Oprah Winfrey’s Announcement to Barbara Walters on ABC, December 8, 2010

“I’m not even kind of a lesbian. And the reason why [the rumor] irritates me is because it means that somebody must think I’m lying.” Ninety-four

Natalie and Markus met for lunch. He was tired, but his eyes were still wide open. She couldn’t get over hearing that the dinner had lasted all night. Maybe things always happened that way with him? Maybe nothing happened in the way it was anticipated. She would have wanted to laugh about it. But she didn’t at all like what she was seeing. She felt tense, irritated by the agitation around them. It sent her back to the meanness of some people after François’s funeral. To the inhibiting expressions of compassion. Maybe it was a half-baked comparison. But in it she saw vestiges of the times of the collaboration. As she observed certain reactions, she’d say to herself, “If there were a new war, everything would be exactly the same.” Perhaps this feeling was exaggerated, but the swiftness of rumor, allied with a certain spite, inspired disgust in her that was an echo of that dubious period.She didn’t understand why her affair with Markus was so interesting. Was it because of him? Because of what he gave off? Is that how pairings that lack rationality are seen? But it was ridiculous: is there anything less logical than an attraction? Since her last discussion with Chloé, Natalie’s anger hadn’t subsided. Who did they all think they were? She reinterpreted brief glances from everyone as attacks.“We’ve barely kissed, and I get the impression that everyone hates me now,” she said.“And everyone adores me!”“Now that’s clever, isn’t it …”“Just say the hell with it. Look at the menu. That’s what counts. You want endives with Roquefort or the soup of the day as an appetizer? That’s all that matters.”He certainly was right. However, she couldn’t relax. She didn’t understand why she was having such a strong reaction. Maybe she needed some time to understand that it was all connected to the rebirth of her emotions. It was a giddy sensation that she was transforming into aggression. Against all of them, and above all, against Charles.“You know, the more I think about it, the more I tell myself that Charles’s reaction is disgraceful.”“I think he loves you, that’s all.”“That’s no reason to play the clown with you.”“Calm down, it isn’t that serious.”“I can’t calm down, I can’t …”Natalie announced that she was going to see Charles after lunch so that he’d stop with the dramatics. Markus chose not to hinder her determination. He left room for a bit of silence, which she broke off with a confession. “Sorry, I’m on edge …”“It’s no big deal. Besides, you know news changes quickly … and two days from now they won’t be talking about us anymore … there’s a new secretary who just arrived, and I think Berthier’s attracted to her … so you see …”“That’s no scoop. He jumps on everything that moves.”“Yes, true. But this is different. Remember he just got married to the accountant … so we’re not safe from a little soap opera.”“More than anything I think I’m lost.”She’d spoken the sentence abruptly. Without the slightest transition. Instinctively, Markus took the soft part of the bread and started to crumble it in his hand.“What are you doing?” Natalie asked him.“I’m doing what they did in Tom Thumb. If you’re lost, you’ve got to leave a trail of crumbs behind you as you go. That way, you can find your way back.”“Which leads me here … to you, I suppose?”“Yes. Unless I’m hungry, and decide to eat the crumbs while I’m waiting for you.” Ninety-five

Дата добавления: 2015-10-26