Her gaze fell upon a tall man, standing against the lamp-post outside the station. His arms crossed, with a jacket draped over one. His hair slightly messy and curled at its tips, his blue-gray eyes bright.
"Bucky," she smiled going up to him. The weight of the day suddenly lifting as she saw him, "You're here, again."
"Someone's got to walk you home." His tone sarcastic, but his lips curling with a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"You and Steve have been doing this every day after-school! You know you don't have to." She tried to hide her smile as he took her bag from her arms, holding it for her, "Merci".
He shrugged, "It's on the way home from the shipping yard. But mostly I'm just here to see you.", beaming to himself. He knew what kind of reaction Christiane would have, already lowering her face down, trying to hide her smile again.
She tried to compose herself, before looking up again trying to keep a straight face, "So, what do you and Steve want to have tonight?"
"How about that chicken stew you made a few weeks ago? Steve and I have some vegetables we need to do something with. And that was the best stew I've ever had.", holding out his arm to stop her as he looked both ways before crossing the street together.
Christiane still looking at him abruptly stopped when an arm suddenly stopped her. She looked down questioningly, then at Bucky who was still focused on the traffic on the road. Letting his arm drop down, they kept walking, their strides in sync with each other – "It's called a poulet basquaise. Wait till I make you a boeuf bourgignon, or a stroganoff, you'll love that!"
"How did you learn how to cook?", Bucky looked over at her.
"From my mother and grandmother when I was growing up, they used to make the most delicious goulash", closing her eyes to imagine the soup cooking, it's smells and her grandmother and mother cooking together and she and Anya sat at the dinner table watching.
His face was pensive, "What's a goulash?"
"It's a soup with beef and vegetables with lots of paprika. It's the most heavenly thing to eat when it's cold outside."
"Promise you'll let me try one day?", as Bucky tried to envision the soup in his mind.
"I will.", smiling. They turned around the corner to their street, passing a mechanic shop. Christiane stopped looking before she noticed a flyer outside: Mechanic needed. Some experience valued.
"Just a second, Bucky.", walking into the shop to find a man sitting behind a desk going through paperwork. Bucky followed behind confused.
"Good evening, I was wondering if you're still looking for a mechanic?"
The man stood up, looking at the girl confusingly before looking at the man standing behind her, "Yes I am. Who's the job for?", he glanced again between the two.
"For me. I have about 5 months of experience with fixing cars."
"Where did you work before?", he started writing on a piece of paper.
Christiane hesitated, "In my district of Paris, with the Resistance."
The man suddenly stopped, putting his pen down and staring back in awe. Bucky also looked at her with even more confusion on his face.
"There was a lack of men experienced with fixing cars and bicycles in the district after so many were drafted to war, so I took it upon myself to learn what I could.", she continued.
"Mio Dio, you have the job. You have come so far, picolla.", he started smiling, looking to Bucky, "What about you, do you want a job too?"
"Oh no, not me, I already work at the ship yard, sir.", Bucky smiled politely.
"Very well then, I like that. You work hard.", he turned to Christiane, "Your brother?"
Bucky could only chuckle quietly. "Just friends, signore.", Christiane replied.
The man put his hand out to shake hers, "My name is Lorenzo Savini. I run this place with my wife, Gloria. You are always welcome to come to us for help if you need something. We must look out for each other."
"Christiane Bougourd, grazie mille", she smiled back. She couldn't believe how quickly she got the job. It was her turn to Bucky in awe and excitement.
"When can I start, Signore Savini?"
"No, please call me Lorenzo. What days are you available?"
"I can work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after-school at 3 in the afternoon."
"That's great, and I can give you a shift till half-past 6, is that alright? You can start next week."
"Wonderful! Thank you so much again, Lorenzo! See you next week!"
"Ciao!", waving to the two.
Bucky whispered to her as they neared Christiane's apartment building, seeing Steve sitting on the steps outside waiting, "I can't believe you never told us you were part of the Resistance, doll."
She turned to see his face still in awe, a grin of shock mixed with delight. "You never asked!", she gleamed.
"You are one hell of a mystery, Christiane", as she walked past facing him smiling before turning to greet Steve. He couldn't help but stand there watching her, a strange feeling growing in his chest that quickened his heart and made him want to smile helplessly.