Chapter Twelve Just Like That
By the time they made it back to the entrance of the park, both of their coffee cups were empty.
Camille tossed hers into a nearby trash can.
Simone did the same."I needed that."Simone looked over.
"The walk?"Camille nodded."Yeah." She shoved her hands into her jacket pockets.
"I don't think I've felt this relaxed in a long time.
"Simone smiled."I'm glad."After a minute, Camille spoke.
"So."Simone looked over."So?"Camille smiled.
"Now that I'm relaxed, I think we should do something fun after breakfast."Simone laughed.
"Oh?"She slipped her hands into her jacket pockets.
"And what do you have in mind, Ms. Adventure?
"She thought for a second."That brochure in the room mentioned painting classes.
""I was thinking it might be fun."Simone smiled.
"We can go if you want."Camille looked up at her. "Just like that?"Simone glanced over.
"Just like that." Camille couldn't the smile that spread across her face. She didn’t have to convince her. There was no discussion. No list of reasons why it would be fun.
"Just to talk or hang out." She stared at the menu, trying to hide the panic on her face. Across from her, Simone was watching.
"Yeah."She looked back down at her menu too.
For a second neither of them said anything.
Camille looked up. She opened her mouth, ready to say something.Anything.
Before she could, the server returned carrying two glasses of water, a basket of fresh croissants, and small dishes of butter.The interruption couldn't have come at a better time.
The server smiled."Are you ladies ready to order?
"Camille looked down at her menu."Yeah."She pointed to what she wanted and handed the menu back.
Simone ordered too. The server collected the menus.
"I'll have that right out for you.""Thank you," Simone said.Once the server walked away, the table was quiet.
Camille reached for her water. Simone reached for hers.Camille looked down at her glass.
Then back up to see Simone was already looking at her.
Just as Camille was about to say something, her phone started ringing.She looked down at the screen and smiled.
"It's my mom."Simone smiled."Answer it."Camille tapped the screen.
The second the call connected, her mother's face appeared.
"Hey baby.""Hey Mom." Her mother smiled.
"Look at you sitting outside looking all relaxed.
"Camille laughed. Her mother leaned closer to the camera.
"You look happy."Camille smiled."I am.""Good.
""Where's Simone?""She's right here."Camille turned the phone to Simone.
"Hey Mom," Simone said."Hey sweetheart."A smile spread across her mother's face.
"Has she actually been relaxing?"Simone laughed.
"Yes ma'am.""We're actually having a really good time.
""And she's smiling."Camille grabbed the phone back.
"See? I'm relaxing."Her mother laughed."Good.
"Her expression softened. "I was hoping you would, baby.
"Camille smiled."You deserve this."For a second Camille didn't say anything.
Then she looked down."I know."Her mother nodded.
"Just enjoy yourself.""I am."Then her mother squinted at the screen.
"Wait."Camille sighed."What now?""Y'all outside?
""Yes.""You Outside?""Yes."Her mother smiled.
"Look at you."Camille laughed."What mom?
""Six months ago, you would've been sitting in that hotel room.
"Camille opened her mouth. Then it closed.
Because she wasn't wrong. Her mother smiled.
"That's all I'm saying." Across the table, Simone looked down at her water, hiding her smile. Camille looked over at Simone and pointed at her.
Simone mouthed,"What?"while trying not to laugh.
Camille narrowed her eyes."Okay, Mom. Our food is coming.
I'll call you later.""Yeah, okay."Her mother smiled.
"Love you girls. Talk to you later.""Love you too," Camille said.
"Love you too, Mom," Simone added.Camille set her phone on the table and looked at Simone.
"That wasn't funny."Simone laughed."It was a little funny.
"Camille shook her head."I can't believe she called me out like that.
""I can.""She's been doing that forever.
"Camille laughed."That's true."Before either of them could say anything else, the server appeared beside the table carrying their food.
"Here we are." The plates were carefully placed in front of them.
The smell alone made Camille smile."Enjoy.
""Thank you," Simone said.Camille picked up her fork and looked down at her plate.
She looked back at Simone."Now this looks amazing.
"As they ate, the conversation stayed light.
They talked about the park, the painting class, and whatever else came to mind.Every now and then one of them would look up and find the other already looking.
Then both would quickly look away.By the time they finished eating, neither seemed in a hurry to leave.
Simone took a sip of her coffee."Hey."Camille looked up.
"Yeah?""If there's one thing you want to do while we're here, what is it?
"Camille thought for a moment."Hmm."She smiled.
"Besides touring the Eiffel Tower?”Simone laughed.
"Besides that."Camille looked down for a second.
"I'd really love to see the Mona Lisa."Simone smiled.
A real smile. Camille knew exactly what that meant.
"We're going, aren't we?" Simone laughed.
"Of course we are."A smile spread across Camille's face.
"I knew it.""Then why did you ask?""Because I like hearing you say it.
"Simone shook her head, laughing. Camille smiled and leaned back in her chair.
Knowing they were going made her even more excited. An entire day still ahead of them.