Day's end, and Charlotte Lucien-Malvern finally comes home. As the manager of the downtown branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, it was her duty to be the last person exiting the office. Striding through the streets of Ottawa, Ontario, on a cold November afternoon, it was easy for her to let her mind wander.
Sometimes she found herself thinking about the past, about her old clan back in the City of Montreal, Quebec. It had been nearly twenty years since she laid eyes on them, yet the wounds still felt fresh. You're dead to me if you decide to stay with this nigger, her father, Jerome Lucien, told her, spitting on the floor of the family room for emphasis. Dad I love him, a younger Charlotte had said with conviction, much to her father's dismay.
Charlotte looked to her mother, Genevieve Vesper-Lucien for support, but the Lucien family matriarch stood beside her husband, her cold gaze lingering on her daughter pitilessly. Mom help me please, charlotte said. You made your choice when you decided to be with him and you are dead to us, Genevieve said, laying her hand on her husband's arm. So it's team effort, Charlotte said, feeling her shoulders sag with disappointment. What did you expect? her mother asked. I expected my parents to support me because they love me, Charlotte said, her voice breaking. For a long moment, no one said anything...
Get out of my house, came her father's stone-cold reply to Charlotte's unasked question. Without another word, Charlotte Lucien walked out of the two-story house in southwest Montreal where she grew up. Steadily she walked to the street corner, and hailed a cab. Just drive, she told the stocky, older middle-eastern man in the driver's seat. The older man looked at her with sympathy. Rough day miss? he asked, a worried smile on his face. I've had a rough life, Charlotte replied. Stifling the tears she felt were coming, she told him of her destination. The University of Montreal campus, where Saul Malvern awaited her.
Finally she made her way to his dorm, and stood, frozen, in front of his door. After three knocks he came, and upon seeing her like this, he ushered her instead. Ma Cherie are you okay? Saul Malvern asked. Not really, Charlotte replied. Gently Saul put his arms around her and hugged her. Tell me all about it, he said. A few moments later, sitting on the living room couch, Charlotte Lucien did just that. What a son of a bitch, Saul muttered under his breath, as charlotte told him about her father's reaction when she revealed to him that she wouldn't end her relationship with her black boyfriend.
I can't believe they're so bigoted, Charlotte said, quietly sobbing on Saul's shoulder. Gently he raked his fingers through her long blonde hair. We'll get through this my love, he said. Cupping Charlotte's beautiful face in his hands, he gently kissed her on the lips. Charlotte wrapped her arms around Saul and kissed him full and deep. Nothing's going to happen to you babe I swear it, he told her, hugging her tightly when they finally came up for air. Promise? Charlotte asked, through tear-stained eyes. On my life I swear it, Saul said. Charlotte looked at him, smiled briefly and then her expression darkened. Don't make promises you can't keep, she said. Suddenly rising to her feet, she strode toward the door.
Saul got up, and put his hand on the door, halting Charlotte's exit. My family doesn't want me anymore and the day you grow tired of me I'll be completely alone, Charlotte said. Cherie I could never tire of you, Saul said. For a tense moment, they stood there, silently staring at each other. I bet you say that to all the white chicks you bring here, Charlotte said, glaring at the portrait of African-American actor Jim Brown and Italian actress Lucia Paluzzi on Saul's living room wall. What if I said you're not like the others? Saul said, emotion rising in his voice.