When Dorothy Ducharme depressed the red button on that curious little
device Johnny so carelessly laid down, she had no inkling of the complications
to come. Poor Dottie! She was bewildered enough upon blasting herself from
the comfort of her apartment in 1962 Detroit to medieval Paris suburbia.
Fifteenth Century France! Dottie thought it all a dream but it soon began
to sink in. She remembered standing in her kitchen then, without warning,
found herself wandering the French countryside -- Everything seemed so
remote, so deserted.
"What happened? Where am I?," she thought over and over. She was cold;
the short dress and thin nylon stockings provided little protection from
the snowy, breezy night. Dorothy passed out just short of Maison des Chénes
(House of the oaks), home of Evrard Ouimet. It was Clarice Flambert, Evrard's
maternal cousin and her attendants who found a half-frozen and unconscious
Dottie Ducharme.
What did they think of my clothes, or of me in general, Dottie thought
as she stood before the mirror and brushed her hair into place. Several
days elapsed and Dottie had so many questions and concerns. She thought
of Johnny and how she'd personally like to pummel him black and blue, "For
putting that thing where I could see it...I bet he did that on purpose!
Oh my God! That was some sort of time machine, and now I can't go home!
Oooh! If I ever see that Johnny Elmore...!"
Yes, there was the matter of that device, which Clarice found clutched in Dottie's hand. Thank goodness the thing never opened; Clarice thought it was so beautiful and asked Dottie about it. "Oh, that's an old portable mirror...the catch is broken, that's why it won't open," was all Dorothy could muster. Of course with the device on lockdown, it was a blessing that the thing never opened -- it still wouldn't open -- or else Dottie would have to offer some heavy duty explaining.
It was plain that Dottie could never return home, and this was quite
the adjustment for a 1962 American woman -- no electricity; no phones,
running water, or indoor plumbing; no TV or records.
...And no audition for Motown...There goes my chance at the big
time! But I think I can make a go of it for the duration. As Miss Winnie
said, "You have go with the flow."
And Dorothy followed that advice during her accidental transtemporal
visit. Over the subsequent days, she became friendly with her hosts --
Clarice and her husband Anseau Flambert, and Orry, Evrard's seven year
old son. Yet she had yet to meet the master of the manor himself, although
Orry kept his father informed of their most unusual houseguest.
She glanced in the mirror once more and admired how the deep blue empire-waisted
velvet gown flattered her figure. A simple topaze necklace glistened against
her honeyed skin. Her abundant slightly wavy dark brown mane had been pulled
back into a 1940s-style (her idea)
and protected by a black snood. She
and Clarice shared similar height and build so; Dottie was very grateful
for Clarice's generosity. "Evrard has already hired a dressmaker for you.
When we arrive in Paris, he wants everyone to look absolutely impressive,"
she told Dot earlier. Who was this mysterious Monsieur Evrard Ouimet?
Dorothy's puzzlement became even more acute when she realized that Clarice was part Black. "My father was full-blooded Mande," she admitted to Dottie. What a treat for Dottie!
These people, including Evrard, are colored! And they're not slaves! They have money, live well and graciously, and they have respectability and...I almost forgot how Miss Winnie told us all about that...
As she neared the landing, Dorothy felt her heart pound fast. What if Evrard no longer wants her in his house? What if he's like those light skinned colored who don't want their darker skinned sisters around? Dottie's worries vanished as she prepared to join her hosts for dinner. Her timely arrival to 1495 Paris would soon impact so many lives -- Evrard, Orry, Isabelle, Phillipe...
...and a man named Claude Frollo.
"Oh Father, here she comes! See, I told you she was beautiful."
Orry Ouimet drew his father's attention to the figure at the far end
of the grand drawing room. Without saying a thing, Evrard Ouimet acknowledged
her presence and approached her. His movements were graceful, yet sensual,
almost predatory, all the same time. Dorothy could tell with one glance
that he was thoroughly smitten; she was likewise.
Honestly, thought Dottie, never had she beheld such a beautiful man!
