Jules Saint

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

Valentin gestured toward an unused table. Katia sat on one of the vacant chairs.

As did she. Diffidently.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

Valentin led the way into the café. Katia and she followed.

A kind of television played music that reminded her of football, somehow, though its image was a windy field.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

Valentin led them to the smallest café she'd ever seen.

Two tables for two sat outside the open doorway, and one seating three within.

In a corner, a small TV played music.

https://t.co/42A5G54cs9

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

She and Katia followed Valentin, exchanging a glance.

A calico cat watched them from an open window. The window frame was painted duck-egg blue.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

Valentin watched them turn their eyes back to him.

Katia nodded.

He gestured, vaguely, and began to lead the way down a narrowing street of dusty cobblestones.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

The man smiled, slightly lopsidedly.

"But when I talk this much, I must drink also," he said.

Katia narrowed her eyes.

His smile widened.

"My name is Valentin," he said. "May I invite you both for a drink, or perhaps coffee?"

She and Katia exchanged a glance.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

"A metaphor for what?" asked Katia.

"For beginnings and endings, form and substance. Perhaps for the voyage of the soul."

"Or souls," she added.

He nodded. "A great many souls, yes."

He spoke quietly, as if concerned that someone might overhear.

She saw no one else nearby.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

"But in simple terms..." she added.

He breathed in, and out, and looked back at her.

"In simple terms, it is a metaphor," he replied.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

"What is your interpretation?" she asked.

He smiled, and looked away.

"That would take some time," he replied.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

She shifted her weight to her toes.

"What is the point of the labyrinth?" Katia asked.

"There are different interpretations," the man replied. "Some contradict each other, and others harmonise."

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

The man smiled.

"Have you walked the labyrinth yet?" he asked.

"No," she answered.

Katia said nothing.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

"I have no opinion," she replied.

Katia turned to glare at her.

The man said nothing.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

Katia took a step toward the man, lifting her chin.

"You're not making any sense," Katia said. "There is no meeting scheduled, and today is not any anniversary I know about."

He looked past Katia into her face.

"You agree with your friend?" he asked her.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

He smiled, mildly.

"This is an anniversary," he said.

"An anniversary?" asked Katia. "Of what?"

"Of a meeting," he answered. "It doesn't mean anything to other people, but they are not my concern. Our concern, I mean."

The two women looked at each other.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

"Do you know us?" Katia asked.

He regarded each of them, in turn.

"Perhaps," he answered. His accent was good, but he was not native, she decided.

Katia hardened her tone slightly. "Then who are you to judge whether we are early or late?"

"And for what?" she interrupted.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

Outside, the two young women faced the man, standing back from the great doors of the cathedral.

He said nothing, watching them.

She turned her head to observe Katia.

Katia gave him one of her unthreatening smiles, and lowered her chin, somewhat as if addressing a young boy.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

Katia stepped past, and through the doorway. She regarded him with a vaguely disappointed air; his worn collar, and faded clothing.

She followed.

As she moved past him she smelled a fugitive fragrance, like freshly fired earthenware.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

The man spoke the words straightforwardly enough.

"We seem to be blocking the doorway. I would prefer not to inconvenience the other parishoners."

He took a half-step back, and held the door open for them.

She looked at Katia.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

Katia – characteristically – was leading, but paused too, just outside the opened door.

"What do you mean?" the man replied.

"Don't be evasive, please," she said, smiling.

The man pursed his lips, darting a glance at each of them. Then he sighed a little, and lifted his chin.

[Jules Saint @julessaint]

The two women turned back to face the man.

He looked at each of them in turn, dropped his eyes, and took a step back, holding the door open for them.

As they began to move through the door, and past the man, she paused.

"Excuse me, but what did you mean by that?"