Paris - Chapter Fourteen
FLASHBACK
The following morning broke sunny and unusually warm
for the time of year. JC ordered fresh fruit,
croissants, coffee and tea, then joined Annie on the
terrace of their hotel suite. It was the perfect way
to begin what was sure to be a most trying and
emotionally draining day for both of them.
As they were eating, TJ appeared silently at the
French doors and cleared his throat quietly. "I just
took a call from Jacques."
"What’d he have to say?" JC asked around the last
mouthful of his apple.
Apparently, Claude left specific instructions that no
black was to be worn at his funeral." TJ cleared his
throat a second time. "Since it’s supposed to be a day
of celebration instead of mourning, he requested only
bright and colorful clothes."
When they had finished eating, they went back to their
respective rooms to get changed. Several minutes
later, JC knocked softly on Annie’s door. He had on
beige cargo pants and a teal colored shirt. "Hey, you
ready?"
Annie opened the door and let him inside. Almost. Come
on in while I finish up."
She closed the door and went back to the mirror, hands
in her hair. She was wearing a rust-colored vintage
dress that looked like something from the 1940’s which
she had picked up at a Paris thrift shop several
months ago.
Annie pulled the last bits of hair away from her face,
holding it back with another clip. Once secured, she
let it flow loosely down her back with the rest of her
hair.
In the mirror’s reflection, JC saw she was wearing
both her filigree cross and Marie’s locket around her
neck, while the bracelet he had given her clung to her
left wrist.
JC took a deep breath, completely floored by how
stunning she looked. He walked up behind her and
hugged her around the waist. Taking her hand, he
kissed the palm of it. "You look absolutely amazing."
"Thank you," she replied softly, staring at his
reflection. Then she laughed. "You look fantastic. Who
would've thought you'd clean up so well?"
"Thank you," he answered, kissing her palm again.
Annie turned to face him, looking disappointed. "Why
the hand kiss?" she pouted, sticking out her lower
lip.
JC leaned close, brushing her nose with his. "Because
if I kiss you on the lips, I won’t want to stop and
then we’ll never get to the service."
"Oh," she whispered breathlessly, blushing slightly as
she met his gaze.
Just then, TJ poked his head into the room. "Ready to
go?"
"Sure," JC smiled easily, puling back from Annie.
Giving her hand one last kiss as he stared into her
eyes, he offered his arm to escort her. She took it,
still blushing and allowed herself to be led to the
waiting car.
************************
At the Art Shoppe, Annie stood on the sidewalk staring
at the door. She hesitated then slowly turned to walk
back towards it. Just in front of the door, she
stopped and turned back to JC. "This is the first time
I’ll walk into this shop...and not see Claude. I’m not
sure..." her voice trailed off, and a sheen of unshed
tears covered her eyes.
JC gently took hold of her hand. "We’ll go in
together. Okay?"
Taking a deep breath and tightly griping his hand,
Annie nodded. "Okay."
The bell on the door softly jingled as JC and Annie
stepped inside. They were slightly surprised to see
Jacques waiting for them in the center of the room.
The French man tried not to notice JC and Annie
holding hands or the sunlight that reflected off the
bracelet on Annie’s wrist. Instead, he put on his best
hurt look as he greeted them. Considering that he
really did miss his Grandpere, this wasn’t too hard to
pull off.
"Oh Jacques," Annie whispered, releasing JC’s hand and
going over to Jacques. She wrapped her arms around
him, then began to cry the tears which had threatened
to fall earlier. "I’m so sorry," she sobbed softly. "I
miss him terribly."
Jacques held her in his arms, feeling her warmth and
breathing in her signature fragrance. It took all of
his willpower not to kiss her, especially with her so
close, breath touching his cheek...
And yet, she wasn’t his - she belonged to JC. All the
anger, hurt, pain and frustration was almost too much
for even Jacques to hide. He quickly wiped all emotion
off his face as he slowly pulled Annie away from the
embrace.
"I miss him too," he whispered as he wiped her tears
away. "But no more crying," he said, trying to smile
and cheer her up. "Grandpere wants us to celebrate his
life, not mourn the end of it."
"I’ll...I’ll try," she said hesitantly, brushing away
another tear.
JC walked over and hugged Jacques, causing the latter
to tense up slightly. "I’m so sorry for your loss," JC
said quietly. "Claude was a very special man and I
will miss him."
"Thanks," Jacques muttered coldly as he pushed JC
away, then looked to Annie. "Shall we go?"
Annie returned to JC’s side and took his hand. She had
finished crying for now, although her eyes were still
a little red. She smiled softly at Jacques. "We’ll be
waiting outside while you lock up. Do you want to ride
with us?"
"No, thank you." Jacques seemed slightly upset by the
idea. And he was..the thought of riding in such close
proximity to the "happy couple" was more than he
wanted to deal with. "I think I’ll take my own car."
