Paris - Chapter Five
FLASHBACK
Claude, Jacques and Annie arrived at the café first.
Annie was in the kitchen talking to Pepe when she
heard the front door open and the guys filing in. Out
in the dining room area, everyone was looking around
the restaurant in silent wonder.
The floor was unremarkable, light hardwood that seemed
slightly worn, especially around the entrance and the
kitchen. The walls were completely made of plaster,
with white crown molding along the top by the ceiling
and white woodwork with pink accents placed over top
the bottom half. The rest of the uncovered plaster had
been painted a light, airy green akin to the color of
a tree frog’s skin. Water color paintings done by
local artists hung on the walls, with a sign by the
door that tactfully pointed out that this was a
restaurant, not an art gallery and that under NO
circumstances were the paintings for sale.
Tall windows made up of several smaller panes graced
the outside walls of the café. Gauzy, see-through
curtains allowed natural light inside, but at the same
time offered a significant privacy factor for those
dining inside. Heavier, darker ones hung on the sides
and could be closed for seclusion. Lighting inside was
provided by several lamp scones protruding out from
the wall. Beneath the small lamp shades on each one
could be seen flame-shaped light bulbs, creating
slight, diffused lighting throughout the entire café.
A large round table with enough seating for twelve,
obviously reserved for special occasions, stood in the
center. It was covered with a crisp, white tablecloth,
with flowers floating in brandy snuffers and a few lit
candles. Several smaller tables, only designed with
two to four people in mind, were scattered around the
rest of the dining area. A small dance floor and
orchestra area were off to the left of the entrance,
while a tiny greeting area with desk was the first
thing visitors caught sight of.
Annie stepped out of the kitchen into the dining room
through a door opposite the front entrance. Her hair
was haphazardly piled on top of her head, making her
look incredibly sexy. Her clothes consisted of a pink
cashmere sweater, pencil thin black pants and blacks
flats on her feet. The same filigree cross was at her
neck, which only served to draw an observer’s
attention to her face, slightly flushed from the heat
of the kitchen.
She walked over and stood beside Claude and Jacques,
who had been helping put some final touches on the
center table. As introductions were made all around,
Annie shook each of their hands warmly.
When she got to JC, Annie took hold of his hand and
then leaned forward to gently kiss his cheek.
"Bonjour, mon ami Josh."
This created an instant blush to start across his
face, while also causing the whole group to go
momentarily speechless. Note the "momentary" part.
"Way to go, JC." Chris leaned forward and nudged him
with his elbow, grinning wickedly. "Very smooth."
Somehow, JC managed to get redder. "Quiet," he hissed,
secretly praying that fate would decide to call an end
to "Embarrass the Living Bejezus Out of JC" day.
Fate must have decided to give it a brief
consideration, for at that moment Pepe, the owner of
the café, came out from the kitchen. He bowed
cordially before speaking. "Dinner is nearly ready, my
friends. Please." He motioned towards the large table.
"Be seated. The appetizers will be out momentarily."
Everyone filed into their seats, JC making doubly sure
to get a seat next to Annie. Once everyone was
settled, Pepe addressed them again. "Everyone, I am
please to have you in my humble establishment. Your
fare tonight will consist of traditional country
French Cuisine. Not excessively fancy, but delicious
and filling. I hope that you shall enjoy your meal.
Bon Appetite."
Platters of appetizers were brought forward and
arranged on the table. They consisted of shrimp,
mushrooms, veggies and the Ultimata of all French
food: Escargot or, to be more precise, snails.
Claude called for everyone’s attention. "Before we
begin, I will say the blessing." They all bowed their
heads and waited patiently. When he had finished, a
unified "Amen" went up and the party dug in.
The guys, who were accustomed to burgers and fires,
were having a ball trying everything. Everything, that
is, except the snails. Chris and Joey, for some
reason, began reverting to little-kid mode. The former
made the first move.
"You try it." He offered, holding up one of the
mollusks.
Joey, who for some reason was not feeling nearly so
adventurous anymore, shook his head and pushed it back
towards Chris. "No, you try it."
Chris glanced at the snail, made a face and forced it
back into Joey’s face. "I dare you."
