My Friend Victoria (Mon amie Victoria)

MY FRIEND VICTORIA

Children!

Marie! Charlie!

I'd like to tell you about Victoria.

Her story could have been different...

ended in another way...

and made my friend happier.

I often think I could have changed things.

But can I be sure of that?

- We'll be going soon. - All right.

What could I have done for Victoria?

Should I have opposed certain decisions more firmly?

Why hadn't I been able to?

It all began long ago in a northern Paris school.

- Can I have a kiss? - No.

- Come on. - Leave me be, Thomas.

I won't speak to you again!

That day, Victoria had been told to wait for Thomas's brother

who'd fetch her from the yard.

Her aunt, whom she lived with,

had been taken sick and was in the hospital.

Play here, not in the rain.

Looking for something?

Are you lost?

Come on.

Eat. It'll do you good.

No answer at her place.

- Should we call the police? - Maybe.

Let's wait a bit longer.

Is that the boy who was coming for you?

When he arrived home,

Edouard realized Victoria was the girl he was due to look after.

Why didn't you come? You saw me in the yard.

- I didn't know it was you. - Why?

He knew very well why he didn't think it could be her.

It was because she was black.

I'm really sorry.

Many people wouldn't have cared about this mistake.

But Edouard's family was socialist

and he loathed third-world suffering and racism.

That's yours.

Thank you.

You know my initials?

Shall we go? I'm taking you home.

I'm tired.

We live there, just next to the bow windows.

What's a bow window?

Make yourself at home.

- Where's Thomas? - He's staying at a friend's.

Want some hot chocolate?

No? Sit down on the couch. I won't be long.

Victoria had never seen such a big apartment.

Only the school hallway seemed as spacious.

The apartment she shared with her aunt would have fitted in this room.

Victoria...

Hello, I'm Elena.

I'm Edouard and Thomas's mother. I'm happy you're here.

Your aunt needs to rest tonight. You can sleep here.

We've made dinner. Coming?

You have a pretty name, you know.

Where's your family from?

It would be nice to have people of every origin here, Edouard.

All your friends are white.

- That's ridiculous. - Not at all.

The school was right to call us. They were intelligent for once.

I'm off to the theater. You'll come to see me act one day?

Goodbye, dear.

- You'll manage? - Yes.

- I'm trusting you. - Fine.

What would you like?

We have some antipasti, risotto and Thai chicken.

Or plain rice if you want.

Will you be much longer?

Where's your room?

After the kitchen. If you call, I'll hear you.

Go on in.

You should undress.

Edouard forgot the gulf between them for a second

and gazed at Victoria's white underwear against her black skin.

- How old are you? - I'm eight.

But perhaps he felt that such thoughts didn't match his political views.

Victoria's mind was full of questions.

I'll leave a light on.

Good night, Victoria.

What would happen if she wet the bed?

Or if she sleepwalked and fell down the stairs?

One night, her aunt had found her near the elevator.

You can't sleep?

Come and sit down.

Are you ok?

Watch TV if you want.

Get up, Victoria.

We mustn't be late.

Well... Goodbye, Victoria.

- You slept in my room? - Yes.

- You played with Spip? - Who's Spip?

My squirrel. You played with him?

No.

- Can I have a kiss? - No.

All day, Victoria thought of her amazing night in that huge home.

She was sick of sleeping in her aunt's living room.

She wanted a room of her very own.

Daydreaming, Victoria?

Above all, she thought of Edouard who'd had a strange effect on her.

She was so angry for sucking her thumb.

She hoped Edouard would come for Thomas and see her.

Then she could proudly say,

“Hello, Edouard, how are you?”

And he'd see she wasn't a little girl.

Victoria?

Hello. I'm Diouma.

We met at church, remember?

You're coming home with me, sweetheart.

You aunt has to stay at the hospital. But she's getting better.

Give me your bag.

Victoria and I were at the same school but not in the same class.

Fanny! Here we are, honey.

- I wasn't too long? - No.

Victoria, you know Fanny?

- Have you seen Sékou's toy? - No.

Wait here, sweetheart.

You can kiss the baby later, his name's Sékou.

She didn't seem to see me.

She watched Thomas and his babysitter.

And thought that the day before

she'd taken the path to Edouard's home.

I'll change Sékou. Give Victoria some juice.

Want some orange juice?

No.

Fanny, warm the bottle, please.

Fanny, you could have tidied up like Victoria.

I remember she was odd that evening, in another world.

Cover up.

Good night.

Victoria...

Sleep tight, sweetheart.

She spent two nights with us.

On the second night, something scared me a little.

The next day,

she returned to her aunt Marion who had left the hospital

and life got back to normal.

- Get more. You have the prescription? - Yes.

Help me to the bathroom.

Bring me a glass of water.

What are you doing?

Nothing. I'm coming.

Hurry.

Hurry!

Hello, Victoria.

- How is she today? - Not very well.

I saw about her benefit. You have to wait but it should work.

- Who is it? -It's me, Diouma.

- I have to go to the pharmacy. - I have time.

- She's thirsty. - I'll see to it.

One day last winter,

Victoria took the wrong path and ended up there.

It was a big surprise to see that the Savinet family's home

was a stone's throw from hers.

She had started coming that way, hoping to meet Edouard.

She had seen the whole family,

except the father but that didn't surprise her.

She was used to fatherless families.

But no one had ever noticed her.

Here.

- Want me to sleep near you? - No. You're kind, dear.

Don't open the windows. I'm cold.

Victoria was sick of sleeping on the couch,

with her clothes in her aunt's wardrobe.

To her, they smelled bad now.

At times, sickened by the smell of illness,

she felt as if she were sinking into dirty black water.

When Marion died,

Victoria would move to her room

and it would be hers.

She couldn't help thinking that.

Auntie...

it'll be free at the end of the month.

The Housing Office will redo the wiring.

If you meet the conditions, you'll get priority.

Go ahead, take your time.

- Everything ok? - Yes, thank you.

I like your house. Who gave it to you?

My mom, when I was tiny.

A lot of boxes... Are you doing this alone?

If you need to get rid of certain things,

the town hall can help.

I'll give you the number.

Please.

What're you doing?

Open the door!

- Mom! - What is it, Fanny?

It's Victoria.

What's she doing? Victoria?

What are you doing? Open the door!

It's my room! I'm staying here!

- Honey... - Open up!

- Shall I try? - Sure, if you like.

Victoria, we met earlier, remember?

It's time to go now.

Open up or we'll have to break the lock.