NOTICE:All mistakes are mine. I have no beta.
(Warning. Story based on it's complicated charcters. However events and endings will vary from actually movie.)
Most charcters in this fic will my own origional charcters. It's complicated basis
It was just an idea I have had for awhile,but didn't think it was worth writing down. . I think it sucks personally,let me know if you think I should continue?
- - - - - - - - - -January 8,1975 - - - - - - - - - -
Little sprigs of ran come drizzling down the window pain. Thunder crashing against the early morning sky startles her. Steaming brown coffee splashes over the rim of the cup. She looks up from the kitchen table, gripping the mug firmly in her hands. She jumps at every little sound. Her body tremors on regular basis. She had taken up smoking as a sedative to calm her nerves. It had no effect. 14 months of extensive therapy hadn't filled the void of the past year. Yes, she had come so far, but she had so far to go.
"Jane dear."
Her mothers voice carried from the stair case and descended into the family room. Her tasseled hair and Terri cloth robe, strings dangling to one side put jane at ease.
"In the kitchen mamma."
Jane's lips curled into a small genuine smile. She appeared to be stable on the outside, inside how ever she was unraveling even further as the days continued. Jane brought the rim of the cup to her lips.
"Your bus leaves in an three hours jane. I didn't expect you to be ready so early. Your father should get home in time to see you off, He didn't come home last night. Are your sure you want to do this jane. You know you can always stay here if you change your mind."
She ran her fingers swiftly through Jane's golden locks, it was as if she was a girl again. Jane despised being treated as if she was three. Every since she had arrived home her parents treated her like a invalid. Did they honestly thing jane didn't hear there whispers after her therapist had ended there weekly session. Jane was pleased that they cared, but if she didn't want to remain in her parents care for the rest of their life span she had to get out now. Jane needed to get away from it all and start anew.
"Mamma Im going. We have had this same conversation for over a month. The answer is still the same. Dr. Miller thinks it would be good for me I wish you would stop worrying. Mary Alice is moving to New York in two months and I don't see you pestering her about it. Daddy's okay with me going, why can't you just let it go?"
Jane placed the cup down in the table. Hints of lip stick surrounded the edges of the porcelain mug.
"Well for give me for being inquisitive jane. I just worry about you. I mean it's not like your going to another state your going half way around the world. To Paris."
Jane tucked a long strand behind her hear as she nodded.
"I know mother, but it's only for 6 days. I'll be back before you know it."
Jane assured her. Her mother sat down her own cup. Jane could always convince her mother that she would be fine. They hugged shortly before parting. She took her cup to the sink them smoothed her tan skirt.
"Nina girl?"
Her father came out of his study fully clothed, Which ment he had fallen asleep at his desk doing god knows what the pervious night. smoke leaking from the perfectly packed cigar nestled between in lip and right index finger.
"Daddy!"
Jane sprinted to his side, taking his hand she smiled adoringly at him. Jane's father worked long hours every day for as long as she can remember back, still he always had time to read to her before bed. He was her everything.
"Daddy you know I prefer jane."
"Ahh yes of corse you do dear."
Her father nodded, He walked over to their mother and they exchanged their usual kisses.
Jane came from a well off family, her father an English man who worked for the bored at Montgomery central bank. Her mother a house wife. She had spent the last 25 years of marriage trying to instill in her daughters, Janine and Miriam what it was to be strong, independent women. Obviously in Janine's case she had failed. Her younger sister however had been her mothers ideal daughter. She found interest in being independent, demanding, a true feminist.
Jane rolled her eyes as her parents public display of affection, her cheeks flushing red. She thought of it as romantic, Jane longed to have a husband like that growing up, now she preferred to remain single for all eternity.
Jane could hear the clicking of 1 inch heels, the only thing her parents would allow her sister to own at the time, entering the room.
"Mother, father. If you wish to engage in your affections this early in the morning may I suggest you do it in the privacy of your own room? Some of us have yet eaten nor to we wish to see you express your 'love' for each other."
