This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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"A true soldier does not fight because he hates what is in front of him, but rather because he loves what is behind him."
Gilbert K. Chesterton
Summary of Chapter One
Darius was a foot soldier in the French Sixth Army. He was involved in the Battle of the Somme, one of the greatest trench warfare battles of the Great War. His position was overrun by the Germans. He sprinted away, finding himself in a vineyard in the Town of Maurepas. He found safety in a champagne wine cellar and discovered that the wife of the couple that owned the vineyard, Giselle, was hiding in the cellar as well. Giselle's husband Bernard was missing in action in Flanders. Darius was able to scavenge food, clothes and supplies from the vineyard farmhouse and returned to the cellar to the great relief of Giselle. Giselle and Darius celebrated Darius's bounty by sharing a hearty meal washed down with champagne. They fell asleep in each other's arms.
Chapter Two
Darius was the first to awaken by the rumble of a nearby explosion. Apparently the fighting was closeby. Darius dressed, grabbed his rifle, and made his way up the stairs with Giselle pleading for him not to leave. He peered out the door and could hear German commanders barking orders and the whinny of cavalry horses nearby. He slammed the door shut and hurried back down the stairs. "It's not safe out there. The Germans are here. We should keep our light to a minimum in case they find the cave door."
With only a stub of a candle for illumination Darius and Giselle marked time by sharing their personal histories. They sat close together under a quilt, as they were now accustomed to being in close quarters with one another. Darius relayed that he grew up in Bordeaux on a modest family owned vineyard. He went to the Sorbonne, studying to be a writer, and after graduation found a job at a local bookstore working as a buyer and a clerk. He enjoyed reading books and drinking wine, both of which he did in abundant quantities. He met Louise in Paris and had been dating about a year when he decided to enlist. She was also 24 and worked in millinery as a sales clerk. Darius was always amused by Louise, as she was always wearing the hats and clothes that were the fashion of the day. Darius shared a picture of Louise which was taken the previous year. It showed her wearing a high necked lacy dress and a wide brimmed hat. Giselle commented that Louise looked lovely. Darius told Giselle that Louise had fine blond hair and bright blue eyes. He was hoping to save up enough money to marry her, but the war put that plan on indefinite hold.
Gisele told Darius that she grew up within a mile of this farmhouse and that her parents were also farmers, although they grew lettuces and other produce instead of grapes. She had hoped to be a ballet dancer in Paris but by the time she was 13 she had grown too big to be in ballet. She pointed to her breasts, which elicited a smile from Darius. She went to art school in Paris instead and enjoyed painting with watercolors. She exhibited her paintings at a local gallery and met Bernard when he purchased one of them. Their relationship blossomed through their mutual appreciation of art. They were married about 15 years ago but weren't able to have children. She wasn't sure why. Bernard enlisted back in 1914 and went to Flanders where he went missing. She was certain he was dead. Bernard was not only a good husband but a good winemaker, with their champagne the toast of the town. They were able to use the income from the champagne to fund their household. Over the past few months commerce in the town had ground to a virtual standstill and Giselle was basically living off her garden and what she had canned from previous years. She wasn't sure how much longer her food would last. Darius was touched by Giselle's story and by the end of it was holding her hand in her lap.
Emboldened by their newfound intimacy, Giselle decided to ask Darius about his military training and the war. She had only heard second hand accounts and whatever she could glean from the newspapers. She had not had the opportunity to get a firsthand report, as Bernard had gone missing before his first leave.
"The training was grueling. I've never been particularly fit. I like to read for recreation, not run carrying a heavy pack! And waking up at 6 a.m. and going through a rigorous physical regimen was never something I aspired to. I . . .
"Was born to be in an armchair, right?" interrupted Giselle with a smile.
