She looked over the view that filled her with joy every day and hugged Atticus, who had snuggled beside her on the sofa. I still have a lot to think about, a lot of decisions to make… Time will tell…
The inclement weather also meant she had much more time to work on her transcripts, notes, and recordings. The memoir’s page count grew. Marie-Louise had gifted her with an incredible story. In some ways she felt disappointed it wouldn’t be shared widely, but she was learning so much as she wrote it—from an emotional perspective as well as craft.
What a coincidence that coming to help Giselle had led to the opportunity not simply to meet Marie-Louise, but then to be invited to write her memoir. When Nora stopped to think about it, which she did often these days, if she hadn’t been impulsive and responded to the last-minute request to dog-sit, none of this would have happened.
As she found her thoughts drifting off, Nora decided to take a break as it was close to lunch time anyway. She heated up a slice of leek, chèvre, and salmon quiche from a previous lunch and sat at the counter to eat.Cynthia is right about taking chances in life,she thought.Particularly at our age, when our family responsibilities have changed so much. Our kids are busy building their lives, and we need to keep building ours. I’m so glad she came for a surprise visit, and we got to talk about that so much more.
On a whim, she picked up the phone and hit the video button on WhatsApp to call Cynthia.
“Buon giorno, bella!” Cynthia’s gleaming smile filled the screen, and she held up a forkful of pasta. “Linguini alla vongole! What are you having for lunch?”
Nora laughed and showed her plate, which contained what was left of the quiche. “A delicious quiche—leek, chèvre, and salmon. Your lunch looks delish too!”
“And I’m enjoying some prosecco with it. How about you?”
“Nothing so good! Plain old Perrier, I’m afraid. If I had prosecco now, I wouldn’t get anything done for the rest of the day.”
“Well, that’s kind of my plan,” Cynthia replied. “I worked my buns off all New Year’s Day on an emergency request, so today I’m actually celebrating the new year two days after the fact. Slightly belated, but chissenfrega! I just learned that word. It means who cares, and is fun to say. At least I think so! Chissenfrega! So Italian!”
“I knew you’d have me laughing in no time.”
“How do you say who cares in French?”
Nora thought for a minute. “Hmm. I would say on s’en fout. I think that’s actually who the fuck cares. I’ll have to check. Haven’t said it for a while but maybe I’ll start again.”
Cynthia gave her a wide-eyed stare. “Really? What’s going on?”
“Well, I’m up to my eyeballs right now working on the memoir I told you about. It’s so intense, powerful. It’s got me thinking about a lot of things, and for the first time I had a moment of homesickness. And then I remembered what you said about taking chances at our age. So I picked up the phone to see your smiling face, and I’m glad I did!”
“Me too! I love it when video calls come in out of the blue. I have absolutely nothing to report since I saw you … just last week!” She squealed. “What fun to be able to say that!”
Nora nodded. “So fun! And I may get to visit you for a few days soon, because I’m staying in Paris for another month.”
“Woo-hoo! Great news. How did that happen?”
Nora explained the situation and Cynthia expressed her concern for Giselle. “I’m so sorry for your new friend, Nor. Ovarian cancer is scary, but there’s been a lot of progress in developing new treatments, from what I’ve read. I know how much you like her and hope everything goes well with her care.”
“Yes, we have to hope for the best. So, I wanted to tell you I’m into taking chances now. But today I’m feeling conflicted. One moment I’m homesick and the next I’m thinking of renting the apartment next to Giselle’s after she gets back. You know, the one I told you Vincent lived in for a short while with his brother.”
“Awesome! Go for it!”
“The idea just kind of rolled into my head last night as I was falling asleep. We will see. I’ll keep you posted on whether I’m coming or going. I’m having a crazy day!”
They chatted a bit more and exchanged stories about how they spent New Year’s Eve. Cynthia’s jaw dropped as she listened to Nora’s experience.
Cynthia said, “Capodanno! That’s what Italians call New Year’s Eve. I’m happy to report no one sustained any personal injuries, but it was quite the party. For some reason, we all had to wear red underwear and there was a lot of flashing after midnight. So crazy! We set up the longest banquet table I’ve ever seen on the beach, and everyone came for a feast. All ages … so much fun! And then fabulous fireworks at the end of the night. I’m not certain what time I got home. I know I saw the sunrise.”
“Sounds like a party, all right,” Nora agreed. “I’m really excited about coming to visit. Once I get my writing organized, we can talk about it. Is there any time that won’t work in the next couple of months? In case I do stay here?”
Cynthia said she had no plans. “I need to stay close to home and make some money. But that’s no hardship since this place is so wonderful. You let me know whenever it works for you.”
Then she added, “Nor, feeling homesick is something we all experience when we make a decision to move away. I always feel it is a lovely reminder of the happy memories which are part of you. Don’t let it stop you from making a decision to stay longer. It’s all part of the process. Don’t doubt yourself.”
Nora nodded. “I hear you. It’s bound to happen from time to time. I’m feeling better already, just talking to you. I think I’ll organize a video chat with the Girls.”
“Excellent! Include me too! Can’t wait!”
ChapterForty-Three