Her voice never above a whisper today. This wasn't like her little sister.
"Good morning to you too, Miriam. It's doubtful for you to grace us with your presence before 9:00 am. on a good day. It's 7:45am. Have you only risen to see your sister off ,or is it another trend you have take up from the god awful magazine you carry around every where?"
Her father questioned.
"Daddy she prefers Mary Alice."
Jane chimed in, placing her hands on her hips, she glanced over at her little sister.
"Oh for heaven's sake Charles. Let her be. If her reading every issue of that weekly magazine keeps her quit."
"May darling don't you thing you should be getting ready. We will have to leave in an hour."
Her mother patted his chest and exited the room to get ready. Her father nodded to the girls and went on his marry way back into his study. Jane leaned against the counter, she glances at Mary Alice. Sitting at the table scribbling things down in the folding of the tattered magazine, feet crossed respectively.
"What would you like for breakfast Mary Al…."
She lifted a hand to silence her sister.
"It's Mandy. I prefer Mandy now. I have since Tuesday. I'll have nothing today."
With that she went back to her book.
"Well excuse me 'Mandy' what's next Megan? Madonna? Miranda? I haven't exactly seen you much. It seems you come and go like a ghost in this house since I have been away. You have mommy and daddy wrapped around your finger now, don't you Miriam.."
"I most certainly do not, Janine."
She hissed, burying her face deep in the colored pages of Vogue.
Jane tilted her head, crossing her arms. Jane clicked her tongue in her mouth making it aware she was not in the mood for her sisters little games. She would answer the question. Correctly. She always answered everything jane asked her, it was the part of being two years older jane enjoyed the most.
"Perhaps your right about that after all, Jane."
Jane chuckled as she turned to the sink.
" That's what I thought, 'Mandy.' "
- - - - - - - - - - 9:15 am. - - - - - - - - - -
Jane sat opposite her little sister in the back seat of her parents town car. She glanced at Mandy. Her posture perfect along with her short golden curls tucked away behind a purple ribbon. Jane looked at her own hair, mousey, dirty blonde strands resting over her shoulders,half of out tied back in a presentable clip. Her plain business suit was no match for her sisters lavender flower printed dress. Jane had given up the clothing of her youth the day she had lost her daughter.
Mandy looked away from her window, sensing some one was watching her.
"Would you like to use my new camera? Im sure a Polaroid will serve it's purpose with your staring problem jane."
She simply rolled her eyes at Jane, who in turn looked out of her own window. They sun began to shine through the dim sky. She thought about Jonathan.
The doctor had reported the incident he had witnessed. Her parents had been notified jane was in the hospital. That's why her mother had known to come. She was questioned by the police where she revealed the events that had occurred over the past year as well as physical evidence on her back, legs, torso, and forearms. After 6 months of court dates they won. Johnathan had been convicted for domestic abuse. He had to serve 18 months in jail, anger management classes and therapy.
'18 fucking months and that bastard walks free! What if he knows she turn him in? what if he comes after her?"
"Jane."
Her mother turned to look back at her while her father got out of the car. Jane kept searching the people walking along the street. Always having the feeling she was being watched led to the panic anxiety disorder she had recently developed for a short time. Jane was making progress, but her self of steam was still crippling.
"Oh for god sake."
Mandy reached over and pulled on her arm.
Jane pulled away, snapping her head up.
"Huh?"
"Jane your going to miss your bus dear."
Her mother repeated opening the door for her, she took her hand..
"Oh. Im sorry. Im coming"
Jane pulled her shoulder bag over her arm and stepped out of the car. She said her good bye's to her mother, father and lastly Mandy.
"Jane you don't forget to ware your sweater. It's still chilly out."
"I will mamma. I better go."
