Abel in Paris by Jeffrey Allen Whte (distant reading .TXT) 📖

the finest schools and Lilly learned to appreciate all that was good and proper. Although she was from one of the best families in Paris, Lilly was a humble, soft-spoken girl who was a friend to everyone no matter there ancestry or position in life. Her parents educated her for a life of high society and a place among the aristocracy of Paris. Both her parents loved her so, that when she decided to become a chef, they supported her even though they desired her to marry a doctor or other professional and have several children in a beautiful Parisian apartment and to join them in their society photos in the newspapers.

Once her parents came to grips with Lilly’s decision to become a chef, both Louisa and Jean-Pierre Bassette were able to enroll their only daughter in the famous Cordon-Bleu School of Fine Cooking. Many great chefs started their careers there. It only took money which they had plenty of due to business and land holdings in and around Paris. Nothing was sparred in Lilly’s education. After college and finishing school, she was to find a husband, settle down, join into society and take over her parents charitable works. With her being their only child, they doted on her and her education.

At age 15, Lilly wanted to be a ballerina. She would spend hours at her ballet bar and in her home studio practicing and taking daily lessons. At 16, she became interested in writing; she wanted to expand herself in verse and wrote poetry and stories by the drawer full. At the age of 18, she tried her hand at fashion design, attending a prestigious fashion design school for almost six months before dropping out to travel the next eighteen months across Europe, backpacking and staying in hostels in countries like Italy, Greece and Spain. She was fluent in five languages. Then at 20, she set her sights on learning to cook and become an excellent pastry chef. Her parents were always behind her although they were disappointed their only daughter had not became the young society debutante of Paris, where she’d attend the most lavish parties and festivals, go to the best art galleries and museums and become a pillar of society in the only world that they both knew.

Three years of cooking school and several less than successful positions in top Parisian restaurants thanks to her Papa, she decided to go to the United States to bring the culture and cuisine of her people and her talent as a chef to the people of America.

Distraught over this plan of Lilly‘s, her parents tried to talk her out of it promising her anything to keep her home. They thought this would just be another spirited adventure in their young daughter’s life. Her father Jean-Pierre even promised her a position in one of their hotels restaurants they owned. However, Lilly was determined to make it on her own merits so she would go bring her culinary expertise to the fast food, frozen dinner and microwave using Americans. Lilly took her savings and a large gift of money and the reluctant blessings of her parents. Moreover, the promise of her room waiting for her should and when she returned.

Her father asked her, “But where do you intend to go my dear, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and Chicago? We have friends with hotels there also. Perhaps a position working for one of them?

Lilly interrupted him, “I have heard of a place in one of the largest states of a city that intrigued me.” Lilly was full of wanderlust and drifted off somewhere in her mind.

Jean-Pierre and Louisa stood there for what seemed like an eternity until finally her mother spoke up. “Where do you intend to go to my dear? Somewhere grand and lavish would be my choice.”

“I hope somewhere I can open my own restaurant.” Lilly went to that special place only she knew of.

“But where would you go, mom Cherie? Where do you intend to start this new venture of yours?” Jean-Pierre went to his daughter and put his hands on her shoulders turning her around to meet her face to face.

“Oh father, it is a wonderful place. It has the same name as my birthplace. A place called… Paris, Texas. It is a perfect place to start my own business.” She was beaming with excitement.

Her father, not believing what he had heard, asked. “But to go to a place you have never been before and to live and work in a culture that is so different from your own?”

“Why Father, it is named after our very own beautiful city. Paris. How different could it be? I expect they are just like us. I do believe I will be successful there. With a name like Paris how different could it be?” Lilly turned to her mother who was weeping silently. “Oh, Mama, do not be so afraid. I will be all right. I have my savings and I know exactly the place I want to have, a small but elegant restaurant serving fine dinners with wine and cheeses, just like the places you and Papa frequent here at home.”

“Nevertheless, my daughter, how do you know of these people? You have not been there before. You have never been to America at all.” Louisa tried to compose herself and not cry anymore.

“I know it will be hard Mama, but I want to create my own place, somewhere I can develop my skills and grow.” Lilly was dreaming again.

