Watercolor – 5,51 x 7,48 inch – Unique work

Tonight, I’m meeting friends at the chalet des îles, a restaurant in Boulogne in the middle of water. A full agenda …

Travelling by tube, I check the nearest tube station and … as I go ahead, I’m just wondering, damn, it’s not that close, I’ve already been walking for 20 minutes! And gifted as I am with google on my phone, I seem to be going in circles. A huge roundabout, damn, with entrances and exits on the ring road, am I going left? Right? Because going straight forward is definitely not an option. I walk along the Bois de Boulogne, crazy joggers running so close to me, and… a sign, finally indicating the direction of the restaurant. Already 30 minutes… No need to specify that I’m late!

Oops, I can see the restaurant now but, faithful to its name, it’s on an island! What am I going to do next, swim? I just wait a few seconds and … phew, a boat with a driver comes towards me. I’m saved! A very pleasant crossing of ten minutes. I climb a few steps and finally reach the place to be.

I join my friends, relieved, and I enjoy sipping a spritz. Tasty food, tremendous vibe, boosted by alcohol? No, we don’t need any of it, we laugh just fine by ourselves. Time passes, subjects pass away, projects surpass themselves. Night has fallen, loud voices from a side table catch my attention. And right behind me, a couple and a marriage proposal. I can’t help myself thinking, with an ironic smile, pure madness!

Dessert, coffee, we already have to split up. How sad, I hate farewells, breakups when I’m in good company. There are so few. One of the guests drive me back. It’s always the same one who devotes herself. We take this opportunity to rebuild the world, to discuss our respective personal lives. Our growing children, who give us good and bad surprises. Our uncertain professional futures, yet to come, as we reach the Daumesnil tube station.

When I find myself alone in my bedroom, I feel empty.