Jane turned to see the large grey hound bus that would take her to the airport. She picked up her suit case and boarded the bus. Taking a seat in the back she pulled her sweater around her, The bus doors whooshed shut and then bus began it's journey. Jane placed her hand on the window, watching as her parents and sister disappeared in the distance. Her forehead rested on the glass as her hand slid down into her lap. Tears flowing over her eyes.
- - - - - - - - - -January 10,1975 - - - - - - - - - -
Jane's plane landed at Charles De Gaulle airport around 7:00 pm.
She had been studying her French manual trying to learn the language, she knew some what of the language but she was no expert. She figured she could get by for six days.
Jane closed the book and put it away. She followed the crowd of people off the plane and into the bustling air port. Jane took one look, hopelessly confused as to where everything was, Jane tried flagging down some one.
"Me pardonne, parlez-vous l'anglais?"
Jane asked,her face flushed with embarassment, She had
"Yes I do. First time in France?"
The smiled, extending his hand to her.
"Oui. "
Jane snickered, shaking his hand.
"Im James Murray.."
"Jane. Jane Archer.
It's nice to know another American here."
"Yes, well there aren't many here I'll tell you that. You look a little lost. Can I help you with anything?"
James offered, taking her hand. Jane didn't pull away, She couldn't pass up a common tour guide.
"I just need to find my bag and then get to….Yves Thuriès pastry school in Yssingeaux."
Jane recited, looking through her pass port and pamphlets.
"You got in on one of the scholarships?"
He asked.
"Yeah how'd you know?"
Jane wiggled her clasped hands nervously as crowds of people rushed in all directions.
"Well, my dad teaches one of the classes there, I was here visiting him actually."
Jake nodded towards the revolving luggage carts, Jane examined the suit cases as they pasted her.
"It's that one there."
Jane pointed, leaning over the side to reach it her sweater caught onto another mans suit case, causing jane to be pulled alone with the suit case.
"I…James…oh my god! Some body help."
Jane tried to suppress her laugh, tugging her sweater, trying to free herself from the large case, Jane ran ahead of her, taking the case in his hand he managed to pull them apart, Jane falling down flat on her ass,she covered her mouth. James was quick to assist her in getting back to her feet.
"I..I can't believe this. Im so embarrassed. So much for wearing my sweater."
She whispered. They both cut up about the little incident. Make there way out side they both looked at each other.
"Well, I guess this is good bye unless you still need a ride?"
"I think I'll still take you up on that offer."
- - - - - - - - - - 9:00pm. - - - - - - - - - -
Jane and James parted ways around 8:50. Jane was staying at a comfy little hotel opposite the school. After checking in at the front desk and retrieving her room key she made it up the three flights of stairs in the little cramped hotel.
"Room 209...210...211!"
Jane said aloud, reading over the top of her glasses, she unlocked the door with her room key to find a tall, brunette girl seating on a bed opposite to the one next to her.
"Hi,Im guessing you're my roommate?"
"Yes,Im jane. Nice to meet you. Are you here on a scholarship too?"
"Im Eliza.
Yes, I am from England actually. I take it your from America? Are wholes the new trend there? "
She eyed Jane's outfit in question. Jane nodded her head.
She silently began up packing her things. Her shoes and a few odds and ins. Looking over her shoulder to see her new room mate lost in some romantic novel jane turned back to her suit case. There pinned in the lining of the satin suit case was the Polaroid. It was a little tattered from the past year. Still jane handled it with care every morning, sleeping with it tucked close to her heart at night.
"Here let me help you with that."
Jane snapped the lid closed quickly buckling it up.
"Thank you."
She smiled gratefully to have a place to sleep. Jane fell back onto the bed, slipping off her beige hills. Funny how a little over a year ago she was prancing around in plat forms and plaid skirts.
"Huh? Oh this? Me and a fine piece of luggage didn't agree earlier."
She propped herself p on the bed.
"Really? Sounds like you had a rough day."
She plopped down on the bed next to her.
"You have no idea!"
"Want to talk about it?"