Joey smiled, accepting the challenge. "I dog dare
you."
"I double dog dare you."
"I triple dog dare you." Joey then leaned back,
smiling. There was nothing higher than a triple dog
dare, which meant Chris would have to eat it himself.
Fortune, a close friend of Fate, decided to smile on
Chris, for Annie chose that moment to step in. ("Isn’t
anyone going to try the escargot?")
Chris, already nervous enough about the snail he was
now holding, turned to her voice. "What’d she say?"
Francesca laughed. "She wants to know if anyone is
brave enough to try the snails."
Joey held up one finger. "Tell her we were just
discussing that."
JC took a deep breath. "I will." This caused Chris to
breathe an audible sigh of relief as he placed the
snail back down on his plate.
Annie selected a snail from the main plate. She gently
pulled it out of its shell and dipped it in butter,
then held it out towards JC. He went to take the fork
from her, but she intercepted his hand, ("No, I will
feed it to you.")
Francesca translated automatically. "She wants to feed
it to you."
JC swallowed. "Okay."
Her eyes never leaving his, Annie placed the snail in
his mouth. He bit down, tasting a salty flavor and
being pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t slimy as
he’d imagined.
("Good?") She smiled softy, raising one eyebrow
slightly to convey her word.
It was enough, because JC nodded. "Yes."
("More?") She picked up another snail, motioning it
towards his mouth.
Again, he nodded. "Yes, please."
Annie fed him three more, while Chris and Joey
continued staring in disbelief.
Chris stuck out his tongue. "I think that’s about the
grossest thing I’ve ever seen."
Joey indicated his assent. "Yeah, it’s pretty
disgusting all right."
"How can he eat snails so casually like that?"
"Snails?" Joey gave him a confused look. "I was
talking about the fact that JC’s getting fed by a
gorgeous woman that I saw first."
The romantic bubble Annie and JC had blown was popped
when Pepe brought in the main course. It consisted of
roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables and roasted
chickens. Everyone ate until they were stuffed, at
which point Pepe returned with coffee and dessert.
Justin groaned. "We can’t possibly eat another bite."
Pepe smiled at him. "We have a tradition here at
Pepe’s. No one gets dessert unless they earn it." He
passed his smile around the rest of the table.
"You’ve heard the expression "sing for your supper?"
Well here, you must sing, dance; tell a joke, whatever
you wish, before you’re allowed dessert. Besides, it
will give your dinner a little time to settle.
Agreed?"
Everyone at the table nodded their consent.
Claude stood, clearing his throat. ("Before we begin,
I would like to say a few words.") Jeannette and
Francesca quietly translated for everyone who didn’t
know French. ("The reason we are here tonight is to
celebrate Annie’s new job. She has worked towards this
for a long time. Both her skill and her determination
make me as proud of her as if she were my own
granddaughter.")
("I am also please to have had the privilege to meet
these five young Americans. I strongly believe that
nothing happens in life without a purpose, although it
can sometimes take years to discern exactly what that
reason is.")
He turned slightly so he was facing JC, slipping into
English. "However, I do know this; your meeting Annie
this morning was special, almost as it if were
foretold. Today was the first time Annie has ever
arrived late to my shop."
Claude refocused his attention on Annie, transitioning
back into French. ("Annie, I have a gift for you.
Please accept it with all my love.")
She took the small box he gave her. It was wrapped in
copper colored foil-like paper with a simple white bow
on top. When she opened it, her breath caught in her
throat for a moment. Then the tears began. ("I can’t.
I’m not worthy. Why?")
JC leaned over for a better look. It was the locket
Claude had given to Marie, the same one he himself had
only glanced at earlier that day. Now that it was a
little closer, he saw it was a gold, oval locket on a
golden chain. The back was plain, but there seemed to
be something written on the front. Unfortunately, JC
couldn’t see what it said, or even if it was in
English.
Claude smiled at Annie, patting her cheek. ("I can’t
think of anyone else in the world who deserves this
more. As I said earlier, you’re like the granddaughter
I never had.")
Annie’s hands were trembling as she undid the clasp.
