For Better And For Worse
Chapter 43

Prison.

Early this morning after morning meditation, Aristide decides to talk to Krist.

Aristide: Krist, I want to talk to you about something and I want you to believe me.

Krist: I would love to know what it is because I’m really impatient.

Aristide: It concerns your wife and your baby.

Krist: what do you mean, what do you know?

Aristide: When you had this idea of ​​escape, I prayed a lot for you, prayed that you would give it up and God showed me a vision.

Krist: What was that vision?

Aristide: I saw your wife and your baby, they are doing very well. You will have a daughter Krist and her name will be Marie.

Krist: Mary! It’s a pretty name. But how can I believe what you tell me?

Aristide: I don’t know Krist but what I’m telling you is the truth.

Krist: Forgive me for doubting this and may God forgive me for my lack of faith but I need to be sure and for that I need to get out.

Aristide: Let me at least try something else first.

Krist what?

Aristide: When my brother visits me, I will ask him to go see your wife and bring you news about her. What do you think ?

Krist: okay, but if I don’t have convincing news, I’ll escape.

Aristide: OK. I’ll need your address.

He tells him his address.

Krist: I also asked Claire to bring me some news but now that I’m here, I don’t see how I can get it.

Aristide: be patient and everything will be fine.

Krist: I hope so. I have to go exercise.

Inmates go out to play sports in the yard. Krist does push-ups, sit-ups and other stretches. Leonard joins him and they chat while playing sports. Giscard joins them and takes Krist’s health news while apologizing for hitting him very hard. After sports, they go to eat. Francis goes to Aristide’s table and takes Krist’s dish to bring to his table. Krist gets up and follows his dish.

Krist: I don’t want any trouble.

Francis: I just want to chat. Please sit down!

He sits.

Krist: what do you want from me?

Francis: I’m going out soon and if you want to partner with me to help me with my business, I’ll talk to my boss and he’ll have you released in no time.

Krist: What kind of deal?

Francis: the kind that brings in more money than you’ve ever seen.

Krist: That doesn’t answer my question.

Francis: I was arrested because my business is cocaine.

Krist: oh no, don’t count on me for that. I am here because I have been unfairly accused of dealing this filth so I will not do that.

Francis: Exactly, you’re paying for something you didn’t do, so now you have to agree to do this thing. Only in this way can we speak of justice.

Krist: you have a very erroneous conception of justice. And I’m not interested.

He takes his meal and leaves ahead to join his friends.

Krist’s home.

Isabelle didn’t go to work today. Around noon, Stella returns from university and Doctor Roger visits them. Stella will open.

Stella: ah, hello doctor!

Roger: hello miss.

Stella: what can I do for you?

Roger: is Madame Isabelle there?

Stella: what do you want from him?

Roger: I want to talk to him.

Stella: she doesn’t want to see you doctor so leave!

Roger: please…

Stella: how dare you come back here after what you wanted to do to him? Don’t you think she’s suffering enough already?

Roger: I’m here for that, to apologize.

Stella: leave her alone doctor, you are a married man just like her so take care of your family. Adultery is a sin. Goodbye doctor.

She closes the door and goes back inside.

Isabelle: who was it?

Stella: Doctor Roger, I sent him away.

Isabelle: what but why did you do that?

Stella: he was coming to bother you.

Isabelle: I know but we still had to show him a little kindness. We don’t know what the future holds. Who knows if one day you might be confronted with him and necessarily need his help? If he remembers this moment, he might hurt you.

Stella: Maybe you’re right, I’ll try to be a little more polite next time. So, I’m wondering if I should talk to you about this idea.

Isabelle: go ahead, I’m listening.

Stella: why don’t you go see his wife and tell her everything that’s happening?

Isabelle: I have no proof.

Stella: and the messages he sent you?

Isabelle: I deleted them all so I would never come across them again. And besides, we women are complicated. She might instead accuse me of harassing her husband, especially if she believes he is a perfect man.

Stella: you are right but you still have to take the risk of trying.

Isabelle: okay. Come on, let’s go to the table. Then we’ll go see my husband.

So they have breakfast and are getting ready to visit Krist when Olivier arrives. So he decides to drop them off at the prison but unfortunately, there is still a ban on seeing Krist so they return home in despair. Célestin spends a little time with them and decides to leave. He goes out and Isabelle talks to Stella.

