ÎLE SAINT-LOUIS
PARIS
NOVEMBER 2001
“To leave a message for the guest in room five, please speak at the tone.”
“Hi, Mom? It’s me. You might be wondering where I am. Don’t freak out, but I’m in Paris. I hopped on a train right after you did.
“You might’ve heard me mention my friend from Banbury named Gus. Well, I just found out his full name is Jerome Casper Augustine Seton. He calls himself the Earl of Winton, mostly as a joke but it is also the truth. I am at his apartment now, with his brother Jamie. I think you know the place and the people I’m talking about.
“Honestly? I’m more confused than ever. About you. About me. Why did you keep this part of your life hidden? I feel like it has to do with my dad, but I just can’t get the math to pencil out. What happened in those years? Between when you left Paris and I was born?
“Mom, I’m not going back to Virginia until you come here first. You say I was an easy toddler, that I never threw a tantrum. Well, I’m doing it now. This is my tantrum. I’m planting my feet in Paris until you arrive.
“Okay, that’s it. Sorry for the long message. And sorry for doing it like this but there’s no other choice. So. You know where to find me … on Quai de Béthune. Good-bye, Mom. Miss Valentine. I’ll see you in Paris.”