Post by Jean-Pierre Laurent on Jul 21, 2019 21:55:52 GMT
"Adieu, Édouard, you go no farther. Your father will be looking for you in the stables and will not be happy with two days of absence." Jean-Pierre looked at his best friend, known and loved since childhood. But they were no longer children and this was no longer a farm along the Somme outside Amiens. This was Paris, or at least a hilltop overlooking the great city.
"And your father will not be happy not seeing you" His smile was genuine and true, and he stood his ground.
"Just another mouth to feed."
"You're his favorite son."
"Favorite bastard son."
"True." His smile turned wry as he moved between the city and myself. We had timed our arrival to coincide with the morning sun. The early light turned the Seine copper and gold. "Are you sure you want to do this Jean-Pierre? We can turn around and go home."
"No, Édouard, I will never be anything more than I am if I stay."
"And that is not enough?"
"No, Édouard, not for me. I have bigger dreams." I placed my hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye. I would see him again, of that I was sure, as sure as he was that I could not turn back, not this close to the beginning. "No, Édouard, I am home. Come find me when your dreams grow bigger than a little farm-hold. Come find me and I will show you the world."
I looked again to Paris, a lady beckoning me on, her light compelling me forward. "Édouard, forgive me, but it is time. We're burning daylight."
I walked past my friend to the edge of the hillock and stopped to look back. He had already started the walk home. He knew there was no turning back for me. The duc would have to do without his favorite bastard son. If he needed me, he knew where to find me. I didn't intend to make it difficult.
"And your father will not be happy not seeing you" His smile was genuine and true, and he stood his ground.
"Just another mouth to feed."
"You're his favorite son."
"Favorite bastard son."
"True." His smile turned wry as he moved between the city and myself. We had timed our arrival to coincide with the morning sun. The early light turned the Seine copper and gold. "Are you sure you want to do this Jean-Pierre? We can turn around and go home."
"No, Édouard, I will never be anything more than I am if I stay."
"And that is not enough?"
"No, Édouard, not for me. I have bigger dreams." I placed my hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye. I would see him again, of that I was sure, as sure as he was that I could not turn back, not this close to the beginning. "No, Édouard, I am home. Come find me when your dreams grow bigger than a little farm-hold. Come find me and I will show you the world."
I looked again to Paris, a lady beckoning me on, her light compelling me forward. "Édouard, forgive me, but it is time. We're burning daylight."
I walked past my friend to the edge of the hillock and stopped to look back. He had already started the walk home. He knew there was no turning back for me. The duc would have to do without his favorite bastard son. If he needed me, he knew where to find me. I didn't intend to make it difficult.