April Witch - REVIEW THIS STORY

Written by Stella
Last updated: 01/02/2007 02:01:11 AM

Chapter 5

Etienne found me an’ Mattie in de hallway right outside Jean-Luc’s study. We looked at each other for a long moment. Tried t’ remember what it was like t’ be thirteen, not dat I was so far away. Half-forgotten memory’s so often like a taste of somet’ing, lingering on de tongue but never fully swallowed. Etienne was growing taller, skinny, all legs and big hands and feet. A nose too big for de face.

“Qui c’est ça (who is that)?” he asked sharply. Obviously de fine art of sarcasm hadn’t passed him by.

Mattie’s hands closed solid on my shoulders. “Don’t y’ bother Remy none, Etienne.” She batted at him wit’ her hand.

“I’m not a kid anymore, Mattie!” he protested. “I’m going for de Tilling soon ‘nough.”

“Den stop actin’ like un Paillasse (a clown), yeuhrm (do you hear)?” Could hear Mattie chuckle at Etienne’s angry face, but she’d never let Etienne hear her. Mattie would never hurt a child’s feelings on purpose.

“Sorry, Remy,” Etienne mumbled. Mattie always could get de miracle apology.

“Emil tells me dat you want me t’ sponsor you.”

Suddenly, his face broke an’ he smiled. Was just like he was a young kid again. “Would you?”

Felt a stab o’ happiness. “Don’t y’ want Theo t’ do it?”

Etienne shook his head violently. “Non. You de best.”

“Well...” Didn’t know what t’ say t’ dat. Gave me great pleasure t’ be complimented, but part o’ me wanted t’ tell Etienne dat being in de Guild wasn’t like dat at all. Each t’ief worked independently, but de collective goals made it so everyone needed t’ make equal contributions. “Y’ know I can’t help you. De sponsor’s dere t’ make sure you don’t cheat.”

“I wouldn’t cheat. Dey’ve all been teaching me.”

“He’s good.” Jumped at de sound o’ Jean-Luc’s voice an’ Mattie touched my arm.

“Isn’t it nice dat Remy’s come back to us, Jean-Luc?” Couldn’t see her face, but dere was an edge t’ her voice.

“Always knew you’d come back,” he said, grudgingly. Close to civil as I could expect. Everyone in de Guild knew better dan to contradict Mattie ‘bout anyt’ing really important.

Looked at Jean-Luc carefully, trying t’ gauge de situation. He looked older den I’d remembered. Dere were pleats around his mouth an’ between his eyebrows. More gray at de temples.

“Y’ look tired. Somet’ing been worrying you?” I asked, tentative, feeling out de situation.

“‘Sides you? Un front froncè dit pas que la cervelle ap’es travailler, des fois c’est juste un mal de tete (a wrinkled brow doesn’t mean that the brain is working, sometimes it’s just a bad headache).” Seemed dat Jean-Luc hadn’t lost his flair for speeches.

“Chaque pied trouve son numero de souleir (each foot finds its shoe size, i.e. everyone eventually finds his/her place in life). What’s your point?” I snapped back. Wanted him t’ see dat I could give good as I got.

Must’ve been de right t’ing t’ do because I saw him trying t’ hide a smile. “Excuse us,” Jean-Luc said t’ Etienne an’ Mattie. He took me into de study. Before de door closed, I heard Mattie offer Etienne some of de bread she’d been baking. Would have been some kinda thirteen year-old boy t’ pass up food.

“Dere must be somet’ing on your mind,” I said, once we were settled into two deep leather chairs. Inside, I was excited dat Jean-Luc was finally letting me talk t’ him like an equal, but I didn’t want t’ ruin it by calling attention t’ it.

Jean-Luc put his feet up on a nearby ottoman. “Couche Mal (evil spirits) in de air. De Antiquary is back in town. He’s working wit’ someone, but I haven’t been able t’ find out who it is.”

“You want me t’ find out? I’m sure I...”

“No,” he interrupted kindly. “I wanted you here for Etienne, dat’s all. After de Tilling you’re welcome t’ stay or go as you want.”

Occurred t’ me dat mebbe he didn’t want me t’ get hurt. “Etienne seems t’ have grown a foot since I last saw him.”

Jean-Luc smiled, openly dis time. “He’s been eating us out o’ house and home. Sometimes I t’ink might be worth it t’ find more girls for de Guild. I’d be saving wit’ food costs alone.”

Dere was half a beat of awkward silence while I tried t’ decide if he’d actually just cracked a joke. “Get no complaints from me.”

“No,” he agreed. Den he got a thoughtful look on his face. “Watch out for Mercy.”

“Mercy?”

“Henri’s girlfriend. Seems serious. Don’t want t’ t’ink ‘bout what might happen if you were t’...”

Felt a flare of anger. Dis what it always boiled down t’--everyone t’inking dat I couldn’t control myself. Any wonder dat most de times it was easier t’ fulfill dere prejudices dan try t’ convince dem dat dey were wrong? “Wouldn’t do dat t’ Henri,” I said evenly.

Jean-Luc looked relieved. He always wanted t’ protect his interests. A heartbroken t’ief is a bad t’ief. All at once, de whole conversation was soured. “Y’ seen Bella yet?”

“Yeah. She’s doing fine, says hello.”

“Remy, d’you ever t’ink dat you an’ Bella...”

“No.”

“Fine.”

De urge t’ talk t’ Rogue was a palpable taste in my mouth. Knew dat someday soon I’d have t’ try t’ explain all ‘bout Bella an’ de Guild and my family. Dere were lots o’ times dat I could have, but I’d always pulled back. Not dat I wanted t’ keep secrets from her, but I was afraid dat she wouldn’t see it de right way. Didn’t see how she would understand if I couldn’t.