“Bonjour, Yvette! You have been working your magic in the kitchen?”
“Bonjour, Nora. It is so good to see you. Yes, I made some apple beignets and coffeecake. They’re almost ready. Fresh Normandy apples from the market.”
“Mmmm, what a treat!”
“Marie-Louise is out on the terrace and eager to greet you. She has been counting the minutes to your visit since she arose.”
Sunlight filled the enclosed terrace and warmed the stone walls, making it more like spring than mid-December. Marie-Louise’s face lit up as Nora approached her.
“Bonjour, ma belle amie. I am very happy to see you again.”
“And I you, Madame.”
They exchanged bises and Marie-Louise rewarded Atticus.
“Tell me everything you’ve done since I last saw you,” Marie-Louise asked as Atticus made himself comfortable by Nora’s feet with his special biscuit.
Nora gave her a rundown of her busy few days.
The old woman was intrigued by the tango story. “This makes me so happy. To dance tango is truly French. How wonderful that you enjoy it. I did too.”
Marie-Louise was thrilled to hear of the trip to Strasbourg. “Everyone should visit there at this time of year. The magic there is palpable. And how lovely to have a special day there with your daughter. She must be delighted to have you in Paris for a while.”
Nora’s face lit up. “We are both enjoying being neighbors. It’s a special experience.”
Quite a bit of time was spent talking about the charming architecture of Strasbourg and the beauty of the Alsace region. Marie-Louise’s face glowed as she spoke of her favorite dishes there. “Choucroute garnie is their famous sauerkraut, and I loved it served with knackwurst and smoked pork belly. Oh… And I cannot forget flammekeuche! A tarte flambée with crème fraîche, onions, and lardons. Simple foods but so delicious!”
Yvette laughed as she came out to the terrace with the baked treats and plates on a tray. “Mmmm, I think my timing is just right!”
After Yvette served the warm apple coffeecake and delicate beignets, Nora asked Marie-Louise if she would like to go for a drive after dinner to see some of the Christmas lights. “Chloe and Olivier would like to take us.”
Marie-Louise beamed at the suggestion. “Oui! Bien sûr! That would be lovely.”
“We will collect you around seven. Olivier doesn’t think the traffic will be bad then. His plan is to take us all the way down the Champs Elysees and go around some of the smaller streets in le Marais. We will bring hot chocolate too.”
Marie-Louise’s face lit up with anticipation at the mention of chocolat chaud.
Then the elderly woman became serious. The look in her eyes pierced Nora’s heart. She realized the woman wanted to tell her story, and the emotions she was about to experience would be like no others she’d ever felt.
“Nora, I have been thinking a lot about Giselle’s desire for me to tell you about my childhood during the Occupation. I have searched my soul. This will not be easy, but it must be told, and perhaps this is the reason I have lived so long. Who knows how much longer I have.”
She paused and looked at her hands folded in her lap.
As if he sensed comfort was needed, Atticus left his cozy spot and nuzzled her hands as he sat beside Marie-Louise. She smiled and rubbed his nose. “Such a sweet boy. He seems to understand.”
“It’s amazing how sensitive he is,” Nora agreed. “There have been moments when he’s come and sat next to me right as I felt the need for comfort or a hug. I’m finding him quite a remarkable companion.”
Nora looked away to collect her emotions. She didn’t want to lose control before they even got started.
“As you know, it will not be a happy story, but I believe Giselle is correct. It needs to be told. And I would like to tell you so you can then write it for me.”
Nora cleared her throat. “It would be my honor to hear your story and write it in some form. I appreciate how difficult it must be for you to recollect those painful years. I admire you for your desire to do so.”
Marie-Louise looked so seriously at Nora that she had to avert her eyes once more. The depth of their undertaking was now becoming real to her.
She brought herself back into her professional role. “I would like your permission to record our conversations, so I don’t miss anything important. I’ll also take notes, but the recording would be a major help, if you don’t mind.”
Marie-Louise shook her head. “Not at all. It’s a good idea. I don’t know how much I will be able to talk about those days. We will simply have to cross our fingers and hope for the best.”