Jane nodded, shifting positions both girls lay facing each other on the bed, conversing long into the night.
- - - - - - - - - - January 14 1975 - - - - - - - - - -
"La classes, aujourd'hui nous pratiquons l'art de bouillir du sucre."
The instructor announced, pacing the aisle of young student's in from of him.
Jane stood in front of her shared station, everything perfectly place. Her hair pinned under her white cap carefully. She raised a golden brown eye brow seeing Eliza slip in the room while the instructor lectured a select few.
"In other's words were going to be boiling sugar."
Eliza said, hurrying to tie her apron after sliding it over her head.
Jane nodded her head, leaning towards her she tried not to laugh at Eliza's attempt to arrive unnoticed.
"Uh huh. Where have you been this time?"
Jane whispered, covering the side of her mouth the instructor was currently standing on.
"Over slept. I was out pretty late with Aimee."
Eliza mouthed, suppressing her grin.
Jane smiled shaking her head.
"Uh huh. Keep this up and you'll be caught. You barely made it."
Jane gushed, seeing the instructor giver her the eye she blushed.
'Busted'
"Amener le sirop de sucre à un bout et commence à pelleter la mousse du sucre utilisant une louche."
"Bring the sugar syrup to a boil and start scooping the foam from the sugar using a ladle."
Eliza mocked.
Jane looked up just in time to see this. Her lip's curled up in a grin a mile wide.
'Silly Girl.' Jane thought shaking her head, She looked back at Eliza while scooping the last of the foam out of the pot. Picking up a fresh pot to pour the foam into, Eliza nudged her arm causing Jane's hand to slip. Boiling foam poured over the counter top and Jane's left arm, Jane screamed feeling the hot liquid melt into her skin she drops the pan instantly. Jane grabbed her throbbing wrist. Everyone stopped what they were doing, all eyes on jane. She slid down in the floor trying to restrain her painful tears.
"Fichu il Eliza!"
Jane grumbled, her teeth clenched firmly together.
"Jane, Im si désolé! "
She peers down at her wrist. Her fingers once gripping her wrist and removed, a piece of Jane's flesh peals off as she removed her index finger. She bits her lip. She doesn't scream in agony. Peering down at her wrist it seems all to familiar the burn, much like the mark on her other. She see's flashes of a hand. It's gripping her wrist. The pain unbearable. She says nothing as the nails dig deep with in her skin. Jane lays her head on the wood cabinets behind her. The flashes continue. Stronger. Jane starts to panic. To feel isolated. Trapped. Jane begins to hyperventilate.
The instructor made his was hastily over and knelt down my jane. Jane pushes him off at first instinct. Feeling his cool touch brings her back to reality. She looked around all the people standing over her. She lifts her elbow wiping the cold sweat off her forehead.
"Mme l'Archer relax. I get medic for wrist. Class continue."
He turned to Eliza.
"You girl. Get wet cloth and apply till I return yes?"
Eliza nodded, Once the two girls were left alone Jane kicked off her shoes. Eliza took one of the cloth napkins and dampened it. She ignored the burnt sugar across the counter and focused on easing Jane's burn.
"Jane you know I didn't mean. I would never."
Jane nodded slightly.
"I know."
Jane breathed deeply, closing her eyes.
"Is it in excruciating pain?"
Eliza questioned, she applied the cloth gently ever so often.
Jane opened her eyes, Bloodshot lines masking her deep green eyes.
"No. I have felt worse."
Jane admits, looking the opposite way. She does not want to continue this conversation. She can't bare to think back now.
"I back. Bring medic. He good boy fix you right up."
The instructor patted her back, Helping her to her feet they took her into his office.
He sat on the sofa. Going through his bag he took out the necessary creams and gals to treat her arm. Jane was sat next to him, curiously she watched him. His name tag read Jake.
"Alright Ms. Archer. Let's take a look at that arm."
He gently lifted her arm, placing it in his knee.
