, I was planning to return tomorrow.

Isabelle: no mom, you can go with dad.

Odette: are you sure, my daughter?

Isabelle: yes, don’t worry. Tomorrow is Sunday, I will go to church so I will feel less alone. Plus, Stella is here to assist me.

Odette: well, okay. Excuse me, I’m going to finish my cooking.

Vincent: go ahead!

Odette goes to find Stella and they finish the meal they serve and eat together. When 3 p.m. strikes, Vincent and his wife return home. Stella gets in the shower to wash and then gets dressed. Afterwards, she joins Isabelle.

Stella: Isabelle, how do you think of me?

Isabelle raises her head to see her and surprise fills her eyes!

Isabelle: wow! But you are absolutely magnificent!

Stella: Thank you.

Isabelle: what occasion is this for?

Stella: I have a meeting with a friend.

Isabelle: you mean a date.

Stella: no, it’s not a date at all.

Isabelle: and this friend, is he not a lawyer by chance?

Stella: Maybe.

Isabelle: hum!!!

Stella: am I allowed to go?

Isabelle: of course, enjoy it.

Stella: Thank you.

She gives him a k**s on the cheek before leaving. Célestin finds her outside in front of the door.

Célestin: name of God! You are lovely, my word!

Stella: Thank you. You too are very elegant.

Célestin: that’s nice.

Stella: I thought lawyers only dressed in suits and ties.

Célestin: well no, as you can see.

Stella: It’s true.

Célestin: shall we go?

Stella: Yes.

Célestin opens the door of his car so that she can enter.

Stella: your car is beautiful.

Célestin: thank you.

He drives off and takes her to the five-star restaurant. They were very well received and served their ordered dishes.

Célestin: enjoy your meal!

Stella: thank you! It’s really very good!

Célestin: it’s my favorite dish.

Stella: I like it too.

Célestin: what is your favorite dish?

Stella: I don’t have a special dish. I’m an eater. But I think I’ll take this dish as my favorite.

Célestin: that makes me happy.

Felix who serves special customers sees them and joins them.

Felix: master, miss, enjoy your meal!

C&S: Thank you.

Felix: are you Mr. Krist’s daughter?

Stella: uh… yes… we can say that.

Felix: I am sincerely sorry for what happened to your father.

Stella: Thank you.

Felix: I apologize to you because I am the cause of everything that happened to him.

Stella: no, don’t feel guilty sir, you are in no way responsible for what happened to him.

Felix: Of course, if I hadn’t fired him unfairly, all this wouldn’t have happened to him.

Stella: It was your daughter who misled you, it’s not your fault.

Felix: I should have trusted him.

Stella: it’s nothing sir, he has already forgiven you so you too, try to forgive yourself.

Felix: To make it up to me, you can come work here as a waitress if you want.

Stella: I would like to but I’m at university at the moment.

Felix: OK. But know that as long as I’m here, you can always find work here.

Stella: thank you very much, that is kind of you and please forgive yourself so that your soul can have peace.

Felix: thank you.

Felix leaves.

Célestin: he really blames himself too much.

Stella: ah yes really, but Krist doesn’t blame her.

Célestin: ah, he’s a good man.

Stella: That’s right.

They continue to eat while talking.