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Anais Nin
Anais Nin
Thespian

Sep-4-2009 12:17

*Prologue*

In the mornings, when no one could see me, I cried until I was gasping for air. The pain of losing my husband, baby, sister, and a friend in less than a year was finally penetrating the hard shell of protection that had enveloped me for so long. But would I let anyone see me that way? No. Never. I was strong.

After I got my breath back, I would carefully dry my eyes, apply makeup, and paste a cheerful grin on my face. I would stop to pet dogs on my way to the office, say hello to people on the streets, and studiously avoid any baby trams I saw coming my way.

In essence, I acted as my friends had always seen me, and did my best to make sure no one worried about me. But I was falling apart, and wishing I would just die. There was no point in living anymore. All day long I hunted for murderers. I saw my family in every face that lay stiff and cold. Every case where the victim was shot made me remember being shot. And the days had begun to blur together.

Then the letter came. It looked like an ordinary letter. A long envelope, the return address was an Attorney's office in New York City. I looked closer. It was the attorney my father had used. 'Why are they contacting me?' I thought as I ripped open the envelope and closed the door to my office. Another envelope with a return address of Leake and Watts from Yonkers, New York fell out along with a with a note that had READ THIS FIRST written on top. 'Strange,' I thought as I began to read.


Replies

Anais Nin
Anais Nin
Thespian

Oct-5-2009 11:31

My life, my entire reason for living, was bundled up in my lap. A precious child, not even mine. Why did she matter so much? I hadn't cared enough when I had been pregnant to quit my job with a twist of danger- a chance of death- at every turn. And I had lost him. That might be why. I couldn't lose anymore family. For all I put myself in deadly situations, I did want to live. And now, I was sacrificing my life for the life of my niece. Not literally, of course, but I was giving up my friends, job, and identity for un unknown period of time.

A wide brimmed hat sat on my head as I stared at the curtains that covered the windows of the back seat of Dr. Hoo's new car- a shiny black four door Dodge Sedan. He had the headlights on, and was talking about "improved spring suspension"- whatever the heck that was.

I nodded, said the polite "Oh? How interesting!" while I thought. Josèe drifted off to sleep in my lap.

Half an hour later we arrived. Dr. Hoo owned a medium sized home just outside the city in New Jersey. It was too dark to see it properly, but it looked nice enough- cozy, homelike.

We walked up the steps, Josèe bundled up in my arms, gently stirring as I murmured soothingly in her ear.

"Father! You're home!" A woman exclaimed, throwing open the door. "And you brought someone home with you, too? Come in! Come in!"

Dr. Hoo hurried Josèe and me inside, quickly following.

"Gennie? This is Miss Anais Nin, and her niece, Josèe. They will stay with us for a few nights while Anais arranges to leave the country. Anais? This is my daughter, Gennie Hoo," the Doctor made the introductions.

"Now! You need sleep, my dear!" he said to me, trailing a finger down a cheek. I turned bright red.


Anais Nin
Anais Nin
Thespian

Oct-5-2009 11:31

Dr. Hoo had offered to send me to relatives of his in Shanghai, but there was something about him and his daughter that I didn't quite trust. I over heard them speaking of a place called "Linemessa" and about having to fix "SIDRAT". But I agreed, all the while making my own arrangements.

MS FEATHERS STOP

NEED SAFETY STOP
ACCOMIDATE PLUS ONE STOP
GRATEFUL STOP

ANA STOP

A few days later, I received a telegram in reply.

MS ANA STOP

ROOM SET UP STOP
APARTMENT STOP
SAFETY ENSURED STOP

MS FEATHERS STOP

Relief and gratitude filled my body as I watched Josèe sleep.


Anais Nin
Anais Nin
Thespian

Oct-5-2009 11:32

Two days later, Josèe and I stood at the plank way of the docks. I had a pair of tickets to Shanghai clenched in one had with my drab brown medium sized suitcase, and Josèe's hand in the other. She carried a little satchel on her back as she stared wide eyed at all of the big ships.

"Me going on a boat with you, Mommy?" she asked, excitement filling her voice.

"Yes, sweetheart. We are," I replied as I started making our way to the ticket counter.

"Hi, I need to exchange these tickets? I suddenly have a need to travel somewhere other than Shanghai," my polite smile and reasonable tone startled the ticket seller.

"You are the first polite person I've talked to all morning, lady! Of course! Where is it you be needin to go?"

Glancing around to make sure no one was paying attention, I said, "London."

