Authors notes:
Surviving only on stale captain crunch, the jobless artist writes on! (Or something more or less dramatic and captivating. ) Wow I got like 6 reviews already. Thanks everyone! Email me sometime, I'd love to talk
Thanks to 'Telling fortunes by tea leaves' by cicely Kent, 1922 (dont know how to paste the website, look it up, its great ) for all the info I needed for this chapter! And to the beautiful music of Xenosaga Ep II for inspiration…
Edit: we went to star bucks and got muffins and chai to celebrate my new chapters, yay! (2 tall skinny chai's with whip and cinnamon to be exact) And I felt very authorish because I was writing notes for the chapter after this chapter on a napkin.

This is only part one, part two will be coming soon, based on reasons I cannot give away until you read it. :mysterious smile:

Edit: I feel so sad I decided it was time for this chapter, even though part two isn't done, and I cant even concentrate on anything, but sleeping. (I don't even want to draw or write now, damn ;;) My financial aid wont go through till September at least, and tuition is 4,000 dollars because I'm considered an out of state student. I'm so frustrated because I cant find the forms online to apply to be in state(I've been here a year) so it looks like I wont be going. But enough about my life.

I tried to read some fan fiction to make me feel better, but I cant find any good ones. I should have looked up Saun. Have you checked her out? Anyway, hope your life is going better then mine.

Arigato as always, enjoy.

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Give it time and sip slowly : Part I

Haruka had been brushing her teeth, clad in only dripping water, when the closet door came open and bumped her on the butt. Startled Haruka moved back and looked up into the widen eyes of her house guest.

"K..Kaiousan!" Haruka gasped around her toothbrush, nearly dropping it onto the floor in surprise. She didn't even know that door was there, or fathomed where it lead to. Michiru opened and closed her mouth a few times her face flushing. There Haruka was, as bare as the day she was born, right in front of her. Water clung and rolled down her sun kissed body, hugging along all the curves and lines which had been hidden under the men's attire all this time, strong athletic legs and muscles which made her knees begin to turn into jelly as she looked. She couldn't help it, I mean it was right in front of her. She gripped the door handle so hard her knuckles began to turn white. Gorgeous could hardly begin to describe. Michiru felt as though she couldn't breathe.

"Oh my god.. I'm so sorry.." Michiru gulped and backed out of the door, her mind reeling and her pulse flying. Wow. Just wow.

Haruka stammered and blinked, starting after her. "Kaiou san! Wait!" She threw her toothbrush down, wiping her mouth.

'Shigmata!' She scowled turning back to grab her towel off the bed and hastily wrapped it around herself. How could she be so stupid? Why hadn't she thought of this before, of course there was another door in! This was the only bathroom in the whole house. She felt like a perverted jerk, who once again proved herself to be selfish and un thoughtful.

"Michiru san, please, It's alright. I shouldn't have stayed so long in there." Haruka took the steps two at a time trying to catch up to Michiru.

"I'm so used to living alone, I should have locked the door. This house is new to me too in ways, I didn't know. Gomen nasai." She halted suddenly as Michiru stopped, and stood behind her on the stairs, breathing quickly. Her pulse was racing a bit as well. It seemed around this girl she couldn't keep her cool as well as she would have liked to. But then this constant feeling of exposure and fluster was beginning to become habit around her. Haruka didn't know if she liked the feeling or hated it, but it made her pulse race and her breathing fast, just like if she had run a million miles. It made her on edge and constantly on the rebound just like she were in mid of the fastest dangerous race she ever had been in. And always at the end of a race, or a run, there was the promise of sweet reward and victory, the rush of endorphins, that ecstasy she always felt after..

She need not to mention the different type of ecstasy this new metaphor would mean. That small little fire in her belly grew a bit as she realized these things. Only now it was mixing with the feeling of a dull ache deep in her chest. If she had to place it with words, the only one she could come up with would be longing.

She mustn't think of Michiru like that, because racing and running were like her life lines besides the freedom of her car.. and if she associated Michiru with those things.. if she thought about the young woman in the passenger seat, with her beautiful hair painting the wind in wisps and waves as they cruised, zooming down the highway..

Dangerous.

This was dangerous territory.

