La Mare-Balena

Ricardet returns to his native coastal village after a short, harsh stint in Barcelona, where he inherited a failing coffee shop and a mysterious, hereditary chest illness. He settles in a modest sea‑facing cottage with his wife and infant son, spending long mornings watching the tides roll in and listening to the rhythm of the fishermen’s boats. The endless horizon offers both a quiet refuge and a reminder of the life he has left behind.

As his own health wanes, the child’s cheeks redden and his appetite grows, suggesting a surprising resilience that the family clings to as a sign of hope. Ricardet begins to feel a strange relief, believing the disease that threatens him may somehow protect his son. His days become a mix of fragile rest on the balcony and quiet conversations with the locals, who listen politely but keep their distance.

The newcomer’s polished manners and foreign air soon stir unease among the villagers, whose daily lives are shaped by hard work and simple customs. Ricardet’s occasional sharp retorts and subtle superiority spark tension, setting the stage for a delicate balance between acceptance and alienation in this tightly knit community.