************************
They arrived at the little chapel and went inside.
Everything gave off an aura of quiet beauty and
solitude. The carved stone, the beautiful stained
glass and the polished wooden pews all seemed to join
together in the very epitome of quiet, understated
elegance; a lot like Claude himself.
Annie instantly saw why he had chosen this place.
Everywhere she looked, there were flowers, their
fragrance sweet but not overwhelming. From hidden
speakers, music played quietly. The song was one that
Claude had heard on the radio once and remarked to
Annie that it reminded him of Marie. Listening to the
words, Annie smiled, silently agreeing.
Who can say for certain?
Maybe you’re still here
I feel you all around me
Your memories so clear
Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You’re still an inspiration
Can it be?
That you are mine
Forever love
And you are watching over me from up above
Are you gently sleeping?
Here inside my dream
And isn’t faith believing
All power can’t be seen
As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me everyday
"Cause you are mine
Forever love
Watching me from up above
And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave
Fly me up
To where you are
Beyond the distance star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you’re there
A breath always not far
To where you are
I know you’re there
A breath away’s not far
To where you are
Annie was so caught up in the words and emotions of
the song, she didn’t realize until it was over that JC
was behind her, enfolding her in his arms. She turned
to him, staring into his eyes. "I love you," she
whispered quietly, eyes glistening.
JC hugged her close, resting his chin on the top of
her head. "I love you too," he said gently closing his
eyes.
"I really hate to break up this little love scene,"
Jacques interrupted bitterly, "but we need to take our
seats. The service is about to begin."
JC gently released Annie. "Where do you want us?"
’You back in America, far away from Annie and never to
grace my sight ever again for as long as I live,’
Jacques thought venomously, but managed to keep all
trace of his thoughts out of his next words. "I’d like
Annie and you to sit with me. Annie," he said
pointedly, "is like family."
"What about TJ?" JC pressed, choosing to ignore
Jacques second remark.
"I’ll just sit quietly off to one side," TJ put in,
surprising them all. No one had heard the burly man
even approach, until he was right behind him. "I
wouldn’t want to block anyone’s view," he continued,
then turned and looked right at Jacques. "Is that all
right with you?" It was obvious TJ didn’t trust the
French man at all.
"Sure," Jacques answered, somewhat nervously. He tried
to avoid looking directly at TJ, feeling that the big
man could see right through him. ‘I’ll have to be
extra careful around him,’ he thought.
The small convoy of people took their seats at the
front of the chapel. TJ led the way, followed by JC,
Annie and then Jacques, who sat on the aisle.
The organ gently played as the rest of the guests took
their places. While waiting for everything to begin,
JC glanced up towards the pulpit. On a large table,
there were flowers framing a large portrait of Claude
and other mementos of the old man’s life. As JC would
later learn, the picture had been painted by Annie.
There was no casket to be seen, as Claude had
requested that he be cremated. A large urn next to the
portrait held his ashes. He had once said that since
he couldn’t lie next to Marie - he didn‘t even know
where or if she had a burial place - Claude wanted his
ashes scattered over the places they enjoyed during
happier times. Jacques was going to carry out that
final wish later.
The pastor led the assembly in prayer, read some of
Claude’s favorite Bible verses and then everyone sang
a hymn. When the last bit of music faded away, the
pastor looked out over the people. ("If anyone would
like to come say a few words about Claude, they are
welcome to come forward now. There is no special
order, everything is to be very informal.")
Some of Claude’s neighbors got up and spoke about his
quiet dignity and grace. Many had known him since the
war. Annie quietly translated their words for JC.
Pepe spoke of Claude’s friendship and devotion to
Jacques and his "new" granddaughter Annie, how much he
loved them both. He also mentioned how much JC had
come to mean to him.
When Pepe had finished, JC leaned towards Annie.
"Would you please come up with me?" he whispered. "I
want to say something, but I need you to translate for
me." Annie nodded, taking his hand as they squeezed
past Jacques. The French man was quietly seething as
he watched them make their way to the front of the
chapel, but there was nothing he could do. He
certainly couldn't stop them...at least, not without
making a big and rather embarrassing scene. So
instead, he simply sat there, clenching and
unclenching his hands into fists. Glancing over,
Jacques realized that TJ was watching him intently. He
stopped, turning to give the bodyguard a sickly smile
before focusing his attention on Annie.
At the front of the chapel, JC cleared his throat
quietly as he took a piece of paper from his pocket.
He smoothed it out, then removed his reading glasses
from a different pocket. He began reading, slowly.