Michiru froze on the stairs, breathing fast, her heart hammering in her chest. He knees still felt like jelly and she felt so shaken up and vulnerable like her body was made of fragments of cloth. She was unweaving and loosening at every second, being reduced to bare threads. She could feel the warmth of Haruka's body, like a furnace radiating heat so close she could sense it. Her skin burned for it. Haruka so close, and so exposed right behind her. If she had wanted she could turn and press herself against her, loose herself within her scent.

So easy. So forbidden. Doushite?

To both of their horror Michiru began to laugh. She couldn't contain it. Sliding to her knees, Michiru sat on the last step and began to both laugh and sob at the same time. Laughing at herself and the situation, at her own tears, and then crying at the embarrassment, the unbelievable, the emotional roller coaster. It had been a long trying day, she just needed it to end. And yet she couldn't let it end, because then Haruka wouldn't be around her. This was the first time in months she was actually there, around her so long. She didn't want it to end. Haruka was horrified and in bewilderment nearly dropped her towel again. She quickly joined her side knowing at least to be concerned.

"Michiru san, Onegai, don't cry.." Haruka never experienced this from someone else, but felt a similar emotion a few times in her life caused from mainly frustration too great for her cures of driving or running. When Morgan had left, she was faced with the desire to scream in rage, and sob in loss.

She couldn't help that it was her nature to observe emotion, try to place it neatly into a container and store it away until a later time when she was ready for it. There was no later with Michiru. Haruka ended up having at least three different figurative containers whenever she dealt with her. But water was slippery and elusive, Haruka found it hard to keep her hands dry. And although her mind thought better, her feelings compelled her otherwise as she reached out and brought Michiru tightly against her. They both held their breath. Michiru's laughing and her crying eased nearly instantly, too surprised to be continued. The tears left mere hot streaks on her cheeks.

"I know you must think this is some sort of nightmare, but I promise when morning comes, I'll take you home. You'll never have to see me again, like this never happened."

Haruka said softly into her hair, a undertone of remorse in her whisper.

Michiru wanted to scream at her, to hit her chest in boiling anger and despair. How aggravating! Didn't she understand yet? How could Michiru possibly forget any of this? Haruka's arms around her, her scent, how damp and warm her skin felt just now. Her breath in her hair? How could she possibly want to leave, and never see her again?

Michiru stayed silent and motionless in Haruka's arms, trying to figure out what to say or do. She shivered lightly with emotion, letting her head rest on Haruka's shoulder.

"No." She felt Haruka's body tense and then relax. "I..I've been waiting for months to talk to you…If its alright, I'd like to stay…" Michiru let out a shaky sigh.

"I guess under these circumstances, there's no way we could ever be friends now."

Haruka sat there shocked, her eyebrow arched in mild confusion. How could she possibly want to even still be around her.

"I don't see…why not." Haruka smiled a little looking down into Michiru's face. She couldn't say no, and crush her like that. She found it hard to say no at all. Perhaps it was fatigue.

"But we better sleep on it first. There's a lot that needs to be said…and...its getting late."

Michiru took it as a copout but realized Haruka was probably right. She nodded, and Haruka let go. They both stood, Haruka being almost a full head taller then Michiru.

"Oyasumi,"

"Oyasumi Nasai, Michiru san."

Michiru smiled a little and turned walking back to the sofa. She looked back; there was that mischievous smile again.

"You'd better get dressed and out of that wet towel, or I'll be the one taking care of you."

Haruka stood there on the steps a moment, before walking back upstairs, the shadows seeing her smile in return. With a soft clicking noise, she went into the master bedroom again, pulling on her closest thing to pajamas; her work out pants and tank top. Finally, with an exhausted sigh, she fell face first onto the bed.

What a day.

"What a night.." Michiru muttered, her palm into her face. She waited until she didn't hear Haruka stirring anymore, and crept up the stairs again, finally using the bathroom. She didn't stay long to admire the lovely characteristics of the room, although she vowed when she had more time she would do so. She exited the bathroom via the closet door, glancing once at Haruka's door. As she returned down the creepy, creaky stairs again she missed Monsieur and hoped someone had fed him that day. She wondered if he missed her as well. She wondered what kind of melody Lady Anigusta was playing, and suddenly with a throb she missed the quiet security of the Alley. She missed Lady Anigusta wisdom, and vowed to have another tea gathering when she returned. Although her perception of the alley was shaken by the appearance of those boys from her past, she still couldn't deny the place for it in her heart. How on earth did they find her? Was it her parents who told them? They never believed her when she tried to tell them how bad they were, no one wanted to believe such 'nice, smart boys' could be so terrible. Michiru loved her house, and ocean surf, but she couldn't stand the snotty attitude of her town or neighbors. She thought sometimes her parents were glad when she left, so that the rumors could stop spreading.

