JEAN-PIERRE'

The train lunged forward, as it was leaving the depot. Jenna was putting her luggage away, in the tiny cubby, in her sleeper cabin. She rocked forward and reached out for the closest thing she could grab, to steady herself. Not paying attention to what it was, the handle suddenly released, and popped the cabinet open, it caught her off guard, she thought it looked like a fake decoration, like when they build inoperable drawers in places, to make things look more appealing. Not a hidden compartment.

She looked inside, and saw another latch, that opened a metal safe. Hmm. I wonder if there's anything in it. She got a flashlight to shine inside. There was an old fashioned slide lock, like the kind on her jewelry box, that her gramma gave her. She swiftly slid the lever and it snapped open. Yes!! she exclaimed. Let's see what's in there. She reached inside and pulled out a little black book, Wow! this is so cool, I wonder who it belongs to, and how long it's been in there?

She carefully took the book out, and climbed up on the top bunk to read it. She slowly opened it, feeling a little guilty, for reading someone else's stuff, but also very curious about the mystery that could be inside. On the inside cover it read: PROPERTY OF: JEAN-PIERRE' CLAUDE

12 RUE BLEU

PARIS,FRANCE 75002

011331 45 25 73 94

Oh, Wow! I wonder if he's still alive, or still lives there?

She read on

JOURNAL ENTRY DAY 1: Today was a great day for our experiment, the weather conditions were perfect, we are making great progress and believe to be on schedule, with our deadline. Been a very exhausting day, I'm turning in for the night. Au revoir!

Hmm. I wonder what their experiment is, and who he's doing it with? Is he married? or a girl friend?... I'll be in Paris in the morning and I can return this to him. I can go to his flat and give it to him personally, I'm sure it's better than sending it in the mail. Then I can see for my self how old he is, or what he looks like, she started to feel her heart beat a little faster.. she continued reading.

JOURNAL ENTRY DAY 12: Bon Jour, Les Amis! Comment ta la vous? she translated the best she could, since she hadn't used her French since high school.. Today was rainy, and not much work can be done on the experiment, but Phillipe' said that all the specimens are doing well and we should be reaching our conclusions, very soon. Tres bien!

Jenna was so preoccupied, with the journal, that she didn't realize how hungry she was getting, 'til her stomach started rumbling. She rummaged through her knapsack to find something to eat, she settled with tuna and crackers, with a citrus splash to drink. She sat at the small table and gazed out the window, watching the mountains go by. They were so beautiful this time of year. She couldn't help but let her mind wander, back to Jean-Pierre', she drew a picture of him in her thoughts. Dark messy hair, fair skinned, and rugged, like the outdoorsy type. Mmmmm.. a Frenchman.

Jenna was used to taking risks, and adventures, but this is the first time, she was ever in Europe, let alone, on a train, going to France, ALONE. She was very trusting, maybe a little naive, she was in her early 20s, and trying to make her way in life as a freelance photographer. She had taken thousands of abstract pictures, and scenery, but going to Paris to photograph the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc De Triumph was her ultimate dream. She wanted to go to all the places she read about in the magazines, and to meet the people, see how their lifestyle differed from Americans, go to the backstreet cafe's and the vineyards. She was so excited, she had so many plans. She tried to budget, and planned on being there for a couple months, hoping to sell her pictures, or getting some kind of job while she was there. She reserved the cheapest hotel there was, not sure how decent it would be, but from the brochures, it looked ok .

She finished eating, and was watching the sun go down through the valley between the mountains, thinking how different it looked than the sunset at home. Totally amazing.

She climbed back onto the bed to read some more entries, hoping to get tired enough to sleep. I have an early morning, and need to rest. I want to be alert for when I meet Jean-Pierre', she rolled his name off her tongue and felt her heart race again, and her cheeks heat up, Oh my! I have to stop thinking about him, I'm sure he's in a relationship or something, and has no time for me, she tried to dismiss her thoughts.

JOURNAL ENTRY DAY 25, Zut! the final stages of the experiment and some of the materials have been misplaced. We have 5 days left to recover our merchandise, before the experiment is to be finished...

That was the last entry. Are you serious? What happened to the stuff? Did they finish the experiment? what were they doing? Ugh! so many questions, now I know I'll never get to sleep tonight.

She got down and got her playing cards out of her knapsack, and sat back at the table, to play a game of solitaire, since I can't read anymore I have to get my mind off HIM..

