Trafika Europe 6 - Arabesque

men don’t cry

from the toilets, I saw Dounia hastily put down a glass of wine and pass a lit cigarette to one of the Julies sitting around the table. “Don’t make that face!” she said, looking embarrassed. Then she mimed ‘shhh!’ with a finger to her lips, followed by a conspiratorial wink. Aged ten, I was shocked. After leaving La Cour des Miracles , I was silent in the bus. “Why aren’t you talking, Mourad?” “No reason.” “Is it because you saw me drinking?” I feigned interest in what was going on at the back of the bus. I felt betrayed. “Yes. And smoking too!” “It’s your own fault, you pee too fast… Anyway, don’t

mention it to anyone, hey? Promise?” “All right, promise, I won’t say anything.” “…” “Dounia?” “What?” “D’you eat pork as well?” “Pork? Are you out of your mind? You’re sick!” “Dounia?” “What now?” “Will you buy me my pair of Stan Smiths?” “OK, I get it. So the deal is, don’t say a word to anyone and we’ll go to the sports shop next week!” And then she gave me that conspiratorial wink again, which was starting to get on my nerves.

13