Michiru sat on the couch again, pulling her knees up to her chest and embracing them. She mulled over the events of that night, emotion upon emotion, layering them. Much like a brush armed once and again with every color of the spectrum, it became muddied and blurred together after awhile. Just one of many pieces life creates.

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Somewhere an old vinyl record cracked and popped, spinning uselessly on the player. Around and around, one segment of the song warped and replayed again, stuck. It was an eerie sound.

The room had many clocks varying in sizes, but there was one massive antique grandfather clock from Germany. And many tiny musical boxes, riddled with bangles and pearls and all sort of glittering thing imaginable. A framed picture sat by some opera gloves and binoculars. A happy couple stared out into the abyss. The open closet was full of intricate costumes and dresses. A white and black feather shawl was curled into a pile where it had settled during the last decade.

There in a tan wicker chair near the window sat Lady Anigusta, eyes closed, head back. Letters as delicate as worn lace strewn on the little table beside her. A box of untouched petit fours -tiny little delicate cakes the size of chocolate pieces- sat unopened as if waiting for a tea guest who was late. It had been raining all after noon, the rain was like a natural lullaby. From her chair she could see always after a rain, how heavy and full the roses drooped brimming with water. And the grass glittered as though strewn with diamonds. But tonight the alley was thick and swirled with damp, chilling mist.

Something was pawing at the closed balcony door, yowling. For awhile the door rattled as though from the wind, until the piercing glaze of the glowing jade eyes woke Lady Anigusta. She sat up seeing Monsieur, his fur fluffed out from fear of the still rumbling thunder, making him look half as big as he already was. Within a moment she got up, and carefully lifting the needle from the record, the noise stopped. "There there now, I'm coming." She gripped the handles and tugged it open enough for the cat to fit inside.

"Why, my poor gentleman, what brings you in such dire weather?" She cooed to the cat as he streaked in, and began to clean himself indignantly.

"Where is Michiru, Monsieur? Why are you not keeping her company tonight?"

The cat looked up at her intelligently and meowed walking over to his porcelain dish, which had been empty since Michiru usually fed him.

"Come to think of it, I did not hear her violin today...or the ruffling of her sketch pad, nor her feet on the stairs since this morning." Monsieur meowed miserably, sulking.

"Did she never make it home?"

Lady Anigusta continued the conversation worried, and glanced out the window, checking to see if the lights were out. There was not a clue she could gather to where Michiru was.

"Monsieur, I'm terribly worried...It's not like her to be out so late." Lady sighed getting out a can of tuna, and giving it, juice and all to Monsieur, who waited patiently but intriguingly swishing his tail. Tuna was his favorite, and Michiru always concerned about his kitty teeth always gave him crunches. Monsieur didn't know why that should matter, but knew he loved tuna and cream. Lady spoiled him like a grandmother would a child.

"Let me see now…Ah, I'll consult the leaves!" Monsieur looked up at her licking his whiskers.

"Don't be absurd my good man, I am most confident in my tea reading! Police? Bah!"

Monsieur returned to his tuna, delicately licking the juice as though he was careful not to make a mess.

Lady Anigusta gathered her necessary equipment. She reached on tip toe to extract a very particular cup and saucer, which was white and much wider then her other tea cups. Cradling it in her hands, Lady pushed back the light blue lace patterned table clothe from that mornings tea party. An oak surface gleamed back at her. It was best if there was no distracting pattern on the surface of the table, otherwise it would jeopardize the reading. It was the same with a narrow cup.

Shuffling off again Lady Anigusta fetched her tea pot and filled it with water. She waited there pulling down a small tin container of special leaves. The grandfather clock chimed quarter till twelve, midnight. Lady's eyes widened and she nodded, this must be significant. She hurried with the kettle over to the table, stopping to rest a moment. Such a heavy thing it was. Sometime she needed to buy something smaller. A slight tingling numbness began to keep up through her right leg. No matter, ah, there. She poured the tea and sat, concentrating on its sweet smell and the message she wanted to know, as she sipped. Monsieur was watching her, his tuna seemingly forgotten, his jade eyes glowing knowingly. He walked over and hopped up on his chair, meowing once softly.

