The air is crisp as the breeze blows gently through the cottage garden on the outskirts of Paris. I stand in the small gazebo that overlooks a small pond. I will be leaving France soon. I am confident in my abilities to function in high society and my abilities to pick up the language quickly. I am already able to hold a decent conversation in Japanese, so I should be okay going to the school Mama wants to send me to. I can hear the soft, crunching footsteps as Mama approaches me on the white gravel walkway. Just as softly, they stop. I turn to see her standing in the doorway, watching me with concerned interest.
"Mama…will they like me?" I gaze into my Mama's deep blue eyes worriedly.
"Minette…of course they will." I slowly drop my eyes to my feet and allow my tense shoulders to fall. My eyes water as this fear of rejection over takes me. I haven't even met these people that Mama speaks so highly of and yet I feel like I already know them. At the same time, I'm afraid that they will reject me on the spot.
"Will he like me?" Mama walked over to stand in front of me. She gently lifted my face to look at hers. Her face was so soft and the smile so bright, she really was a beauty to behold.
"He'll love you," she whispered. "He'll give you so many hugs that you won't ever need to be scared. He'll shower you in praises you never thought you needed. He'll come running when you call. He'll be super overprotective and he'll probably get annoying at times…but as soon as he knows that you are family…he'll never stop caring. He'll love you until there is no more love to give and then he'll find a way to love you even more." I give her a watery smile, before pulling myself together a little. I use the back of my hand to wipe my eyes and take a deep breath.
"Mama," I say as I square my shoulders and stand as tall as I can manage. "I give you my word that I'll figure out a way to bring him back to you." I watch as a small sadness flickers in her eyes. "Until then, please be patient. I can do this Mama. I'll bring big brother home…even if it's just for a visit." I wrap my arms around her middle, resting my head near her shoulder. "To fill the void a little Mama, I'll bring you stories on my trips home, mmmkay? I'll bring you his songs and what he smells like. I'll bring you pictures and adventures…so that when that day comes…all you have to do is give him the biggest hug you can give." I pull back from the hug a little to look up into her eyes. Her long blonde hair frames it so delicately as she gives me a watery smile. "I love you Mama."
"I love you too Minette."
"Madame. The limo is ready." After nodding to the butler, Mama smiles at me one more time before leading me out of the gazebo and to the awaiting limo. Once there she speaks to Jackson, my personal butler and body guard.
"Please watch over her in my stead."
"It will be my honor Madame."
"Minette, be good," She cups my face in her hands as she kisses my forehead. "I love you little one." I scrunch up my nose as she gently rubs hers against mine. As she pulls away, I can't help but reach for her again. I wrap my arms around her, resting my head on her chest. I let my tears run as I listen to her heartbeat. I sigh as she runs her fingers through my hair.
"I'm going to miss you Mama."
"I'm going to miss you too." I pull away as Jackson holds the limo door open for me. I turn back to look at Mama one more time. "I love you." I climb in and the door shuts behind me. I'm off on a new adventure. I'm going to bring home big brother and I'm going to make Mama happy. Jackson slides in beside me and the limo gently lurches forward. I turn around and wave out the back windshield at Mama until I can't see her anymore. Sitting properly in the limo again, I lean my head against the cool window as I watch the sun set on the horizon. Soon I'll be on an airplane to Japan. I'll be meeting my Papa and big brother. I'll also be meeting all of his friends. Will they like me? What adventures await us?