11. Leaving
Many say that when you choose to leave, you run away. Perhaps it is right. Perhaps the sense of adventure is a perpetual quest to escape. Perhaps that sense of reliving when we leaving everything, is only a pale illusion, a weakness of the soul. Perhaps leaving is wanting to start over, again.
I was back home for several weeks. I finally rested and savored my walks in our park surrounding the house. I ate again several meals a day. I had not opened a book of medicine, reminding me all too painfully what I had experienced. Yet it was still impossible for me to not feel a twinge of heart when I met children in the street. And so I spent most of my time in the house.
My father asked me any questions and he didn't spoke to me about my career and marriage for days, until that evening, as we dined both in the large dining room.
-Have you had received the invitation to the wedding of James? He said gently.
-Indeed, I nodded still cut my meat with more determination.
-Yet a man who has courted you fervently.
-His fiancee is a woman very well in any way.
-Perhaps, he grumbled, but I fed deep wish to see you become Mrs. Pendrick someday.
-It seems I am not the one who was to become, I added without looking.
-It seems indeed, he whispers with disappointment.
Silence then fell slowly and we continue to eat quietly. Then, when our plates were cleared, I agreed to look at him. I bit my lips and I took my courage in both hands.
-Father, I said in a shaky voice, I have to tell you something important.
-Do not tell me that you want to continue your studies if ...
-No, I was cutting it, I ... I will wish to leave Toronto for a while.
He raised an eyebrow.
-Really?
-I always wanted to visit the world, especially Europe. I think it will do the best to me, if you agree, of course.
-Since when do you need my permission to do anything at all? He said, laughing heartily. I am sure that you have already planned where you go and what you will visit, it is not?
-Yes, I confessed with shame, but I can not afford the trip.
-There is obvious that I will Julia. But on one condition.
-I am listen to you? I said suspiciously.
-You will leave after the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Pendrick, I have not lost hope that a young man will stop you from being alone for years.
-Alright, I say with a smile, thank you Father.
He did not answer and simply nodded before they serve us our dessert and we finished our dinner in the most absolute silence.
I organized my trip in a few days. All my bags were ready, but I still had to wait two weeks, two long, interminable weeks before Sally and James did say "I do." I took the train the next day for New York. The journey lasted a few days, but when I finally arrived at the dock where the ship was to take me to Europe, I forgot all the fatigue of the journey. I went to a new life, leaving my injuries behind me.
I was drinking tea on the terrace, watching blankly people who thronged the streets, lovers who were stealing kisses, people who greeted amicably. I was in Paris since three months. And as I hardly speak French, I felt confortable in this city where the joy of life prevailed. I had the opportunity to climb up the tower, which is called Eiffel Tower. I was deeply impressed and touched by so much beauty and ingenuity. When one is at the top and we drink champagne and admire Paris, it feels like the clouds. The whole Paris speaks only of her, but some criticized it for over a year, she dominates the area with its elegant silhouette. Paris is a very different city of Toronto, or London, where I spent six months already since I left New York. Yet I must admit that Paris is a city to discover someone by your side, and although I enjoy walking around the gardens, visit museums and enjoy French cuisine, I can not wait to continue my journey. My next stop is Prague. I remember a book I often read with my mother as a child, and Prague was the city where they attended the plot, I can not travel to Europe without a halt.
So I enjoy my last day in the French capital before taking the train tomorrow towards the east.
The trip lasted for days, but I am not complaining. I have always loved taking the train and discover the landscapes. The train stop in several cities. But I think I will always remember this city to the west of the Empire of Prussia, Strassburg, where an encounter brought me company as I was missing since I left.
The young man slowly walked towards me while I was dining quietly watching people rushing on the platform of the station before the train departs.
-Avez-vous besoin de compagnie? He shoots me with a wide smile.
-Non merci, I replied politely in French.
-Vous n'êtes pas française, Deutsch?
-Non, I said, blushing softly, je suis Canadienne.
-Oh, you did many miles, he continued, now in English.
-Indeed, I sighed.
-And you are alone for a long trip? He insists.
I do not have time to answer a voice came from a little further.
-No, she is not alone and she did not want your company.
I see a young woman about my age move towards us, with a gait and proud look.
-Now, if you want to leave us, sir, we have many things to talk about.
The young man just nodded and walked away sheepishly, just sending me a nod. The newcomer gave me a huge smile and immediately sat down opposite me.
-Thank you, I sighed, I did not know how to dismiss him.
-I had noticed, she said, laughing, I know that kind of men. Ah, les français!
I laughed with her and I see her hold her hand to me over the table.
-Louise Blondeau.
-Julia Ogden, I replied, shaking her hand.
-You let me stay with you for dinner? He will think that we really are traveling together.
-Oh yes, please, stay, it will give me some company.
-You really are traveling alone from Canada?
-Yes.
-That's must be so exciting, she says happily.
-It depends of meetings, I confessed softly.
-Oh, I understand. Tell me, how is Canada? I always wanted to go, I read so many books about it. They say it is a huge country and that we can freeze to death in a single second.
-Well, that is big, I said, laughing, and cold in winter. There is so much to say, I will not know where to begin.
-We have plenty of time Julia, I do not come down until Prague, do you?
-Me too.
-Fantastique, she exclaims with joy, then tell me about your country I wish to know everything.
I smiled at her tenderly, delighted to find a young woman with whom I can talk, a young woman full of life, happy and excited for everything. I understand that even just a few minutes that this meeting will mark me as Louise is a remarkable young woman, in any way.
So our evening did not end until much later, talking about this and that until the end of the night. I was happy to have found a young woman with the same interests as mine, passionate about art, literature and travel. We had met and we felt like we had always known. I could talk freely with her, she did not judge me. I had found a friend, almost a sister, and my next month in Prague lay ahead much more interesting than I had thought.
We all leave one day. We are eternal travelers in search of a new land, a new encounter, a new discovery. From not leak, and is growing.
to be continued ...