The Final Days in Paris Chapter 2

The rain never stopped.  After three days of walking in puddles and through some mild fog, I decided to take a taxi to Avenue de Breteuil located in the 15th arrondissement.  In the fifteenth one can enjoy the streets with a calm demeanor because the Parisians walk a bit slower and enjoy the afternoons with peaceful and intelligent manifestations. 

While walking on Avenue de Breteuil there is a small park that could go unnoticed to the traveling eye.

When in the park one can look down the length of the field and see Napoleon’s tomb, with a massive white-and-gold-dome that sits beautifully above and beyond the other buildings.  There is also a long cement median that stretches in the center of Avenue de Breteuil, where many Parisians stroll during the afternoons and evenings.

I phoned my good friend, Anna, a few hours ago and asked if she was interested in a late lunch in her neighborhood.  She agreed, and she asked me to meet her at her apartment building at three o’clock. 

Around three, the rain briefly let up and I can stand on the median on Avenue de Breteuil, watching the cars hurdle through and around the puddles.  A few minutes later Anna exited her building and waved to me.  I started towards her, watching the large puddles, and greeted her with a hug and two kisses on the cheek. 

“Mon ami, ca va?” Anna said, as she kissed my cheek.
“Oui, et toi?”
“Oui, it is very bad weather the past few days.”  Anna usually stops speaking French around this time in the conversation and I am always grateful. 
“Yes, it is quite sad to see the puddles this early in the year.  Let's walk to a café.” I said.
“Sure.  Where?” 
“Well there aren't too many cafés in this area, but lets not walk towards the Eiffel Tower, it will be very depressing to see the tourists in raincoats.”
“Yes that will be very pathetic.  What about Café de Lecourbe, it is right around the corner?” Anna said with a smile.  She is very beautiful.  She has short brown hair down to her shoulders and wonderful eyes.  They are light blue and very hard to forget when you meet her in the afternoon. 
“Sure.  I haven't been there in years,” I said, as we started down the median and turned on Avenue de Lecourbe.  While walking towards the café, Anna begins to tell me about her many affairs she’s had in the past few months, and with the different men in different countries. 
“Does your fiancé know?”  I said, as we avoided a large puddle.
“No.  He has no idea.  If he did, it would surely be over.  I have my ways around men. They believe they are the only one, and then I tell them they are not.  Sometimes it's hard to watch sad little faces, but I get over it.  They are men, and they should get over it.”
   

We reached the café and it was very busy.  The waiter asked us to wait, but we continued walking down Rue de Lecourbe in search of another café. 
   
“What about on Blomet?  There is a nice café there.  I know it because I used to live here.”  I said.
“Blomet?  Well, it's rather inexpensive isn’t it?” Anna asked.
“Very,” I said. 
“If you wish.  But if we see some pleasant cafés along the way, please let me stop and look?” 
“Of course,” I said. 

We walked back to Lecourbe and started down Rue de Blomet a few minutes later.  The rain began to thunder and fall in large sheets, so I opened my umbrella and we did the best we could to share it.  There are many Parisians who forgot their raincoats or umbrellas so they run down the street searching for a café to sit and wait out the rain.

“You were always prepared for this weather,” Anna said. 
“Yes, I suppose.  I hate getting wet.  And are you taking the train with us on Saturday, or on Friday?” I asked.
“I do not know.  Which is better?” 
“It is up to you; the tickets won't be a problem, and if there are none left I’m sure you can reserve a seat on the next train.” 
“Which train are you and Pedro taking?” 
“The seven-thirty on Friday night.  It’s leaving from Gare du Nord.” 
“Oui, tres bien.”
“And it gets in Hamburg sometime Saturday afternoon, and we need to transfer to another train to get to Hannover.”
“Well, I'll go on that schedule so we can parler on the way up," Anna said, and then held my hand while the rain blew in her face.  I look into her beautiful eyes and I give her a kiss on the lips.
“Yes, yes.  We should buy your ticket after lunch,” I said. 
“You think?”
“Well, either today or tomorrow.” 
“Yes.  That sounds good,” Anna said and we paused on the sidewalk.  “Oh… here is that café.  It's not so bad.” 
“Ha, very funny.”