He was not quite six feet tall, slender of body, a wealth of thick glossy
dark hair, and of smooth creamy complexion. As he drew closer, Dot
stared into large eyes of the dreamiest brownish gray. His features
were quite strong: dark brows, an aquiline nose, a mouth that often twitched
into a broad, playfully wicked grin. And his lips -- not too thin yet sensuously
inviting. She couldn't tear herself away from his penetrating gaze; it
was that mesmerizing. When he spoke, his voice sent shockwaves through
her very being -- a soothing baritone, rich, lush, cultured, as silky and
delicious as chocolate pudding.
And his clothes! Dorothy had always liked the fashions of the late
Middle Ages and the Renaissance; years ago, she'd worn out Miss Winnie's
old costume books just looking at the pictures. Evrard Ouimet, resplendid
in a close-fitting midnight blue velvet doublet, matching silk tights and
shirt, shoes, and fine gemstone rings. A sable-trimmed velvet cloak lay
on a nearby chair along with the round chaperon with its wide oversized
padded brim and long silken veil.
Her eyes devoured every inch of this man; he returned the favor with
equal hunger. At last he said to her, "Mlle. Ducharme, it is a pleasure
to meet you. My son has spoken of little else..."
Dorothy wanted to melt on the spot; she had a tough time wondering
if her host wanted either to dine with her or ravish her on the spot. Of
course not, silly! Not with his son and cousin in the same room. Then again...
"M. Ouimet, I'm deeply grateful to your generous hospitality..."
The French came easier than she expected, and the slight Midwestern drawl
and twang of her soothing alto seemed to set Evrard on fire. His eyes blazed
and nostrils flared as she continued to address him. "Oh M. Ouimet, your
cousin and son have been a delight. Your little boy is quite the gentleman.
Why, just this morning he took me on a tour of your lovely home...Maison
des Chénes...that's for all the oak trees out front..."
Dottie stopped herself and apologized for rattling on so. "I'm sorry,
sir. It's just that it's been such a shock...I still don't remember how
I ended up on your property..."
From here on, Dorothy Ducharme had to be extremely careful not to reveal
the truth behind her accidental visit. She told Evrard she was from, "Detroit,
sir. That's in Michigan...which is in Amer..."
Another faux pas! America had only been
discovered a little more than
two years hence, and just the Caribbean at that. The continent had yet
to be named. "Er...The New World, M. Ouimet," Dottie quickly said upon
correcting herself.
Evrard Ouimet offered Dottie a wide sensual grin as a servant announced
dinner. "Mlle. Ducharme...I've heard many a tale about your New World;
in fact, a very good friend of mine nearly married a New World lady..."
He gallantly took her arm, stood dangerously close to her, and said
in deep, erotically charged whisper, "After dinner, I want to speak to
you -- in private. I cannot get over this sudden, persistant attraction..."
She raised her warm brown eyes to him and replied in a lusciously breathless,
smoky voice, "M. Ouimet, I have a feeling the attraction is mutual...Oh,
and you may call me Dorothy, or Dottie..."
Hmm...maybe I won't beat up Johnny after all...If I do see him, then maybe I'll give him a big kiss... Thanks, Johnny! I think you did that on purpose -- You know, this time travel stuff isn't so bad...
Phoebus let it all sink in; he knew Frollo's hunches were seldom off
target. It made the former Captain sick to think that a man who professed
total loyalty could turn on everyone so suddenly. "Hmm...so Johnny either
had her killed or did it himself, just to keep Frollo from marrying her...This
is sick! To kill that sweet kid's mother..."
Quaismodo rejoined, "Which is why Frollo wants us to keep an eye out
for Johnny. If Judge Ouimet's men catch up with him we may never know why
Johnny did it. Of course if Johnny ends up at the Court of Miracles first..."
Quasi and Phoebus mounted the wagon, then Phoebus, reins in hand, replied
somewhat apprehensively, "Clopin and his boys will have a field day with
Johnny...Frollo thinks both were involved, so I wouldn't put it above Clopin
to stamp out a loose end..."
WHAT'S COMING:
Claude Frollo savors the memories...Johnny and Clopin...Jehan
Frollo makes a discovery...
Copyright©1999 by FrolloFreak®