Geneviève Konvention

The sun has barely risen, but Geneviève stands outside the 'office' of Gillbert Swims. She stops and stands outside the closet he's been forced to work in, and he begins to panic. Thoughts swirl through their mind.

Is this really the right thing to do? He deserves the truth. No. No, the truth will hurt him. This is the right thing to do.

A deep breath, followed by a knock on the door.

“Come in!” Gillbert is energetic, his usual self.

“Hello, Gillbert. Nice to see you again.” Geneviève smiles awkwardly.

“Look, Gillbert. I…”

A pause.

“I'm sorry, but I wasn't able to find out who did it. They covered their tracks well. Everything I found led to nothing. I…”

Gillbert cuts her off.

“It's ok Geneviève. I'm just grateful that you tried.” He attempts to smile.

“Still. I wanted to find the scammer. I'm sorry I couldn't.” Geneviève's heart is pounding.

“It's ok. We'll be ok. So then, when do you start back? We've missed having you around.” Gillbert is more genuine this time.

“I… um… I don't think I'll be coming back. I think I'm going to stay at the Gazette.”

Gillbert is shocked. “Oh. How come?”

“I realised how powerful being a journalist can be. To do good. I can write about the fish, about this charity and people will read it. Really read it.”

Gillbert nods. “You're right.”

His gaze moves from his former-employee to a photo of a child on his desk, and Geneviève notices. She begins to shake.

“I'm sorry to be leaving, but I think it's for the best. See you around?” the words are spoken so quickly, they almost slur.

“Yes, see you around.”

Geneviève turns around and almost runs out of the 'office'. The guilt overwhelms her. Letting Gillbert down like that, lying to him, and ditching him… it wasn't easy. But it needed to be done, both for that child and zer father. It was the best thing for both of them, even if it felt so wrong in the moment.

And now, for the final part of the promise. Even if it is hours before her shift starts, Geneviève heads to the Gazette. Once she arrives, he heads straight for her desk, opening a drawer and pulling out a thick plastic wallet, filled with papers. She rips a page out of her notebook and writes a message:

It's done. This story is yours to tell, if and when you want to.

G.K.

She slips the page into the wallet and hides it with Melody's belongings, before heading back to his own desk, breathing a sigh of relief. It is done. After 4 months of trying and failing, he finally solved the case, but in doing so, she learned a lesson far more valuable than any revenge or fame she could get from a story.

Geneviève grabs her fish tie and wraps it around her neck. She has plenty to do before her next Environment department meeting.


Written by Heather C