The Aftermath

After I got done talking to Yves, I spotted ...

Gustave...

staring absent-mindedly out the store window.

I took a deep breath. I hadn't seen him since, you know, that night. I didn't know exactly how to proceed. This is entirely new for me, not knowing. Usually I'd just barrel through.

But I couldn't do that here. With Gustave. With Yves. With the Chinese lady in the store window-shopping.

So I just stood there for a few moments. "Care to clue me in?" asked Yves. "Something happen between you and Delven there?"

I let out a deep breath and shook my head. "Heck no!" I lied, not even sure I sounded convincing.

Yves took the Chinese tourist to the back of the store...which left me and Gustave. In the store.

Alone.

Sigh.

Why does this have to be so damn complicated? And why do I get absolutely tongue tied in situations like this?

It's easy for my brother. He just strolls up to some girl and she's batting her eyelashes and falling under his spell.

For me, though, damn, why did I have to inherit the Plumb reticence in these matters? Why did I have to be more like Aunt Margaret and not like dad?

My reverie, though, was interrupted by Gustave's voice. "Savannah!"

I turned around.

"I get worried about you when you go off on these adventures," he said as he gave me a hug.

I was surprised. "You do?"

"Absolutement."

"I had to go do something at the museum for Yves."

"Would you like to come over tonight?" he asked.

"Sure, I guess," I replied, letting out a deep breath. "After work?"

"Oui, c'est bon."

"See you then."