Chapter 44 – The Building Application

Lana wanders alone through Mimi and Noa’s future suite. It’s quiet, much quieter than upstairs in the house. She stops in front of the wall that conceals the stairs and places her hands against it. The wall is cool and firm under her palm. She gently presses her nose against it and takes a few deep breaths. She smells the wall’s antiquity: burnt wood, old mold, and herbs.

In her right ear, someone whispers. She doesn’t understand what’s being said. Startled, she looks up but sees no one. She walks to the opening of the wizard’s room. Suddenly, she knows what she wants to do with these two rooms—and hopes Mimi and Noa will agree.

In his limited time, JP searches for the mechanism that shifted the wall, but his search is fruitless. Ultimately, he can only conclude that it’s hidden in a double wall. He’s frustrated; His hands are itching to give it a thorough cleaning.

Noa and Mimi go to see their future living space. Lana follows them.

“I’d like to tell you what I’m planning,” she says.

“I’m very curious about your ideas,” says Mimi.

Lana explains. The couple exchange a look—and agree.

By the end of next week, the building plans will be ready. Claire makes an appointment with the municipality for the building permit; she can go the following week. Lisa accompanies her for moral support.

After a long wait, it’s finally their turn. Claire explains the plan. Sheila, the receptionist, frowns at the computer and then looks at Claire on the other side of the desk.

“According to our records, you’re registered at a completely different address, ma’am,” she says. “So you can’t apply for a permit.”

Claire and Lisa look at each other, stunned.

“How is that possible?” Claire asks. “Would you like to take another look?”

Sheila checks her information again. “Yes, it’s absolutely correct. You’re not registered at this address.”

“Lisa and I bought the house together. I’ll prove to you that I do live here,” Claire says resolutely. Well prepared as ever, she pulls water company statements from her bag, in her name. With a satisfied expression, she places the paperwork on the counter.

The clerk looks at her bills in surprise. Claire remains calm and also pulls out a statement for the electricity and insurance.

The clerk breathes a sigh of relief. “I completely believe you, ma’am. Someone probably played a dirty trick on you,” she says. “Can I make copies of your paperwork?”

Claire nods. “Of course. As many as you like.”

After a while, her paperwork is returned to her. Sheila briefly consults with a colleague on the phone.

“We’ll pass this on to our fraud specialist. We expect it to take about a week to resolve. My colleague or I will call you back at the end of next week.”

After the setback, Claire and Lisa say goodbye with hope.

When they arrive home, Elise is standing in the kitchen facing an angry man, each on either side of the table. She’s wearing an unexpectedly colorful suit. JP is standing next to his mother with a distraught expression.

When Claire puts her bag on the table, Mimi says softly to her and Lisa: “This is JP’s father. He wants his wife back.”

Lisa immediately walks over to the older woman and puts her arm around her.

“We’re with you,” she whispers in her new friend’s ear.

“Stay away from my wife,” Bernard says angrily.

“Do you want me to take my arm away, Elise?” Lisa demands.

The older woman shakes her head.

“You don’t run my life anymore, Bernard,” she says. “I’m done with your bossy behavior. You’ve run my life for far too long. I don’t want to live with you anymore. I want to be free and divorced.” She nods, as if to emphasize her words.

“Mom’s staying here for a while, Dad,” says JP. “You don’t have to worry about her. Go home and think about how you’ve shaped her life all these years.” He leads his father to the front door.

“You don’t have to come back here,” he adds bravely. ‘A taste of your own medicine,’ he thinks.

Cursing, his father stomps out and slams the door behind him.