Chapter 4
Margaret chuckled as she looked to Janet. "Janet…honey. Come on wake up, we're here." Janet blinked as her eyes adjusted to the light in the plane. They got to the door and walked up the terminal, picked up their luggage and were off to the hotel.
Janet managed to gather her thoughts and calm herself down upon arriving the hotel. When the two women entered their room, she threw herself onto the bed, and let out a heavy sigh.
"I just feel better here," Janet looked out the glass door to the balcony, which overlooked a part of Paris.
"Wow! This is beautiful, Janet," Margaret said as she looked out. Janet got up and went out to the balcony where Margaret stood.
"Well, I'm hoping your French will come in handy," Janet said as she waltzed back inside.
"The first thing I want to see tomorrow is the Eiffel Tower!" Margaret said as she ran back into the room and jumped on the bed. The two women never felt so alive. It was like a whole new beginning for their trip. Nevertheless, it would all end in two and half short weeks. Margaret looked at the clock.
"Well, it's almost 9. I guess we should get some sleep," She paused and looked at Janet. "I get the right bed!" With that, Margaret took a flying leap and landed smack dap in the middle of the bed. She bounced twice before settling in and grabbing a pillow. Janet shook her head at her friend. Even though she was well in her twenty's, she still acted like a kid. Janet sighed and walked over to the other bed.
"So, the left one is better," she said and stuck her tongue out at Margaret.
"Bonne nuit," Margaret said, expressing her French side, as she batted her dark hazel eyes at Janet.
"Buona notte," Janet gave her a smile and hugged her goodnight. She set the alarm and changed into a nighty, crawled under the covers, and immediately fell asleep.
Just outside of the city, over near the countryside, excitement overcame another person.
Jack's heart fluttered as he got into bed. A smile crossed his face and his thoughts found Janet. He shook his head, sighed, and rolled over. Spotting the moon through his window, he said softly to himself, "Goodnight Janet." Then he fell asleep.
Janet, with a towel wrapped freshly on her head, searched through her suitcase as she tried to find something to wear. Margaret on the other hand was up, and hurrying her along. The dark purple shirt and black shorts clad Margaret, bounced around the room, rushing Janet along. Janet's final selection was a light blue tank top and white shorts.
"Grr, you still have make-up and do your hair!" Margaret stated impatiently. She sighed and went to the balcony. A gentle breeze played with Margaret's hair as she leaned against the railing. The birds were singing and the trees were in beautiful blossom. Fifteen minutes easily past while Margaret sat in a chair and gazed at the beauty.
"Ready?" Janet asked, coming up and leaning on the railing.
"Finally!" Margaret shouted. "Let's Go!"
Within several minutes, Janet and Margaret found themselves nearing the Eiffel Tower. Walking closer, the two took silly pictures of each other.
"Race ya!" Margaret said and took off.
"Watch it Margot, you're gonna cause a commotion!" she shouted out as Margaret got farther away. Margaret began walking backwards faster and faster. She stuck her tongue out at Janet and as she did, Margaret collided into someone. Luckily, Margaret caught whomever she ran into. Unfortunately, for her, she fell hard onto the ground. Janet quickly ran over to her aid.
"Margaret, are you alright!" Janet asked as she saw blood dip from her elbow.
"Yeah, what about her?" Janet looked up. The figure before them was a tall, tan blonde reaching down to help Margaret up. The woman froze at Janet's words.
"Margaret…Margaret Hazlett? Is that you!" The woman removed her sunglasses as Margaret slowly got up, rubbing her arm.
"Yes," Margaret paused, giving a long "S" sound, expressing a questionable remark towards the woman. The woman chuckled and stepped closer to her. Margaret squinted at her.
"It's me, Michelle…Michelle Bartelli," she said, unsure if Margaret remembered her. Margaret looked her dead in the eyes, after a second, Margaret's eyes widened. She gasped and hugged Michelle tightly.
"Oh MY GOD! Michelle! I can't believe this. What are the odds after all these years? Here of all places! I mean…I just don't bel-"
"I know!" She smiles at her long lost friend. "I can't believe it either!" Janet was now confused and on the verge of madness.
"Wait, what?" Janet said as the old friends embraced. Margaret laughed and apologized to Janet.
