Let Them Have Cake (4 page)

             
As they exited the church, Lurline pointed out the gargoyles framing the top of the building. As they walked around to the rear of the cathedral, the River Seine came into view. The waters were dark and forbidding.

             
“That looks cold. I wouldn’t want to fall in,” commented
Mark.

             
“Everything is cold at this time of year. Don’t get too close to the river and you won’t fall in,” answered Anna.

             
“I was able to schedule a cruise down the
Seine
tonight on a Bateaux Mouches. That’s a barge type boat converted to a floating restaurant. We’ll have dinner on the boat and see a very different view of
Paris
’ lights at night,” announced Lurline.

             
“That sounds like we’re going to be right on the river,” Mark said. “It’s going to be hard to avoid it.”

             
Anna giggled. “We’re going to cruise, not swim.”

             
“For now, let’s do a little shopping, then we’ll get back on the bus to tour the city.” Lurline continued. “We’ll be making a stop at the
Eiffel
Tower
. Those of you who are brave can take the trip to the top. After that we’ll drop you off on the
Champs Elysees
. The remainder of the day then is free.”

             
“That sounds exciting!” exclaimed Anna. “I’ve been to the top of the Space Needle in
Seattle
and it’s not nearly as high as the
Eiffel
Tower
. I can’t wait to see
Paris
from the top.”

             
“Well, I’ll do it if you really want to, but I’m not too sure it’s safe,” said a skeptical Mark. “I have to think about my future.”

             
“What on earth does going to the top of the
Eiffel
Tower
have to do with your future?”

             
“I just worry about putting myself in danger, that’s all.”

             
Was he a wimp? If she wasn’t afraid then why was he? He sure looked masculine and fearless, but he wasn’t acting it.

             
“That’s okay, Mark. I’m not afraid to go to the top by myself. Give me your camera and I’ll take pictures of the city for you, then you can tell everyone back home that you were there,” Anna offered.

             
They shopped briefly for souvenirs, then boarded the bus. Anna sat silently for the remainder of the bus tour while listening to Lurline’s rambling monologue. Mark either failed to notice her change of mood or didn’t feel it was significant.

             
As the bus pulled to a stop in the shadows of the
Eiffel
Tower
, Mark let out an involuntary sigh. “Whew! That thing sure is tall!”

             
Anna exited the bus and went to the end of the line to buy a ticket for the Tower. Mark reluctantly followed.

             
Jeff and his entourage were already in line. The girls were giggling and acting completely out of character for two statuesque model types. Jeff was reading a guidebook and ignoring the antics of his companions.

             
He glanced up and smiled at Anna. “Hi. I was just reading some trivia about the tower. Interested?”

             
Anna turned to look for Mark before answering. Finding that he was staring up at the tower in abject terror, she focused her
attention back to Jeff.

             
“Sure, it looks like we’re going to be here awhile. The line is pretty long.”

             
“You’re in for it now. I’m a bit of a trivia buff.” His blue eyes sparkled as a bit of sunlight shone through the clouds. “Anyway, the tower is painted once every seven years and it takes fifteen months to paint.”

             
“Really, fifteen months?” Anna asked.

             
“Yes, and that’s not all. Who do you think does the painting?” Jeff quizzed.

             
“Painters, I assume.”

             
“Well of course, but they’re a special kind of painters. They’re mountaineers.”

             
“That’s interesting,” Anna said, thinking that Jeff could make anything fascinating.

             
Jeff flashed her a grateful grin, showing two rows of perfect white teeth. “They use three different colors of paint. The darkest color is painted on the bottom, the middle section is lighter, and the lightest color is on the top third.”

             
Anna looked puzzled. “Why is that?”

             
“If it were all one color, the top of the tower would disappear into the clouds. It’s an optical illusion.” Jeff paused and gazed towards the top of the tower.

             
Anna felt someone tugging at her sleeve and twisted her
head so she could see who it was.

             
“Anna, I need to tell you that I have Heightaphobia,” a pale Mark offered.

             
“That’s Acrophobia, not Heightaphobia,” Anna corrected.

             
Mark shook his head and said, “Yeah, well whatever. I’m still afraid of heights.”

             
“Look, Mark. You don’t have to do this, you know,” Anna said. “I’m perfectly capable of going by myself.”

             
“Really, I want to go. I was just teasing earlier about being afraid,” Mark replied.

             
Sure you were, Mark. Anna thought as she presented her money to the cashier.

             
They, along with other tourists, were herded into a cage type apparatus resembling a ski lift. Packed in like sardines, it was difficult to see out the tiny windows to view the city. The cage soon lurched to a stop and they were then driven out the opposite door.

             
“This is the first stop. There’s a snack bar on this level,” said the operator; first in English, then in French, then in other languages Anna didn’t understand. “Anyone wishing to go higher can follow the arrows to the elevator.”

