**Edit**
Here is a link to the French to English translations I have compiled for your reading aid.
http://alysonbowen.blogspot.com/2014/05/french-to-english-translations.html?m=0#.U4pawxZcMpA
Rose
Chapter
2
With hills greener than
the pears that grew there and vines growing up the stone walls of the once
brightly painted buildings, now faded and antiqued, Rose was sure Domfront
emerged from a Monet painting. As
she walked down the stone streets past rows and columns of windows, she
remembered how much she adored her home.
She just wished her family lived here with her. It had been about a month since they
had last visited, and that time she had tried to convince Vi to come work with her but her parents had adamantly refused. Rose had been working for her aunts
since forever because her parents needed the money, which is why she didn’t
understand the need for the extra money Vi would bring in. Trying to shake off the troubled
feeling that her family brought on, she stopped outside la pâtisserie to to
take in the smells.
Every Friday morning was
le marché, and Rose was always sent out to do the shopping while her aunts
handled the store. Fridays brought
in a lot of tourists because of le marché. It also meant la pâtisserie had extra special treats. After double checking the remaining
items on her list and the money allotted by Fleur, she decided to make a quick
trip inside. “Bonjour, Remy! Comment ça va?”
“Ça va, Rose!” The short pâtissier popped up from
behind the counter, wearing his usual giant grin.
“What specialties did you
come up with pour ce marché?”
“Well I have the usual
cakes and pastries, but I also have this.” He pulled out a tray of chocolate coated éclairs. “Try one!”
She laughed at his
enthusiasm and took a bite of one.
“Oh, Strawberries!”
He nodded
enthusiastically. “They’re all
full of surprises! All different
fruits, and a few even have peanut butter.”
“That’s a fun idea! Did it bring in customers?”
“Actually it was Marie’s
idea, and yes, today’s been good considering the summer traveling season being
over. How about your aunts?”
“I haven’t been back
yet. I’ve taken my time with my
rounds today. No one’s coming to
visit today so I have all day free.
I barely get out of that shop so I’m enjoying the fresh air, and the
delicious éclairs.” She laughed at
how pleased he was with his pastries.
“S’il te plaît, I would like to take some back for my aunts.”
Remy rang her up as they
chatted some more about his pastry creations. As she left clutching the bag of éclairs, she turned back to
face le pâtissier and added, “You and your wife are the best there is, Remy!” Then she pushed open the door with her
back and turned right into a young man, causing her to drop the bags she was
carrying of everything she had bought earlier. “Excusez-moi!
Watch where you’re going!”
“Zut! Je suis désolé! Let me help you with those.” He tried to help her gather the
groceries back into the bags.
“Just give them to
me.” She took her bag out of his
hands and turned to leave.
“Attendez!” He chased after her. “Let me help you. Those are some big bags. Where are you headed?” He took one of the grocery bags out of
her hands despite her protests and continued to follow her.
“What are you doing?”
“Helping. Now, where am I taking these?”
“You wouldn’t know if I
told you. You don’t live here.”
“How did you know that?”
“This is a tiny town. We’re all very close, and not just
because of the contiguous architecture.”
He laughed.
Irritated she
continued. “I know everyone in
this town. I’ve never seen you
before, so correct me if I’m wrong but you’ve never been to Domfront before.”
“You’re exactly
right. I needed to get away and a
friend told me about this little town, so I came.”
“I don’t really care. Why are you still here? You already apologized for running into
me.”
“Am I not allowed to be
nice?”
“Nice people don’t exist
outside of Domfront.”
“Have you ever been
outside of Domfront?”
“No.”
“Then how would you know
that?”
“Because that’s what my
parents always say.”
“Have your parents ever
left Domfront?”
“My parents don’t live in
Domfront.” Her expression changed
from mild annoyance to completely guarded. “I live with my mom’s three aunts.”
“Hey, I’m sorry.” He reached out and grabbed her arm to
stop her quick pace and look her directly in the eyes. “Really, I’m sorry.”
“I know.” She pulled her arm free, took back her
grocery bag, and trudged off leaving him standing there, completely
bewildered. As she headed home,
she started to feel guilty for how she treated him. It was just strange to meet a new person. After growing up knowing everyone, she
wasn’t used to making new friends because the tourists were never that
friendly. It wasn’t until she got
back to La Robe Rose that she realized she hadn’t even asked his name, which
made her feel more guilty for her rude treatment.
“Bonjour, chère! How was your day off?” Mystie welcomed her as she walked into
the shop.
“Bien, Tante Mysite.” She placed the bags on the store
counter. “The weather is so lovely
outside. I love autumn.”
Fleur and Faline entered
the shop floor from the back and kissed their niece’s cheeks. “Did you get everything on the
list?” Faline asked.
“Oui, and I stopped by la
pâtisserie for des éclairs aussi.”
She handed over the change.
“I’m going to put everything away and head back out for a little bit,
c’est bien?”
“Oui, c’est bien. Just be home by 22 heures.”
“Toujours, Tante
Faline.” She smiled as she grabbed
the bags and headed to the back room and upstairs to their apartment. After quickly putting everything away,
she grabbed her bag and headed back out.
Ten minutes later, Rose was reminded of another reason why she loved
this town. It was perfect for
those who enjoyed spending their evenings curled up with a good book, which was
exactly what she had planned for the rest of her day. After a quick stop for a non alcoholic Domfront Perry, she
was settled down under a pear tree on the Château de Domfront grounds with Les
Misérables. As she read, she felt
contentment swell inside her. Life
was good.
“Do you hear the people
sing?”
Rose was wrenched from the
world of her book by that familiar voice.
Looking up she saw the same young man who had irritated her so much
earlier. “Are you following me?”
“I asked you first.” He sat down next to her and peeked over
to see the book.
“Just so you know, I don’t
appreciate the musical as much as the book. I’d much rather read it than 'hear the people sing' it.”
“Alright then, merci. No, I am not following you. I just find it ironic that I ran into
you again.”
“Well I appreciate the
fact that you were considerate enough not to take that literally this time.”
He laughed. “It’s nice to see you have a sense of
humor.”
The guilt of her poor
treatment earlier came back. “Je
suis désolée. I was rude
earlier. You just surprised me. It’s very rare for tourists to act like
you do, and I’m just not used to it.”
“Should I take that as a
compliment? I’m unique but
weird. I didn’t realize being
friendly was so uncommon. Well, I
accept your apology. And now to
continue being friendly, I will let you get back to Jean Valjean. Don’t let me interrupt.
“You already did interrupt.”
He laughed as he sauntered
away, leaving Rose confused but more at ease. He was very strange.
She had certainly never met anyone like...she still hadn’t gotten his
name.
She stood and called after
him. “Hey! I didn’t catch your name.”
“Phillippe. And you are?”
“Rose.”
“It’s very nice to meet
you, Rose.” He bowed grandly
before turning and heading off again.
Rose laughed to herself as
she settle back down to continue reading, but it was hard to get Phillippe off
her mind. He was definitely
unique, not that it mattered because she’d probably never see him again.
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