DIVINE (english)

 

DIVINE

 

 

            At the back of the vehicle, eyes wide open full of curiosity, DIVINE had asked the private driver to open the window. After traveling first class by train all expenses paid, the driver had picked her up at the station. It was eight o'clock and night had already fallen. Paul the private driver, a tall, very thin brown haired man, had arrived at the station twenty minutes early, he had taken the opportunity to stroll before going to platform 7, a large paper in his hands announcing the name DIVINE. Then a black woman with large hips, chubby and gray hair tied back, dressed in a long black coat, had come to him pulling a big gray suitcase, smiling. Her smile made you want to smile too. She reached out to Paul and said, "Good evening, young man, I am DIVINE." "Oh, that’s perfect!" had he answered, shaking vividly her hand then taking the suitcase from her. They had exchanged a few words of politeness and by the time they entered the car, Paul had received a call telling him to return as soon as possible with the new nanny: a fire had broken out at their employer’s home.

DIVINE immediately thought, "I hope they don't judge my coming as a bad omen." Paul was driving nervously, honking his horn and urging drivers to push themselves out of his way.

The long street leading to the LEMAIRE manor was crossed by police vehicles and fire trucks, all alarming and thunderous sirens that passed him without harm, since Paul knew their presence more useful than his own.

There were trees on both sides of the street looking endless and no house visible. The LEMAIRE owned all this surrounding space spanning hectares. DIVINE knew they were very rich.

Earlier this week when her former boss said it was good, she had the job, DIVINE had never stopped thanking Heaven. She knew finding a job at the age of sixty-six was a feat.

            Coming from a village in central Africa, DIVINE had arrived in the country twenty-seven years earlier. DIVINE had worked most of her life; when she was a child, her parents and elders died, killed in a civil war. She only had left a little sister four years younger. They both were raised by an aunt who did not like her and had just made her a maid. DIVINE had accommodated herself thinking it was better than living on the street.

Her youth had thus been lost in the toil and contempt of her own family. She looked after her little sister, Priscilla, like a mother, even though growing up she had only gotten into trouble with criminals. DIVINE had always supported and helped her. But one day it was too much and their aunt threw them both out. DIVINE was eighteen years old at the time. Nevertheless, she quickly found a work at a Belgian couple’s house who welcomed them. Her first real employers treated her well, she had been able to live decently thanks to the money she earned and to allow her little sister a late schooling. For her part, DIVINE had never been to school. She learned to read and write at the age of twenty-two when she met a central African soldier at her place of prayer, who soon became her husband. Ten years her eldest, Jean her husband was an iron hand in a silk glove. Very religious and generous, he had never liked to be in the army but the men had no choice in the country it was enlistment or death, no desertion, you had to choose a side and fight, as a military or a rebel.

Having met this man DIVINE had met a calming and a true accomplice in the trials of life. Jean had bought a modest house in which she lived with her sister only, because for many years Jean was on military duty. It was only in order to communicate with him that she wished to read and write, although the letters they exchanged did not always reach their destination.

Then misfortune came. John died on a mission a month after the birth of their only child: Madeleine. DIVINE was twenty-six at the time; her Belgian bosses also told her that they would return home and she feared that she would not be able to support her family. How she prayed constantly at that time. Constantly. Then her bosses told her of a possibility of taking her with them, but they could only take her. DIVINE immediately refused to leave her daughter behind to go to a foreign country, but the hard truth caught up with her soon enough: it was that or misery no more and no less. So she left leaving her daughter in the care of her sister.

All her life DIVINE had worked for them. She visited them one month every two to three years. Her daughter had grown up without her really being there for her, but all the money she had earned had been only for her sister and her daughter. DIVINE had made sure she had an education and lacked nothing. Unfortunately, Madeleine had had a bad relationship, and at the age of fifteen, she had her first child. Then a second at the age of twenty-five. DIVINE had never known who the fathers were. She blamed herself for not being able to give her daughter a better education and charged her back with faults that were not in fact hers.

DIVINE had never remarried, or even thought about it. After working for the Belgian couple for years, she worked in a nursing home in a neighboring country until her own retirement. But quitting work was not an option for her because she had no savings so she continued to work here and there as a nanny. Her references were the bests because DIVINE was a true hard worker, fair and determined to satisfy. She had in her an overflowing account of love which she distributed without counting to the children she cared for. Her bosses were often well-to-do people who did not give time to their children, she compensated, also feeling guilty for not seeing her daughter more often.

And now, thanks to her very good references, she had been hired by the LEMAIRE’s, one of the wealthiest families in the country who owned luxury fashion businesses.

DIVINE had to take care of their twins, boys as young as seven, because the two nannies in charge of the boys until now were about to leave. DIVINE told herself that with the good pay promised, in three years she would have saved enough to go home for good and there she would help her daughter set up her clothing store. She can even add another floor to their home. So she would make up for all the time she wasted.