"Now, Monsieur, now it is time." With about a teaspoon full left in the base of the cup, Lady Anigusta picked it up with her left hand. Her fingers trembled a bit as she gripped its frail edges, and swirled it three times in the left direction. She looked at Monsieur, with a wink and then very carefully, slowly, she eased the cup over onto its saucer, as if her own fate would be in those leaves. She gave it a moment, letting the liquid drain from the leaves and puddle on the outside rim. Her breathing rattled a bit in her chest, as she chuckled alittle excitedly.

"Now, let us hope it is good news, eh Monsieur? Michiru…is like a daughter to me." Her face wrinkled into a soft smile as she lifted the cup away from the saucer and peered down into its walls. The leaves stuck where the water left them, giving away answers.

"Lets see…There's some close to the handle, so these are current events presently.. And what else.. a clear bottom, meaning she is abroad near water, likely the shore.."

Her eyes peered closer as she turned the cup. "An 'h' now that's interesting.."

Monsieur laid one fluffy paw on the arm rest, stretching his body to sniff the little pool of water left in the saucer. His whiskers tickled her forearm as he searched hoping that there would be some crème up there for him. He eased back down disappointed and almost seemed to pout. He meowed muttering like.

".. a star and a crescent moon.. That means Joy…a daffodil, meaning a long desire found…and...a hyacinth…love."

Lady Anigusta sat back in her chair wiping her brow smiling.

"Must be...At the shore...Now, they are both happy and in love." Lady's eyes misted over as the cup slid from her fingers and rolled on the surface on the table. She didn't seem to notice, she wished the numbness would stop it crawling ascend.

Oh but love! Her Michiru, in love, at last! She cried, large tears rolling down her cheeks. At last, they were both...

It was midnight. The leaves from the fall had shifted in the cup, forming different objects and answering different questions. It was now no longer heart break that Lady Anigusta feared. A black cross was clear now which meant misfortune, a loss. And it was at the rim of the cup, meaning it would be sometime very soon. And there was a small curled leaf like an arrow pointed to an 'm' at the bottom of the cup. Putting it all together these symbols indicated that a message associated with the loss, wouldn't be received by someone named 'm' until later.

Anigusta stopped looking at the cup, and seemed to be in a whole another place. Her bright blue eyes seemed clouded. Monsieur meowed scooting closer to her side, his jade eyes glowing, frantically he began to paw at her arm.

"Ah, Monsieur...I know, you want cream don't you?.. Just a minute...My good…fellow."

Lady let out a shuttering breath, her head lolled, a smile on her face. A bit of drool clung to the corner of her mouth. She wanted to brush it away, but it seemed the numbness crept up her arm now, freezing her movement.

The wind rattled the shutters of the old house as she stared out to the dark black tree tops, watching them shift in the wind.

"Monsieur ..I'm dying, aren't I? . . But I have never felt so happy." Anigusta tried to smile, the left side of her mouth quirking. "Finally, I am free of her." She breathed deeply, closing her eyes, her breathing so ragged now.

"Together…they shall...mend…our...dreams…Micheal." She laughed so softly, letting her mind and body relax. "I forgive you.."

Her body fell limp. Her right hand slipping over the edge of the chair. A charm bracelet slipped free from its clasp, and off her wrist slid onto the floor with a light tinkling sound. Lilies carved from ivory and mother of pearl crumpled in a pile on the bracelet, and one center charm, gleamed in the dim lamp light. It read:

"Love always -Myia."

Monsieur watched her for a long time, eventually settling down and folding his paws under his chest. His eyes glowed in the darkness as he waited, never letting them sink closed. He yowled softly, as though trying to direct a lost friend for a moment longer until they would disappear off into the night.

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Dawn came slowly. Wind rustled the sheer curtains and carried with it the sea breeze and the smell of wild flowers. Michiru, away from the alley, had no sense of time or consequence besides what being at this beach house created. But for now, the newly awakened stirred and smiled a little, opening her eyes. She sat up surprised, looking around. 'Oh...that's right..' She wasn't home. She glanced out the window, the twinkling crests of the ocean's surf winked at her from the newly risen sun. Michiru turned her eyes away and to the fireplace in front of her. The embers dully showed.

