When the Heart Falls

“It is the least I can do for a friend.”


The food is exceptional, as usual. Halfway through the meal my dad wipes his mouth and looks at me. "I heard you finished a book.”

I nod. "The Ice Queen. It’s selling pretty well, too."

My dad smiles. "We're proud of you, kiddo."

"Still want me to change majors?" I’m teasing, mostly.

He chuckles and shakes his head. "This is one time I’m glad you didn’t listen to me. It’s a sign of true adulthood, when you can make your own choices irrespective of what your parents want for you, not out of rebellion, but because you’ve grown into yourself and know your own path better than anyone else. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become, Winter."

Autumn and Daring leave the next day, but promise to return for the trial. My parents stay for those few weeks as we wait, and we make it a family vacation, sightseeing and sharing stories of our summer here. They fall in love with Cade and welcome him into the family readily, and I feel prepared to face the last of my demons when I’m called to the stand to testify against Rodney.





WINTER DEVEAUX

CHAPTER 45





THE JUDGE DOESN'T like Rodney, that much is obvious. We’re just hoping the jury feels the same way. At first, I was worried. Rodney knows how to charm people, how to cover his true colors, and, early on in the trial, it looked like the jury would fall victim to that charm. But his own testimony, the recording I made, the testimony of others, revealed him to be a psychopath. I half expected the defense to argue he was abused as a child, that he showed love the only way he knew how, but they didn’t. Rodney had a healthy childhood with loving parents. Sometimes people are just broken from birth and no amount of love can save them.

Rodney is such a person.

I wasn't present for Cade's testimony. We decided he would go first so he could be in the courtroom when I went on the stand, and I’m glad he was, because sitting there telling all these strangers the horrible details of my abuse nearly killed me.

But I survived it.

Now, we’re waiting on the verdict. Cade is holding one hand and my mom is holding the other. My dad, Daring, Autumn and Jenifer are all here in a show of support.

I can’t imagine being a parent, seeing your child suffer. I know that Cade’s suffering cuts me deeply, so I can only imagine it’s worse for parents.

I want a guilty verdict, obviously, but come what may, I’m free of Rodney forever.

When the jury members return to their seat, I inhale, holding my breath.

When they hand the judge the verdict, the courtroom falls to an expectant silence.

And when they read off the charges and deem him guilty of everything, I exhale at last.





WINTER DEVEAUX

CHAPTER 46





CADE HOLDS A champagne glass up. "Here's to our last time at Vincent's and our last night in Paris.”

Jenifer and I hold our glasses up and clink with his. Choosing to drink alcohol, even in small quantities, is a major release for me. I’ve let go of my fears of what happened, or I’m trying to. This is one step of many. I may choose not to drink more often than not, but it will be my choice, not fear controlling me, and tonight I want to celebrate with my friends.

I sip the sweet bubbly and enjoy the taste as it slides down my throat. Vincent didn’t give us the cheap stuff for our celebration.

Vincent brings more bread for us, and I nearly cry thinking about leaving the delicious appetizer. I’ve never had such a bond to a carb before. "I'm sad to see you go,” he says. “It has been an honor to serve you all."

Jenifer sniffles, emotion overcoming her, though probably not because of the food. "We'll miss it here.”

Vincent puts a finger under her chin and tilts her face up to his. "Don't be sad. I started this restaurant to give people a place where they could rest on their journey through Paris. But perhaps for you it is a journey through life, and now it must continue."

Jenifer smiles up at him. "You have a phone number?"

He smiles back.

As Jenifer and Vincent exchange contact information, Cade and I eat the last of our dinner. He hands me the last breadstick. “For you. I wouldn’t dream of taking it for myself.”

I laugh and split it in half, offering to share, and we savor each bite.

Cade checks his phone. "It's time.” He pulls out his wallet to pay, but Vincent waves him away. “I will not take money from friends,” Vincent says.

Our bags are packed and waiting for us in the dorm, so it only takes a moment to grab them and load up the van taking us to the airport.

The sun has set, and the Eiffel Tower is lit up bright with thousands of lights, like a beacon for the downtrodden and romantically starved, except I am no longer either. Still, it calls to me, and I thank this great city for all it taught me in such a short time.

Au revoir, Paris. I will carry you in my heart forever.





3 MONTHS LATER

WINTER DEVEAUX

CHAPTER 47