"Comin right up!" He tore off two and handed them over as I pushed the China bound tickets to him. "Have a nice passage!"

I thanked him with a smile, and with one last look around, say a silent goodbye to Vulkie, Heimlich, Dr. Hoo, Gennie, and everyone else I knew there. Then, Josèe and I boarded the boat bound for London.


Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Oct-8-2009 05:58

For the past few weeks,my nerves were wrecking me. Not knowing where Anais or Josèe were at the moment,if they were safe,if they were "dead". I enjoyed my time,spending it with Heimlich and Joseph and solving other cases. Business still had to go on...

"You want another whiskey?" Joseph asked,a bit turning red. "Yeah,thanks" I replied and Joseph ordered another whiskey for me. "Well,bottoms up!" I said and I swallowed my whiskey in one turn,glowing from the inside.

"Wonder where Heim is.. He's late for our weekly meeting.." Joseph said and I nodded. It was nothing for Heim to stay away so long.

Suddenly,the door was burst open and Heimlich came marching in. "Oh no,not again!" Cyrus yelled and he looked at the door. "This is the second time VonVictor! One more time and you'll wish you never entered this bar in your life!' Cyrus said with a threatening tone and a pointing finger.

"Doesn't matter now Cyrus,I've got important business with two friends!' Heimlich said and he rushed over towards Joseph and me.

"Vulkie,can I speak with you in private?" Heimlich said and Joseph looked up,wondering what all the fuzz was about. "Doesn't matter Joseph,will tell you some other time!" I said,to assure Joseph. "Another whiskey for this man here!" I yelled at Cyrus and he grunted and did so.

Heimlich and I stepped out,while I lighted a cigarette. "Well,what's the matter?" I asked and Heimlich pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket.

"It's a letter from our friend Anais. Let me read it for you.." Heimlich said and so,he began to read the letter that Anais wrote for me and Heimlich..

Vulkie3
Vulkie3
Haynes

Oct-8-2009 09:48

(Just to clarify,Heimlich - Joseph don't know eachother. The "I've got importnt business with two friends" means that it's between me,Heim and Anais. Also,I've made a small mistake then with the "I wonder where Heim is" sentence,said by Joseph. I must've said that then,because I hang out with both Joseph/Heimlich)

Heimlich VonVictor
Heimlich VonVictor
Vigilante

Oct-8-2009 17:25

"Dear Heimlich and Vulkie,

I'm sorry to have left you so suddenly. It's not the way I wanted things to go, and I know that you both must miss me terribly. I'll be staying with Doctor Hoo for a few days before we make arrangements to go elsewhere. By the time you get this, I'll already be elsewhere. Any other time in my life, and I would have had time to explain. Any other time in my life, and this wouldn't have happened, but at this time in my life, it's not about me. It's about Josèe and what's best for her.

I can't begin to describe how my priorities have shifted in these past days. I know I never would have understood until the first time I looked into her eyes. Right now, I need to go where she'll be safe. Where she can grow up away from all this. Away from people like you; away from what I used to be.

Maybe we'll meet again someday. If not in this lifetime, then in the next. Take care of each other, and know that I will think of you both often and dearly.

With love,

Anais"

Heimlich finished reading the letter and placed it on the table, "She doesn't want to be found," he said shakily, "and I can't blame her. She has that child to take care of, and we're just going to be trouble along the way."

Vulkie's expression soured, "Do you mean we're not going to follow her? She's out there all alone with no support! I know her better than you do, and I say we go talk to this Doctor Hoo and find out where she's gone."

Heimlich shook his head and placed the letter back into his pocket, "We are not going to the doctor's house. She needs her space. Don't you dare go looking for her."

Vulkie sighed, "I guess you're right Heim, do you want to join my friend and I for a drink?"

"No," Heimlich responded, "I have some business to take care of, thank you anyway." He smiled and walked out the door, fully intending to do the one thing he had forbidden Vulkie to do.

Heimlich VonVictor
Heimlich VonVictor
Vigilante

Oct-8-2009 17:37

As he approached Dr. Hoo's house, he felt a pit in his stomach. Would he find the answers that he sought? Would this be a wasted trip? He noticed a middle aged woman with red hair walking up to the door.

"Excuse me?" he called, "Is this Dr. Hoo's home?"

The woman turned around and smiled, "Yes it is," then extending her hand forward, "hello I'm Donna, I'm the doctor's traveling companion."

Heim reciprocated, "Nice to meet you, I'm Heimlich VonVictor. Traveling companion? Are you and the doctor going on a trip?"

