It was the day of Brooke's trial. Accused of complicity in a motorcycle theft scheme, she appeared in court this morning. Her criminal record had not been clean for a long time...But this time, she was really risking prison time! By following her boyfriend Owen in his criminal activities, she knew perfectly well what she was risking... But beneath her rebellious exterior, the idea of spending several months locked in a cell terrified her completely. In an attempt to escape incarceration, she had decided to put the odds on her side...Starting by toning down her punk rock anarchist look to make herself a little softer and more discreet in the eyes of the Judge. She climbed the steps of the courthouse in the company of her court-appointed lawyer.
LAWYER : I appreciate the effort you put into your appearance, Brooke! It will surely work in your favor...
Brooke couldn't help but roll her eyes while discreetly crossing her fingers to ward off bad luck.
A few minutes later...
Judge Andrew was about to pronounce his sentence. Brooke's heart was pounding in her chest.
JUDGE : I think that community service will be the best way to get you back on the straight and narrow, Miss Davis... You are clearly an accomplice to the mastermind of this trafficking, Owen Morello, who is still at large... But his case is, in my opinion, beyond redemption! You, on the other hand... You still have a small chance... That is why I am sentencing you to three hundred hours of community service for the benefit of the community. The appointed justice assistant will give you all the details of this mandatory sentence, as will your lawyer...
Brooke glanced at her lawyer... She smiled at him with a satisfied look as if a weight had been lifted. Brooke breathed a sigh of relief and finally relaxed on the hard, cold wooden bench she was sitting on. When the Judge spoke again, her state of mind no longer allowed her to concentrate... She heard without listening.
JUDGE : Given your lack of stable professional activity, you will serve your sentence at the Stuttgart Foundation. You will see, the small town of Bec Hellouin will welcome you with open arms ... And the return to civic, pious and charitable values should do you the greatest good ...
His words still resonated in Brooke's memories ... And with them, the immense relief of not being sent to prison!
That day, she should have been more wary of the little mocking look displayed by Judge Andrew ... It was only after talking to the legal assistant and doing some research on the internet that she realized that she was going to spend a month and a half in a lost city. In a city organized around a religious community ... In other words, everything she hated! The boredom, the religion, the silence, the campaign... But it was clear that she didn't really have a choice.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Either that... or the alternative sentence already provided and pronounced by the Judge: two years of suspended prison sentence.
Brooke had been driving in her old car for over half an hour. She grumbled to herself as she already missed the city and its hustle and bustle. When the GPS finally told her that she was only a few meters from her final destination...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Here we go for a month of hell in the middle of nowhere with all these uptight assholes...!
The jolts caused by the cobblestones of the estate driveway brought Brooke out of her thoughts. She parked her old car haphazardly in the driveway and halfway and half in the lawn. She got out and slammed the door. She looked around as she opened the trunk to retrieve her bag. Then she walked towards the entrance...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I have to admit that it's well maintained... At the same time, that's all they have to do!
As she walked further, she spotted Sisters bustling around in the courtyard of the estate. When suddenly, a soft and gentle voice took her by surprise, making her jump.
... : Hello dear child and welcome to our Community. Can I be of any help to you?
Brooke looked at her a little surprised... She wasn't used to such politeness and helpfulness.
BROOKE : Hello, Madam... Um... I, yes... I have an appointment with Madam Lee, I believe...
... : Of course! You're here for the reintegration course I suppose...
The woman spoke her words without an ounce of reproach or contempt. She simply observed Brooke and smiled at her. Brooke observed her in turn, a little suspicious... She was old but the features of her face were still quite smooth. Her comforting eyes were ebony black and contrasted with the whiteness of her cassock.
BROOKE : Yes, is that right... Madam?
... : I am Sister Karen, so you can simply call me "Sister Karen"... or "My Sister". And you are?
BROOKE : I'm just Brooke...
KAREN : Nice to meet you dear child! If you would follow me, I will guide you to Mrs. Lee's office.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Ok... Looks like she doesn't intend to use my first name... She prefers to infantilize me apparently!
Brooke silently followed Karen inside the monastery ... Until a huge corridor of Gothic architectural style. Even if she found the place cold and old, Brooke could not help but admire the ribbed vaults on the ceiling. Karen noticed it ... And, while walking next to her, she also looked up at the vaults.
KAREN : The monastery has been renovated recently but the original appearance of some architectural elements has been preserved ... The work has been finished for a few weeks ... Fortunately for you because it was a real cafarnaum, here! It is much quieter now and it is more pleasant for our moments of prayer and meditation.
As Sister Karen rejoiced in the newfound tranquility and silence, Brooke couldn't help but reply:
BROOKE : Yes, well, too quiet is not really my thing... But I guess I'll have to make do with it.
