CHAPTER 10
Paris, 1952

     In that place, Violet could be anyone, or perhaps no one at all. The people flowed like rivers, never stopping for obstacles but swirling around them. On those wide avenues with wilted trees, their leaves curled and blackened in the August heat, the buildings towered on each side. The golden light on the sandstone architecture was built in the days when curves and design weren't considered superfluous. On days like this, crammed in with more bodies than Violet could count even in a photograph, everything was peculiar for her.

     Paris was different from what she had seen, considering the limited options Violet had been given during her childhood. Beautiful gardens, beautiful views, and a huge take back into history. It turned out that being an international champion had its advantages, right? However, her purposes had nothing to do with chess or any other competition. In fact, things were now spinning around her and Beth.

     The final day for her in Las Vegas turned out better than she had thought, although she lost against Beth, Violet won something much more important, their friendship. She told her about Benny, her mother, and even the bond between her and her father — the one she had been thinking about. They spend that afternoon together, talking and exchanging experiences, which they turned out to be more similar than she'd imagined. Alma was also very happy with the relationship they had developed, which determined her to invite Violet to Kentucky and stay with them for a few days, maybe weeks.

     Days turned into months and Violet's behavior changed tremendously. Beth had slowly turned into her chance to learn about herself, helping Violet become her own person. The loneliness that used to take over her had been a vice in her heart, squeezing with just enough pressure to be a constant pain, which she liked to ignore.

     Some people say once you have mastered being alone, you are ready for the company of others but that didn't make it easy for Violet.

     When everyone's life journey separated from her own, when the only heart beating in the house belonged to her, it wasn't something most could take.

     Slowly, the young woman found herself moving into Beth's house after Alma died. The redhead was ruined after she found her mother lying still in bed, empty, out of breath. There was nothing Violet could do about it but be there for her, which she did. Mexico was a nightmare, especially the match she had lost against Borgov. Beth drowned her misery in chess, just like she had always had. She and Violet would play every day ever since, to keep her focused and ready for the US Championship.

     Paris was just a caprice. Violet collected enough money to go on a trip during the last few months. She realized both she and Beth were in desperate need of a break, a chance to live a little more, outside those 64 squares. After several attempts of trying to convince Beth to come with her to Paris, Violet succeeded and hoped for the best. She knew why Beth was so against her idea. Her mom had dreamt about Paris, about France.

          "So?" Violet bit down on her lip, glancing over at Beth, "Do you like it?" She wrapped Beth's arm around hers as they walked down the most famous avenue, pointing to the floral ornaments and the river. Violet was truly excited and she really wanted to make her feel at ease, "I'm still surprised we've got to see Champs-Élysées now. It's been three days," Violet wondered.

          "Yeah," Beth spoke dryly with a shrug, "It's pretty. Very French."

     Violet responded with a nod and quit asking her any other questions so she won't feel too pressed. No one could see the pain on her face, but Violet was able to sense it. It wasn't pain exactly, more like numbness. She wanted to persuade her into thinking about something else, maybe even enjoy their trip, help her. But when it came to Beth, everything was a mess, an organized one. Only she knew what was happening up there.

     The girls were headed to a popular local in the center, Le Basile. Violet had found out about Beth's relationship with alcohol on one of the first nights she had spent in Kentucky. Beth sneaked out to pour herself a glass of wine and ended up drinking a whole bottle, throwing it up later in the night. Violet was intending to keep her away from any cocktail, at least this night.

The Davis girl had never acted around Beth or anyone else as a mom, or like an older sister. She was her friend, she couldn't judge the girl for doing what she had been. Her mother died, you could say she had her reasons. Of course, she never encouraged her to continue to drink that much. Violet was balanced and Beth was supposed to learn from her own mistakes as well. Plus, she was older and considered herself a good advisor.

          "I really hope you don't regret coming all this way here," Violet's dry lips let out a soft sigh.

     Beth looked at her. "Violet," she began. "You used your economies to get me here. It's one of the nicest things someone has ever done for me," Beth assured the girl. "It's very beautiful. Thank you," Beth's tiny hand grabbed hers.

     Violet chuckled nervously, her grin still spread across her features, "You don't have to thank me," she ran a hand through her straight brunette locks. "It's just," she stuttered. "You didn't want this. Not from the first time. And I doubt that you're a hundred percent happy that I've dragged you here."

     Beth just went silent for a few seconds as they continued walking. Violet felt how the embarrassment was starting to get her cheeks red but her friend's quick reaction made her relax her muscles. 

          "I wish she was here. That's why I refused."

     Violet squeezed her hand. "I know, I'm sorry," she spoke, her voice filled with concern.

          "Don't be," Beth said, "This makes me happy. You do."

     Violet's blush seared through her cheeks, and for a minute, she thought her face was on fire. She suddenly felt demure and coy; even going as far as attempting to hide her rosy features behind her slim fingers. The brown-haired woman knew that Beth's eyes were staring at her eagerly, waiting for a reaction, a response. She didn't know what to do or what it actually meant.

          "We're here!" Violet blurted out.

     Beth blinked twice, her eyes still analyzing Violet's movements. She was confused, perhaps she was expecting something else to happen. The other girl just dragged her to the place, still holding hands. Beth let go once they reached the entrance. Violet introduced both her and Beth to the nice waitress and led them to their table.

