Chapter 26 - Paris again
Three years after the diner, Denise asked if I wanted to go to Paris.
I thought she was joking.
She wasn’t.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve been thinking about that trip.”
“So have I.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to go to Paris with you.”
She nodded.
No offense.
Progress.
Then she said:
“I canceled a trip there with Lauren next spring.”
“Why?”
“Not because of guilt.”
“Good.”
“I’m tired of Paris being the place I went after hurting you.”
I looked at her.
“You’re allowed to go back.”
“I know.”
“Then go if you want.”
She smiled faintly.
“Maybe someday.”
Paris was not guilty.
Coffee was not guilty.
Money was not guilty.
Objects and places absorb stories because people need somewhere to store emotion.
Eventually we can give some of them back.
That year, I went to Montreal with my cousin Judith.
No daughters.
No symbolism.
Good food.
May you like
Terrible hotel pillow.
Perfect.
