“Oh my gosh, Gael.” I handed him the journal. “You untie it.”
Gael took the journal and untied it. Opening the first page, he read the inscription.
Without a word, we scurried to the bed and I lay on Gael’s
chest. “Gael, this could be all the missing answers.”
“Or it could leave us with more questions. Are you sure you want to proceed?”
I looked at him as if he was crazy and he chuckled. “Come here, sweetheart, let me read to you.”
Familiarity and warmth filled me as I had another piece of the couple I’d come to love. Gael opened the journal and read the words of his great-great-great-grandfather.
OPENING MY EYES, I attempted to adjust to the light. My body ached everywhere and my head had never hurt so badly. Turning to my left, I noticed a young girl sitting in a chair clutching a book. She slept so peacefully. I couldn’t help but notice her long, brown, wavy hair was down and flowed over her shoulders.
Attempting to sit up, I moaned. The young girl jumped up, dropping her book to the floor. She began speaking in French as she approached me and gently had me lie back down.
“Détentez-bas, Monsieur.”
Looking into her eyes, I attempted to talk.
Smiling, she shook her head. “Non, ne parlez pas.”
“America, I speak English.” I whispered.
It was then I noticed the young girl was about my age. Her warm chocolate eyes lit up. “I speak English as well, Monsieur.”
Thank God.
“What is your name?” she asked.
Trying to form the words, I barely whispered. “Daniel.”
“Daniel, I am Colett.”
My eyes wandered around the room. It was a beautiful room. Paintings hung on almost every wall. The décor told me I was in a house of wealth.
“Colett, where am I?” I asked with a scratchy voice.
“Bordeaux, France.”
Widening my eyes in surprise, I said, “France?”
Nodding her, head she replied, “Oui, I mean, yes.”
“W-what happened? The last thing … I remembered was the storm. They said … we wouldn’t make it.”
Lifting my head, Colett gave me a warm smile. She reminded me of Sophia. Her eyes were filled with concern. “Daniel, the ship you were on sank. The storm took you hundreds of miles off course, toward France.”
I wanted to ask more questions but my eyes were heavy.
“Sleep, Daniel. Sleep.”
The whispered voices woke me from my sleep. I wanted to stay asleep. Everything hurt, including my heart. Sophia … my beloved Sophia.
“Colett, get out and get some fresh air. You’ve been sitting by this boy’s side for the last two months.”
Two months?