Arranged across the wide oak mantle of the deep fireplace sat small, hand-painted terra-cotta figurines. In the center a nativity scene had been set up, and spread out from there lay a village with a few buildings and many other santons, acquired through decades by the family.
“They represent a whole Provençal village of everyday characters,” he said as he pointed out a few. “The baker, the farmer, the lavender seller, the butcher, the shepherd…” The list went on and Nora became enchanted.
As he spoke, Nora sensed his demeanor toward her soften and she heard his affection for the crèche in his voice.
Papi said, “There’s an excellent santon market tomorrow morning in the village, and we will go to buy a special one to celebrate Nora’s visit.”
It was just past ten o’clock when Papi gave the quiet signal Mami was ready for them to sit down to dinner. A wave of relief—and hunger—washed through Nora. The rich aroma that had teased her for hours heralded a simple meal of coq au vin simmered slowly in red wine with vegetables and garlic.
“This is one of Mami’s specialties,” Chloe told Nora as they went to the long pine dining table. “She buys an old rooster at the market to give it that special flavor.” She laughed at Nora’s questioning look. “I know it sounds a bit weird,” she whispered. “But everyone swears by it.”
The deep-burgundy-hued sauce pooled around the tender meat, covering pearl onions, parsnips, and chunks of winter carrots, which Mami explained were much sweeter than those harvested in summer. They ate it accompanied by crusty bread and velvety mashed potatoes, and Nora lingered over each bite. The rich flavors convinced her, without a doubt—this was comfort food.
When she climbed into bed that night, snuggled into the soft mattress and warm duvet, bittersweet thoughts of Jeremy quietly filled her mind. How lovely it would have been to share this experience with him. But also, she thought about how wishes like those had to stop. He was gone. Forever in her heart but not part of whatever lay before her.
Remembering again the counselor’s advice on her last visit, she told herself it was well past time to stop inflicting sadness into her new experiences and move on. “You are more than overdue on living your new life. Embrace it,” the counselor had said.
Easier said than done, was her final thought as she drifted off to sleep.
* * *
The market the next morning was a celebration of community and season. Stalls were draped with evergreen boughs, and the chilly air was filled with a pleasing blend of the fragrances of mulled wine, roasting chestnuts, fresh gingerbread, and other festive treats.
Nora was glad she had packed a few warm sweaters. One of those, along with her down jacket and woolen toque, saved her from unnecessary chill as she walked through the market.
They had left extra early to stop first at the santons vendors’ stalls. The variety of the terra-cotta figurines mesmerized Nora. Papi took charge and gave Nora an elaborate description of many of the santons, encouraging her to choose a special one for herself. Nora felt awkward as he obviously meant to buy it as a gift for her.
Chloe poked her in the back and gave her a look that said,Just do it. When Nora settled on the figure of a woman with a basket of lavender, Papi picked up a woodsman with a bundle of kindling on his back to go with it.
“You must have two santons, so they can keep each other company,” he explained. He asked the vendor to wrap them as a gift and then paid for the figures and put the package in a canvas bag he’d brought. “I will save them for tomorrow,” Papi said, smiling.
Nora graciously smiled back, hoping she didn’t show her discomfort. She loved to give gifts but was not always at ease being the recipient.
Everyone seemed to know everyone else at the market, and voices rang in the air with happy greetings as shoppers filled their baskets with all manner of goods.
Mami had stayed at home with the dogs and was taking care of last-minute details.
She had sent Chloe and Nora off with a list. As they approached the food stalls, they were pleased they had left extra early as lines were already beginning to form.
“It’s a good thing we have a list,” Nora said to Chloe. “Otherwise, I would be filling up with all sorts of amazing temptations. How can you possibly make sensible decisions with all these enticing treats?”
Olivier and Pierre went off on an errand with Papi, saying they would meet the women later at the market café. When Nora questioned if they would be able to get a table, Chloe said with a giggle, “Pas de problème. Papi has his own table. He’s been a regular for over sixty years. Next stop is the boulangerie next to the market. Mami had them set aside a pompe l’huile for her. It’s a brioche made with olive oil. It tastes more like a cake to me, and it’s part of the Thirteen Desserts we’ll have tonight after Mass.”
“We’re going to Mass?” Nora paused for a moment. “Of course, we always used to go to Christmas Eve services at home, so I don’t know why I’m surprised.”
“This will be Mass like you’ve never seen or heard. It is so special. We will have le Gros Souper before we go.”
“Le Gros Souper? To be trite, it sounds gross.”
Chloe laughed. “That’s the classic English response. It’s actually not gross at all. It’s a completely meatless meal Mami is working on while we’re out. Then after Mass, we have les Treize Desserts.”
While they chatted, they moved around to the various stalls to keep working their way down Mami’s list. Several times Nora dawdled, tempted by the enticing food displays, and once Chloe had to text her to find where she was.
“Sorry!” said Nora when they found each other again. “Did you see the stall with all thirteen desserts laid out so perfectly? When you first mentioned Les Treize Desserts, I had to google the term. I couldn’t picture all the cakes, cookies, and other rich goodies we would be served. I was surprised at what I saw.”
Chloe said, “After our meal last night and with what awaits us tomorrow, we eat sparingly even though les Treize Desserts doesn’t sound like it. As you saw at that stall, it’s mostly nuts and fruit and sweets. Mmmm, yummy nougat and calissons are my favorite. But…” She stopped and spread her arms wide.
“On Christmas Day we have le Réveillon, and ooh là là! In the old days they started eating after Mass and went on into the wee hours. Fortunately, now we begin in the evening… And who knows when it ends. Mami and Papi will have several family friends join us and they bring dishes as well. It’s truly a feast. So much fun!”
