"My dear Cherie, never in my life have I've seen
such a city! The
sheer size, the never-ending crush of people! My goodness,
if Danisha does
decide to move, I can safely say it will take, at least on
my part, much
adjustment..."
So said Claude Frollo later that evening as he settled
before the fireplace.
He had just returned to Paris, to his time frame, after a
brief visit to
2005 New York City. Frollo confessed to missing his "New
World" lady, so
he indulged in a little transtemporal "day trip". Some day
trip! Claude
had hoped to spend the day with Danisha since she had, for
a few fleeting
hours, a much-needed respite from a horrendous schedule.
What greeted the
man from 15th Century Paris was a gargantuan, noisy,
bustling 21st Century
American city that put his medieval metropolis to shame. In
fact, the Paris
of his time is a mere village compared to New York City of
2005.
Nonetheless, in spite of his own bewilderment, Claude
Frollo did enjoy
his visit with his postmodern lady, and she was more than
happy to show
this man all the sights. Since they had a few hours to
spare, Danisha and
Claude decided upon a stroll through Central Park, lunch at
Tavern on the
Green, then took an excursion to the site of one of Nisha's
favorite childhood
stories.
Come to think of it, that story soon became one of
Nadine's favorites
as well. Naturally Claude was quite anxious to share this
with his daughter
who at this time busily readied herself for an overnight
stay at her father's
pied a terre. "And that's what you shall see, my child," he
said to Nadine
who presently snuggled on the settee next to her father.
"Ooh, Papa. The Little Red Lighthouse! Mommy reads that
to me all the
time. Did you see the big bridge?"
"Yes, my dear Nadine, I did! And it's the most
extraordinary structure
I've ever seen – in fact, the whole of New York is the
most extraordinary
treat for the senses."
What brought Claude Frollo back to 15th Century Paris was the desire to reunite mother and daughter. Danisha, despite a crushing schedule of meetings, interviews, parties, and the entire media blitz, missed her child fiercely. It was decided that Claude take that time trip to fetch the little girl. Nadine would stay the night at Claude Frollo's Parisian home then accompany her father to 2005 New York City.
"Cherie, with Nadine and I away, that means you're free of your...umm...'babysitting' duties," Frollo mentioned with a smile.
The baby of the Wood sisters returned the smile and
expressed that she
wanted to remain in 15th Century Paris at least for another
week or two.
"That's the best thing about being on sabbatical – and
being a trantemporalist:
I can finish my research in record time..."
Her voice trailed off as she surveyed her sister's
Parisian home with
its odd amalgamation of 15th and 20th Century chic. Smiling
again, she
added, "Although I envy my sister! Here I am getting used
to having none
of our modern conveniences, yet Danisha is getting the star
treatment.
She's staying in one of the best hotels in NYC, eating in
all the 'in'
restaurants, going on TV and radio..."
Claude Frollo joined in, "Yes, she told me she had three interviews tomorrow. One's on this Today Show, then Live at Five. Then it's off to her future employers." He sighed as he added, "I truly hope she does not overdo. Your sister is notorious for working herself into a frazzle. Perhaps it may be wise to...Cherie, may I...?"
Cherie Wood nodded and listened intently as Frollo
continued, "I will
tell you this much: Danisha has confided that she may not
take this job
with the 'think tank'. She feels the move would be too
much. On the other
hand, the potential income from this book publication and
all it entails
promises to be astronomical! When she told me the possible
profits from
selling the rights alone..."
He reeled a bit as he finished, "Why, what she could
earn in a year
is far more than I'm worth...!"
"Don't forget, Claude," said Cherie, "that this is all very
new for Danisha;
she told me how everything hit her at once."
She then gathered the last of Nadine's things and packed
them in an
overnight bag. The baby sister, a petite honey-hued lady
with curly dark
brown hair, voiced one more opinion concerning her big
sister, then turned
the topic.
"Which is why Leigh recommended that Danisha find
another therapist
in NYC. Nisha'll need someone to unload on just to help
cope with all this
change."
Cherie smiled as Nadine returned the drawing room ready for travel; then she said, "By the way, speaking of Leigh. Have you found any information concerning her ancestor?"
Claude Frollo's facial expression hardened as he
replied. "I've sent
Fern and Daniel to Lyon circa 1487, I've yet to hear the
full details.
They are to learn what they can about this Eustache and
Ines Gaudet. From
their initial reports, the Gaudet family originated in
Marseilles..."
"Claude? Something wrong?"
"Papa, why did you stop talking?"
Shaking his head, Frollo fell silent as a sudden thought flashed before him. He snapped his fingers, replying. "Cherie, since you are remaining in Paris, ask the Flamberts or Felise LaCourbe if they were at least acquainted with the Gaudets. Then again, I wonder if Évrard Ouimet crossed paths with these people." Cherie, nodding as she saw both Frollo and her niece to the door, said, "Don't worry, Claude. I'll see what I can dig up on my end."