"Aw,Well that's not to bad at all. I'll get you all fixed up. Now this might sting, it's just disinfectant."
Jane nodded willingly. In no time at all it was treated and wrapped.
"Your all set, here's something for pain and to put on it, should heal in a few weeks."
"Thank you Sir."
"It's Jake. Jake Adler."
"Jane. Im sorry we have to meet under these circumstances."
Jane smiled, apologetically.
"Im not. I…I um.. I was wondering if you wanted to maybe get some coffee later?"
Jake's throat cracked with embarrassment.
Jane giggled. How sweet. He was shy. She looked at him, shaking her head.
"You I..Im leaving in a few days and….I just don't really. Im sorry."
Jane was doing her best to let him down easy.
"Oh. I understand you have a boyfriend."
"No. That's not it. Believe me it's not."
Jane assured him.
"Then what's the problem you doing like guys?"
"Oh god no! I have nothing against people that do like their same gender, just to clear that up."
Jane looked into his dark eyes. She was lost in them. No! Jane stop it! You remember what happened before. You can't go out with this man you can't. It's not acceptable! But his eyes…
"Well…Maybe one cup of coffee wouldn't hurt."
- - - - - - - - - - January 29, 1975. - - - - - - - - - -
12:03 pm.
Jane's mother frantically paced the kitchen. Her youngest daughter trying to consume the breakfast she had earlier prepared. Charles was attempting to read the daily paper with little success.
"Good lord May would you stop that nonsense and sit down!"
"Six days! Charles she was only supposed to be six days. It's been over a week since she was due home. What if something happened to her? Charles what if.."
"Mother please do be quiet and sit. I know jane mother. She's probably fallen head over heels for some tell dark and handsome French fellow."
Mandy mused.
"I should hope not!"
Her father growled.
"What? Miriam don't be ridiculous! Your sister had been through so much. She's on medication, she still has trouble sleeping and the horrid night terrors! I tell you something's wrong."
May wailed, bringing her handkerchief to her nose.
"I hear the post Miriam. Please do get it."
Her father looked over the top of his paper.
"It's Mandy!"
She spat under her breathe. Leaving her seat she retrieved the mail.
"Oh look at this, Jane's sent us a letter."
Mandy smirked, opening the thin paper corner.
"What? Give me that!"
Her mother snatched he clean out of her hands, Mandy pursed her lips at the dot of blood that appeared on her finger.
Mandy seating herself, never uttering a word.
Her mother opened the crisp letter. Reading over the half of page she had written neatly. She bright her hand to her mouth.
"What is it love. Is Janine alright?"
Charles looked at his wife and daughter, waiting no longer for a response he lifted the letter up, searching for his reading glasses.
"Oh Charles it's horrible. Jane says she got an offer to me an apprentice. She accepted the offer."
"Why is that awful? That sounds like something to celebrate not mope over, may."
"You don't understand! Read the very bottom Charles. She's going to work there for a year."
Three pairs of eyes peered at the letter then at each other. The room fell silent.
.
- - - - - - - - - - November 15,1976 - - - - - - - - - -
Jane's eyes follow the noises on the plane. The squeaky luggage cart, a young girls tape player entirely too loud. People snoreing,shifting in their seats. Jane looks to jake. His nose in the large law manual. He is going to take the Bar Exam in two weeks. He has the job offered to him in California if he passes. She looks down at her gold wedding ring, stroking it woth her thumb. The words 'Forever Yours' engraved with it. They married a little over two months ago. It was a small backyard wedding in new jersey. The wedding jane had always dreamed of. She was still recovering, It was hard to believe two years had come and gone. The memory still remained of that cold, hospital room. The smell of alcohol and decay thick in the air. Jane looked out at the view. It's lovely like on their wedding day. Miriam flew in from new York. She's a junior editor of vogue. Accurate to Jane's prediction a year previous, She is now known as Miranda according to her last letter.
