Notes
Sally drives our rental car, Gina’s in the passenger seat, I’m sitting in the back like their child. We turn off a paved road outside a town called Vence onto an unmarked dirt track.
“Nearly there, Cohen,” Gina murmurs.
“You don’t need to be nervous,” Sally says.
Not sure if she’s talking to me or Gina.
Out the window is a pastoral wonderland: rolling hills, cypress trees, a sunflower field, as if we’ve driven straight into a Van Gogh painting. We approach a fawn-colored chateau.
As we get out of the car, a yellow Lab runs out to greet us.
Then a woman emerges from the house. I’m going to have to find a way to keep breathing, because even after Sally and Gina confessed, I still can’t believe I’m here, about to meet her. In person.
I can see how she managed to disappear all this time.
Her hair is as long as it was during season one but almost pure white with streaks of slate gray and braided loosely down her back.
She’s wearing a cotton dress with big pockets, tied with a broad sash at the waist. She wears no makeup.
And in no way does her dress or presentation say, Look at me.
Yet I recognize her instantly. There are other signs of time passing—smile lines, mostly, crinkles at the outer corners of her eyes—but it is very much her, alive, here in France.
I am in awe.
Gina steps in front of me to kiss her cheeks in greeting before I can say anything.
Gina: “Madeline Cohen, meet Faye Blanchet.”
I nod. “It’s an honor to meet you. Faye.”
Faye smiles. “Likewise. Gina and Sally have both spoken very highly of you.”
I’ve heard Lillian’s voice thousands of times in old TMS sketches, but always as a performer, never as herself. It’s deeper than I expected.
“Have they? That’s reassuring. I half suspected they brought me all the way out here to hide my body in a sunflower field.”
Gina smirks. “Don’t get complacent. We haven’t ruled it out yet.”
“Come and sit. There’s a table in the sun around this way. Foufou, assez, non, leave her alone.” Faye brushes away the dog. “Can I get you all something to eat first?”
She disappears and then minutes later brings out a spread of cheese, bread, fruit, and cornichons, a bowl of salad, and beverages. Once everyone’s been served, Faye motions to my cell phone. “Do you want to record?”
“Are you sure you’re ready?”
“I was ready when Gina called, asking if she could bring you along. So yes. Go ahead. Red button. Great. Where should we start?”