Happy People Read and Drink Coffee by Agnès Martin-Lugand Page A

searched through the car.
    â€œWhat a surprise to see you today,” said Abby, opening the door.
    â€œHello, Abby. I’d like to see Judith, it’s urgent.”
    â€œShe’s sleeping, but maybe I could help?”
    â€œI have to get into the pub. I lost something last night,” I explained, tears in my eyes.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, my darling?”
    â€œPlease, help me.”
    Felix was holding me in his arms when Abby, Jack, and Judith met us at the pub. Judith rushed over to us, but focused on Felix.
    â€œWhat happened?” she asked, touching his eye. “Jack, take care of him.”
    â€œIt’s nothing; I had a little romp with your brother.”
    â€œYou did what with my brother?”
    â€œ Secret boy , that’s all I can say. Let’s just say there were a lot of muscles involved. But that doesn’t matter. Take care of Diane.”
    â€œIf you say so. Right. Your turn now,” she said, opening the door for me. “It had better be important because I want to know what’s going on.”
    â€œIt is.”
    I went inside the pub and stood petrified for a few minutes.
    â€œYou’ve already cleaned up?”
    â€œYes, they’re open tonight. I had just gone to sleep when Abby dragged me out of bed. So what exactly did you lose?”
    â€œA piece of jewelry.”
    I started looking around on the floor.
    â€œNo one died; you’ll buy yourself another one.”
    â€œNo,” I said loudly, and I suddenly stood up. Judith took a step backwards.
    â€œIt’s not Judith’s fault,” Felix said, coming over to me. “Come on, we’ll both look.”
    We each went to opposite ends of the pub. I crawled along the floor, feeling along the cracks in the parquet in the hopes I would find the chain.
    â€œDiane,” Abby said softly, kneeling down beside me, “Diane, look at me.”
    She put her hand on my arm.
    â€œI don’t have time.”
    â€œTell us what you’re looking for; we can help you.”
    â€œI lost my wedding ring. I wear it around my neck.”
    â€œYou’re married?” asked Judith.
    I couldn’t say a word.
    â€œLet’s leave Diane to look by herself,” said Abby.
    I withdrew into my shell, hearing nothing of anything that was happening around me. I crept forward on my hands and knees, pushing the tables and bar stools out of the way, scratching in the cracks between the floorboards to see if the chain hadn’t slipped down.
    â€œWhere are the garbage cans?” I asked, standing up.
    â€œI’ve already looked, there’s nothing,” Felix replied.
    â€œYou didn’t look hard enough.”
    I sank to the ground, holding my stomach and sobbing. Felix took me in his arms and rocked me. I beat his chest with my fists.
    â€œCalm down . . . calm down . . .”
    â€œIt’s not possible; I can’t have lost it.”
    â€œI’m so sorry.”
    â€œMaybe it’s time to turn the page,” Judith suggested. “I don’t know, but if your husband dumped you . . .”
    â€œHe didn’t ‘dump’ me.”
    Felix took my hand and squeezed it tight. I tried to breathe and crushed myself against him again. Without letting go of him, I turned towards Judith.
    â€œColin is . . . Colin is dead.”
    â€œTell her everything,” Felix whispered in my ear.
    â€œAnd Clara . . . our daughter . . . died with him.”
    Judith gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Felix helped me stand up. I looked over at Jack and Abby without really seeing them.
    â€œI’m going to keep looking; I’ll find it. I promise,” said Judith.
    Abby and Jack just hugged me tight while I stood there, my arms dangling at my sides and staring into space. Felix supported me and got me in the car. He fastened my seat belt and headed for the cottage.
    He helped me into bed. After making me take some aspirin, he stretched