She was his mother's younger sister, still living in Lyon in the house where they'd grown up. She'd never married, had spent her life teaching literature at the university and sending Elliot care packages filled with French novels and dark chocolate. He'd spent summers with her as a kid, before his father decided he was old enough for "real training." She'd taught him to love books, to appreciate good food, and to speak French in a way his mother never did.
She was the only person in his life he didn't have to perform for.
Elliot dialed her number. Three rings.
"Allô?"
“Tata Marguerite. C'est Eliot."
"Eliot!" Her voice lilted with affection despite the early hour. "Mon chéri, I have been waiting by the phone since five like an old woman. Tell me everything—how is Montana? Are they feeding you? You sound tired."
"I'm fine,Tata. They feed us. It’s intense but I'm managing."
"Bien sûr, you are managing. You are brilliant." She paused. "But you’re happy?"
Elliot's throat tightened. "I'm doing well. Ranked second right now."
"That is not what I asked."
"—I'm serious, Tay. You need to stop letting Mom guilt you into—"Hale’s voice carried across the room, warm and teasing.
Elliot shifted, angling away. "It's competitive here. Everyone is good."
"Eliot, mon coeur, you did not call me at this ungodly hour to talk about rankings. Talk to me. How areyou?"
Elliot exhaled. This—this was why he called her. Because she asked the questions that mattered and actually waited for real answers.
"I'm good. Managing the pressure."
"You have been managing pressure your entire life,mon chéri. That is not the same as being well."
“Well. It’s what I’m here to do.”
“N’importe quoi!Screw The General,Eliot. Do what makesyouhappy."
“Tata—”
"I know, I know. You do not want to hear it." She moved around on the other end—probably making coffee. "So. Let us talk about something else.Dis-moi—are there any cute boys at this place?"
A surprised laugh escaped Elliot before he could stop it. “Tata, I'm not here to socialize. I need to focus?—"
"On making The General proud, yes, yes. But surely you can look, yes? Appreciate the view?"
"It's a military training facility, not a nightclub."
"So that means yes, then.Beaux garçonseverywhere."
Elliot laughed again, shaking his head. "You're terrible."
"I amFrench. It’s different." She paused. "You know I just want you to be happy,mon chéri. To find someone who sees you. The real you,oui?"
Elliot's eyes flicked across the room to Hale without meaning to. Hale said something that made his sister laugh—Elliot heard it through the phone, bright and delighted. Easy.
"I know," Elliot said.
"—yeah, yeah, I know you're an adult—"Hale's voice again. The kind of sibling banter Elliot had never learned.
"Promise me you will take care of yourself," his aunt said. "Not only your body. Your heart too."
