Both empathetic and magnetic. That was Nelu. Was. Because now, Nela spoke of him only in the past tense. Moreover, the story she told the police wasn't completely untrue. It even included vague traces of truth. She knew he was a priest and that he had a priestess. But she argued that she believed him when he told her that it was God who sent her to her door without any underwear under his cassock. He would ask for help for those in need every week and she would help him how she knew best. However, the joy of those who are merciful doesn't last long, sighed Nela. Those poor in spirit are happier.
Cecilia Fofiu
Be merciful, may you be blessed, \'cause I can cast you an evil eye and free your husband from an ugly woman before she snags him from you. I brake suddenly next to the gypsy. How the hell does she know about Nelu and Lia when I'm not even sure of it myself? I ask her in shock. The old hag knows, she grins with her golden teeth. Come over here, she says as she pulls me in some narrow alley. Pass me 200 bucks and the ring and I'll remove the spell. I do as I'm told. The wonder of a woman mumbles a short incantation, retrieves me the jewelry and hurries to leave. Already feeling less worried, I slide the wedding ring onto my finger but, guess what, it's too tight.
Talida Barbe
Monday. You're not capable of anything. Tuesday. Don't you see yourself? Are you stupid? Wednesday. Does the washing machine really have to be on while I'm working? Thursday. Not in the mood. You gained some weight. Friday. Today you're late. Saturday. Bruises. Sunday. She watches him idly switching the channel. She opens the app Hope and starts tapping on her phone as she transfers large sums of money. Ana. Leukemia. Andrei. Colorectal cancer. For each time he had humiliated her, she was making a donation from his account. She nearly emptied it. She was glad.
(Translated by Laura-Monica Doroiman / University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, MTTLC, year I / Corrected by Silvia Petrescu, coordinator of the translations)
Versiunea în română a acestui text se poate citi aici, în rubrica Ficțiuni Reale.