Frollo smiled as he boosted Nadine in the saddle. "Good!
Oh yes, I've
heard about Orry's stolen visits here. All I can say is –
as Nisha puts
it – More power to you and Clarice! Honestly, for Évrard
to forbid
the boy from seeing Nadine and all because of the pettiest
of reasons."
"Papa," Nadine spoke up, "does that mean Orry can come over
any time he
wants. And you don't mind?"
"Of course, I don't mind, my dear little child."
Claude Frollo's mouth curved into that famous toothpaste smile as he thought of what Clarice Flambert told him months ago. Why not, she suggested, make the arrangements now? It's obvious the children are well-matched now, and in about ten to twelve years, who knows?
"Papa?"
Frollo felt a tug at his sleeve as the voice called out
to him. "May
I see Orry before we leave? I want to give him something."
Both Frollo and Cherie looked at each other; the former
asked the latter,
"Did Clarice Flambert say that Orry is still on
punishment?"
"Yes, Claude."
"And I take it that the boy's father has yet to discover
these clandestine
visits."
"Yes, Claude."
He leaned over to his child, saying very gently, "Nadine, my sweet child, while I do not mind Orry visiting you, I do mind the boy disobeying his father. While I feel it's quite unfair for Évrard to keep you and Orry apart, he is within his rights to punish his son as he sees fit. Orry is your friend, but you don't want to see such a good friend in trouble. Do you understand?"
The child looked up into her father's dark eyes; the
little six year
old understood completely. "That's all right, Papa. I don't
want Orry to
get in trouble." She pondered a bit then asked, "When we
get to New York
in my time, can I get Orry a present?" Both Cherie and
Claude laughed at
this request with Frollo finally replying, "Nadine, we've
discussed this
many times. Hmm....Why don't we talk about Orry Ouimet
after you
are tucked in bed? Besides, this night air isn't good for
you."
Nadine Frollo, trying not to look exasperated, agreed,
saying determinedly
just she and her father rode off, "But I still want to get
him a present."
To this Aunt Cherie commented just as Felise LaCourbe could
be seen exiting
her home, "See, Claude? She's yours and Nisha's child all
right. Determined
and stubborn to the bone!"
******
Frollo and daughter hadn't been gone long before Felise
arrived on Cherie's
doorstep. Felise LaCourbe, by virtue of living across the
street, had the
advantage any time she wished to visit Cherie Wood. For
this early evening,
just before dusk, and immediately after Frollo and Nadine
departed, Felise
checked for a clear path to the house on the opposite
side.
Why the secrecy? It had to do, in part, with Cherie's
scholarly research
; she was currently on sabbatical and working on a women's
studies paper.
The paper's topic? Lesbian poets of the early Renaissance.
What a boon
for Cherie to meet Felise LaCourbe, and, in turn, become
better acquainted
– much better acquainted.
Yes, Felise LaCourbe was homosexual although Cherie Wood was the only other person who knew, and Felise made Cherie swear not to tell a soul. The secrecy was necessary; being gay in the late 1400's was entirely different, even life threatening. At least Cherie, in her 21st Century world, would endure nothing more than a few snide remarks. On the other hand, in the late Middle Ages, if Felise LaCourbe's sexual orientation was every made public, the gifted poet could face a variety of punishments ranging from banishment to death by hanging or fire. "
Which is why I must keep everything – as you say – darling Cherie, 'undercover'. I can't afford to be 'outted'; it could mean my life."
Their meetings were always in secret, although Cherie reassured Felise that the frequent visits were nothing more than in the interest of scholarly and literary research. But neither woman could ever reveal the "other" reasons for these frequent meetings: That both Cherie and Felise had become lovers.
Yes, Cherie Wood was also lesbian although in her time
period such activities
were, albeit still frowned upon in some circles, hardly
illegal or life
threatening. However, Cherie had to remind herself that as
long as she
remained in 1495 Paris, utmost secrecy was the norm, and
Felise reminded
her of that every day. "Cherie, when your sister introduced
us, I had no
idea you were like me...I had to sneak and lie all these
years, but in
your country people like us enjoy a freedom unknown." No
wonder Felise
LaCourbe kept to herself ever since she arrived in Paris
last winter. The
only other person who knew Felise's true orientation was
Jehan Frollo,
and he solemnly promised never to reveal that secret. But
unforeseen circumstances
threatened a forced "outing", and nearly caused other, more
dreadful secrets
to be exposed. It all started when, just before the dawn,
Felise made her
usual, cloak-and-dagger exit from Cherie's home. What she
witnessed...
******
He didn't mean to do it, but he had to see her one more time. And he hated getting up at such a ridiculous hour, but since Nadine said that it was the safest time for a secret visit, the boy gladly made the extra effort. Besides, he had to return a rather special item to Nadine Frollo. No telling what Évrard would say if he ever found that wondrous device in his son's possession.
Is anyone following me? No! Good!