She went to put it on, but her hands were shaking so
badly she could hardly hold it still. Finally, JC
reached over, taking it from her and placing it around
her neck. She smiled at him through her tears.
JC smiled gently at her, while at the same time
feeling a bit self conscious that the translators had
to interpret his every single word to her. "It’s
perfect. Claude is right. It looks beautiful on you
and belongs on you."
She stood and threw her arms around Claude’s neck in a
large hug. ("I will cherish this forever. It will
become as special to me as my cross.") She kissed his
cheek. ("Thank you.")
Claude returned her hug for a few moments, then
cleared his throat and returned to English. "Okay, let
the entertainment begin before we all get too
maudlin."
Diane and Lynn got up and told some horrible
knock-knock jokes. Then Francesca and Jeannette sang a
traditional French folk song. Claude and Jacques
followed up, the former singing a lullaby and the
latter accompanying him on the acoustic guitar.
Halfway through, Claude’s voice cracked and became
choked with emotion. Annie went to him and, taking his
hand in her own, helped him finish the song. Her
singing voice was that of a lilting soprano.
When it was over, she turned to the guys. ("Okay, it’s
your turn.")
After a brief discussion and working out of harmonies,
they went up to the small stage and sang "Somewhere
over the Rainbow" in accapella. Throughout the whole
song, Annie remained transfixed. The harmonies,
despite being created on the spot, were tight and the
sound was so pure! She got the feeling this group of
young men were destined for great things in their
lives.
When they sat back down at the table, Joey turned to
Annie. "Okay, now it’s your turn." Jeannette stepped
in to do her job.
("But I already sang with Claude!") She protested,
giving him a look of disbelief.
"No, that was only half a song."
"Please?" Joey tried giving her puppy eyes, which he
wasn’t exactly very good at.
It must have been enough though, because she laughed
and got to her feet.
("Alright. I’ll play the piano for you all.") She
walked over to said instrument and sat down. ("Would
you all like it fast or slow?")
Justin was the quickest on the draw. "Fast. It’s
getting way too somber in here."
Annie nodded, then began to play slowly. She had
chosen a Hungarian Rhapsody, which started off softy
but built to a fiery conclusion. Her fingers danced
over the keys as she played, her feet moved with the
speed of a tap dancer as she lightly touched the
pedals. The song slowly began to build, expressing raw
emotion and strength almost palpable to the touch.
Then, all the tension was released at once, as the
song needed thunderously.
Everyone leapt to their feet, applauding and cheering.
They showered her with praise as she returned to her
seat, the translators interpreting and adding their
own compliments in as well.
Pepe nodded, obviously pleased with all the
performances. "You may have dessert now, if you wish."
He and a few members of the staff went to the stage
and began playing some light jazz. Instead of eating,
everyone decided to dance. Lance and Justin danced
with their mothers, while Chris and Joey took
Jeannette and Francesca, respectively. Jacques decided
to sit in on the guitar, while Annie asked Claude to
dance. This left poor JC without a partner, so he sat
at the table and quietly watched.
After a few moments, Claude motioned him over to where
he and Annie were. "Josh, will you finish this dance
with Annie? I’m feeling a little tired." Indeed, he
looked at bit worn out.
("Claude, are you all right?") Annie held on to his
arm, concerned.
He gently shook her off. ("I’m fine. Dance with
Josh.")
JC put one arm around her waist, then took her other
hand in his and drew it to his chest. Finally, she was
here, in his arms. So close, her perfume was
enveloping him. He felt her breath on his cheek and
silently prayed that his body wouldn’t betray him. He
didn’t want her to get the wrong idea. ‘Although’, he
thought, then caught himself. ‘No! Focus JC – think of
Chris and Joey in the morning.’ He let out a tiny
sigh. ‘Okay, that’s better now.’
They both continued to dance slowly, savoring every
moment, oblivious to their surroundings. So much, in
fact, that they both jumped when Lance came over and
tapped JC on the shoulder. "Hey, the music stopped
five minutes ago." He gave JC an apologetic look. "I
hate to have to do this to you, but we have to get
going."