Anna and I entered the café I frequented very often in my younger days in Paris.  It has not changed too much.  The tables are set the same, and the waiters are still wearing the same brown shirts and black aprons. 

“It's busy, I don’t think we can get a table,” Anna asked while looking inside. 
“Is there one, Monsieur?”  I asked the waiter. 
“No.  Desole.”  The waiter said as he walked around me carrying plates of food and drinks.  Anna quickly returned from the back with a distasteful expression.
“There are none!” She said.
“Yes, I asked the serveur, it's because of the shitty weather.”
“It must.  Now where?” 
“Well we can walk further on Blomet, or walk back on Lecourbe, or we could walk up Blomet and turn on Rue de Vaugirard.  I know of a few cafés there, we could find one,” I said.
“We could try that, it does sound promising.”  Anna took my hand and we walked up Blomet to Vaugirard. 
Under a canapé we stopped and I held her face very softly, and we kissed for a few seconds.  Anna has the same elegance when I watch her kiss, and her skin is just as soft but warmer than before.  

“I’ve missed you,” Anna said, “I've missed you so.”
“Yes, I have too,” I said.  We kissed again while a few Parisians walked around us, and then we stopped and watched the rain.  I held her hand for a few seconds and smiled and it became very awkward so someone had to say something.
“Has… has Pedro ever played football?” Anna asked, while licking her lips.
“I think he did when he lived in Spain.”  I said.
“Yes, that's right.  How is he?  Is he still working at Café de Bastille?” 
“Oui he must.  He has no other money, besides me helping him every now and then.”
“That boy, he must be depressed.  First his fiancé left him and now he’s working at Café de Bastille.  Imagine such a thing!” 
“Yes but he is content, even though he is distraught.”  We heard the thunder sound again and I looked behind us to see more Parisians running for cover.  I took Anna’s hand and we began walking towards the cafés down the road. 
   
When we reached the first café on Vaugirard it was quite busy.  I asked the waiter how long it would take to get a table and he said, “a bit of a wait.” 
We continued down the road and reached a smaller café only to find it closed for the afternoon.  I was starting to feel very cold and wet, so I asked Anna if she wanted to take the metro across the river where we could surely find a café on the Seine. 

“It will be how many transfers on the metro?” Anna asked.
“One.  It will be short, we're not that far,” I said. 
“Yes, we can do that.  I cannot believe you lived in the fifteenth.  There is no hope for you!” 


When we arrived at Solférino near the Musee d’Orsay, Anna found a petite café hidden from most foot traffic.  We entered and I ordered us a few café au laits, while Anna looked for a table in the window. 
While seated Anna thoughtfully told me Pedro and I were the last of the great writers in Paris, and I kindly laughed and wished it were true.  When our drinks came I had to order us both an aperitif because it is so very cold outside and the liquor warms me up.  While watching the rain crumble to the sidewalk, I saw a child and his dog both wet from the rain.  I began to wonder where his parents were, and why they allowed their child to walk alone in the rain.
   
When I finished my aperitif Anna asked me to hold her hand for a few seconds.  She felt quite cold, so I gave her my jacket and hat for the walk and metro ride home.  Anna told me she was feeling very alone in her apartment, and she wished I would call her at least once a week for coffee and maybe an aperitif.  When we finished our drinks I decided to order us both some bread and jam.  Anna smiled, and then we kissed again.    After we finished the bread it was nearly five o’clock and I had to meet Pedro at Café Henry IV.  I invited Anna, but she declined.  I asked for the check and the waitress brought it over.  Anna kissed me gently on the lips and got up.  She told me she was looking forward to the weekend and the football match in Germany.  I kissed her soft white cheeks, and I watched her exit the café wearing my jacket and hat.  I decided she looked better in them than I, so I let her keep them for herself.  This way Anna will always have something to remember me upon for when we sadly, and permanently part paths.