"Janet this is Michelle Bartelli. Michelle this is my good friend Janet Wood," Janet extended a hand and Michelle shook it intensely.
"We go way back! What, 5th grade?" Margaret said as she smiled and shook her head.
"Yep! All through Jr. High and High School!" Janet shook her head in disbelief.
"So, you living back in Europe now?" Margaret asked.
"Si." She answered; Janet noted the fact the she was Italian, "Actually here in France. If you would like I could show you around," Michelle said as she retrieved a band-aid from her purse for Margaret's elbow. She looked back at Janet; Janet smiled and shrugged.
"Why not!" Margaret said and she hugged her friend once more.
Sitting down to a nice lunch, the women chatted and caught up on their past.
"So, did you marry?" Michelle asked both Janet and Margaret.
"Well, I did, but I divorced shortly after," Janet said as she sipped some of her white wine.
"Oh, that's terrible. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. It was my decision, although, I wouldn't have cared either way," Janet shared. Michelle shook her head in understanding then looked at Margaret.
"And did you and Tyler get married?" Michelle smiled and batted her eyes. Margaret sighed and smiled.
"Well, no…not yet anyways," She smiled as she sipped from her glass.
"Imagine that, after all this years," Michelle smiled brightly.
Time had gotten the better of them as the sun slowly sank into the horizon.
"I had a wonderful time Michelle." Janet said as she hugged her goodbye. "I'm glad we met." Michelle smiled and thanked her.
"Goodnight Michelle. Can we meet up tomorrow?"
"Of course! You two get a goodnight's rest and I'll see you bright and early! Buona notte," Michelle headed off into the distance.
"I still can't believe I ran into Michelle," Margaret said as she plopped down on her bed.
"I'm glad she can show us around," Janet sat and began brushing her hair in front of the mirror.
Margaret let out a rather large yawn, "I gotta sleep, Jan. I'm dead tired." Margaret rolled over in her bed and fell right to sleep. Janet chuckled to herself, she had a full day, she needs some sleep. Janet walked over to the door leading to the balcony. She opened it and sat down in a chilly metal chair. The moon was so beautiful and the star twinkled brightly down on her. She felt great reassurance as the breeze danced softly across her face. She inhaled the night air and sighed. The view was amazing, the people were great, but something about Michelle was unsettling to Janet. I just know I've seen her somewhere before. She sat there and continued to soak in the moment. Probably somewhere from Margaret. Looking out to the city of lights, Janet smiled contently. Heading back inside, she changed into some pajamas and slipped into bed.
"Jock, I'm home," Michelle called as she entered the front door and threw her keys onto the near table. Jack greeted her with a smile from the kitchen as he scrubbed down the marble island.
"You'll never guess what happened!" Michelle exclaimed as she walked over to Jack and embraced him. As she put her arms around Jack, he was overwhelmed with the scent of Janet's perfume. Jack was timid in answering her.
"I give! What?"
"I ran into my old friend Margaret Hazlett. I haven't seen her since high school. Her and her friend 'Jances are staying here for a few days." Jack smiled. Thank god. I think I might have lost it if she…
"Oh Jock, I missed you," Michelle cooed as she slipped her arms around his waist. She planted a passionate kiss on his lips. Jack responded and let go of all his thoughts. Pulling away, she smiled and headed up stairs. He smiled and told her he would be up soon. He finished cleaning the counter and turned to turn off the light. He smirked. He had that feeling again; something was going to happen.
"So what are you doing tomorrow?" Jack asked as he walked into her room.
"Showing the girls around," She smiled and then looked at Jack. "Is that ok?"
"Yes" Jack answered; nodding his head., chuckling slightly. He sighed and kissed Michelle goodnight.
"Buona notte Jock."
"Buona notte." He tucked her in and headed to his room. After changing into a white wife beater and blue shorts, he meandered to the window and stared blankly out at the moon's reflection on the lake. A yawn passed his lips. Moseying over to his bed, he crawled under his cool sheets.
I'll just watch her tomorrow. Just to see.Jack looked at the stars twinkling through his window. He fiddled with his hands and leaned his head on his headboard. A tear rolled down his cheek and landed silently on his pillow.