Uncle Jules opened the door the instant Jeanne made the first scratch upon its surface as if he had been waiting there just for her.
“You are all right?” Jules swept Jeanne into his arms before she said a word. She nodded her head enthusiastically as he held it tightly against his shoulder.
“I am more than fine, oncle. I am magnificent.” Jeanne thrummed with lingering wonder. “It was amazingly easy. It was … amazing.”
oncleJules shook his head at her but smiled nonetheless. The dark circles stained circles about his eyes as his worry for his favorite niece had ruined his night"s attempts at sleep.
“Come, ma chère, come in and tell me everything.” Jules beckoned Jeanne into the two small rooms comprising his family"s entire living space and closed the door behind them.
ma chèreJeanne t
