« SHE » or « HE »

by Laurent Gagnebin

Translation Louise Thunin

I’m sitting in the subway. Next to me and opposite me are five charming young ladies, very stylish ; one of them is reading a book from Flammarion’s « Champs » collection. I make a fruitless attempt to see if it’s the book on Protestantism that Raphaël Picon and I published together…

Suddenly, a boy’s voice on the telephone resounds loudly. It’s a young voice. The speaker, whom we cannot see, is talking, as is often the case, with his headphones on. « Yes, my love. I’m on my way, my love. My battery is empty. Good-bye, my love. »

The girls and I look at one another, more pleased than embarrassed. Indeed, this conversation is refreshing. The anonymous speaker hasn’t noticed that a good proportion of those present in the car have heard him. We speak softly. One of the girls jokes : « The battery, the battery, what battery ? »

I declare : « Let’s hope it won’t be empty when he meets up with his love. »

One of the girls says : « It’s a well known fact that love is deaf. » Laughter. Another : « This being said, she’s lucky. »

I add : « What do you know ? » I get questioning looks.

I specify : « ‘She’ » is lucky ! But it might be ‘ he’. »

The girl opposite me, who, until now, hadn’t said anything, bursts out laughing, heartily. The others smile.

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