“You can grow anywhere my dear, her father interjected. Could you live among the common cowboys and savage Indians of the West…? How could you?” Louisa started to weep once again.

Lilly laughed, “It is not like that Papa, and Texas is a very wealthy state in America. There is much international trade and commerce.” Lilly tried to ease her parents concerns. “Here are brochures I have sent for telling of how the state is so large that a single family owns the largest working ranch. It says it takes hours just to drive through it.” Lilly handed the brochures to her parents hoping to ease their worry.

Louisa looked through the brochures featuring southwestern scenes of wide-open spaces. The thought of her only daughter could be living on a ranch where they kept cattle and livestock mad her all the more apprehensive.

Lilly produced another brochure. “I have received information and a guide from the city of Paris, Texas, Chamber of Commerce. They say that Paris, Texas is a wonderful place full of life, diversity and opportunity.” Lilly’s blue eyes widened and her speech became intensified. “There are many places to rent and I hope to find the perfect place to start my restaurant and career.”

“You know your mother and I am very proud of you and love you very much.” Lilly’s father put his arms around her and brought her closer to him. He looked at her lovingly and into her bright wide blue eyes, his own were holding back tears of both pride and sadness. His only daughter was leaving the nest, leaving her country, her home to become an American executive. “Promise me one thing, mom Amie.” He lifted her chin so he could see her entire face. “Promise me that if you cannot find your dream, you will come back. Your mother and I wish you much success.” He kissed both her cheeks and then her forehead.

“I promise Papa.” Lilly reached out for her mother to join them. If I do not succeed within six months, I will return and go to work for one of your hotels.” Lilly hugged her parents tightly as they all stood there together. Tears flowed from all three, holding on with all their strength. No one wanted to let go first.

Eventually, Lilly’s father pulled away reluctantly and went to the large buffet cabinet where they kept their finest crystal and china. It had been in her father’s family for more than 200 years. The ornate drawers were deep and long. Her mother stored family treasures between the pressed linens. Lilly’s father picked up some of the linens that were passed from one generation to the next such as when a child married. Louisa carefully removed them, placing the linens on the large dinning table next to the ornate buffet. Her hand searched for a small box that was beneath the lace napkins. Finding what she searched for, her mother joined her father and together they held the small box before to Lilly. “Before you go, we want you to have this. It originally belonged to my grandmother; she wore it on her wedding day.” Lilly’s mother handed her the treasured

Lilly took the small ornate, hand-tooled, delicate box and opened it. Inside was a locket, a gold locket on a chain. Lilly lifted it so the light from the window reflected its intricate design. The shape was that of a heart, not your average heart but one of precision and exquisite design and of high quality gold. “Mama it is so beautiful.” Lilly began to cry. “It is so lovely. I remember seeing it in old photographs of Grand Mama.”

“Look inside, you will find two photos. One is of your great grand father, and the other is of your grandmother, my mother, who in the photo was very beautiful.” Louisa’s mother had died when she was very young, not much older than Lilly age. “This locket was worn by my mother until she died. My Grandmother had passed it down. My mother, Josephine would tell us stories of how her parents were so much in love and how her grandfather. Jean-Luc, has given it to his young bride, Antonina. My grandfather never stopped loving his wife. He missed her very much. Three generations of women in this family wore this locket. There are four generations counting you now. I decided it was much too valuable a thing to wear with a very active child to take care of. I was afraid to lose it even though I had your father take it to our jeweler to check the clasp to make sure it was strong and tight.” Louisa spoke softly and continued, “I was always too afraid to wear it after you were born in fear that it would be lost or broken but it is your legacy now to have it. Wear it and remember your family and where you have come from.” Louisa had leaned her head on Jean-Pierre shoulder as he put his arm around her. “I feel that this locket will keep us all together even though the miles are distant.”

Lilly, admired the locket. “It is so beautiful. I hope to be in love some day as you and Papa, your parents and grand parents. Grand Mama was so pretty.” Lilly examined the small photos of her long gone relatives. Her great grandfather, her mother’s own father was a kind looking man with a smile punctuated by deep dimples on either side of his wide smile. Lilly thought he