"Many of you don’t know me, but Claude was a very
special man to me. Unfortunately, our last meeting was
not a pleasant one and I had hoped to one day rectify
that - but it wasn’t meant to be. Claude was one of
the most fascinating people I have ever met. Our first
meeting was memorable-" A hint of amusement entered
JC’s voice. "He accused me of stalking Annie, and
nearly pummeled me with his cane. I apologized, and he
being the man he was...he forgave me. I’ll always
cherish the times we spent together, the things he
taught me." Tears sprang to his eyes, and he looked up
at the ceiling. "Claude, I will try to use everything
I learned from you in my own life. Some day, I hope,
people will look at me and be proud to have known me."
He closed his eyes, sending tears down his cheeks. "I
love you, Claude," JC whispered, then turned to Annie.
"Thank you," he said gently, just as quietly, then
lightly kissed her cheek before returning to his seat.
Annie looked out over the faces gathered and smiled.
"I hope you don’t mind," she began, "but I’ll be
speaking in English. I’ll go slowly for those of you
who need to have my words translated, but I feel more
comfortable speaking in my native tongue. I could go
on for hours about Claude and what he meant to me. How
he took a homesick girl from America into his home and
made her feel so special, such a part of his family.
He was my biggest fan, best cheerleader, but he also
knew when I needed to be sat down and talked to
honestly. He wasn’t one to use fancy words, but I
always knew how much he loved me." She smiled softly.
"Most of the time, I could make him laugh when he was
trying to be ‘so serious’. He was the one who
encouraged me to change majors and knew even before I
did that sculpting was my true calling. I will be
grateful to him forever for that."
Annie cleared her throat, a sheen of tears visible in
her eyes. "Claude had a strength and calmness about
him, and was the most genuine man I have ever know.
There wasn't an ounce of dishonesty anywhere in his
body. I loved him so much..." She wiped a few tears
away, taking a deep breath. After a few moments, she
continued. "Grandpere Claude, may you and your Marie
enjoy the rewards so richly deserved, as you are
together in God’s glorious heaven. I will always
cherish the memories I have of you. I love you so
much..."
Annie had to stop; she couldn’t go on any longer. Her
tears were falling steadily and her breath catching in
her throat as sobs. JC quietly stood up and walked to
her. Sheltering her in his arms, he led her back to
their seats. Once there, he simply held her, stroking
her hair.
It was all Jacques could do just to control his own
shaking, but it wasn’t from grief. He tried to keep
his composure, but the sight of JC comforting Annie
was driving him to distraction.
In this frame of mind, Jacques rose from his seat and
headed to the front of the chapel. Not looking in
Annie and JC’s direction, he launched into a long,
tortuous and melodramatic eulogy of Claude. Most of it
was rambling and at times downright incoherent.
Mercifully, the pastor came over and cut it short.
People shifted nervously in their seats, confused but
passing if off as Jacques’ intense grief over losing
Claude. Annie and JC sat stunned, while TJ became more
concerned with each passing moment about letting the
French man get to close to either of them. The boy
seriously needed help, and not just the "part-time
college students working at his shop" kind of help
either.
After the last hymn played, the service finally ended.
People slowly filtered out, heading for their cars.
Pepe had invited everyone to his restaurant for a meal
and continued celebration of Claude’s life.
Annie saw Jacques sitting on the floor by Claude’s
ashes. She began to walk towards him, but TJ
intercepted her. "Annie, maybe it would be better if
you spoke to him at Pepe’s." The burly man sent a
worried look at Jacques’ back. "He seems..a bit out of
it at the moment."
Confused, Annie nodded slowly. "I understand, I
guess..but I think he needs me right now."
TJ held up a hand. "Trust me, you need to wait."
"All right TJ, I trust you." Annie sighed. I’ll talk
to him at Pepe’s."
JC came up next to her, taking her hand. "Ready to
go?"
"Yeah."
As the two left, TJ turned to look at Jacques. He was
greeted with the most twisted, crazed and hateful
expression he had seen on anyone’s face in a long
time. He even shuddered as he turned and followed
Annie and JC out.
*********************
As Annie and JC arrived at Pepe’s, they were warmly
greeted by some of the staff. Pepe emerged from the
kitchen, hugging them both. "Annie, could you please
join me in the kitchen for a few moments. I have
something to give you."
"Of course." Annie kissed JC’s cheek, then followed
Pepe back.
Pepe and Annie passed through the kitchen into the
former’ office. Once there, he took out an envelope
from his desk and gave it to her. The front was
addressed to her in Claude’s handwriting.
Pepe turned to her. "Annie, Claude mailed this to me
on the night he died. I have no idea what’s inside,
but the other envelope which came with it told me to
hand deliver this to you." He paused, looking
confused. "It also said...for you not to tell Jacques
you received it."
"That’s odd..and not really like Claude." Annie
returned his confused look, taking the envelope. "But
if that’s his wish, then so be it." She slipped it
into her purse after studying the front. "I’ll read it
when we get back to the hotel." She then hugged Pepe
gently. "Thank you. You’re a loyal friend."
