My Dear Sister,
Keeya has been quiet lately. She refuses to take any of the food I try to give her. She does her work without looking at me. I try to talk to her and she doesn't even acknowledge me.
I reminds me of the time after you died and I stopped caring about everything. I would get into a weird trance and walk around Paris by myself. Nothing mattered. That's how I feel Keeya is. Nothing matters to her now. I want there to be something I can do.
They are throwing a large party here next week. Jack said that everyone in the town is going to be there. There will be music and dancing. Jack's mom, Berthe told me that I could go if we I had something to wear. We spend the afternoon searching the house for old dresses.
"How about this?" Berthe asked me. She pulled a beautiful blue dress out of her wardrobe.
"Pretty," I said. I felt proud to be able to answer her in English.
I stepped into the closet and tried it on. It is difficult to put on American dresses. They are layered and complex. All my dresses in France were thin and simple.
I stepped out of the closet with the blue dress on. I looked at myself in the large floor length mirror. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever had on. I felt royal.
"You like it?" Berthe asked.
"Love it," I replied.
"You're learning English, correct?" She asked me.
"Yes," I said. It took me a while to think of the right words to say. "Jack me teach," I said then corrected myself and said. "Jack teach me."
"Jack is teaching me," Berthe told me.
I nodded. "You need to be able to speak good English for my friends at the party," Berthe told me. I nodded again. She said more words I couldn't understand.
Then I heard someone in the hall. I walked out to see Jack. "Hello," I said.
He looked into the room to see if Berthe was listening. She wasn't.
"Hello, Azelma," he said. "You look really pretty." I smiled, embarrassed a bit. "How have you been?"
"Alright," I said. "Your mom lent me this dress for the party."
His voice got quieter. "How's Keeya?"
"Not good. She won't eat any of the food I try to give her. She used to share it with her sister. Now she doesn't want it at all."
"Is she eating at all?"
"A little, but not well. I don't want her to get sick," I said.
"It's sad," Jack said.
"I know," I said. I play with my slowly skirt. "I'm going to go change," I said.
"Okay," Jack said. I turned to go back into Berthe's room. Jack reached for my shoulder. He stopped me. "Wait," He said.
"What?" I asked.
"Do you want to be my date for the party?" Jack asked.
I paused. Date? I told myself I wouldn't do that. I promised myself I'd never fall in love with anyone. You were in love. You used to come home blushing every time you saw Marius. You'd do him favors and help him. You'd do anything for him. Even die. I tried to think about what I would do if a bullet was coming towards Jack. Would I jump in front?
Jack smiled at me. He has a amazing smile. He was so kind to me. He listens to me. He is teaching me English. I had to give an answer. "Yes," I said.
"Thank you," Jack said. I smiled then turned back to Berthe's room. I looked at myself in the tall mirror again. I smoothed down my skirt and twisted my hair. I felt guilty and joyful at the same time. I remembered one day a few years ago when You were in love. You had come home in tears. I don't remember exactly why but it had something to do with Marius. I hugged you and said "please don't cry." You couldn't stop. "Please don't cry Ponine. You don't need Marius. You are the most wonderful person I know. You don't need Marius. You can find someone else who appreciates you. I promise."
I apologize for broken promises,
Your Sister, Azelma