One American In Paris
ONE AMERICAN IN PARIS
by
Clem Mason
(age 16+)
(wc 3690)
It was early evening in Paris as the bus sat waiting at it’s appointed stop. The driver kept checking his watch so as to be sure he was exactly on schedule and not leave too early. Jack Campbell. 6′2″, 220 lbs., a ruggedly handsome American sailor on leave came running up the sidewalk; clad in his white uniform, he was easy to see. At spotting the approaching sailor, the driver became filled with resentment closed the door and set the bus into motion.
“You are not leaving too early, Reinold,” one of the passengers said.
Reinold smiled. “I know. There is a sailor coming to catch my bus and I do not like American sailors. So he will have to walk, I think.”
As the bus pulled away, many of the passengers turned to watch the sailor come to a stop in obvious frustration. They laughed and cheered.
“They come here and break our daughter’s heart. They have but one thing on their mind and you know what that is,” Reinold added.
Many agreed, nodding their head.
Jack watched the bus smoke and grumble on down the street. He shrugged and went and sat on the bench to wait for the next one.
It was a warm, pleasant evening as the sun’s last light disappeared from the facades in front of him. He relaxed, enjoying the moment. However, he did not fail to notice the young girl step from one of the shops across the street. She appeared to be about his age. She sat at the far end of the bench, ignoring him. Then, when Jack saw her peek his direction, he nodded and spoke to her.
“Evenin’.”
The girl slightly nodded and turned away.
“It is a beautiful day, is it not?” he persisted.
Again she nodded her head but remained silent, looking straight away.
“I missed the bus,” he admitted.
A little smile played on her lips. “Yes, I saw that,” she said, almost inaudible.
Jack was encouraged. “Hi! I’m Jack Campbell from the U.S.A.. You speak American?”
he asked, sliding over a little, watching for any sign of alarm.
She nodded again, cautious but unafraid. “I speak some English, yes.”
“I don’t,” he said abruptly. “I speak American.”
She smiled, understanding.
“I’m from L.A.”
“I have heard of L. A. California, yes?” she admitted.
Jack slid over closer. “I can’t hardly hear you.”
She frowned. “I am sorry but I shouldn’t be talking to you; a stranger.”
Jack leaned back. “I’m not a stranger. I introduced myself, but I didn’t catch your name.”
She didn’t offer.
Just then, Jack saw two burley sailors staggering up the sidewalk across the street, obviously intoxicated. They stopped to look at the girl sitting on the bench and conversed among themselves. Then they came walking straight across the street towards them.
Quickly, Jack slid over and put his arm around her shoulders. He could feel her stiffen with fright. “They’ll think you’re with me,” he whispered.
She nodded, relaxing a little.
The two sailors stopped in the street in front of them and stared silently. Jack stared back at them, unblinking. Without saying a word, they went on, assuming the beautiful young French girl was with the American sailor.
Jack could feel her shutter. He removed his arm but didn’t move away. She didn’t object.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“It’s my pleasure,” he admitted. “You don’t know what those Swede are going to do,” Jack said. He was hoping the girl would be most grateful for protecting her.
“Swede?” she asked.
“Yes, they’re famous for being big and bad…and big.”
She frowned. “You said big…two times,” she said, holding up two fingers.
Jack gestured towards his crouch. “Big!”
The girl’s face turned a bright red and she looked away, putting her hand to her mouth.
“I’m sorry. Sometimes I’m brutally honest. But since I defended your honor, surely you can tell me your name.”
She hesitated, swallowing. “My name is Steffy.”
“Hi, Steffy. It’s very nice to meet you,” Jack said, offering his hand.
Timidly, she took it and gave it a quick, stiff shake and then pulled free of his grip.
“Where ya headin’?” he asked.
“Where am I..headin?” she asked in return.
“Where are you going right now?” he asked.
Her face lit up in understanding. “Oh, I have just finished my work and I am going home. Where are you going?”
Jack shrugged. “Oh hell. Back to the ship,” he said with disappointment.
Steffy turned to face him. “And what do you do…on this ship?”
He smiled. “Well, first of all, I want to tell you I love your accent. Anyway, I’m not going to tell you I’m the admiral. No, I’m just a skivvy waver.”
She frowned. “I have no accent, thank you. You do! Now what is…a skivvy waver?”
Jack laughed. It didn’t sound so degrading when she said it. “Skivvy waver. You’ve seen the movies where the guy stands on the bridge of the ship, waving the flags, right? That’s me!”
“Yes, I have seen that. So what is a skivvy?” she asked.
It was Jack’s turn to blush. He laughed nervously. “Skivvy. We’re accused of waving our…briefs.”
Steffy frowned again, still not understanding.
“Skivvies, briefs, underwear,” he explained.
