Jackie's Paris by Mercedes King

Author:Mercedes King
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Triumph Productions

When Jackie wasn’t attending classes or studying, she found herself entertaining Philip at the apartment, though they were never alone. Ghislaine spoiled them with chocolate soufflés while Christian never tired of climbing into Philip’s lap with his well-worn copy of The Little Prince.

Bea, having forged her own friendship with Claude, also frequented the apartment, much to Jackie’s relief. She had worried that Bea’s admission about her phony background might destroy their bond, but after working through her mixed feelings about the ruse, she concluded that Bea’s honesty was endearing. After all, Jackie had been raised with the mantra of marry well, drilled into her psyche by Janet, and had no intention of settling for an ordinary life.

Nothing changed for Bea, their conversation at the library about Renee being proof. She joined their gatherings, as usual, and no further mention was made of her situation. As always, she provided a good audience for Philip, laughing boisterously in the right places and taking an interest in the mundane, such as when he launched into his review of a current article he’d read on existentialism. During her evenings at Mozart Avenue, Bea also perfected two behaviors: snatching a swig of the malt whiskey when the countess was preoccupied with hosting duties and shooing away Christian any time he showed an interest in her attention.

Despite the growing affection Jackie had for her friends, a melancholy weighed on her. No messages, cryptic or otherwise, came to the apartment from Marceau. At times, when the apartment and even the company felt suffocating, she escaped in her mind with Marceau. Back to the catacombs or the rowboat. Sometimes to the restaurant at Sassenage.

The diversion of basking in those memories allowed her to relax, but only briefly. Feelings of betrayal surfaced, along with a burning shame for falling so completely for a man who clearly cared little for her. When longings arose in her—such as the dire need to find Marceau, to see his cheeky grin and the glint of his gray-teal eyes—Jackie forced a smile and refocused on whatever tale Philip was sharing with his usual zeal and dramatics.

The de Rentys hosted a modest version of Thanksgiving dinner in honor of Jackie, since the holiday held no true meaning for the French. Philip, Paul, and Bea joined them, making Jackie’s ache for her family less acute. Their presence delighted her more than the food. The duck, because there were no turkeys, was too dry, while the chestnut soup with chives wasn’t as satisfying as hearty helpings of corn pudding and stuffing. She missed the aromas that filled Hammersmith Farm in the week of baking that led up to dinner, and the array of pies that stretched the length and breadth of their own table. Because Hughdie loved pie.

Despite the generous hospitality the de Rentys constantly embraced her with, Jackie looked forward to getting away. Most of her classmates were planning European excursions or even a trip to the newly founded nation of Israel for the holiday break, but Jackie had plans for a solo trip.

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