"When I found the right woman, of course," he responded. "Anyway, I rushed up to the little wooden stage after the show and begged to take her out for dinner." Claude turned to Juliette and swept his thumb across her cheek. "These rosy cheeks of hers were a telltale sign, but it wasn’t until the tip of her nose turned red that I knew she might comply." Claude tapped Juliette on the nose and placed a kiss on her cheek.
"You two are to be married, I see?" I felt hurt that Claude hadn’t told me. He didn’t mention Juliette in a letter, but I assumed now that is why he stopped writing.
"Yes, Charlie. I was easing into the news to make the introduction less jarring," Claude said, his laughter sounding as if he was full of nerves.
Juliette set her glass down on the table and held out her hand, the hand I did not kiss earlier. I stepped in closer to take a better look. "What a beautiful ring," I tell them both. "I’m very happy for you."
I don’t know if I sounded honest. "Charlie, come help me make their bed up in the spare room," Frau Joel said, taking me by the arm and leading me out of the kitchen.
We were upstairs and closed into one of the empty guest rooms when Frau Joel slapped her hands against her hips. "What is the matter with you, Charlie Crane?"
I was taken aback by her question. "What do you mean?"
"Claude is your closest friend, ja?" she asked.
"Ja," I confirmed.
"Why are you acting so doleful toward him? He’s happy, Charlie. Shouldn’t you be happy for him too?"
I didn’t realize my reactions were so obvious. I had never been a jealous man, especially not of Claude.A jealous person is weak and unlikeable, Mama would always say. "Of course I’m happy for my friend," I told her.
"Nonsense. The look on your face spoke before you had a chance, Charlie. He clearly wants your approval. Why not give it to him? Fräulein Juliette is lovely."
"She is," I agreed.
"So, what is the problem?"
"There is no problem," I replied.
Frau Joel’s eyes rolled around with frustration, and she huffed a loose hair away from her eye. "You are stubborn like my sohn was," she said. "Listen to an old lady, Charlie. Be happy for your friend and then happiness will soon find you. That’s the only way life works, ja?"
"I understand," I responded. She was right. It wasn’t fair to take my sour feelings out on Claude. Just because I could not be with Amelia, did not mean he shouldn’t be with someone he loves.
I helped Frau Joel secure the bed linens and then followed her back down to the kitchen where we found Claude and Juliette having a quiet conversation, both smiling, both fawning over one another.
"We must celebrate," I said, making them aware I had stepped back into the room.
"I will make a feast tonight," Frau Joel said, following up my statement. "We will all celebrate your prenuptial plans."
"I am so happy for you both. Juliette, Claude is a wonderful man, and I know he will make you quite happy," I told her. He would. That much I knew for sure.
"He already has," she crooned.
"Charlie, I will need a few items at the store. Could you be a dear?"
"Ja, anything you need, Frau."
"I will stay here and help Frau Joel. Claude, why don’t you go along with Charlie and keep him company. You two need to catch up. I’m sure you have war stories to exchange," Juliette said with raised brows.
Juliette must not know what our war stories consisted of, or she wouldn’t have made such a comment. It’s best not to know, so if Claude chose not to share, I could understand and agree.
Frau Joel took a moment to write up a small list, and then handed it to me with a pocket full of francs. "Thank you, boys."
Claude and I made our way out of the house. Several minutes passed before one of us spoke. "I apologize for not telling you sooner, Charlie. I didn’t know how to say something so important in a letter."
"There is nothing to apologize for," I told him. "I am happy for you."
"But, I am sad for you, brother. I know you are hurting."
