“Alain went to work,” he said. “I told him I would call to let him know you were fine.”
“I can’t believe I slept so long.”
He poured me some coffee. He wanted me to give him more details about Denise and her mother. I told him all I knew.
“I suspected much of that,” he said.
“I don’t know if Denise will ever talk to me again.”
“She will. Give her time. I have some things to do before I go to the restaurant. Alain wants you to stay home today and tonight. He feels he needs to spend more time with you. Comprends?”
“Oui. Merci, Maurice.”
“It will be okay. Soon you will be in school, and you will have much to do, will meet many more people your age. Paris is a city. There are many stories to be told,” he added, smiling. He hugged me and went off.
After I ate something and started to dress, the phone rang. I thought, hoped, it was Denise, but she had obviously given Vincent my telephone number.
“Ça va?” he asked.
“I’m fine. How is Denise’s mother?”
“She’s better. Lots of regrets.”
“And Denise?”
“I had a nice talk with her this morning. She doesn’t hate you. You were right. I was oblivious. It will be fine. When can I see you?”
“I have to spend more time with my uncle for a while,” I said.
“This isn’t a brush-off, is it? See? I watch American movies.”
“No. But I want to go slower.”
He laughed. “D’accord. You know what I think it is, Emmie?”
“I’m listening.”
“Like good wine. You have to let it age a little. You sip. You don’t gulp good wine.”
I laughed. “You’re something else, Vincent. Maybe you are Paris.”
“No greater compliment. Merci.”
“À bientôt.”
“I will keep calling.”
“I hope so,” I said, and left it at that.
That night, Uncle Alain did take me to dinner. We had a warm and wonderful time. He told me more about my mother’s family, and we made plans to see relatives. I asked him if he had heard at all from Roxy. I could see he was hesitant.
“What? S’il vous plaît, Uncle Alain.”
“She calls often, Emmie, but she didn’t want me to tell you.”
“Why not?”
“She wants you to be independent of her. Don’t blame her. It’s the life she has known. She thinks it’s best for you to be stronger.”