6am, the alarm was going off, she opened her eyes to get her bearings, realizing where she was, uhg! I musta fell asleep playing cards, they were strewn all over the table. She gathered them together, and laid down on the bed. So much for a good night's sleep, I have a few minutes to stretch out before I have to get up, she laid back and Jean-Pierre's image immediately entered her dreams.

7:45a they were at the train depot. She gathered her stuff together, making sure she put the little black book, in the front pocket of her knapsack, so she didn't have to fumble around to find it in front of Jean-Pierre'.

Once inside the station, she got a street map, and got on the tram to go to her hotel. It was a very ancient old building, very tall, she gazed up at it before entering. She checked in at the desk, and found her way to her room. It was a quaint little place, with a community bathroom down the hall, for all the guests to share. She felt comfortable enough, though.

Quickly she put her stuff down, and rearranged her knapsack to only have in it what she needed for a few hours, so it wouldn't be too heavy. She found the phone book, and looked up Jean-Pierre', there it was, 12 Rue Bleu, she took a deep breath, only 2 blocks from here.. well here I go, she thought nervously.

The closer she got the slower she walked, second guessing herself about making this decision to take the book to him. Why am I so nervous about returning something to someone? I've done it many times at work, it's no big deal right? The big deal was it was a FRENCH, guy, possibly single, not just some random shopper at the grocer she had worked at.

12 Rue Bleu, she looked up, well, this is it.. here goes nothing, her hand shook as she pressed the buzzer, and waited, for what seemed like an hour, then the handle creaked, and the door slowly opened. She gasped. A tall slender, red haired man, about 30, was standing there. Obviously knowing she was American, he spoke English.

May I help you? he asked, taking in her pleasing figure, and tousled dark hair.

Uh huh.. she stammered.. are you Jean-Pierre' Claude? she finally took a breath, and blurted out.

I am, who's this? Do I know you?, he asked, grinning, feeling puzzled at why such a beautiful young girl, would be at his doorstep.

Nnnno sir, I am here to give you something, I believe belongs to you, I found it on the train, she put her bag down, to reach for the book, and I'd like to return it to you. she started rambling. I'm sorry I didn't call ahead, but I thought it would be better for me to return it in person, she reached out to give it to him.

My Journale'!, he exclaimed, in disbelief, recognizing it right away. I left the train in such a hurry I forgot to get it out of the compartment.

Come in please, we must have tea, and talk, tell me why you're in Paris. He ushered her inside, and offered her a seat, on his leather couch. He went to the kitchen to prepare the tea, and came back, and handed her an envelope.

Oh, you don't have to give me anything, I'm just happy I was able to return it and meet you. She said blushing.

He sat across from her and put the tea between them. What brings you to Paris?, he asked again, dismissing her plea of not accepting envelope.

Well, I'm a freelance photographer, and I came to Paris, to get some good photos, and explore this beautiful city, and the people in it. I want to learn about it's culture, and maybe get a job, if I can't sell my photos.

Where do you stay? he asked, his interest growing.

I got a room, at the hotel, a couple blocks from here, I planned on staying there 'til I found something better, or made enough money to move. Right now, I'm just taking it one day at a time.

No, no, that's no good, you must stay at my guest house, I know you will do good here. You have determination, to return my belonging, you will stay,? Oui.?

I really don't want to impose, I'll be fine, really..

No, no, we go now, I will show you the guest house, and we can get your things. Let me take care of you. I want to help you.

It's really nice of you, but I really can't, I've never met anyone so kind, that wanted to do anything for me. Really, I'll be fine. she said, half convincing herself, not admitting how busy the city was, something she's not used to.

No, It's settled, I won't take no for an answer, you're not imposing, you're not safe in this city alone, I'd be worried sick if I let you stay at that hotel. I really want you to stay, he said softly.

They went through the gate, and she saw the most beautiful flower garden. The path led straight to the most magnificent little cottage, like in the fairy tale books, she read when she was little. Nothing at all like the hotel, she felt safer already. Could this really be happening? Is he really a decent guy, just looking out for her well being?

Everything happened so fast, she did agree to staying there, she was learning more about him too, and she learned that his mother was Irish, and that's where the red hair came from. As for him being single, he had worked so much, he never had the time to pursue the females.. until now, perhaps?... she smiled at the thought, and got all bubbly inside.

She had cancelled her room at the hotel and was putting her stuff away, getting settled in, then she remembered the envelope he gave her. She laid down on the bed, and opened it, Zut! she carefully counted it. 20,000 francs. He's rich too.. Zut Allor!! Viva La Paris! she hugged herself and threw the money up into the air, letting it float back down on top of her. Her dreams came true.