Conclusion [Abe's Antiques—that evening]
The afternoon passed in duck feeding, cappuccinos and small talk between Henry and Jo. After the morning's stress, the bliss provided a much-needed tonic for the couple. In between flings of stale bread, she asked questions and he answered them as best he could for her. The hot caffeine jarred his memory still further.
Yet no guarantees would be forthcoming it seemed…..
Henry sat at the kitchen table in back of the main store in somber meditation after moonrise. He'd invited Jo inside but she'd declined wanting to do some thinking of her own about what happened on the previous day. Granted he felt disappointed but the opportunity presented another chance to reflect on the past once more.
And so Memoria pulled back its layers once more…
[Boudoin Manor—1856]
Henry tried to enjoy the gala within the ancient manor house. He loved the music. Several young ladies had accepted his invitation to dance. He'd made a few social connections with the local aristocrats and town officials.
All in all, it seemed successful….
…save for the fact that Henry knew he'd need to move on…
He stepped out into the humid evening and stood between worlds. On the one hand, he remained close enough that the music continued to caress his ears. On the other, he could gaze up at the far-away stars in Nocturne's dark backdrop and hear a few nightingales chirping softly in the breeze.
"The party not to your liking, Henri?"
He turned to see Dijon watching him from the doorstep. He could see the latter smoking from an ornate pipe and pondering some deeper issue. "Forgive me. It is very nice. I needed some air however."
"You need to place these events in their proper context. I understand. I too adjusted to immortal life as you are doing now, mes Ami. They are but playthings now to us. We are immortal. Remember that. We are brothers of a sort. I will call on you. If it suits me, I shall do the same for you," Dijon informed him.
"I am not your slave," Henry denied.
"Non, Henri. I never said as much. However we should remember to favor each other as we move through the ages. Whether you stay or go, you are welcome. I will expect however a favor in return however…." Dijon continued before walking back into the hose and toward his guests.
Henry looked toward the night sky once more. He had the sneaky feeling that the debt would weigh heavier still on him at some future time. Still he couldn't know at that point/…
…nor would he for a while yet….
[Modern Day]
The bell from the front door stirred Henry back to the present. He shook his head while standing and straightening his clothes. When you talk of favors, Bertrand, I never thought you'd mean that! He strode purposefully into the main store area where he found Abe and Clarise talking.
"Hey, Henry. Look who came by to see you. I'll make us some coffee. Given how this might go, you'll need it," Abe advised. "Great seeing you again, Clarise. My sympathies about your colleagues."
She nodded. "The Duboises will appreciate the sentiments concerning Alexandre. David, however, already presses on to his next endeavor. Until our next meeting, Abraham, au revoir!" After the elderly man departed, she turned to Henry. "Pondering the great mysteries of the universe, are we?
"Nothing so lofty, Clarise. I was just remembering Dijon's dinner party back at the manor," he revealed.
"Yes that. He later boasted to me of your mutual ties. Henri, you are not obligated to him in any way. Please remember that. He is a bully seeking to manipulate you to his own ends. That is all," she pointed out.
"Such as coercing a lie on that last case?" he queried disdainfully.
"That was not Dijon. It was a simple matter of preserving the balance and ensuring your colleagues' safety. If you had exposed the Butcher, others would have come and kept coming until every trace of the exposure was gone. I certainly do not need to remind you of deeper implications, Henri. You have always been mindful of such things. Consider your lovely companion. She faced danger because of Dijon's vendetta. Be grateful Le Puer contained that," she clarified.
"So will it always be like this for Jo and me? And how is it for David Dubois? Will he always struggle as he has today? Alex spoke as much of him," he wondered.
Clarise shrugged. "Just as David does, you should continue to preserve the balance. He has done so since before that unfortunate standoff decades ago. You are friend, brother, lover and now teacher much as he as well. I would hope you would be a better teacher than Nicolas was for either of us. A great deal depends on it. Just consider that carefully." She checked her watch. "I am due back in Quebec City soon. I came to compliment you on your demeanor in our crisis and to wish you well. Jo is an impressive companion for you. Watch out for her, Henri."
"And you take care as well, Sister. Watch yourself. Dijon still seethes," he advised in return.
"I know of his inner fire but merci, Henri. Au revoir!" She walked out of the store, around the corner into the alley and took off into the night.
"Unbelievable!" He'd seen her do that dozens of times. Yet he still couldn't get over how she could fly like a bird. He could see her point in keeping the balance and discretion over the deeper matters of state…
…matters that post-modern secular society was ill-equipped to deal with….
How will I show Jo the way? I am not a teacher. How will I do so? He sighed deeply knowing somehow that the mess at hand was not the last he'd see of the Butcher nor the former nun. He hoped that the next time would see him and Jo better equipped to deal with it than this one.
Time would tell…..
In the meantime he needed to nurture their love….
And that was the best growth of all…..
THE END (for now)