     They started to talk, not very much but they did. They ordered something to eat and to drink and made sure their dishes had complicated French names so they would be very surprised. The restaurant was full and Violet looked around at the busy tables. An old couple eating side by side, one glass of wine each, studiously bent over their meals. A group of young women in their thirties collapsed with helpless giggles as a stern woman dining alone nearby looked on and frowned. Businessmen in their grey suits lighting up cigars. American tourists, trying to decipher the menu, just like them. A family and their teenage children. The noise level was high. The smoke level, too. But it didn't bother her.

     She loved it.

     After the waitress finally brought them their orders, Beth and Violet began to eat, without hesitating. Violet liked it, she had already known what her dish was. On the other hand, Beth was crinkling up her nose at every bite of that cordon-bleu.

          "You don't like it?" Violet looked up, holding back her giggles.

     Beth shook her head, "No."

     The woman couldn't help herself as she watched Beth turning up her nose at everything on the table. "Wait, let me help," she grabbed a clean tissue and wiped the corner of her mouth gently and slowly. She avoided eye contact even though Beth's eyes would not leave her face. "Here," Violet leaned backward, against her chair. "You can have my chicken." She gently pushed the plate towards her.

     Beth pulled it back, "It has green things in it," she complained, pointing to the pesto sauce, "I don't want it."

          "You're such a kid. We'll grab some fries on our way back."

     As they were minding their business, a tiny detail caught their attention. The bell rang, maybe louder than usual because they had been hearing it constantly since they got there. Violet spun around out of curiosity as if she felt someone was going to be there, someone she'd met before. Dark, pitch-black hair, emerald eyes, and pink lips curved up in a smirk. The woman wore a dress with blue and gold details. She had fancy jewelry wrapped around her wrists and neck, a few rings on her fingers.

          "Eh bien, s'il n'y a pas mes joueurs d'échecs préférés."

     When she finally reached their table, Violet arched her brows and stared at her for a little more. The thought immediately crossed her mind, it was Cleo, the woman in Benny's room. The redhead was clearly not acquainted with her.

          "Cleo, Benny's friend," She pulled out her hand for Beth to shake since she noticed Violet had recognized her. Her eyes moved from the girl back to the brunette, "You should have let me know you're in Paris!"

     Violet exchanged a few looks with Beth before answering Cleo's question, "I don't think we got a chance to discuss. Besides, you never told me you live in Paris."

     Cleo chuckled, "Oh I remember! J'étais assez bourré at that time," she placed her finger on her chin. "And no worries, it was just a joke. But I am here for you."

     Beth frowned and so did Violet, "For what, exactly?"

     Cleo nodded and pulled out a letter from her purse, "It's about Benny, dear."

     Violet felt a shudder down her back. She suddenly felt her heart in her throat, her eyes flickering from Cleo to Beth, from Beth back to Cleo, from Cleo to the letter, and so on. She was panicked, in danger, like that zone she managed to stay in got invaded by her emotions again. Violet might have changed a lot since the last time she saw Benny but her emotional vortex was just as thin and fragile as before.

          "May I ask what does he want?" Violet inquired, her face not showing any concern.

     Cleo took the empty seat beside Beth, facing Violet, "I guess you're the only one who knows," She handed her the paper. "He just gave me this."

     Violet grabbed it from her slowly and carefully, as if it would break at any sudden movement. She looked at it for a few seconds, stabbing her finger in one of its corners, "How did he know I was going to be here?"

     A short moment of silence lingered in the air as Cleo struggled to find the best response like it was a trick question. There was a name in her head and she knew it. The French woman was just about to cover someone up. Unfortunately, Violet had been one step ahead.

          "I told Benny."

     Beth's words came out of her mouth in less than a second, quick, sharp, and decided. She knew Cleo was willing to lie for her. "He called me one day and asked me for your number," she began to tell her the story. "I told him you won't answer anyway and then I think he heard you because the next thing he asked was if you're with me," Beth explained calmly.

          "Beth—"

          "Let me finish," the girl cut her. "I said yes. He wanted me to take you out somewhere and he'd be there instead. He was willing to drive all the way from New York to Kentucky."

     It looked like Beth's world was slowly falling apart with every word that escaped her mouth. Violet searched through her features for a hint, something to tell her why was she acting like this. She was being honest, she couldn't feel that bad for helping Benny, he must've had good intentions, after all. Violet's eyes locked in with hers, trying to let Beth know she wasn't upset, not even mad, without the need for touch.

          "Then?"

          "He asked questions, a bunch. I told him I don't want to be a part of this and I ended up telling him that we would be in Paris next week and that was the only way he could reach out for you if he really wanted to," Beth said. "I assumed he wouldn't come himself."

     She nervously peered over Beth's shoulder, zoning out. She understood in her mind that she was supposed to feel different, but all she felt was anger. Benny did something wrong that clearly filled up the glass, and now she could feel the full force of this unease. Beth lied, but she was trying to protect her friend from another possible breakdown, which Violet could get over easily. During those months, Violet was able to understand her emotions better than ever and she wasn't going to deny her feelings again. She fancied Benny. And as much as she hated to think about it, she still...liked him. She just had to be sure it wasn't the loneliness that caused her to attach so fast. 

     Violet reluctantly inhaled a good amount of oxygen and blinked, "Thank you, Cleo," she thanked the woman without shifting her gaze from Beth's.