We stayed quite late. After the candles had Medusa-like curls of wax over the rim of the silver candlesticks, we said our good-byes. The children had fallen asleep after looking for the hidden pieces of matzo. And both Solomon and Rachel each carried one of them home in their arms.
“Thank you for inviting us,” I said as I kissed Monsieur Armel on both cheeks. Grandmother extended her hand for him to kiss.
“A pleasure,” she said. “I’m so delighted I was able to stay.”
Alex stood in the background looking at me with a smile curled at his lips. He mouthed, “Tomorrow. Place Saint Georges. Eleven o’clock.”
And I nodded my head. What I didn’t say was that tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.
47.
April 1940
Grandmother did not take her breakfast the next morning.
“The cough seems to have returned,” Giselle told me in the kitchen as I sipped my tea. “Perhaps she stayed up too late and only needs to get some rest.”
“I don’t want to leave her if she’s feeling unwell.” As much as I wanted to see Alex, it seemed wrong to leave her in a weakened condition.
“I think she is hoping you’ll leave for a few hours, Solange. That way I can call the doctor and she knows she can have her privacy.”
I shook my head. “I would like to meet the doctor. Discuss what is ailing her. See how I can help. It is the least I can do.”
Giselle shook her head. “I don’t know, Mademoiselle Solange.” Perhaps just come back to the apartment earlier than expected. I will try to have the doctor come around two o’clock. Come then and it will look unplanned.”
“A good idea,” I said, impressed with how clever Giselle could be.
I was relieved that I could still see Alex for a few hours, but still find out more about Grandmother’s illness.
I finished my tea and went to my room to get dressed.
***
My room in Marthe’s apartment now felt completely as though it were mine. The desk was full of my journals, my books. The Mickey Mouse doll from Papa was placed high in the corner. I pulled out one of the dresses that I had folded in the bureau since there was no room for a wardrobe and looked at myself in the mirror. I brushed my hair and smoothed it with my palms, before tying it back with ribbon.
My body began to warm. In less than an hour, I knew I would feel Alex’s kiss.
I was to meet Alex that afternoon at our café at Place Saint Georges, for it had become our special place.
Alex didn’t seem to see me at first. His back was turned and he was deep in conversation with another gentleman at the table next to him. He was significantly older than Alex, and he was gesturing with his hands as if to emphasize his words.
As I came closer, I heard Alex say: “Everyone has their head in the sand, but it’s only a matter of time...”
The other man shook his head as if disgusted. “I agree with what you say. And I don’t think we can count on Reynaud at all,” he said, referring to our new prime minister.
I came closer and the two men lifted their eyes in my direction.
“Solange...” Alex seemed surprised not to have noticed my arrival.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you. We did say eleven o’clock, didn’t we?”
Alex’s face flushed. “I apologize, Solange. I was just deep in conversation with Monsieur Clavel.”
He motioned toward his acquaintance and introduced us to each other.
“Solange is an aspiring writer and also the owner of a very rare Haggadah...” Alex smiled. “And Monsieur Clavel is one of my father’s best clients.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I extended my hand before accepting the chair that Alex had pulled out for me. He gestured and encouraged me to sit down.