She burst out laughing. “You take your underwear and wave them for all to see?”
Jack smiled. “That’s what they say.”
“How ridiculous!”
He cleared his throat. “It’s only a perception,” he explained.
“Perception?”
“An image. Something someone thinks they see but not necessarily true, okay?”
She nodded, not really understanding. She shrugged.
Just then, another bus came lumbering up the street and Jack’s mind went into a panic mode. He knew his chances were rapidly slipping away. If this girl gets on, he will probably never see her again. “Steffy, we should go do something,” he blurted out.
She frowned. “What?” she said standing up. The bus came to a stop beside her and the driver opened the door and nodded. Steffy hesitated. She took a few steps towards the bus and his heart sank. She stopped to look back at him. The driver said something to her and she snapped an answer back over her shoulder. Jack didn’t understand the language. “What is it you want to do, Jack Campbell?”
“All I know is if you get on that bus, I’ll never see you again.”
Steffy turned to the driver and shook her head. He shrugged and sent the bus into motion. Jack’s heart was singing. Steffy came back to sit beside him without saying a word. They sat in silence a long time.
“So, why didn’t you get on the bus?” he asked softly.
“I didn’t want to.”
“Why not?”
“I..just didn’t want to, okay?” she said.
Jack thought about it awhile. “I’m glad you didn’t go, Steffy.”
She only shrugged.
“So, what do you do at your work?” he asked.
“I work in a dress shop,” she said, staring after the departing bus.
Jack noticed. “Are you sorry you didn’t get on?”
Her face hardened. “No! But I wonder if I have done the right thing.”
“Do you have someone waiting for you?”
She looked at him straight away. “Yes! Why?”
“A husband?”
Her face turned a bright red and she looked away. “No! I’m only eighteen.”
“So? I know a lot of girls in America that are eighteen and married.”
“This is not America,” she said defiantly.
“Okay! But you do have a boyfriend, right?”
She nodded slightly. “Of course I do. Like you have a girlfriend, yes?”
“Nobody’s waiting for me, sweetheart,” he said in his best Humphrey Bogart imitation.
She looked into his eyes and smiled. “You lie!”
Jack grinned. “No! Really, I don’t.”
“Then why are you smiling? I don’t believe you,” she said softly.
“I swear, Steffy.”
She looked away shyly, “A handsome boy like yourself?”
Jack cleared his throat. “Thank you for the compliment but I like to think of myself as a handsome young…man.”
Steffy laughed. “Oh, of course. A handsome…young man with no vanity to speak of.”
He nodded. “And don’t you ever forget it, sweetheart.” said Humphrey Bogart again.
They both laughed.
“So, how serious are you with this guy?”
She frowned. “Claude? No! We grew up together. We are good friends. We are not betrothed or anything,” she admitted.
“That’s good.”
“What?” she said indignantly.
“Well, you’re the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on and I can’t make myself stop looking at you.”
Steffy smiled. “You are sweet and I will wager you say that to all girls.”
“No I don’t”
“Again, you lie, Jack Campbell.”
“I don’t lie.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Yes! I think you do,” she said, her eyes teasing.
He smiled at her humor. “Let’s go get some coffee or something, okay?”
“I will or something, maybe. Okay?”
“What? You don’t like coffee?”
She frowned. “My papa makes a seriously wretched brew of coffee that even you could not drink.”
He thrust his finger skyward. “Ah ha! I hear a challenge.”
They laughed.
Steffy stood up and held out her hand. “Come. I will show you my favorite cafe.”
They crossed the street and walked slowly, hand in hand, finding no need for words. After a few blocks, she stopped. “This is it.”
It was a narrow, long cafe with high ceilings. To Jack, it looked like something right out of Paris; WW II. He’s seen the movies. He looked into the depths of the room but saw no storm troopers. He shrugged. “Yeah! This will be great.”
They found a small table in the front and sat down, bumping knees.
“So,” Jack said. “Tell me about you family.”
She cleared her throat. “I have a brother and sister at home.”
“So you still live with your parents, huh?” he asked.
She frowned. “Is there a problem?”
Jack laughed. “No! Hell, no. No, I’m just trying to get it all straight in my head; that’s all. You’re only eighteen. I mean there’s nothing wrong with being eighteen but you’re much too young to be out on your own. Not that you couldn’t. Or not that you should be by now. I mean…what I’m trin’ to say is…”
She raised her hand for silence and sat staring at him a long time. “Shut up, Jack Campbell.”
He nodded. “Good idea.”
Just then, the waiter came over. Jack looked up. “Two cokes please,” he said, holding up two fingers.
The waiter grumbled. “Woo whoo! Beeg spender.”
Jack smiled at him. “I’m sure I’ll agree with you once I see the tab.”