But for now, arriving at its destination, the car that had just passed through the gate stopped in front of a huge manor whose reflections of the blue and red lights of the emergency vehicles danced on the stone facades. Huge black smoke barely evaporated from the left side of the architectural mansion several meters away. There was an embarrassing hubbub, the crowd being made up of police officers, firefighters, and house staff. At least 30 people look shocked, crying, moaning, trying to restore calm. From the rear window of the car, DIVINE saw a body being carried on a stretcher and rushed back into an ambulance. Paul had been on the phone since they arrived and as he did not get out of the vehicle, DIVINE imitated him taking no risk of being frowned upon. When he hung up he explained, keeping his head turned towards the mansion: "It's not going well at all! Apparently our two colleagues are seriously injured because of the fire that started in their rooms on the left wing there, you see there are still firefighters busy. »

DIVINE looked at the thick black smoke coming out of the windows to the left and said, "Yes, I see that. It's unfortunate indeed Paul. »

-      My dear DIVINE, I am afraid that you will finally not get to know your former colleagues tonight. It's just the ones you're replacing that's been rushed!

-      Really?

-      Yes, Francine and Laetitia. I hope it will be all right, but I was told it was quite serious…

-      How did the fire started?

-      Ah we don't know that yet. I'll park the car and we'll wait in one of the lounges.

DIVINE had seen prestigious places, but crossing the LEMAIRE mansion in the garage filled with luxury cars and the lounge had been like visiting the Louvre Museum and the Sistine Chapel in less than ten minutes. After claiming to take care of her coat and suitcase, Paul had left her in the hands of the housekeeper, a brunette woman in her fifties, her face emaciated, her features severe and wrinkled, dressed in a black suit just like her. When DIVINE had seen her a shiver had gone through her entire body; stuttering a << good evening >> she had reached out to greet her, but Mrs. Graziella, as the housekeeper was called, had just tossed her and judged her from the bottom up for any answer. This threw a chill between the women, DIVINE not getting more offended - she had known worse. Then the housekeeper had set out to show her a few rooms among the dozens, along the way, waiting for the grand tour that should take place the next day.

The styles were different depending on the rooms, contemporary, architectural, and modern, but always high-end and refined. The ceilings were so high that DIVINE thought it might be necessary to call on climbers to remove dust from the chandeliers. She was reassured that she did not have to be in charge of the household.

In the living room, she had a moment of hesitation before sitting down, although Mrs. Graziella had invited her there, as the padded chair in white leather shone.

At least an hour and a half passed before the LEMAIRE finally showed up. After all this time spent in silence during which DIVINE had not exchanged a single word with the housekeeper, the door had been opened abruptly and a blond haired boy had rushed in followed by a woman, thin and elegant in a white dress, carrying his twin in her arms and a black haired man in a three-piece suit visibly very exasperated. DIVINE had stood up, presenting her legendary smile.

The child who had entered furiously had stood in front of her, and was staring at her with his arms folded on his chest.

Monsieur LEMAIRE held out a firm hand to her and Madame apologized for not being able to welcome her son Remy, who refused to come down. "It's nothing, ma'am," DIVINE said.

-      I don't know, I don't know. (Had thrown Mr LEMAIRE to the attention of his wife) You really need to stop infantilizing him like that. Look at Roman, he's on both feet. And we can see he is too heavy, he’s seven for heaven's sake, Lupa puts him on the floor and make him stand!

-      Shhh, calm down Faustin, you are frustrated because of the fire, do not start to attack everyone.

For any answer, Mr. LEMAIRE removed the child from his mother's arms and forced him to stand. The child cried hard and clung to his mother's legs, who stroked his head affectionately.

-      I'm sorry about that scene, Mrs. DIVINE. "Ms. LEMAIRE apologized.

-      It is nothing, Madam.

-      Well, continued Mr. LEMAIRE, was your trip bearable?

-      Yes sir, thank you for making it comfortable for me with the first class seat.

-      It is nothing, continued Madame LEMAIRE. Really thank you for taking your position with us so suddenly.

-      Not! Suddenly scream Roman, standing with his arms folded, staring at her with an evil look.

Divine noted a smile on the housekeeper's face. She advanced to the little one and stroked his head in the same way that Madame LEMAIRE did for the twin brother who clung to her.

"I don't want that fat black woman!" whistled the child between his teeth in a voice that suddenly seemed mature and hoarse or even demonic. Divine hiccupped with surprise and had a chill.

-      Apologize right now Roman! Threw his mother.

-      No!

-      I'm sorry about that Divine. You will find that Roman likes to take dictator's votes. He's much more agitated than his brother Remy.

-      Don't, no, don't worry, ma'am, children are unpredictable, I know. (However, Divine's shoulders were restless under the effect of another shiver).

-      They tend to say things the way they see them. Mischievously added Graziella.

Little Remy raised his head at that moment and stared at DIVINE, who was astonished to see so much sweetness in this face identical to Roman's and yet so apart. She smiled at him and the child let go of her mother and hugged her little arms around her right leg instead. Divine put her hand on his back and was still amazed to feel the child's heart beat so hard... As if he was afraid.

