This came to me one day before I began some volunteer work. The gal was running late and Chocolat was on my mind for some reason. Anyway, Hope you guys enjoy!
It was a cool spring morning, though the old woman standing in front of the chocolaterie in the little town of Lansquenet did not feel it. Nor did the long haired man examining the door see her standing near him. Armande Voizin had long been gone from the world of the living, but her spirit remained until she knew her loved ones would be alright.
In the days following her death, she watched her family and close friends mourn over her passing. Watched as Vianne Rocher read her letter and later attempt to leave the first true home she has ever known. Armande helped Josephine and Caroline work to show Vianne that she and Anouk were accepted, despite their differences from the other families of the town. Watched her grandson play with other boys, like he should have been all along. Urged Vianne to toss her anchor to the North Wind into the wind itself, and with it her curse to always travel and never settle down.
Then the day came when Armande knew everything would be alright with the people of the little town. The handsome river rat Roux came back to Lansquenet and to the chocolaterie. He came back to Vianne and Anouk. As she walked toward the light, she came across a little kangaroo, with a healed foot, hopping towards her.
"I'm ready, Pantoufle." She said to him. The animal responded by looking at the light and then back at her. "Thank you for allowing me to stay this long, you silly kangaroo."
As they disappeared into the door to the next life, the little girl Anouk stood at the front door, silently saying goodbye to her guardian angel and best friend. She then closed the door and headed back to her new paper and her new life of not traveling, full of real friends and a bigger family.