Karen didn't react to her remark right away... As she turned the corner of the hallway, she stopped in front of a large wooden bench.
KAREN : You'll see... In time, you'll surely come to appreciate the sweet sound of silence.
BROOKE : No offense... I highly doubt it!
KAREN : We'll talk about it again in due time! For now, you can wait here, Miss. I'll let Mrs. Lee know you're coming.
BROOKE : Ok, that's fine...
Karen smiled, a little taken aback, even amused, by Brooke's way of answering her... Then she walked away. Once alone, Brooke quickly took out her cell phone to check her emails and messages. She was desperately waiting for news from Owen who had not given any sign of life since his trial. Actively sought by the police, his phone had undoubtedly been tapped.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I tried to get in touch with him after my trial, without success... I wonder where he is and if he's okay... He's in big trouble because, unlike me, this is not his first conviction for a serious crime...
MRS. LEE : No phones allowed here, Miss Davis... I'm afraid so!
Brooke looked up at the woman who spoke to her without putting her phone away. Brooke's face clearly expressed her exasperation as she continued her sentence more delicately.
MRS. LEE : Please excuse this somewhat abrupt introduction... Let me introduce myself, I'm Debie Lee. I'm the director of the Stuttgart Foundation and its philanthropic works...
Brooke then returned her smile by exaggerating her features in an expressly forced manner.
BROOKE : Indeed, I can't see how I could respect rules I'm not aware of!
DEBIE : You're absolutely right... Let's go to my office to clarify all that, indeed!
Brooke hastily stuffed her cell phone into her purse and stood up to follow her into the room opposite. The office wasn't exactly modern, but it still contrasted with the cold limestone in the hallway. Without waiting, Brooke sat down on the chair in front of her... Mrs. Lee cleared her throat in astonishment.
DEBIE : Please... Just sit down.
Brooke pretended not to hear her. Debie moved behind her desk and sat down as well.
DEBIE : Okay. Let's get started, if you don't mind... First of all, I want to reassure you that... I don't need to know the "legal" reasons for your presence among us... I'm only here to ensure your daily care and to promote the smooth running of the program. I will be in regular contact with your legal assistant who oversees the execution of the sentence, strictly speaking. As director of the Foundation, I regularly and voluntarily welcome people in your situation.
Brooke listened to her attentively... She seemed sincere and benevolent but she preferred to remain on her guard.
DEBIE : As you will have noticed, the Diocese of Evreux kindly hosts the Foundation in its premises... In its abbey, more precisely! Notre-Dame du Bec Hellouin is placed under the aegis of Abbot Luc. In exchange for their hospitality, the monks of Bec Hellouin participate in our humanist and charitable actions.
Mrs. Lee explained to Brooke the different tasks she will be required to perform during her stay ... Household chores, various administrative and maintenance work, solidarity actions in the village ...
DEBIE : The host sister is Sister Karen whom you met upon your arrival ... Simplicity and sobriety are the key words of the monastic hospitality, but the comfort is sufficient, you will see ... Sister Karen will know how to listen and will guide you throughout your stay here ...
She then paused.
DEBIE : Sister Lydia is unfortunately ill... She is usually the one in charge of accompanying the delinquents. Fortunately, we have found an alternative... I will personally take care of you when I can... And Father Luc has offered to entrust you to Brother Lucas the rest of the time...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Great! A shriveled old man all to myself!
Mrs. Lee walked towards the door... When she opened it, two men in cassocks appeared. The first was tall and thin. Almost bald, his face did not inspire Brooke with confidence at all.
DEBIE : Please, Father Luc, come in!
The man stepped forward and smiled weakly at Brooke in greeting. A second monk followed closely behind him.
DEBIE : Hello, Brother Lucas... Thank you for coming.
The man returned his polite smile but something seemed to bother him nonetheless. Brooke on the other hand...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Damn! He's so handsome!
She still couldn't quite believe her eyes... But the man in front of her was simply magnificent. He wore a dull gray cassock that left no doubt about his profession and his mission of faith... But also about his preferences in matters of love... spiritual. Carnal relations were forbidden to him. This man of God seemed quite young and his physique contrasted sharply with that of the old, skinny man. The features of his face were prominent... His steely eyes and square jaw gave him a rough and dark look. His silky blonde hair was pulled back. His torso seemed a little tight in his anthracite dress and Brooke couldn't help but imagine him without it...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : What a waste for women!
As she was slowly recovering from this divine vision, the man stepped forward and approached her slightly.
LUCAS : Hello Miss Brooke...
Brooke couldn't help but notice that he was even more handsome up close... His voice was calm but his tone was serious. To top it all off, she noted that he was, for now at least, the only one willing to call her by her first name.
BROOKE : Uh... Hello!