Sweef | Valentynsdag – Alicia Erasmus | English Summary

Sweef en ander Verhale

Valentynsdag – Alicia Erasmus

The main character is Michelle, a girl who can be assumed to be in high school. She complains to her friend about her day, which has not gone according to plan at all. Facing acne, a bad hair day and a love she thinks might be unrequited, Michelle drones on to her friend Nicola about her experience. However, she and her crush, Jean, sit in the same row in Life Science and often exchange notes - maybe there is hope for her. When Michelle finds a note from him in her desk asking for her time later that Valentine’s evening, her excitement peaks. After school, she arrives home to find her father in the kitchen, something she describes as unusual. Michelle then overhears her father talking on the phone to an unknown woman. He promises the woman that he will leave his family that night and when Michelle confronts him about it, he responds with his sincerest apologies. They stand in silence until the telephone rings. Michelle’s father hesitates for a moment before answering – “It’s for you. Jean”.