She asked, "Did the children witness the fire?"

-      I'm afraid I'm afraid.

Answered the lady with embarrassment, casting a glance at her husband.

-      We are counting on you at this difficult time. Immediately added Mr. LEMAIRE. The children's nannies were the victims of this unfortunate incident.

-      Yes sir, I understand.

-      You will be alone in charge of both, my wife and I are very rarely present. Here, everyone has a specific role and I expect everyone to perform it perfectly. Your task has clearly been explained to you, we should not go back on it. Children have their own teachers, you will never be in charge of this part of their education but you will monitor them outside of their activity time, during their daily life at home.

-      Yes sir I will take care of it.

-      We are looking for a second nanny, as the boys are used to each having their own. She should be here soon.

-      Yes, sir.

-      I count on you not to call us, we are people already quite solicited, when we come home we want our tranquility. If there's a problem, check with Mrs. Graziella, the housekeeper.

-      Heard sir.

-      Ok. Now everyone in bed! The housekeeper will show you your home.

-      Thank you, sir.

Madame LEMAIRE smiled at DIVINE and hugged her. Divine could feel the bones in the small body of her boss, the embrace left her with a feeling of desolation. "This woman lives like a shadow," she thought. The gentleman shook her hand again, saying "welcome among us" and left right away, followed by Remy and his wife, who bent down to carry him. Roman took advantage of her parents leaving to give DIVINE a finger, she sighed with a nod of denial when her eyes crossed those of Graziella. Again, she felt a shiver all over her body - for any answer, she smiled.

The housekeeper said, "Let's go," and they went out.

            Behind the manor was a sumptuous flower garden, very beautifully lit and fountains. Less than a quarter of an hour later, there were seven small houses. Mrs. Graziella announced that Mr. LEMAIRE no longer wanted the servants to sleep in the mansion. He had just told the dozen or so people who were sleeping on site and everyone was moving into the houses, normally intended for guests, until further notice. The fire and irresponsible attitude of the staff had ruined everything, she said. Divine wanted to ask what attitude she was talking about but she knew that it would never be possible for her to discuss with this haughty governess. Fortunately, on their way down to the households, they met the staff who moved their belongings and most seemed sociable. She would still have colleagues to talk to.

The housekeeper handed her the key to the house at the front door and left immediately after saying, "Don't get too comfortable, the nannies don't last long here."

Divine was glad to watch her leave. She entered the house, lit up and took notice of contemporary decoration but of lower quality than those at the manor.

All the amenities were there, she would not miss anything.

As she went around, she noticed there were only two bedrooms; she took the one to the right of the stairs, since her suitcase and coat had been deposited there and the two bedrooms were identical anyway.

Divine landed on the bench at the foot of the bed and watched for a long time at the lighted manor she could see through the window. "This housekeeper and her Roman are going to be a great deal!" she murmured. Then she thought back of little Remy's embrace and reassured herself: "At least this one is cute." She was also reassured that a second nanny would soon arrive. Certainly, she would share this house with her. Divine wondered which one of the two would have the little Roman in charge and wished not to be that one. She pouted and MT chewed before saying, "This little one with his demonic voice!" Was it really just a game?

            After taking a good shower, Divine had turned everything off and went to bed but sleep wasn't coming. As usual, she whispered prayers lying on her back, her eyes wide open in the dark. She always asked for the protection of her family and always thanked for the good she had. When you know the edges of misery what may appear like a few for some appeared like a blessing for others. Divine never complained about her life... Yet she long had a shameful behavior that started from a craving for a little boost, but had become an addiction: alcohol. Her loneliness was such that even giving herself all the strength of the world and appealing to her faith, she was still feeling punished by life.

She struggled to get these thoughts out of her head for fear of blaspheming. However, everyone takes stock of their lives and their own accounts; in the end, she was an orphan, a widow, far from her family and poor. She had the feeling it was this state or lower, total misery, but never higher. Divine shed tears when the night silenced the spirits and she was alone. Of course, the strength was to be able to continue in spite of everything, but the truth was that her knees were sore at the end of the day, also, she finally had only love by proxy. The alcohol had been a whiplash and then a companion, a sister, a daughter and grandchildren, through the hallucinations it provided, when in her blood the quantity took possession of her senses and her reason.

She had decided to stop the morning her first boss showed her a video of herself, in the middle of the night, talking to an invisible person on the doorstep, a bottle of liquor in her hand. Her boss had been awakened by the sound of the alarm that Divine too drunk had not even heard. At first, she thought she was sleepwalking and then at the smell of alcohol she understood. The manner in which Divine behaved might have really portended that a person was there on the doorstep, but there was nothing but the dark night. Her hand seemed to rest on a person's shoulder and anyone could have believed it as the hand gesture was perfect. Her boss had filmed her because it was so impressive to see her chatting with an invisible ghost, but also so that Divine could see how miserable it made her… And it worked. Divine had stopped drinking overnight, taking charge of her with prayers, glad to have been able to defeat her demon.

If alcohol was her demon what was her loneliness? A test? One more?