Bye Bye Blondie Read Free Page A

whatever. He stands up, goes over to collect his beer, and exchanges a few jokes with Jérémy, then brings out a newly cut CD from the pocket of his leather coat. Since his pockets are full of holes, he has to contort himself, feeling around in the lining to get ahold of it. Jérémy yells,“Yay!!! Another garage punk compilation, eh?” with almost the same degree of enthusiasm as if he’d just scored in the World Cup.
    Two young girls arrive, schoolbags on their shoulders. Given the time of day and their faces, they’re cutting class. They whisper and giggle in turn. Baby Goths, black makeup and pierced lips, they’re done up so they look almost like sisters. Baggy khaki trousers, skintight tops with pictures of improbably named groups. Black high-top Converse. Gloria knows what Michel is thinking, that’s the advantage of knowing each other so well. No way can he get used to the way the kids look today, starting with their trainers. He was born a bit too early for all that. A girl in trainers has the same effect on him as if she turned up in army combats: a complete turnoff. Sad for him, since that’s where we are now . Still, he goes over to say hi, and gives them a couple of pieces of solid advice about real life and how it is. They listen, heads to one side, taking it in. Tonight before going home, they’ll be in Place Carnot, drinking beer with some punks and reporting what they’ve learned.
    Michel does his cool act for a couple of minutes, then comes back to Gloria’s table, and like a reliable friend, he asks questions.
    â€œThis time it’s serious, is it? Want to tell me about it?”
    â€œHiroshima . . . I went ballistic.”
    â€œAh.”
    He knows her history, so he needs to check: “But he’s . . . I mean you didn’t . . .?”
    His concern makes her smile, although she knows it isn’t funny.
    â€œNo, no, I didn’t hurt him, nothing like that. Didn’t lay a finger on him. Anyway, he’s very quick, damn his eyes. But I did some damage on the way. I trashed his place a bit. But that’s not the worst. Well, maybe it is . . . Anyway, it’s over. It’s over, over, over, finished, I know. I swear, I’m so pissed off, every time I find a guy I really like, I drive him nuts and he chucks me out.”
    â€œI’ve heard this before from you. And if I was you, I’d be pissed off too.”
    â€œYeah, but usually it’s just me that’s moaning in my corner. But it’s him that’s had enough this time. Totally, totally had it. You know the effect I have on guys: at first they love it that I’m in such a bad place, they always want to help. But if you overdo it, there’s too much pain, bad news for the furniture.”
    â€œSo where are you going to crash?”
    â€œAt your place?”
    â€œAh, no.”
    â€œNot to worry, I guessed you’d have had enough of putting me up. I’m going to ask Véro.”
    â€œNo, it’s not that, but Vanessa’s coming tonight, so it’s not really the moment . . .”
    â€œCool for you. She doesn’t work during the week?”
    â€œShe just got the sack.”
    â€œToo bad.”
    â€œNo, it’s okay, she wanted out anyway. Records, you know, not really where it’s at now.”
    â€œWell she’s right, because before we go back to the shop and give them all our cash to buy their CDs, hell might’ve frozen over.”
    She likes saying this. But she doesn’t like Vanessa, Michel’s new girlfriend. Of course, there’s a bit of basic jealousy in there. Why would Michel need another girl around when he’s got her? But Gloria is old enough to know it’s best that her friends are happy, have someone tosleep with. Otherwise they start complaining and get to be a pain.
    But this Vanessa really is the pits. Pretty, yes, blondish, big boobs, wide blue eyes. She’s got