Page 66 of Ten Christmases Without You
Emmy covered her dinner so it wouldn’t get cold.
“I won’t keep you, but I just wondered if you knew him at all, having been in Paris with my mother. Is he a decent person? He wants me to be his apprentice, so I’d kind of like to know.”
“I’m not surprised that you’re following in your mother’s footsteps,” Vivienne said. “And I’m elated, to be honest. Design will suit you.”
That was the first time Vivienne had ever said something so positive and encouraging to her. Emmy had thought Vivienne hadn’t noticed her. She’d always felt overlooked. But then, the few times Viviennehadoffered her extra assignments, they’d been for her designer clients. Had Vivienne seen something in her?
“Is he a good man?” she asked again.
“Yes, he’s a decent person.”
Relief flooded Emmy. “Oh, good.”
“But…”
No. There can’t be a “but.”“But what?”
The line went quiet. Then, finally, Vivienne said, “Never mind. You’ll be fine.”
Emmy’s bite of raviolo sat heavily in her stomach. “What does that mean?”
“He’s a very nice person, Emmy. You will be fine working under him.”
Did Vivienne doubt her skills? Was that the “but”?
“Your mom would be so proud.”
Emmy’s hardened shell crumbled at the mention of her mom. Would she be proud? What would she think of Mitchell coming into Emmy’s life? For so long, Emmy had wanted to know about that time in her mother’s young adulthood, andnow, it was as if her mom’s old life was merging with Emmy’s new one. Maybe this was exactly the right move for her.
“Thanks for letting me know he’s an okay guy,” Emmy said.
“Of course. Call me any time.”
Emmy squinted at her phone and then put it back to her ear. That didn’t sound like Vivienne. She’d been weird ever since Emmy told her she was quitting. Had she realized the error of her ways?
“Any other questions I can answer, feel free to call.”
“Actually,” Emmy said, “there is something.”
“What is it?”
“I found a note in a beaded clutch of my mom’s. I think it was from Mr. Augustine. It just said, ‘Meet me on Rue des Lumières d’Automneat 8 p.m.’ Do you know what’s on that street, Rue des Lumières?”
Vivienne let out a nostalgic chuckle. “Rain. Lots of rain.”
“What?”
“There’s nothing there anymore, dear.”
“Okaaaay.”
“I’ve gotta run. But... congratulations. Your life begins now, it seems.”
Emmy got off the phone feeling more confused than she had been before the call. She opened her computer, typed in the French street name, clicked street view, and dragged the photo around. It was just a side street from the look of it. Tall, narrow limestone buildings, adorned with wrought-iron balconies and windows framed by shutters, lined a tight, cobbled street. But other than that, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe that was what Vivienne had meant—just rain; nothing there anymore.
Late that evening,Emmy washed off her makeup, put on her pajamas, and climbed into bed.
Still not feeling entirely sure about the job, she decided to call Charlie to hear a friendly voice. She took her phone off her nightstand and dialed his number.