He snorted and stomped away. The waiter took his time coming back with their order but Jack didn’t even notice. He was in the company of the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life and time was not an issue.
However, it irritated Steffy and she let him know about it in that language they speak.”
After the waiter went away, Jack smiled. “What was that all about?”
Steffy’s eyebrows raised and she frowned. “I don’t like his attitude. I think he takes too long to bring our drinks. I accuse him of spitting in your coke.” She smiled.
Jack sat back, looking at his glass. “Well, that really ruins it for me alright.”
She laughed. “Oh, I’m sure he didn’t spit in it,” she assured him.
He couldn’t bring himself to take a sip. He just sat there looking at the glass.
Steffy snorted and quickly switched glasses. “There you go you big baby.”
Jack’s face displayed a widening grin. “You didn’t have to do that, but thanks.” He shrugged. “I have this aversion about people spitting in my food.”
Steffy shrugged. “We French are known for that and therefore, we don’t mind.” With that said, she took a long draw on her straw, all the while watching Jack’s reaction. He was grimacing. She got chocked, laughing at him.
He just waved her off.
They sat silent a long time, gazing into each other’s eyes. A chemistry was happening. A silent communication was passing between them. Suddenly, she looked away.
“What’s the matter, Steffy/” he asked.
She glanced up at him. “I don’t like this feeling I get when I look at you.”
“What feeling?” he asked urgently. “What does it feel like?”
She slumped down. “It feels…funny. It confuses me. I don’t like it.”
“Funny?”
“Strange! It is a strange feeling I get. I know I don’t feel this way when I look at Claude.”
“I’m feeling the same thing. I sort of tingle inside.”
She brightened and sat up. “Yes! Tingle,” she said cheerfully. Then she frowned. “I don’t like it.”
“Why not?”
She looked away. “Because I can feel my resistance going away.”
Jack smiled. “Nothin’ wrong with that. Hell, I could sit here and look at you all night.”
She squirmed a little. “I too could look at you but I have family.”
Jack bristled. “What the hell is that suppose to mean?”
Steffy fidgeted nervously; acting very uncomfortable. “I think my papa would not like it if I told him how I am feeling towards an American sailor.”
He snorted in disgust. “Oh hell yes! An American sailor,” he said with resentment. “The scourge of the earth. Those infected, riotous bastards that prey on hapless little French girls.”
She sat silent.
Just then, the waiter came over. “Would you like refills, monsieur?”
Jack snapped. “What I would like right now is a little respect.”
The waiter smiled. “I assure you, sir. I give you as little respect as I can.” He walked away, chuckling to himself.
Both Steffy and Jack sat in stunned silence. Then they both burst out laughing.
Steffy leaned forward and took ahold of his hands. “Jack Campbell, I do not want to hurt your feelings, but I cannot allow myself to see you anymore.” She shrugged sadly. “I…I can’t.”
“Look, Steffy. I fell in love with you the moment you walk up. I know we’ve only known each other an hour or more but I’m willing to pledge the rest of my life to you.”
She reflected on what he said. “I am flattered. Yes, but I can’t allow…”
“Didn’t you feel something back there at the bus stop? If you didn’t, you would have gotten on that bus and spend the rest of your life wondering if you shouldn’t have. Isn’t that right?”
She nodded. “I did feel something. It seems I have known you before I met you.”
“See?”
“Like it was suppose to happen.”
“That’s right!” he said. “I missed that bus for a reason. We were suppose to meet like this. We can’t mess with fate, Steffy. What is happening right now is suppose to happen. And right now, we are suppose to lean forward and share a kiss; you and me,” he said, waving her forward.
She frowned, disbelieving.
Jack motioned again. Slowly, Steffy leaned up and their faces were but inches apart. They stared into each others eyes a moment before the kiss. Then she closed her eyes. It was a long, tender kiss. The whole world stood still. There was not a sound. Angels did not sing. Bells did not ring. Bombs did not explode. Hell. it was nothing like the movies. Yet, it was the most mind numbing event in Jack’s entire life. He had kissed girls before, yet he knew he would remember and savor this moment for the rest of his life. He also knew if he died right then, he would not be disappointed with his short, pathic little life. This happening; this kiss was the crowning moment. This was the pinnacle of his entire existence.
Steffy did not move. She did not open her eyes. Then, a slight smile visited her lips. She opened her eyes and Jack could tell this beautiful girl was his and his only. Her eyes were pure and truthful. She sat back. “I will never forget this moment, Jack Campbell for as long as I live,” she whispered. A tear ran down her cheek and she didn’t try to hide it or wipe it away.
Now was the time to be quiet. They sat, holding hands for a very long time. Then she frowned. “What time is it?”
Jack looked at his watch. “It’s 8:30. Why?”
“I have to go home,” she said with concern.