Then, the memories of last night came drifting back to her, like wreckage brought in from the shores.

She picked over them, observing from a distance in her mind, their meaning and significance. A red creeping of color moved across her cheeks and down her neck. Haruka. Haruka in nothing but water droplets, with steam curling around her ankles. Those bright jade green eyes surprised, glittering. Michiru moved the pillow to her face, wincing as she replayed herself staring, backing out, apologizing; Haruka groping for her towel on the bed, and both never noticing how the bathroom had been connected as one.

Michiru had a hard time falling asleep after that. Her mind had been racing; pleased, shocked, delighted, embarrassed and on and on it warred in her head. She wondered if Haruka would even be in the house now, or if Michiru was to let herself out. She pulled the pillow off and the thin blanket deciding she should leave before anything else could happen. A soft noise made her freeze. She looked over at the over stuffed armchair and slouching in it with her hand on her cheek was Haruka snoring softly.

Michiru blinked, took in the box of muffins on the table and the two chai's sitting in a carrier. Had Haruka been sitting here waiting for her to wake up? Had she done all this for her? Michiru tried to find her voice, instead her eyes took up the slack, and noticed how the material wrinkled against Haruka's body, how her lip twitched in her sleep.

Michiru sat again pondering what she should do. A moment later she slowly reached out taking Haruka's hand and squeezed it a bit. Haruka sat awake with an out gust of breath, and blinked, looking at Michiru as if she was put on the spot and everything she had been playing through in her head in dreams went out with her sleeping conscious.

"Michiru san…You're awake." She yawned a bit and squinted at her watch. How long had she been sleeping?

"Hai…Anou...I'm sorry if I kept you…waiting...you should have woke me.." Somehow Michiru thought Haruka had been waiting just for this moment.

"No, you needed your rest. I just couldn't sleep so I went out and got breakfast." Haruka smiled and opened the lid of the 'café Luna' pastry box which words were scrolled in loopy letters across the top in pale blue. "Do you think you could eat something? You don't know how long I waited in line for these.. There seemed to be some sort of a commotion going on in town, must be something to do with the festival."

Michiru nodded a little, figuring as much. She wasn't particularly hungry, but muffins were her favorite and she wondered how Haruka knew. She smiled tipping her head to the cups of chai, as she accepted a blueberry muffin with crumble topping.

"And those?"

"I hope they're still warm. I'm sorry I fell asleep like that…Here. It's the least I can do, Michiru. Please accept." Haruka didn't met her eyes, as she handed her the cup. Instead she sipped her own and held it between her hands.

"You don't need to apologize …I.."

"No, I was…completely out of line yesterday." Haruka stood standing by the window looking out at the water. Confessions, she hated them.

"I didn't think of anyone but myself...And it's because of me, you're here right now."

"Its…okay. I understand.." Michiru carefully picked off a chunk of the crumble topping although the conversation more or less was taking her appetite.

"I'm glad I'm here.." Michiru plunged onward blushing a little.

"I don't think anyone...in...in your position would have acted differently.."

Haruka's eyes watched transfixed out on the shoreline, she shook her head a little.

"No, I acted as though you were trying to listen-"

"I more or less…was...Tenou kun…Granted I was in the wrong place at the wrong time...but.." Michiru's cheeks pricked with red, she broke off another piece keeping her hands busy. She felt Haruka's eyes return to her as she said this.

"Why…I don't even know you.. Do I?.." Haruka sat down again, some wisps of hair falling over her eyes. She seemed to be pouting, a riddle she didn't know the answer to, a question she couldn't figure out. And Haruka was the master of riddles, but Michiru was the master of illusion, like the sea. Evenly matched, for even players.

"Do I, Michiru?" It was the first time Haruka said her name like that, so tenderly. Michiru forgot to breathe.

"I…I've dreamed about you…for so...for so long.. I don't know what they mean…" Michiru saw Lady Anigusta in her mind, remembering her lost love. She knew that she would want Michiru to tell Haruka out loud. She could almost feel her, sitting beside her, squeezing her hand for courage. Michiru rubbed the goose bumps from her arm.