JC sighed. "Yeah, I know." He released Annie and
joined the others in saying good-byes. Afterwards
Claude, Pepe, Jacques and the rest of the staff went
into the kitchen while the guys and their entourage
headed for the door.
JC went over to Annie, taking her hands in his. If
only I could speak, French! He thought, frustrated
beyond, well words, actually. There was so much he
wanted to tell her.
She smiled at him. "Josh, thank you for a lovely
evening. I’ll never forget it, as I believe it has
changed both our lives."
JC swore he could feel his jaw hit the floor, and he
was fairly sure his eyes were as big as cartoon saucer
plates. At least, that’s how they felt. "What?"
Annie laughed lightly. "I said, thank you for.."
He shook his head – had a miracle occurred? He could
understand every word she was saying. Maybe he was
hallucinating. He’d only had one glass of wine with
dinner. "You speak English?"
"I never said that I couldn’t. Joey simply assumed
that, plus I never thought I’d see any of you again
and figured I’d just play along with it. Then you
showed up at Claude’s and it kind of spiraled out of
control. Jacques made me promise to tell you before
the night was over, then I got the idea to give you a
memorable French experience." She looked down, then
back at him, giving him her best "I’m so sorry" look.
"I apologize for deceiving you. Can you forgive me?"
JC laughed. "Of course. It actually was pretty funny
watching the world’s "Greatest Flirt" stopped dead in
his tracks because of a language barrier. Besides, it
added an air of mystery to the day."
Annie’s face turned serious. "Josh, thank you; for
making Claude so happy. Most people don’t care to
listen to this stories."
JC sobered as well. "I was happy to. I learned a great
deal, and not just about the war." He paused. "Well"
"Well."
"I gotta go."
"I know."
"May I kiss you?"
The question caught her by surprise, but only for a
moment. "Yes."
JC gently lifted her chin with his fingertips, kissing
her softy on the lips. Both of them got a fluttery
feeling in the pit of their stomachs, and it had
nothing to do with anything they’d eaten that evening.
After a few moments, he broke it off. "Well."
"Well."
"I gotta go."
"I know."
"So, does this conclude the memorable French
experience you had planned?"
Annie smiled softly. "Not quite. You can only end a
French date with this – a French kiss." She placed her
palms on either side of his face and gently dated her
tongue into his mouth, their tips barely touching. It
was a soft kiss, not the tonsil hockey, tongue fencing
ones commonly portrayed in romance novels and
expressed by high school teenagers.
When it ended, JC felt breathless. "Oh my!"
Annie’s smile was still on her face. "Agreed."
He leaned towards her a second time, the taste of her
mouth still lingering in his like a delicate dessert.
"JC!" Chris was yelling for him at the door. "Come on!
We have to go!"
JC closed his eyes, feeling the last bit of her fade
from his lips. "I gotta go."
She nodded. "I know."
They walked over to the table where JC retrieved his
jacket before turning to her. "Address, phone,
something, anything!"
"Here, you can have one of my cards." Annie grinned at
him sheepishly, glancing down. "I was so happy after
the interview, I went straight out and had a few of
them made on the spot." The card had her home address
and phone number. "What about you?"
"I’m not sure where we’re going yet. I’ll send you the
address as soon as I know, and I’ll write you every
day. I have so many questions. I want to know
everything about you."
"Bye Josh, mon ami."
"Bye Annie." JC had to turn to make sure he didn’t get
delayed any longer, mostly because he didn’t want the
other guys butting in. As he got in the van and closed
the door, he suddenly found himself surrounded by all
four of them.
"Did you kiss her?" Justin was leaning forward
expectantly; one of his legs twitching like a dog
getting the sweet spot on its ear scratched.
"Details man!" Joey seemed like he was going to
explode if he was kept out of the loop for any longer.
JC shook his head. "Listen Justin, I would never kiss
and tell that would be one of the worst betrayals." He
leaned back in his seat, intending to maybe get in a
quick nap on the way back to the hotel before he
remembered something.
"Oh Joey? She speaks perfect English."
With that, JC closed his eyes, allowing a sly smile to
spread across his face, leaving Joey bewildered and
feeling, if possible, even more confused than before.
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