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994 Words
Our sneakers squeal on the waxed floor and our balls fly away as quickly as they come. I’m totally awash and Paul’s in roughly the same condition as me. I would say sweat suits him better than me, but do I really have the right to dwell on such a detail?
Our game of squash is very physical. We both have a good level and an interesting game. Nobody wants to lose and the exchanges are very long if not endless.
The little shorts chosen by the Chamber Sports saleswoman are soaked. Hey, I never imagined that we could sweat so much. It must be said that it’s a real forest down there. In the end, it’s convenient to be a girl because we use the services of a beautician more often. Do men also remove hair? I still can’t ask Paul that question. He’s understanding, but still. He’ll end up finding me suspicious with my nutty questions.
Coming back to my shorts, they’re barely hiding my underwear. Those who watch us through the window must think that I’m doing my sport in swimming trunks. When Paul found out before the game, he burst into laughter.
“You bought your shorts in the children’s department?”
“It’s the saleswoman. She chose and since I was in a hurry, I didn’t want to try them on...”
“I’m sure she did it on purpose, yes! So that your audience can enjoy the show!”
This sparked a little giggle that drew the attention of the other athletes present in the locker room.
In short, we don’t talk much during our squash session, but my mind tries to analyse the behaviour of the people around me since I’m in the body of a man. What did I come to gain from this unique experience? What’s the rational explanation? If there is one, of course!
As the bullets come and go and Paul seems to be focusing only on our exchanges—I, who am a very sharp feminine-minded man, I try to list the questions that I hope to find answers to. I realize that they all revolve around the same subject, love, or rather the same problem, man, and love. Are men capable of being in a long-term relationship without one day facing infidelity? And now that I’m a man, what would I do?
“Hey, Paul, have you ever fallen in love?”
Once again, it came out on its own, I spoke without thinking. My question echoes around the room. Paul stops short and misses the ball.
“Maybe we’ll stop there, right?” he said, evading my question. “The hour is up; we have to go back to work.”
“Oh, already?!”
“Yeah. And besides, we have to go buy a snack, the day is far from over.”
“What, we don’t leave at four o’clock, after the stock market closes?”
I spoke aloud again and Paul looked at me, puzzled, before bursting into laughter.
“Ah! You’re funny today!”
“Phew, then I’m lucky you had nothing in your mouth to spit on me!”
We shower quickly and I put on the boxer shorts I just bought from Chamber Sports. The idea that they haven’t been washed bothers the Julie that I am on the inside more than the Julien that I am on the outside. There’s no doubt that these details annoy girls more than boys.
On the way back, I grill Paul to get an answer to my question. Not that I’m being tedious, but I’d like to know if he has ever fallen in love and if so, what are the male symptoms that characterize it?
“Paul?” I said, crunching on my sandwich. “Have you ever fallen in love?”
“Didn’t your mother teach you that you don’t talk with your mouth full?” he said.
“Come on! It’s not a complicated question. You answer yes or no. It’s very simple.”
“It’s not an easy subject to broach. Ask me about cars, finances, even football, but no love…”
“Okay, I got it. The answer is no!”
“Uh… And what makes you say that?”
“So, it’s yes!”
“What do you gain from knowing if I’ve already fallen in love or not? Since when do you investigate my love life?”
“Since my birthday party. The thought of not remembering my scorching night with Samantha scared me a little. I don’t want this to happen again.”
“Has she called you back?” he asks me to change the subject.
“No. I’d rather she didn’t. If she was the woman of my life, I would know, and above all, I would remember it.”
“The answer is yes.”
“What yes?”
“If I’ve ever fallen in love. It’s a yes!”
We enter our building. Jean greets us with a big smile when we walk past her. Paul whispers to me:
“She eats you with her eyes!”
“I don’t think so, no. This morning, I told her she would never be my four o’clock again,” I told him when I got into the elevator.
“Oh! And how did she take it?”
“Not very well…”
“Just watch out. She’s not the kind of girl to let go easily. But tell me, I saw you having a deep conversation with Emilia and she looked rather confused. Love and all... Don’t tell me you had a revelation about her!”
“No! Fall in love with my assistant, never!”
“Ah, you reassure me. Come on, Shhh! Ears hang out here,” he whispers as he enters the lioness’ den, in other words, our open office space. Emilia, Jessica, and Carlotta look up before diving back into their respective files.
- Writer
