1
Sebastian’s Surprise
It was a day like any other day that I had come to believe was my destiny. Wake at 6am feed Sebastian the rather nappy black and grey stray that had followed me home one rainy evening from the market deciding he enjoyed the comforts of my two room flat far more than the alleys and doorways he had come from. Shower, dress, then off into the world of Paris that I had over the last six months to call home.
As I walked along the cobblestone street of Le Rue Blanc I pondered rather I had chosen Paris or if infect Paris had chosen me, It seemed such a strange set of circumstances that had brought me a small-town girl from the Southwest to the metropolis of Paris. The mecca of fashion and culture were I felt more out of place than a radish in a tulip patch.
I was abruptly roused from my ponderings by the sharp sound of a whistle informing me that I was about to walk into oncoming traffic. " Concentrate old girl" I chided myself as I sweetly smiled and blushed at the traffic office who had just saved my life.
Then out of the corner of my eye I saw her sitting there at a café’ directly in front of me. She was thin, pale, and dressed totally in Black. My heart instantly went out to her. There was just something about her that took me back to a time in my own life not so long ago when I ,like she looked
lost almost haunted by grief and hopelessness.
I crossed the street and against custom and the etiquette of the city quickly introduced myself in French and asked if I might join her for a coffee and a chat. She raised her head and I was greeted by a pair of piercing, ice blue eyes. I could tell that she had been crying as the salty trail of tears was still fresh on her checks.” I don’t understand what you are saying to me” she said as fought back the tears that were gathering in the corners of her eyes “I am American and as unpopular as it is to be, I don’t speak one fucking word of French!” I instantly started laughing and she to cry. “No, NO, don’t cry. I’m American too.” I sat in the chair next to her and put my arm around her tiny shoulder in solidarity and support. It’s taken me six months to actually order something in a restaurant that I can eat.” I said giggling and wiping the tears from her eyes with the napkin from the table.” Please do stop cry”. “You’re American?” she stammered trying to get her emotions under control”Yup” I said with a grin” Born in Biloxi , Mississippi of all places.”” I never would have guessed. You seem so, so, Parisian” she giggled now with me.” It’s all an illusion done with Loncome,mirrors, lights, and Channel I promise you” we both busted out laughing from our very souls.
After we had collected ourselves and I had ordered coffee and fresh rolls
for both of us, the silence crept back into her person. Her pale iridescent skin that seemed almost ageless seemed to look even paler and those amazing eyes began to tear up again. My maternal instincts such as they were kicked into overdrive. I took her small hand in my own and began to speak “whatever has brought you so much grief and pain, you must release it for it surely will kill you at this rate my dear. Let it out, your secrets are safe with me”. She looked up from our hands and in a whisper said ”I believe you” Her small body shifted so that we were looking into each others eyes. “I’ll tell you my story if you tell me yours.” Without a moments hesitation I agreed .I just remember thinking to myself, what harm could it do? So I would be late for my boring job, it wouldn’t be the first time and it would not be the last that I would have to listen to Gile bitch about my work ethic and of the uselessness of Americans. His senseless ramblings of if I were not so good at my job he would have been rid of me long ago. A small smile at the thought crossed my face.
Seeing that her need to speak was far greater than my own ” You first” I said sipping on my coffee to entice her. She straitened her dress a little and began to speak.
“My name is Milagra but all my friends call me Mila. Translated to English it means” miracle” I know it must seem strange to see a
caucasusian woman with a Latin name. I told Mila no that my own parents had intentionally or unintentionally I wasn’t sure which gave me an Old English name that when translated ment” Peaceful meadow overlooking the sea.” “So, tell me Mila what brings you to Paris and why are you so very, very, sad?” ”I was called here.” she replied ”Called here?” “Yes called herby whom I do not know.” “Now wait a minute I said, not really believing my ears. “ You were called here by someone you don’t even know and you came? Is that what I hear you saying?”
She looked deeply into my eyes and said” Yes. Yes, that is what you are hearing me say. It has always been this way, I am called and I go.” I took a package of cigarettes out of my bag and offered her one. She declined but I need one. I lite and as I exhaled I just had to ask” Mila, is there something you aren’t telling me about you’re ah ,well, your profession? “She just laughed shrugged her shoulders and said “No.”
We sat in silence enjoying the rich coffee and fresh baked rolls with fresh butter and homemade jam. I couldn’t stand it any longer.” Mila, why are you here?” “ I am here for you.” she said as she licked a glob of jam of her thumb.” For Me?” “Yes for you.” “ Now wait a minute I have never…….” Calm yourself it isn’t what you think. I am real. You are not insane. You know I am real you saw and felt my tears. But did you not
notice you were the only person who paid any attention to me at all or my sorrow?” I was confused by her words and yet they made sense somehow. I really wanted to leave but felt compelled to stay I was mesmerized by this young woman not fully understanding why. I ordered another pot of coffee knowing full well that G1ile was at this moment in the office giving birth to a cow big enough to feed the whole country and I really didn’t give a damn. ”Ok, give. Spill it. How did I call you if I don’t even know you?” I said in a snappy half sarcastic tone that had become my way of late. Mila smiled and the day suddenly seemed much brighter “ Ok, then let’s get down to it shall we.”
I sat in utter amazement for the next hour as Mila told me things about myself she could not possible know. In between we had more coffee and a light lunch while she told me things I thought no other human knew about me. As the day grew shorter and the afternoon turned to evening she stopped. “You are here to meet the man you will grow old with; your companion, your strength, your hope.” I laughed out loud and told her that the only “man” in my life was a scruffy old stray who had followed me home from the market and just would not leave. “ You ran from this love a long time ago and now it is looking to claim what is his. That is why I am here. To tell you your wait is over. He is here, And he is yours.
Your wait is over.” “Mila I’ve had such a brilliant day with you, please come to my flat and I’ll make us some dinner…….No she replied” My job here is done I must move on there is another in search of a “Miracle.”
I excused my self to go to the lady’s and when I returned the bill had been paid and Mila was nowhere to be found.
I was both shocked and amused as I made my way towards my flat. I was in such good spirits I stopped at Sebastian’s favorite fish market and got his usual heads and tails, and two very nice salmon steaks as a treat although I couldn’t think of a reason he deserved one. As a special gift it began to rain And I was beginning to dread the phone call that I would have to make to Gile explaining how I got distracted by the city and lost a whole day. As I climbed up the three flights of stairs to my two room flat I had the weirdest feeling that someone was waiting for me. I brushed it off as part of the strangeness of the day and continue to carry my bags upward and onward. As I turned the corner onto the landing where my door lie, I ran headlong into a MAN of all things! I squeaked with a start and dropped my bag. In my best broken French I asked if he was lost and if I could help him. In response in his best broken English he told me I may have his cat.” Black whiff gray hairs, green eye, and very bad manners…………The End or The Beginning?
