Agnes was waiting by the front door when Tommy arrived. She followed him into the chalet. He was grinning despite his bandages and cast. Clearly a night in the hospital had restored his spirits. He was holding Helene Fontenay’s wrist and smiling. The headmistress said something to him in a low voice, and he headed toward the stairs.
“Chef Jean has set up a welcome-home party in the dining room,” Helene said to Agnes. “Ice cream and cookies. Bernard dismissed classes for the rest of the afternoon.”
“I called the hospital. They said you didn’t leave Tommy’s side all night, and that he will make a complete recovery.”
Helene shrugged slightly. “He’ll probably have some bad dreams. I know I did after my accident. Hopefully his will only last a few weeks. But we talked about it, and I think he will be fine.”
“Are his parents coming to get him?”
“They’re on their way, but only for a visit, I think.” Helene looked around the entrance hall. “When we came here, I hadn’t healed. I had too much pain, physical pain, and emotionally I wasn’t ready. I’d never felt a physical limitation before, and to be trapped here.” She shivered. “I hated the boys who were living far from home, having their own school adventure. Young, their entire lives in front of them. I hated the fact that they didn’t understand how precious their time was. Why weren’t they striving to excel; why didn’t they want excellence in everything they did every day?” She glanced at Agnes. “You’re kind not to laugh at me. I wasn’t a perfect child, or even a perfect athlete. But it’s easy to forget when you’re on the other side.”
“You’d suffered a terrible blow. Most people wouldn’t be near your level of recovery.”
“Bernard told me about his ridiculous distillery. Not that the project is ridiculous, but hiding it? You don’t know what I’d imagined. It opened my eyes. I’d trapped myself in these walls. There’s no reason I can’t walk to the farmhouse and see what they are doing. Just like there’s no reason I can’t try skiing.”
Agnes was surprised.
“It won’t be the same. But nothing ever is, and maybe I’ll learn to appreciate the beauty and serenity of the slopes. I’ll take it easy on the speed. After a lifetime of triple black diamonds, I’ll be a fixture on the blue slopes now.”
“And Tommy, what about him?”
“We’re going to give it the rest of the semester. That’s what we decided.” Helene adjusted her crutches, and Agnes could tell that she was exhausted from a night spent in a hospital chair. “He likes it here, but wants to be home. Wants to impress his father, but also find his own way. He’s not so different from the rest of them, he simply decided to act out on his feelings. He’s got a tendency toward the dramatic.”
Agnes laughed. “Understatement.”
She asked if she could go to the dormitory floors, and Helene waved her on before joining the party.
Standing in Leo’s room, Agnes studied the shelves. There were five little boxes, not the four she remembered. She picked up the one she’d not seen before. It was the size of a man’s palm, made of wood and fine strips of metal. She toyed with it for a moment, then pushed a faint recess. A tiny drawer opened. Hardly more than a sliver. She closed it and turned the box over again. This time she pulled. The box slid open, revealing a long, narrow hollow.
Downstairs she found the entire school gathered in the dining room. Tommy and Koulsy were sharing the glory due healing heroes. It took her a moment to find Leo Chavanon.
His eyes brightened when he saw the box in her hands. “That’s my favorite, too.”
“I didn’t see it in your room before.”
“Loaned it to Rudolph. He thought he could find all of the secret drawers. He only found three.” Leo grinned. “My dad told me there are nine, but I’ve only found five. He gave it to me last term, and it’s the most complicated one yet. He liked to play with it when he visited.” His face clouded over. “Do you think I’ll ever find them all now that dad’s gone?”
“I suspect you will.” She turned the box over and over in her hands. “Do you mind if I borrow this for a few days?”
He shrugged, “No, but if you find all the drawers, you have to show me, okay?”
She kissed him on the top of the head and said goodbye.