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Monday, December 15, 2014

Cherchez La Femme





Bette watches as he strides away, tall, shapely-cut coat and windswept hair,
Flicking a cigarette butt from long fingers onto the cobblestones of the city square,
The smoke and smolder still on her lips, her shoulders light and lost without the strength of his grip.

“Don’t look like that, Anita, he’s not as bad as you think.” Innocence glazes her friend’s eyes, erasing the scowl in a blink.

“Whatever do you mean? It’s none of my concern.” (He mounts his motorcycle, scarf and coattails waving his au revoir.) “But it’s not like you to be reckless, right here in the street. I know this is Paris, but anyone could see. What about Jeremy?”

“Jeremy, indeed! This is Paris. He’s not with me, and will he ever be? He’s a beau, not a fiancé. It’s simple in French. Whatever tout le monde believe, I’m looking for more than fait accompli.

“But what do you know of him?” Anita presses. “This René." Her lip curls on his name, a sneer mimicking his lazy smile.  

“You won’t say anything,” Bette says, confidently. “That’s all I need to know.”

Anita’s lips are sealed tight now, and she gazes straight ahead as they walk to Pont Neuf, to meet René on the Île de la Cité.

Things taken for granted. Anita’s silence. Tourists going to see Notre Dame de Paris. That a young English girl will swoon for the handsome Parisian who promises to give “the expert tour.” That a kiss is welcome.

“If you’re going to take a girl for granted, then that’s how you ought to kiss her.”

Bette’s proclamation breaks Anita’s focused disdain.

“Like she wants it as much as you do,” Bette tries to explain.

Anita’s eyes are wary; she fears Bette is making a terrible mistake.

“Don’t worry. I’m not foolish.” Bette slips her arm into her friend’s arm. “I’m getting wiser every day.”

Anita’s arm doesn’t relax. Jealousy is a challenging task.



by Maria Mainero inspired by Magpie Tales

7 comments:

  1. Jealousy, more than concern then!
    I thought the friend has best interests at heart and is being protective :)
    Thanks a lot for using my name in your story :)

    Lovely that you visited my Blog & shared this with me!
    You know what? I can identify with your Bio/Profile except for 4 roles! Great to meet you :)

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    1. Nice to meet you too Anita--I tried to guess the 4 roles, but time will tell if I guessed right.

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  2. I like the poetic sound of that last line...

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    1. Thank you Tess. I tried for a poem at first, but the story took over.

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  3. “If you’re going to take a girl for granted, then that’s how you ought to kiss her.” This sounds delicious. And the closing is brilliant.

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  4. Ahh, the green eyed monster surfaces in the city of love .... Tres Bien

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  5. I reread it a few times to savor the words. So much in such a wee tale, and perfectly living up to Paris's reputation.

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