Donna nodded excitedly, "Oh yes! We're going to Barcelona. He's promised to take me, but we always seemed to get lost along the way. I'm sure we'll end up there this time though!" As she finished her sentence, they reached the door and Donna reached out and rapped on it. Seconds later the door flew open and Dr. Hoo stood in front of them.

"Donna! You're here! Just in time. And Heimlich my dear boy! What on earth brings you here?" Dr. Hoo asked.

"My dear boy?" Heimlich said, "I'm fairly certain I have quite a few years on you doctor."

"Don't be too sure, you never know!" The doctor said with a smile, "Now Mr. VonVictor, what can I do for you?"

Heimlich took a gulp and answered, "I want to know where Anais is. She may think she has it figured out, but she needs support, she needs people who care about her."

Dr. Hoo shook his head, "I'm sorry Mr. VonVictor, but she made me promise not to disclose that."

"Please," Heimlich pleaded, "I just need to know that she's alright. My presence caused her trouble before, and now I'd like to make it right, and offer her some support for her child."

Dr. Hoo sighed, "She's staying with some of my relatives in Shanghai," he pulled out a pad and pen and began scribbling, "and this is the address. However, Mr. VonVictor, before you act I want you to think about why she didn't want you to know where she was. Then ask yourself if this is really the best idea."

Heimlich VonVictor
Heimlich VonVictor
Vigilante

Oct-8-2009 17:42

He handed the paper over to Heimlich and bid him farewell before taking Donna inside and shutting the door.

Heimlich stared at the little piece of paper, the one thing that could trace Anais. He could easily get to the address, but maybe it was him that made her run to begin with. Maybe he could just send her some money, but then she might run out of fear. He didn't want to take away her last safe place...

He held the address up to the sun, reached into his pocket and pulled out his silver cigarette lighter. Without a second thought he lit the corner of the note and watched his final link to Anais and Josèe evaporate into smoke and ash. He couldn't tell Vulkie, she would never understand. When it was done, he lit a cigarette and slowly made his way back home.

Josèe Nin
Josèe Nin

Oct-21-2009 11:52

"Yes, sweetheart?" Anais turned, hand still on the door handle.

"Mummy? I- I- I- want to stay up with you!" she stammered out, knowing she wouldn't be allowed to, but hoping, just hoping, she might be able to.

"Oh, darling. You know you need sleep," Anais left the door to sit at the edge of the bed, gently smoothing back Josèe's curls. "Do you want me to sing you a lullaby?"

"Yes, please, Mummy," Josèe snuggled into Anais, thumb in her mouth, eyes slowly drifting shut as Anais' clear soft voice lilted the song.



Anais Nin
Anais Nin
Thespian

Oct-21-2009 12:07

"Dodo, l’enfant do" was the song my mother sang to me when I was a child, and wouldn't go to sleep. Now, here I was, a mother singing the same lullaby to my little girl. I had never felt closer to my mother than at that moment.

I thought of the words as I sang them- so simple. So sweet. So innocent.

"Dodo, l’enfant do, [Sleepy time, the young one sleeps,]
L’enfant dormira bien vite [The child will sleep very soon]
Dodo, l’enfant do [Sleepy time, the young one sleeps]
L’enfant dormira bientôt. [The child will sleep oh, so soon.]

Une poule blanche [A white hen]
Est là dans la grange. [Is in the barn.]
Qui va faire un petit coco [It’ll make a small egg]
Pour l’enfant qui va fair’ dodo. [For the child who goes to sleep.]

Dodo, l’enfant do, [Sleepy time, the young one sleeps,]
L’enfant dormira bien vite [The child will sleep very soon]
Dodo, l’enfant do [Sleepy time, the young one sleeps]
L’enfant dormira bientôt. [The child will sleep oh, so soon.]

Tout le monde est sage [Everyone is calm]
Dans le voisinage [All around]
Il est l’heure d’aller dormir [It’s the time for all to sleep]
Le sommeil va bientôt venir. [Sleep will come soon.]"

I hadn't really needed to finish the lullaby for Josèe... she was asleep after the first verse. No, I had to finish it for me. I sang the last stanza again, with wonder that it was true- "Tout le monde est sage dans le voisinage".

Silently, careful not to disturb the child, I slipped from the room.

Ms Parr glanced up from her book, "She is asleep?"

"Yes, she is. I am ever so grateful to you, Ms. Parr. This really will only be for a few months-" I started to blubber.

"You can stay as long as you need to," she reassured me as I pulled out my hankie, hastily wiping away my tears.



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