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Simon is mum about our itinerary. I get it one stop at a time.
We pull up outside the Le Bon Marche. If you love to shop, this place is your paradise. It’s the greatest department store I’ve ever seen.
Simon lets me shop without a hint of complaint. Of course, since I spent the bulk of my time buying lingerie, he didn’t have much to complain about. I went a little crazy, but there is nothing like the lingerie in Paris, so I stocked up.
We leave and stroll down to the most beautiful Hermes store on the planet on Rue de Sevres. I buy Simon a tie while he was busy reading the news on his phone. I can’t wait to surprise him.
We walk along the Seine, holding hands, stopping at the ramshackle green booths dotting the street. We explore the beautiful prints and second hand literary treasures they have to offer. I buy souvenirs for my sisters, my nephew, and even my mother.
We both lose track of time as we walk. Simon’s camera clicks furiously as he finds architectural inspiration in the buildings and structures in the area.
We didn’t talk much and it feels nice to be quiet while still being with someone. I am a person who enjoys my solitude. In fact, I crave it. It’s when I am able to think clearly and relax.
That is what being with Simon is like. I feel at peace with this man. Walking down the street, holding his hand, in a foreign country, away from the madness of my life, I feel safe.
I squeeze Simon’s hand as I have this thought. He looks down at me a smiles. We stop walking and he leans down to kiss me.
“You okay, babe?”
“Yes, but are you trying to starve me or what?”
He laughs at this and for a second, I just watch him, his head thrown back and I forget my hunger. “No, greedy guts.”
This earns him a pinch on the side.
“Ouch! No, I haven’t forgotten. We’re on our way to eat now. Will you be able to control your mammoth appetite until we get there?” He quips.
“Hey, I am getting sick of your pokes at how much I eat. You eat way more than I do,” I pout.
“I’m just kidding, Addie, your healthy appetite is one of the things I like best about you. Come on, lunch is around the corner”
To eat, we head back to the 9th Arrondissement. He takes me to a place called The Musee de La Vie Romantique. Which translates to Museum for Romantics. It sits at the foot of Montmartre hill and is full of beautiful paintings.
It has a restaurant called the Tea Room. It is an enclosed garden with little green metals tables and chairs that only seat two people each.
The portions look tiny, but are perfect.
We drink wine and spend the warmest part of the day in this beautiful place.
We also talk.
Simon tells me for the first time about how he felt the day he found out his mother died.
“I feel ashamed I wasn’t sad. I feel like somehow it makes me a monster that I didn’t love my mother. But after what she did to Kyle and Ashley, I couldn’t feel anything but loathing for her. I couldn’t even bare to go get her remains after she died. What does this say about the kind of person I am, Addie?” His eyes are anguished, his voice hoarse.
“It says you’re a man who loves your brother and your sister. They were defenseless. They were the people who didn’t have a choice. You can’t help how you feel. You need to stop beating yourself up for it.”
I take his hand with my right hand and bring my left hand to cup his cheek.
“You stepped into a breach at a moment when your family was falling apart to save your brother, your sister, and then Henry. You have given to them tirelessly and those actions are the indicators of your character. Not what you feel for a woman who abused and disappointed you your entire life.”
I gaze into his beautiful brown eyes and hope he can see my earnestness.
“I love you, Addie.” Simon looks as shocked as I feel to hear him blurt it out.
Holy fucking shit.
I stare at him and he stares at me; I am utterly speechless.