Isabelle: don’t worry about me Stella, go have fun, I’ll go see Roger’s wife.

Stella: are you sure?

Isabelle: yes.

Stella: okay, thank you very much Isabelle, I love you.

Isabelle: I love you too.

Stella k****s him on the cheek and follows Célestin outside.

Célestin: I came so we could have lunch but hey, let’s do that another time!

Stella: we can always go have lunch, I want to spend some time with you?

Célestin: really!

Stella: Yes.

Célestin: and Isabelle?

Stella: don’t worry about her. I miss you, you know.

Célestin: I missed you too.

Stella: Give me a few minutes to get dressed.

Célestin: ok, I’ll wait for you at the car.

She goes to get dressed and joins him to go out. After their departure, Séverin arrives. The door not being closed, he enters and Isabelle gives him permission to enter the living room. He replaces her sad.

Séverin: Isabelle, what’s wrong, you look so sad?

Isabelle: I don’t understand why life comes after me this way. My husband is not even a criminal, yet I am prevented from seeing him as if he is a very dangerous psychopath. Even psychopaths are entitled to visitors, right?

Séverin: I am sincerely sorry for you Isabelle, if I could do something to change that, I would not hesitate for a second.

Isabelle: thank you.

He hugs her to console her.

Séverin: you need to clear your mind a little so let’s go out for a moment please.

Isabelle: I’m not in shape to go out.

Séverin: come on, let’s go out for a while, it will help you a lot. You have nothing to lose. Besides, you need it.

Isabelle: okay. Let me take a shower.

Séverin: okay.

She washes, dresses and goes out with Séverin. He takes her somewhere distracting to allow her to relax. She was really relaxed when we called her to the hospital. He drops her off before leaving. Meanwhile, Stella and Maître Célestin spend a wonderful evening together in an amusement park. They return home around 6 p.m. Isabelle wasn’t home yet so Stella was left alone watching TV. At 8 p.m., she receives a message from Isabelle asking her to pick her up from the hospital. So she gets up and goes to pick her up with the motorcycle. Stella asks him how things went with Roger’s wife so she tells him about her evening.

Stella: are you sure this guy doesn’t have other intentions behind his head?

Isabelle: It could be, but if he has other intentions, he doesn’t show them.

Stella: for now you mean. Otherwise, why would he be so interested in you?

Isabelle: I don’t know but for me he is a good friend, he understands me, he supports me, he comforts me and you know that I really need it at the moment.

Stella: I know but be careful.

Isabelle: of course! My heart belongs only to Krist and no one else can change that.

Stella: I’m sure of that. And I think he also only has you in his heart.

Isabelle: I have no doubt about it.

Stella: I dream of having a couple similar to yours one day.

Isabelle: you mean you want to experience a marriage shaken by so many problems?

Stella: no, I’m talking about your love and your loyalty in the best and worst, it’s rare.

Isabelle: Sometimes I wonder if it’s a curse or a blessing.

Stella: Of course it’s a blessing. Good things are never simple you know. When everything is easy and simple, there is a problem.

Isabelle: many will tell you the opposite.

Stella: Well, not me.

Isabelle: you’re a good friend you know, I have a lot of friends but there are none like you.

Stella: I’m flattered.

Isabelle: It’s the truth.

Stella: thank you Isabelle, you are a mother to me. And for all the good that you and Krist have done to me, one day you will live in immense happiness.

Isabelle: is that a promise?

Stella: no, it’s a prophecy!

Isabelle: in this case, I say a big AMEN!

Stella: Amen!

Isabelle: you really are a wonderful girl Stella, honestly.

She approaches her and gives her a k**s on the cheek.

Stella: Thank you. Besides, I have good news to tell you.

Isabelle: I’m listening to you.

Stella: Célestin promised me to go and see why we are being prevented from seeing Krist.

Isabelle: really?

Stella: Yes.

Isabelle: thank you very much Stella, I’m happy to hear that.

Stella: Me too.

In short, they always have a subject to debate. They continue to chat until sleep overtakes them. Meanwhile, Commander Léon meets Corneille at the fountain bar.