Jack tightened his grip. “If you leave now, I feel I will never see you again.”
Steffy shrugged. “We will…see each other again, I am sure.”
“When?” he asked.
“I can’t promise you.” Tears came to her eyes. “I must go.”
“That isn’t what I want to hear,” he said.
She held his eyes. “What do you want, Jack Campbell?”
He thought about it. “I want you to come to America with me.”
She tried to pull her hands free. “I can not That is impossible.”
“You’re suppose to, remember? This is suppose to happen. I, Jack Campbell, here and now devote to you all my love for all my life.”
Steffy swallowed hard. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
He nodded. “That is exactly what I’m askin’.”
“This is too soon. I am too young. I can’t…”
He reached and pull a finger to her lips. “I will not hear…’ can’t',” he said.
“But momma; I just can’t leave her.”
“I know this is sudden.”
She nodded, looking away, pulling free of him. “Stop! I must think.”
“I also know that if you tell her, she will try to talk you out of it. I don’t want you to leave me. I have this fear…”
“Look, Jack,” she said, turning to face him. “Do you know what you’re asking me to do?”
Jack nodded. “Yes…yes I do. I do know this. What I am asking you to do is extreme and bizarre and I…I can understand your hesitation, but you said yourself it was like you knew me before you met me. I swear to you that for the rest of my life, I pledge it all to you. I will live the rest of my life just for you”
Steffy reached to hold his hands again. She tried to smile bravely. “Okay! I will do it,” she whispered softly with tears streaming down her face.
Jack could not control himself and let out a whoop.’
The waiter looked at them and shook his head in disgust.
His mind raced. What to do. “The first thing you should do is go home and and act like nothing is wrong. No! Bad choice of words. What were are doing is not wrong. It is right. It’s beautiful. It’s the right thing to do. Act nonchalant. Pack what you need and I’ll be waiting at the airport. My God, I can’t believe this is happening.”
She hesitated. “I will need to get my passport and some money.”
“Money?”
She blinked. “To buy my airplane ticket.”
Jack smiled. “Steffy, I asked you. I will buy the ticket. Just don’t back out on me.”
She didn’t understand. “Back out on you?”
“Not show up at the airport.”
She nodded understanding “I will come to you.”
He hated to see her leave but his heart was singing so loud that any thoughts of her betraying him were soundly driven away. The music played on the entire night and into early morning. But it was significantly beginning to fade at nine o’clock. There was yet no sign of a beautiful, young French girl. It was the longest, most tormenting night he had ever spent in his life. He never slept a wink. When she didn’t come, the worst fears visited his mind. She was killed in a car wreck on her way home. Her boyfriend Claude got wind of the plot and had kidnaped the beautiful damsel and has hidden her away in a dark tower, never to be seen again. Or papa simply grounded her and sent her to her room to think about it. The latter scenario was the most acceptable. He was exhausted and about to give up his dream and go home; back to America where he would live out the rest of his life alone, totally heartbroken and remorseful.
Then he saw her; bag in hand, walking slowly towards him. She tried to smile bravely but he could see she had been crying. She stepped up and dropped her bag. She hugged him a long time. He could feel her shudder. She was crying again. He let her.
Eventually, she released him and stepped back, looking at the floor. “Let’s sit down awhile, please.”
Jack wouldn’t let go of her hand. He wasn’t about to lose her again. They sat silent.
After several minutes, she looked at him directly, ready to speak. “I am…sorry it took me so long,” she said, almost inaudible. Momma was crying. Papa was crying. Robert and Monette was crying.” She giggled. “I was crying. And you were right. Momma tried to talk me out of leaving with you. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I am yet quite young you know?”
He nodded understanding but made no comment.
She looked away. “I had to tell them. I could not leave without doing so. It would break their heart.” She started crying again. “It did break their heart. And mine too.” She forced a smile. “I hope I am doing the right thing.” She turned to face him. “I am placing my life and soul in your care, Jack Campbell and I trust you will do well by me.”
Jack swallowed hard. “Steffy, I am the happiest man in the world right now. I swear to you and all that is holy, I will never mistreat you.”
She stood up. “Okay! Let us go buy a plane ticket before I change my mind about becoming Mrs. Jack Campbell.” She waited for Jack’s reaction.
He blinked slowly. “You have doubts?”
She smiled. “I tease you, no?”
He laughed. “You tease me, yes. As soon as I get back to the states, we’ll get married and live happily ever after, Okay? In the mean time, I’ll call my folks and have them pick you up in L.A. They’ll love you; just like I do.”
“I trust you, Jack Campbell.”
The End.
If you liked this story and you feel the poor, old author deserves compensation in his retirement for this creation, please send $1.00 to Clem mason, c/o Backwater Publishing. 66021-0213.
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