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“I don’t know. He has to be more afraid of not living than living. He’s got to recognize that life is about taking risks and challenging yourself and being willing to get hurt in the process.
“Be careful, Élodie!” “If it stays bad, Claire, keep running! You have your very precious life to live! Keep running and don’t stop!” “I won’t,” the girl promised as she waved. “I won’t.”
“You know, I do believe this is the first time I’m fighting back. It’s the first time I’ve decided that I’m not going to just sit there and take it. I might be leaving Paris now. But I can promise you, I’ll return.”
And this was it: the final act of Polly.
Good always triumphs over evil.” “In what world!” Pierre exploded. “Jo, if good always triumphed, Polly would still be alive!”
“I can’t afford to be anything other than optimistic,” she said quietly. “I believe if given the chance, people will always choose to do what’s right.”
“I rather subscribe to Hobbes’s philosophy.” “Who is Hobbes?” Danny demanded. “A man who believed that human nature is fundamentally corrupt. He believed that people were greedy and selfish and their motivation is ruled by their self-centeredness.” “Wow,” Danny said, sitting back in his seat. “And you’re the religious one.”
“It is precisely because of my faith that I believe that. Born sinners, saved by grace. I think it’s much more natural for people to be evil and selfish than to be kind. All you need to do is look at a homogenous society. Even they will find reasons to separate and demonize the ‘other’.”
“Nature versus nurture,” Grant muttered
“Sure, you can teach people to behave. I absolutely believe that. But folks aren’t born inclined to think of others.” Elly waved a hand. “None of this matters.”
“The Nazis are going to lose,” Grant announced. And everyone looked in his direction. “One way or the other. But it’s going to be a very long war and one fought not quite like we’ve ever seen before.”
“I didn’t expect Gettysburg,” Danny said softly, “but I didn’t think France would turn belly-up that quick.”
“Rest one more day,” Grant said softly. “Because tomorrow it’s time to get back in the thick of things.”
I meant it when I said I don’t trust anyone but you four. I believe Father Laval to be a patriot but all the more reason not to burden him with too much information.”
And that was how Elly wound up crossing this small town about ten miles south of the château in the near dark to make a visit to the church.
“Problems do not suddenly stop existing because you are not there. I bring something of value to the table,” Elly said, coming to the realization as she spoke. “I have worth and merit. That is what France has taught me. I cannot then refuse to share it with the world.”
You’re probably right, Elly. With enough pushing and prodding and patience, eventually things will change. Very doubtful that either of us will live long enough to see it.”
guess it is. If we can be optimistic about this war then what can’t we be optimistic about? I don’t suddenly believe good will trample evil just because it’s good. But I think … evil can’t last always. It can last a heck of a long time. But not forever. The
fight in America is something akin to a hundred years war. But if there’s anything I’ve learned here, it is that small drops of water do eventually fill the bucket. I don’t know what my role will look like in that fight but if it makes life better for one person, then I did what I was supposed to do.”
to return. But still, in a small voice, she found herself saying, “You could be one too.” “Europe is an absolute mess right now,” Grant said gently. “But I have no desire to ever return home.”
“I guess that answers the question,” Jo said firmly. “We’ll hide the weapons here and do whatever it takes to keep them out of German hands.”
“Make mistakes. From here on out, we’re not going to stop if you trip over your feet or forget the next step. I want to see you turn that problem into a solution. All right? Let’s try it with the music.”
“Now, there’s a place for that. Sometimes there’s a reason he ain’t speaking first but here’s the favor I’m calling in: when the time comes, ask him to go with you.”
How did Pierre know that there was nothing more she wanted than to ask Grant to come home with her?
“He doesn’t know anything. If you have questions, Elly Anne, ask me.” Elly jerked back, surprised by the nickname. Grant smiled, wide and free, pleased with himself. “You know so goodness well, yo mama ain’t never call you Elodie. In Valcourt, Louisiana, you was Elly Anne.” With
who had stepped in where her father had failed, becoming everything she’d needed as a girl and even now as a woman. She did not need another father. “That’s good to know, Elly. I am at
’Twas as good a time as any to petition God. Elly knew this firsthand. She’d been born in a sundown town herself.
“One does not get to choose which battles to fight in a war.” He squeezed her hand one last time before standing. “Go in peace, my daughter.”
understand,” she said gently. “I understand how hard it can be to take that step of faith to believe that goodness just might be around the corner.”
“Fine, Grant. Don’t be honest with me or with yourself. But let me just tell you, you can’t break free if you don’t acknowledge the prison that’s holding you.”
Elly lay on the bed suddenly wishing with everything in her that she could go home. She was tired of this. Of all of it. The weight of this war was becoming too much to bear and it was only just starting.
And for her that didn’t mean having a meltdown, it meant that she was on the verge of losing a piece of her humanity. She had cried yesterday in part because of how easy it had all been. If she stayed here any longer, she was worried that one day she wouldn’t recognize herself in the mirror.
You’re in the middle of making soup. You’re Prissy in Gone With the Wind. You don’t know nothin’ ’bout birthin’ babies.
“You might be at war, Colonel. But I am not. This is a place of peace. Of love. Of joy. Of friendship that morphs into family.” Even from
“Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all sought love rather than hate?” It was Jo’s rallying cry.
look of bemusement and pity on his face that suggested he thought the pair of rose-tinted glasses Jo wore daily were idiotic. “All right, Ms. Baker. I will trouble you no longer. But I suggest you be very careful from here on out.”
didn’t want to say anything until I was sure I could get my hands on them but they arrived yesterday after you all left. I have a friend in the Brazilian embassy who got them for us.”
It’s time to say goodbye to France. For now.”
all of her enthusiasm to leave, she’d never forget that she’d once been a princess in a medieval castle.
“Oh? Does France love you as much as I do?” Elly asked, knowing her eyes were blazing with all sorts of emotion. There, she’d said it out loud.
“If I thought love was enough, I’d go with you.”
not be the same as your first marriage. We would approach life together, the way we have always done since you’ve known me. What we have is more than love, Grant. It’s respect, trust, and understanding.” What was that Pierre had asked her to do? Ask him. “Grant, this is me asking you to come with me. Please.” When
His grip on her hand tightened because she was shaking. She tried half-heartedly to pull out of his grasp, fighting with the notion that this was the last time she’d ever touch him. “You’re going to return to America and you’re going to become a professor. You’re going to get married. You’re going to have your five or six children. You’re going to join the fight for civil rights. And you’re going to live long and die in your sleep after having held your great-grandchildren.”
“This is not my home.” This was not where her heart was.
told him this was one decision he was going to regret for the rest of his life,” Pierre had told her when she’d
COGIC.”
revoir, ma chérie. And I absolutely mean that. We will see each other again. I did promise my mother I’d come home for my thirtieth birthday. When I get back to the States, we’ll meet up and paint the town red.”
“Listen, the first rule of thumb is, you can’t count on anybody but yourself.”
“You were offering Grant something he not only didn’t want but the very thing he’s spent the last twenty years running away from.”
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this life it’s that try as hard as you might, you can’t control anybody. You can only control yourself.”
