Deadly Commandment by Joy Brighton

Author:Joy Brighton [Brighton, Joy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction WWII; History of Paris; Amateur Sleuth; French Detective; Honor; Inheritance; Hidden Jewels; Paris in 1938; Paris now; N
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2020-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

March 5, 1938

I begin this journal in the glorious spring of 1938.

Last May, I turned twenty-two. I moved to the beautiful city of Paris six months ago.

I can’t explain to my parents why I need to be here. They certainly don’t understand. I’m not sure I understand myself. I only know I must be away from the strict confines of their life. I can’t discover who I am in dreary Minnesota.

I’d always heard Paris was a magical place. I read all of Hemingway’s stories in college—over and over again. He was a great fan of the city.

Great painters like Degas and Monet found inspiration here too. Look at the Jeu de Paume Museum in the Tuileries, overflowing with their art. Much of it was inspired by the streets I walk.

And then there’s Victor Hugo. I’ve read his wonderful novel, Les Miserables, twice since I arrived. He is my hero.

****

March 10, 1938

Father said he won’t send more money. Mother demanded I board the next boat home. She wrote of the Nazi threat, but no one here seems very worried about a silly war.

I’m sorry. I can’t. I won’t go home. Not yet. There are too many things to see, and experience, and taste. Too many people to meet. Too much to learn.

I know I’m being defiant, but I will use my small inheritance from Aunt Ali Jo to keep me another few months in this glorious place. My rent’s cheap, and my friends buy the wine. What else do I need?

****

May 14, 1938

Today is my birthday. I am twenty-three. To celebrate the day, my new friends, Sophie and François, took me to visit the Eiffel Tower. They have always lived in Paris and have probably visited the sights many times, but they both seemed to enjoy playing tourist guide for their pet American.

We stood at the base of the huge tower, and I glanced down at my travel guide to read from the pages aloud. “Outside the United States, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in the world. The total height of the tower is 984 feet.”

Leaning back, I looked up through the metal structure. It made me dizzy. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s enormous. Even the bolts holding the iron beams together are enormous.

François led me toward the staircase inside one of the tower’s four square feet. “Let’s climb to the top,” he called, his mischievous grin lighting his face.

“I’m afraid.” I pulled my arm back. “What if we fall?”

He scoffed at my fear, pulling me up the first few metal steps.

Reluctantly, I followed him. Sophie laughed as we climbed higher and higher above the city. The wind blew my hair and whipped my skirt. I clung tightly to the banister as we scaled the open metal staircase. We were all gasping by the time we reached the first landing. It had to be two hundred feet up and gave me the chills to look down.

“Beautiful.” Sophie sighed, pointing to the Arc du Triomphe in the distance.

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