She couldn’t believe it when he said it was time to return to the hotel.
“It’s not easy to find a cab around here,” he said. “We could wait quite a while in one of the cab queues. How do you feel about taking the Metro? There are several lines that run through Les Halles, and even this late, there’s hardly a wait.”
They walked toward the line taking them back to the Marais. “Where do you want to go tomorrow?” he asked.
“What time does that market open?”
“Ha, we’ve created a monster.”
“Just a fan. You’re the monster, spoiling me with all this fun!”
“The closer we hold to French time, the faster you’ll adjust to the time change. You’re going to want to be on French time in Cannes, believe me.”
He bought a carnet from one of the machines. “These are for getting through the turnstile and onto the train. Don’t lose it. The Metro police often ask for proof that you paid, and most stations require that you put your ticket into a machine before you can pass through the exit turnstile.”
“You know what I’m afraid of more than anything?” she asked, taking in the station around them.
He ticked off each item on his fingers. “Doctors? Military ads? Is this a trick question?”
“Maybe, but I’m actually referring to fear.” She tried to infuse a teasing note in her tone. “I’m afraid of getting too close to the tracks.” She gestured towards the dark pit.
He stepped closer. It rewarded her with his scent of soap and spice, but she was certain he did this to make her feel safer. It was only a few minutes before a train entered the station, its loud rumble, and then the ear-splitting sound of brakes, causing her to grab his arm.
“You okay?” he asked.
It took her a moment to be able to answer. “The noise reminds me of my parents’ accident.”
She felt his cocoon of protection even in the distance between them. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Such a tough thing to go through as a kid.”
They stepped onto the train and slipped into the seats. “The worst part is, I can’t remember much of them. And I’m an only child, so I’m their legacy. If not me, who’s going to vouch for the way they danced together in the kitchen? And told silly inside jokes? Their willingness to play Apples to Apples with me over and over because we lived in a remote location with no neighbors?”
“It sounds like you remember their legacy quite clearly.”
She looked at the other passengers. A few young couples, many others on phones, or tapping out messages. Despite the late hour, it seemed that nearly everyone was either carrying a book or reading one.
“Sometimes I think there’s no reason to be good. Because who’s keeping track? No one would even know.”
“I don’t believe you,” he said. “That’s not you.Youwould know.”
“That means a lot, coming from you.”
Phoenix studied her. “The worst time for me is during the holidays.”
“Yeah, holidays are tough.”
“I avoid Hallmark stores before Father’s Day.”
“I was such a selfish kid, I don’t think I even wished my mom a happy Mother’s Day the last time I could’ve.”
“I bet she knew how you felt, even without a card.”
“Your dad, too.”
“I think he’d be impressed with you.”
“You do?”
“He saw a lot of kids come through court after a tough life, and not everyone took such a positive path.”
