Chapter Five
It was nighttime when we landed, close to one a.m. I would have liked to see Paris from the sky, but it wasn't to be. Leaving the plane, we were ushered down a labyrinth of checkpoints and stations where we got our passports stamped. Then we traveled down even more hallways and thoroughfares before we were able to find our checked bags.
Charles de Gaulle was a massive place. The main terminal was circular and four stories high. The stairs between floors crisscrossed from various levels through the rotunda's center. Ms. Laura led the way.
After what seemed like an hour of walking, we found a tram that linked up with the Paris commuter rail. Ms. Laura sat down while I remained standing. We were all exhausted from traveling, and the train ride was quiet.
Emily rested her head on my chest while I stood supported by the overhead rail. The nighttime urban landscape rolled by, and I thought about my experience. How was I going to explain to them how I felt? I played out the conversation in my head and all the hurt feelings it might bring. I thought about what we did on the plane and how it would affect us.
I looked over at Ms. Laura. Tired and near napping on the bench seat, she looked like the old woman I knew her to be. I cared about her and owed her a lot, but I couldn't help but feel some resentment towards her at that moment. She had shown up unannounced and shattered the wholesome thing I had going for me.
I felt Emily's body press up tighter against me as she released a contented sigh. It was enough to make me melt. She was the center of my world and the love of my life. She wanted this, and it made her happy. I thought back to a few Christmases ago. I had a wonderful time with both of them.
I sighed. I was overreacting and just needed to relax. My relationship with Emily wasn't going to change because of Ms. Laura. We were going to have fun.
I forced myself into better spirits, and eventually, we stopped at our terminal. Leaving the train, the platform was mostly deserted and smelled of urine. A pack of teenagers jumping turnstiles and some homeless were the only human life we saw till we were above ground. The shops in the train station's atrium were all shuttered, and the cavernous space was deafly quiet.
"The hotel is across the street from the station," Ms. Laura said, her voice echoing, "It's right at the base of Montparnasse Tower. You can get a good view of the city from the top."
"We can do that tomorrow," Emily added lethargically.
Sure enough, exiting the station was the skyscraper. It sat apart from the others in Paris's skyline. The black, glass, and steel behemoth loomed over the sprawling low-lying building that made up Paris's iconic downtown streets. The little hotel we were staying at was kitty-corner from the station and was only a short walk.
Ms. Laura checked us in, and we navigated our way to the room. We exploded into it as soon as the door lock turned green. Carrying mine and Ms. Laura's main bags, I wheeled everything in and placed it in the corner. Emily dropped her suitcase opposite the bed, and Ms. Laura collapsed into the soft mattress.
I took in my surroundings. The room was small, at least by American standards. It had one bed, which I had already figured we'd share, but I was still annoyed. Finally, there was a small balcony overlooking the street, which Emily found her way out on.
I was digging out some toiletries when she returned with a tired but beaming smile.
"I can't believe we are here, Paris!" Emily squealed, "I've always wanted to go."
Her excitement was contagious, "I know me too, but I'm just glad to be off the airplane for now. I'm going to take a quick shower before going to sleep."
A quick glance at Ms. Laura found her lying motionless on the bed with her eyes closed.
"I'll take you up on that offer," Emily said in a hushed tone.