-Edward Rutherford
"London", the novel
Twenty-five years ago today:
September 3, 1985
Tuesday
Finally, my Paris arrival! The Fashion Capital of the World.
Loic and I exchanged a few more last minute words. He is too kind.
It was so great to see Paloma. She was looking good—ever so.
The first unusual thing I noticed was the street bumps that looked like big warts on the airport parking lot.
Paloma (nor I) could believe that I was really here in Paris…in the flesh. Paloma drove through Paris. The traffic was very heavy. There were a lot of people and a number of pretty good looking people, too! It was great. I noticed the strength of 'Paloma and I' as a couple turned a few strangers' heads.
I loved the atmosphere of Paris. The Gothic structures were beautiful. It was neat to see. It sprinkled a bit of rain. There was a kid that asked me for directions in French. Luckily, Paloma answered him for me.
After driving for quite a while Paloma brought me to a residence hall-like studio which fulfilled my sleeping privileges. It’s great as far as I’m concerned. Apparently, the studio apartment belongs to a friend of Paloma who happens to be out of town. While the apartment looks old as do many buildings in town it all seems so well-preserved. It makes it all quite nice. Being here is a sort of “Déjà vu”. It’s like I have been here in a previous life. The 'Michael the Archangel' statue struck a nerve within me.
Paloma dropped me off at ‘my pad’ and I slept. When she returned she lay with me. We made love but I didn’t come.
Soon afterwards, Paloma and I went out for dinner with Bernadette (her sister-in-law) and her brother, Luis. They were both so nice and so “French”. I really liked them.
Paloma’s brother seemed to be a real intellect. He looked very American. We ate at a quaint restaurant with yellow table cloths. I think Paloma made 'Luis and Bernadette' laugh every time she translated for me. I ate fish, rabbit and noodles. I loved the great strawberry pie with raspberry sauce. Yummy. They want me to go ahead and try the ‘frog legs’ and ‘snails’. Ugh…maybe I will try them at some point.
After the magnificent French dinner we went for a walk. I saw The Louvre building where the MONA LISA is kept along with other famous artifacts. There’s really a lot to see but I feel I experienced a general overview today. I saw a lot.
PHOTO: Bernadette and Luis
The four of us walked along the Seine River and on through a quaint park. It was kind of romantic. It was very “Paris”. Eventually, Paloma and I separated from her brother and sister-in-law and we went to visit the Eiffel Tower, a huge tower and a beautiful historical monument. It is huge! I haven’t taken any pictures yet…but I will. Paloma is exceedingly helpful.
When Paloma left earlier today to get ready for our dinner tonight I took the liberty to call Loic, the fellow I met on the airplane. He seemed glad that I had called.
I said, “If I don’t contact you by the end of the week then I will call you next week, okay?”
“Okay, maybe we can see the James Bond ‘A View to A Kill’ movie,” Loic suggested.
It seems that both Paloma and I were feeling leery. We were unwilling to confide in one another.
Paloma asked, “Will you be honest with me?”
I said, “I love you, but I know I don’t say it enough…I know.”
I thought quietly, “If she got pregnant I don’t know what I’d do.”
Paloma confessed, “I’ve had heroin once since I’ve been back here.”
It was clear and apparent that Paloma has been depressed but her retail job seems to keep her busy now.
“I have the next eight days off for you,” Paloma announced.
I was so happy. It’s kind of scary in Paris when she is not around. I feel like I have to fend for myself. Yikes.
Aloof. In a gentle way. She had the kindest way of being aloof.
-Christopher Bram
"Surprising Myself", a novel
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