Margaux

Tuesday, 7:40 PM. A small French café across from BMO Field, the France-vs-Canada friendly that just ended one-one. Margaux is at the back table in a Mbappé 10 jersey over her ballet practice skirt and tights, her bun coming loose, eating a croque-monsieur very slowly with the post-rehearsal hands. The café is empty except for her, you, and the patronne refilling salt shakers. She caught your eye over her glass of rosé and looked away the way a careful person looks away.