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Lexy:I think when you left, he thought you’d come back to him.
Maci:That’s what I thought too.
Lexy:Well, you can’t have both of them. What are you going to do?
Maci:Hope being in the city of love provides me with a magical answer? Haha
Lexy:Haha yeah good luck with that. Let me know how it goes. Miss you!
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
Onmyflighthere,I paid for Wi-Fi so I could find a place to stay. I found a cute Airbnb in Place de l’Estrapade, which is apparently a quiet, perfect part of the city. It’s within walking distance of everything I might need, a short cab ride to everything I want to experience while I’m here, and I got a discount for booking a month at a time. Hopefully I love it.
After checking in, I take a nap and plan my day. It’s probably crazy to go all out right from the start, considering I have so much time here, but after 12 hours on an airplane trying to decipher my thoughts throughEat, Pray, Loveinsight, I need the distraction.
Stepping out of the cab after a quick 20 minute drive, I look at the Eiffel Tower in front of me. It’s incredible. It’s much bigger than I expected. I flash back to being in Vegas with Lexy and seeing the imitation one outside of the hotel named after this city. If I thought Vegas was sparkling, it’s nothing compared to what stands in front of me now.
The spontaneity that landed me in France at the end of January doesn’t pair well with the clothes I packed for Costa Rica. It’s freezing outside. My body is covered with goosebumps under the only hoodie I brought with me, but the sun is shining, making it feel warmer than it is. I’ve walked past at least four different street musicians, all unique in their own way and all incredible. The chaos of the entire area is thrilling, full of artists who love what they do so much they are willing to compete for people’s attention in the freezing cold.
After a few hours of wandering, I head back in the direction of my home for the next month. The entire cab ride I couldn’t help but think about Avery, especially since she should be here with me. She’s one of the best parts of my life. I appreciate her friendship and everything she’s done to make my life better, more than she might know. I think about how important Dean’s friendships are to him and how many times he insisted I get better about keeping in touch with Avery more. I love him for that.
I find a little French restaurant right around the corner from where I’m staying. While I’m waiting for my food, it takes me far too long to figure out the time difference. Once I realize it’s an appropriate time to text her, I search for a thread I haven’t opened in a while.
Maci:Hi! I made it to Paris, and it’s perfect. Well, almost. It would be even better if you were with me. This trip has been incredible already. Thank you for the part you played in sparking this decision. Well, you and Mack too. That sibling connection really worked out for me here. I’ve been trying to figure out what direction I want to go next in life. There’s been so much confusion and so many questions I haven’t found answers to yet. But the one thing that's never changed is I think about you every day. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, you’re my family. I love you and miss you a ton. Here’s the view from my adventure today! Wish you were here!
Avery:OMG, Maci, it looks incredible. I wish I was there! You must have best friend ESP because I was just about to text you. I know this might be a lot to ask, considering it would mean being around Mack for a few days, but I can’t imagine my wedding without you standing next to me. Miller and I decided on a date yesterday. Since it’s going to be small, and since we are paying for it ourselves, it’s going to be in 3 months. When are you planning on coming home? Please tell me you’ll be here. If not, I’ll bribe Miller to change the date.
Maci:I wouldn’t miss your wedding even if I had to find a way to walk across the ocean. Just tell me when and where.
I wake the next morning, somehow managing the jet lag alright and head out to explore my home for the next four weeks. I find a patisserie to get breakfast, people watch by a small fountain I come across and chat with a few of the locals.
I can already see why it’s nicknamed the city of love. Love is everywhere in the air here and not just in the romantic way. Flowers line every balcony, most people only work 35 hours a week, there are boulangeries filled with fresh bread on every corner and not a single person seems to be worried about indulging themselves in pastries each morning. Even their drinking fountains dispense sparkling water like hydrating yourself is something that deserves celebrating.
Before heading back to my flat, I wander into a small flower shop where I’m greeted by a cute, old French man.
“Bonjour,” he exclaims! “I haven’t seen you here before.”
“Bonjour!” I know if I’m going to be staying in a locals’ area I need to at least make an effort, but the word comes out sounding funny. I’m used to speaking broken Spanish. He chuckles, but doesn’t say anything else, letting me continue. “I’m Maci. I just got here. I’ll be staying for a month, so I thought I’d make my place more homey.” I walk the row of bouquets, finally landing on a bright bunch of yellow daffodils.
“That is a beautiful choice. I’m Theo. My wife and I have run this shop for almost 40 years now.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. You must really love it.”
“I would love anything as long as she’s with me.” Endearment is clear in his eyes as he thinks of his wife.
I pick up the daffodils, sticking my face close enough to inhale their faint scent. “I wish I had that.” I say it quietly, but he hears it anyway.
“Ahhh, trouble with love?”
“Something like that,” I mumble. “Were you always certain your wife was the one, and this was the way you wanted to spend your life?”
He laughs quietly, but it's enough to visibly vibrate his weathered body. “My wife will tell you she knew well before I did, back when I was young and free, that we would end up together. We met in the mountains one weekend while skiing. She was on holiday, but I worked at the resort. She was looking for someone to start a life with, and I wanted to live a new one every weekend. You can see who got their way, thank goodness.”
“So you’re happy here, even though it's nothing like what you imagined for yourself?”
“Turns out, it’s better than anything I thought I wanted. But I never would have known that if I didn’t trust my gut and try a different way.”
“Yeah, well, my gut isn’t being helpful.” I laugh, trying to keep the mood light. “I keep telling myself I came on this trip to figure out what I want to do with my life. It seems silly I’m focused on which man I want to spend it with instead.”