Horrible thoughts raced through Orry Ouimet's mind as he
swiftly made
his way through the back alleys that led to the courtyard.
Orry made this
trip so many times that he knew exactly what to watch and
listen for. His
attendant, the hated Imbert, could be close behind; that
big dog which
lived next door might suddenly bark, thus alerting the
neighbors.
Whew! No dog, no Imbert. Good, I'm safe and no one
knows I'm gone –
yet.
Not even Tante Clarice was aware of Orry's early
morning "walks". But
Évrard's beloved cousin never told a soul, not even her
husband
Anseau. Orry and Nadine shared a special bond that someday
could blossom
into something else. Both Clarice Flambert and Claude
Frollo held onto
the hope that Nadine and Orry would, within the span of a
decade, become
husband and wife. Let them be, said Clarice to a still
seething Évrard
Ouimet, who still kept his son on the most nonsensical
punishment. Why
make two children apart and make them suffer all because
Évrard
Ouimet didn't get the girl in the end? It didn't make
sense. Whatever the
case, Orry wouldn't let his father's broken heart or need
for revenge stand
in the way of a special friendship. Orry and Nadine loved
and cherished
each other as expected of childhood friends. Both had
pledged total loyalty
to each other; no one, not even a parent's petty snit could
tear them apart.
Armed with that sense of loyalty and allegiance for his friend, Orry, within a few steps of the courtyard gate, suddenly felt hands upon him. A blindfold was placed over his eyes; a gag immediately tightened around his mouth. The poor boy couldn't react in time as he felt himself being stuffed into a rough muslin bag. What is happening? Who are these persons doing this to him? Where are they taking him?
Without a sound coming from his assailants, Orry felt himself thrown into the back of a wagon. Someone had settled beside him, trying to keep the boy still. Orry could only comply but he listened intently to the person threatening him with bodily harm if he ever made a sound.
"Keep quiet, you little fool!"
That voice sounded very familiar – It's her! That awful woman!
******
Felise LaCourbe saw it all, but could do nothing to stop the crime. She was silenced by the perpetrator himself. "Say one thing to either Évrard Ouimet or the Minister of Justice, and I'll spread the word that you, Felise, maintain this unholy, unnatural lifestyle...I'm sure Judge Ouimet and the Church would be extremely interested...And don't forget Évrard. It would break his heart if he ever discovered..."
Felise had no choice but to clam up, however there was
one other person
– make that two other persons – in whom she could confide.
Cherie Wood
was the first. "And that, Cherie, is why I can't say
anything. Once Imbert
reveals my true identity and circumstances, then all is
lost. Although
I hate to think of what Imbert might do to Orry, it's
Évrard who
would be hurt the most..."
"And, how," asked Cherie, "other than have his son
kidnapped, would Imbert
hurt Évrard Ouimet?"
Felise replied, "I can't reveal much, but..."
She arose from her chair, went over to the upright piano and depressed several keys. The sound was strange, foreign, but oh-so soothing "Your New World is a paradise to produce devices such as these. My brother was amazed with this piano..."
"Brother, Felise?"
"Raimon Cauant is my brother...His real name is Renaud Gaudet...Oh, Cherie, I don't mean to burden you with this but...Could you send for Jehan Frollo? He's the only man who could corroborate my story, but I don't want to see him caught in the middle like this. Imbert is a dangerous, horrible man who would stop at noting to cover up his crimes. Kidnapping Orry is the latest in a string of..."
She caught her breath, saying finally, "Imbert l'Estrange was the telling factor in Rixende Ouimet's death...What he did to me was more than the poor woman could stand...I'll tell you everything once Jehan arrives..."
******
"Mamá, I saw it!"
"Saw what, dear?"
"That man took Orry Ouimet. I saw him and a woman put Orry
in a bag, then
they tossed him in a wagon and rode off!"
The woman grabbed her daughter by the shoulders, looked her squarely in the eyes and asked, "Are sure you saw this? When? Where?"
The child replied, "Just this morning, when me and Djalito were going to see Nadine Frollo. You know, Mamá, I always visit Nadine like that, in secret."
Katerina caught her breath as she continued, "They took
Orry, Mamá,
in that alley that runs back of Nadine's courtyard. Orry
was almost inside
when they grabbed him."
The child's mother, la Esmeralda, pondered all that
Trina revealed,
but what to do with such information? Surely they couldn't
go to Judge
Ouimet; the current Minister of Justice was just as bad as
Frollo where
the Gypsies were concerned. Who'd believe them anyway? Most
Parisian regarded
the Gypsies as notorious child stealers, and that any time
a child is kidnapped
the Romani are almost always the prime suspects.
"Trina," Esme said finally, "we need to ask Clopin about
this. If I
know the people who took that kid then they'll spread the
word that we're
responsible." She looked down at her daughter with loving
eyes then said,
"Come on, to the Court of Miracles."
COMING UP:
Copyright©2001 by FrolloFreak® (AKA FanFiction Diva)