Wow. They were shedding their façades faster than a retriever sheds water. I could think of only two words to describe the phenomenon: Game on!
“And you, monsieur?” Patrice momentarily bypassed the warring blondes to take Woody’s order. “What is your pleasure this evening?”
“Hell, I can’t read this damn menu. It’s all gibberish. Just give me a burger and fries, and throw in some extra ketchup.”
six
We were just finishing dessert when we arrived at Caudebec-en-
Caux, our first port of call. Not that any of my dinner companions noticed. Jackie had withdrawn into hurt silence for most of the meal, the girls were officially in “moods,” Woody was filling the void with nonstop tales of his war exploits in Italy, and Victor was slouched in his chair, chin on his chest, sound asleep. Wanting to view the new town from someplace other than the confines of the dining room, I decided this was the perfect time to part company with the group.
“Well, this has been fun,” I lied as I placed my folded napkin on the table and stood up. “We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
Victor snorted explosively and gasped awake, his eyes ranging around the table as if trying to figure out who we were and why he was with us.
“Can I escort you back to your room?” I asked him, goaded by a niggling sense of duty. With Virginia gone, someone had to help him out.
“Why … thank you,” he rasped. “That’s very kind of you to offer.”
“Say, Vic.” Woody shot him a curious look. “Where’d you see action in the war anyway? European or Pacific theater?”
Victor’s eyes grew suddenly wary. “That should be of no concern to you.”
“Why the hell not? You had to fight someplace. Guys our age all had to fight someplace.”
Victor ignored him as he struggled to his feet.
“You did fight. Didn’t you?”
I shoved Victor’s chair out of the way and grabbed his arm. “I’ll say this one last time,” he repeated. “My war experience is none of your affair, so don’t ask me again.”
“So what kept you out?” Woody persisted. “Flat feet? Bad hearing?”
“Do you guys need another arm?” asked Jackie, crawling out of her lethargy long enough to see that I might need a little help.
I shot her a grateful look that prompted her to pop out of her chair and circle her hand around Victor’s forearm in a grip that nearly lifted him off his feet. Waving away my help, she struck out down the aisle and fought to keep him on course as he veered to left and right like the proverbial grocery cart with the wobbly wheels. “What’s your cabin number?” I asked when we finally exited the dining room.
“It’s right here.” He nodded toward a door. “First one on the left. Although I don’t imagine it’s going to be too pleasant inside. Virginia will no doubt want to extract a pound of my flesh for embarrassing her. Unfortunately, we’re often condemned to live our lives in the personal hells we unknowingly create for ourselves.” He looked down at the plastic sheath hanging from the lanyard around his neck. “My key is tucked behind my name tag, Emily. Would you be good enough to dig it out?”
I removed his keycard, inserted it into the proper slot, and opened his cabin door. “Can we help you inside?” I asked as I returned his key to its sheath.
“You dare brave the lion’s den?” He laughed. “Thank you for the offer, but I believe I can manage from here. Until tomorrow, ladies.”