Annie and Pepe returned to the dining room just as
Jacques arrived. He watched as Annie crossed over to
JC and whispered something into his ear. The French
man wasn't close enough to hear what she was saying,
but he noticed JC’s eyes widen slightly. Determined to
find out what was going on, Jacques walked over to
them. As he closed in, he realized TJ was right behind
him.
TJ put a hand lightly, but firmly, on Jacques’
shoulder. "Is there something I can help you with?
Something you need?"
"No...no," Jacques muttered under his breath. "I was
just going over to visit Annie and JC."
"Then please," TJ answered with disturbing courtesy,
"Allow me to accompany you."
TJ and Jacques walked over. The latter immediately
focused his attention on Annie. "So, how do you like
the party so far?"
"It’s wonderful, but I’m pretty anxious to catch up
with some of my old friends. It’s been far too long
since I spoke with them." Annie took JC’s hand. "If
you’ll excuse us, Jacques." She smiled. "It’s time for
JC to run the gauntlet and meet new people."
Once they left, Jacques found himself alone with TJ.
nervously, he cleared his throat, uncomfortable under
the bigger man’s gaze. "I think I’ll go see if Pepe
needs any help in he kitchen."
"Fine by me," TJ answered. "I’m not going anywhere."
‘That’s what I’m worried about,’ Jacques thought,
retreating to the kitchen like a frightened squirrel
from a dog.
Later, Pepe watched as Annie led JC around and
introduced him to her many friends. ‘Claude was
right,’ he thought, smiling to himself. ‘They do
belong together. and they make such a beautiful
couple.’ Pepe knew a few of the problems that the two
had faced, but felt that their love was strong enough
to carry them through anything.
As the party dragged on, Jacques glowered from a table
he’d secured for himself, silently plotting the many
ways he would like to dispose of JC. Unfortunately,
none of them seemed practical, and most were downright
illegal. His frustration grew as every minute went by.
Not helping was the fact that every time he got within
three feet of the "love birds", TJ was there. That
giant shadow that just didn’t want to go away.
Finally, the time to say goodbye came. As the party
began to wind down, people slowly started drifting
out. Before leaving, they stopped by to give their
parting condolences to Jacques.
Annie, JC and TJ were among the last to leave. As
Annie said goodbye to the staff and Pepe, Jacques came
over with a box in his hands. while TJ eyed the French
man cautiously, JC recognized the box as the one he’d
seen that first day in Claude’s kitchen.
Annie looked at the box as Jacques held it out for
her. "Why are you giving this to me?"
"Grandpere wanted you to have this," he answered,
motioning for her to take it. "He said that everything
in it, although of little monetary value, was very
special to him. He wanted you to have them."
"Oh Jacques," Annie almost began to cry, feeling
completely overwhelmed as she accepted the box.
Hugging it close, she smiled at him. "I will always
cherish this."
"I know you will." Jacques returned her smile, then
took a deep breath. "Annie, it’s time for us to say
goodbye. I want you to have a happy life." He held up
one finger. "Be sure to write to me occasionally, so I
can know how you’re doing."
TJ listened with interest, but remained silent. Things
seemed normal...but he still felt uneasy around this
man.
Annie nodded to Jacques. "I promise I’ll never forget
you. You will always be a part of my life."
He kept smiling. "That’s all I can hope for."
TJ felt vaguely as if he’d fallen into "The Twilight
Zone." Jacques was acting so calm, so
reasonable...almost too reasonable.
Jacques turned to face his rival. "JC, take good care
of her. She is a very special lady." Then his voice
turned dark and threatening. "And if I ever hear of
you hurting her, I’ll track you down so fast that..."
JC’s face began to grow angry, but Jacques interrupted
him with a high-pitched laugh. "Just kidding!" He held
out his hand for JC to shake, which he did. Squeezing
just a little too tightly, the former gave him an
almost ghastly smile. "Have a happy life."
"Thanks," JC answered, quickly letting go of Jacques’
hand. "I will cherish her...you have my word on that."
Annie chose that moment to intervene. She hugged
Jacques tightly, then spoke directly in his ear. "I’m
so sorry for your loss and many other things, but
sometimes we don’t always get what we wish for. I hope
someday you come to realize that and be happy."
Releasing him, she turned and took JC’s hand.
Together, they turned and left Pepe’s, TJ close
behind.
Jacques stood in the doorway. watching as all three
got into their car. As they drove off, his thoughts
turned in a very dark direction. ‘Annie, you know the
saying "Be careful what you wish for?"’ he thought,
following their vehicle with his eyes. ‘I wish the
same for you....’
"To Where You Are" sung by Josh Groban - Josh Groban
CD music by Richard Marx - Lyrics by Linda Thompson
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