             
The tourists followed directions and crammed into one of six tiny elevators to go to the next level. At first the door wouldn’t close on the elevator Anna and Mark were on. Finally
the operator discovered Mark’s backpack was jamming it. Once it was freed, the elevator slowly made its way to the next stop.

             
“Why are you wearing that thing, Mark? We’re not on a camping trip. Do you really need a backpack?” Anna asked.

             
Mark ignored her question.

             
“It’s cold up here,” Mark said as the doors opened and they stepped out. “You can feel the tower moving! I don’t think I like this!”

             
“Come on, Mark. Don’t whine. Look at the view. It’s magnificent. You can see all of
Paris
from here. Let’s take the stairs up and go all the way to the top. We can take pictures from up there,” said Anna.

             
“You go. I’m feeling a little queasy. This motion is making me dizzy. I’ll wait for you right here on this bench,” Mark said as he sat and put his head in his hands.

             
Jeff approached just then. “Is he all right?”

             
“He’s having a minor panic attack. Apparently he’s afraid of heights.”

“Go ahead, Anna. I don’t want you to miss out because of me. I’ll be fine. Here’s my camera. Take some pictures for me, please.”

“Are you sure, Mark?” Anna started for the stairs, not waiting for an answer. “I won’t be long. I’ll take lots of pictures for you.”

             
She glanced back to see the brunettes and Jeff hovered around Mark in a concerned manner.

             
The view from the top was amazing and Anna quickly forgot the scene from the lower level. Cars looked like tiny toys and people resembled ants crawling all over the city. She took picture after picture. Then, feeling a twinge of guilt, she hurried back down the stairs to see how Mark was.

             
“How are you feeling?” Anna asked with genuine concern. “Are you ready to go back down? It’s lunchtime.”

             
“I’m better. I think I’m just hungry. The croissants this morning didn’t fill me up. Let’s go back down now. I’m ready for lunch,” replied a pale Mark as he put his arm around Anna’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head.

             
Mark continued, “Jeff and his sisters were really nice. They were truly concerned about me. He said he works with you at the hospital.”

             
“His sisters? Those are his sisters?” Anna asked.

             
“Yes. They have an ancestor that came from
Versailles
. Jeff promised them years ago they would make a trip someday to see where their great-great…I don’t know how many greats…grandfather was from. His sisters just finished college, so this is his graduation gift to them,” Mark explained.

             
“Are you sure? Those are his sisters?” Anna asked.

             
“Yes. Who did you think they were?”

             
“I had no idea. They don’t look like him, so I didn’t think they could be his sisters. Pretty silly of me, huh?”

             
Mark chuckled and shook his head. “Actually, it’s pretty kinky of you. You thought it was a threesome, didn’t you?”

             
Anna blushed but didn’t answer Mark.

***

             
As the bus drove around the circular place Etoile, Lurline pointed to the Arc de Triomphe. “This structure was completed in 1836. It was commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate his victorious armies. Unfortunately, there is currently some renovation taking place and we’re unable to get a good look at it. It’s mostly covered by the scaffolding and drapes that you see. This is commonplace in
Europe
with the ancient structures that are constantly in need of work to keep them from deteriorating. We’ll proceed on down the
Champs Elysees
to the area where most of the restaurants are.”

             
The bus soon pulled to a stop. Lurline made sure everyone had maps and were certain they knew how to get back to the hotel before allowing them to disembark.

             
“What do you feel like eating?” Mark asked.

             
“I don’t really care. Let’s walk until we see something that looks promising.”

             
As they walked, Anna noticed other couples strolling along. Many of them held hands or linked arms together as they
meandered, frequently turning to one another to exchange a few words and smiles. Feeling a bit lonely and certain she had ruined any chances with Jeff, Anna linked her arm through Mark’s.

             
“Oh, good. Are you finished being upset with me over the
Eiffel
Tower
affair? Don’t say you weren’t upset, because I know you were,” Mark replied.

             
“I was just a little disappointed. It was silly of me but I have this old fashioned idea that men are always supposed to be strong and brave.” Anna said and then laughed. “After all the work my mother did for women’s liberation in the 60’s, she would be really upset if she heard me say that!”  

             
“Maybe I’ll just tell her what you said when I get to meet her,” Mark said.

             
“I’m afraid it will be a long time before you meet either of my parents.” Anna shook her head as if she was unable to comprehend what her parents had been thinking.

             
“Why’s that?” Mark asked.

             
“True to their liberal hippie roots, they waited until my sister and I left home, then joined the Peace Corps. They’re off in a jungle somewhere in
South America
doing God-knows-what.”

             
“That’s awesome,” Mark exclaimed.

             
Anna’s facial expression let Mark know he shouldn’t pursue the topic.

             
“Let’s eat. I’m starving. That restaurant over there looks good,” Anna said.

             
Mark pointed in the direction of the restaurant he thought Anna was referring to. “You mean the one with the horseshoe over the door?”

             
Anna grinned. “Yes, maybe it means this is our lucky day.”