"I think we do know each other…from long ago."

Not yet Haruka. Michiru wanted to tell her about Lady Anigusta, what she had told her, but she decided to wait when things were less tense. There was no need to open another can of worms, she hoped she could wait till the time was right.

Haruka bit her lip and slouched back in her chair, trying to piece it together. Michiru felt stupid being the only one eating. "Won't you eat something too?"

Haruka looked over at the muffins and picked out a scone for herself, smiling a little.

"I'm not big on muffins." Michiru looked a little amused and surprised.

"Then why did you get so many?" Now it was Haruka's turn to look amused and a boyishly shy. It was adorable.

"Anou…I didn't know which kind you liked best…so I bought one of each." Michiru smiled laughing. "Jason could only remember so much you see…"

"Ah ha! Now, who is the spy? Haruka, all you had to do was ask." Haruka was warmed through to the core, she liked how her name sounded in Michiru's musical voice.

"What do you say, we eat outside and get out of this musty air for awhile?" She walked over to the back door in the kitchen and opened it. A seascape could be heard roaring softly in the distance. Something deep inside Michiru stirred, it felt warm and tingly, like she had done this before, or felt this before. She never wanted to forget it.

"Alright, that sounds wonderful." She smiled standing and brought the blanket from last night with her, so they could sit on the sand. Haruka bought the breakfast, and the two walked out into the early mornings sunlight. Michiru was glad the morning was kind of chilly despite the warm sun, because of her clothes. She vowed to take a shower and dress properly later, assuming there would be a later. But for now, she was content.

They spent a good chunk of the morning like that, eating pastries and sipping chai, un aware of UV rays, or the sadness of death.

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The door had opened that morning, it was quarter till nine. Sunlight was strewn across the floor in fragments like shattered glass, as the sun made its slow climb up into the sky. The manager of 'café Luna' stood in the doorway. Her elderly aunt was the owner of the shop, she just handled the inner ticking's while her Aunt was the respected face of 'Café Luna'. Her Aunt had been friends with Lady Anigusta since they both had moved to the alley, and usually on Sunday mornings they would call each other and share information of that week. Her Aunt was specially eager to hear further about the young tenant who also worked at the café. Her talent and air brought smiles to their faces and reminded each other so much of their long spent youth. And since Lady Anigusta never ventured out of her room since that past year or so, she never missed a call.

The woman who stood in the doorway, took in the scene, somberly. Her deep red eyes, the color of garnet, were dark, knowing already what had happened; unable to stop the hand of time. Although she was used to scenes like this one, it still hurt. She walked in slowly trying not to disturb the last clinging presence of the woman's life. It was only fair to keep it preserved for as long as possible. All of that would come later, when the paramedics arrived. Strangers in once a territory for friends and loved ones. Her deep green hair picked up the beams of light as she stood in front of the table, still strewn with tea leaves and porcelain.

The woman sighed softly, pressing her hands together as she said a small pair of remembrance and respect, her chest laden. She realized that if it were not the miscalculated events of those boys here, Michiru would have said goodbye. Because she couldn't intervene, Michiru and Haruka would once again know great loss. Her eyes opened glittering with tears, although she didn't cry. The cat who sat still at his post, like a solider in duty, opened his eyes, finally in the middle of the night no longer able to keep them open. He stood, reluctant to take his eyes off his former mistress.

"Monsieur, Its alright now. You're duty is done. Arigato, for watching over Michiru for me all this time. And Lady Anigusta, too. Do not be sad, she is in a happier place now."

Monsieur slowly tipped his angular face into her hand and nudged, purring softly. She scooped him up and carried him down stairs.

The whole town seemed to freeze in respect, vigils were held as the news crept along the ground like Ivy winding slowly through grass and gardens. It was as though a beacon had gone out, a steady breath, the very soul of the Alley. Piano students, past and present gathered and sang with candles, their light piercing through the early morning mist like orbs of light; scattered like fire flies. Lilies were being passed out, donated from the local flower shop. The café manager stood in the doorway of the café, Monsieur still in her arms, as she watched. All eyes were up on the third floor window, glossed over from streams of tears.

By then however, the flashy sports car had already been on its way along route sixty six, unaware that fate was about to rap further at her door.