Trois

    For weeks, life was nothing but a blur of school and homework for Mademoiselle Emilie. Fall grew colder, but the young mademoiselle enjoyed her walks that much more. Whenever she could, she broke from her schooling and journeyed to the other side of town. She went to her favorite places. These were her secret places. They were full of beauty from the trees and the streams. They were quiet. She walked to these places as often as she could. On one such walk, mademoiselle Emilie was distracted. Upon investigating, she found Nico being bullied. The bully was bigger than her, but she was fearless. She had to put a sop to this. Nico was still a child. She interrupted. The bully, still holding Nico, lashed out at her. She was immediately scared, but held her ground. She didn't know what exactly she had planned on doing, but she just jumped right on in' "Let him go" she commanded, "leave him alone!" This time she screamed. Jean-Michel had shown up and, at the sight of him the bully left. Jean-Michel was a bit of a big brother to everyone. He took the responsibility of protecting the kids, and sometimes the adults, in the neighborhood. Scaring off bullies was common practice, by this time.
     "I'll take him home" Jean-Michel said.
     "No, it's alright. I'll take him home." Emilie responded. Since helping out the family, she had felt a little protective of the kids.
     "No, really, I can do it" argued Jean-Michel.
     The two argued about who would take Nico home, all the way to Nico's home. Once they got close, Nico expressed his thanks as he dashed to the front door. Neither Mademoiselle Emilie and Jean-Michel  had realized that, while arguing about who would do it, they had already delivered Nico home- together. Upon realizing that their arguing was in vain, they started looking at the ground in slight embarrassment  They mumbled something about being on their way and said farewell.
     Jean-Michel had already realized his feelings for Emilie, but he hesitated to tell her. They were from different worlds. What he didn't know was that, on that day, seeing him so concerned to protect the defenseless, a great admiration grew in her heart. She already respected him above the other young men, but now she very much admired him.

Deux

     First it was the sight of three hungry kids, two hungry parents, and one hungry grandfather through the side window. She loved this family, but had not gotten to spend much time with them. Then, she allowed a thought, just a little old thought, to change her direction. She knew she would make it to Marie's in time if she ran. And ran she did. She ran to the estate, filled up a knapsack and returned to Remi's house. She was going to leave it at the front door, but didn't want to risk the stray dogs finding it. So she knocked. This was a bit strange. She had never been to their house. Nicolas answered the door. "Nico! So good to see you!" This was a bit awkward because, just beyond Nicolas, Emilie could see his very thin and feeble grandfather. Nico's older sister Remi soon joined them at the door. They were younger, about fourteen and eleven, but Remi at least carried herself as if she was an adult. That was common with some of the children in the neighborhood. They were all so full of warmth and life and love, but the kids had to grow up too fast.
     "I brought this for your family" she said as she handed them the knapsack. "I thought you might be able to put good use to it before it went bad." They looked inside to find bread, some cold meats, and some fruit. "All I ask is that you don't tell anyone it was from me. I'd like to keep this a secret if at all possible." They nodded their heads quietly and watched her leave.
     She went directly to Marie-Christine's house. So many people had already shown up, so she was able to sneak inside and let her hair down for a little. She got to run into some of the other children she had come to be friends with, Pierre and Jean-Michel and Natalie. Though, these kids weren't really kids. They were around her age. Natalie was very beautiful, with her long brown hair and long brown eyelashes. Jean-Michel was very handsome himself. He was a couple of year older, and he was growing up. Pierre was very young at heart, and Emilie never would have wanted him to change. She also got to see Olivier, her favorite seven year old,  the son of one of her other maids, Sabine. It all felt like family. With all the weeks at school, this was a lovely way to spend an evening.
     Though he didn't say anything Jean-Michel found out about her generosity to Remi and Nico. They kept their word about not telling, but, when he saw the fruit, a luxury for the upper-class, he knew it must have been Emilie. Her choice of food gave her away. Jean-Michel knew it was her. In that moment, when he learned of her kindness and generosity, Jean-Michel fell in love with Mademoiselle Emilie.

Un

     Once upon a time, in the far away land of France, a number of centuries ago lived a wonderful young mademoiselle by the name of Emilie. Now, at this particular time in history, the division between the classes was as distinct as, well, as generally any other time in history. The rich associated with more rich, while the poor grew poorer. Mademoiselle Emilie, born into wealth, grew up in a lovely mansion. Her parents constantly traveled, yet enrolled her in the finest school, assigning her to the care of the full staff of maids as well as the faithful old butler. Mademoiselle Emilie loved her parents dearly, especially when they came home each holiday season. She played the part of upper-class darling quite properly, dressing, walking and speaking like the young lady she was. The staff and the schoolteachers groomed her to enter high society with a presence. High society in those days resembled today's upper class. It combined extravagant houses and extravagant parties with beautiful people and beautiful cars. And, like many elite groups, no one in high society liked each other very much. Everyone was so preoccupied with impressing each other. It was in this culture that mademoiselle Emilie's parents lived whenever they returned from their extended holidays.
     The staff raised and cared for Mademoiselle Emilie. All grew very fond of one another. Over the years one of the maids, Marie-Christine, invited Emilie to family gatherings. Sabine and Renee would as well, but it was mostly Marie-Christine. The maids and the butler lived in a quite different world, it seemed. To be quite frank, they were poor. They did not have extravagance. They lacked much. But the people were so warm and inviting. They often had gatherings. Oh, they would start out small, but soon enough the whole neighborhood would join. They all brought what food they had- usually some bread- to share. Soon enough, the place would be full with families talking and laughing and dancing- oh the dancing! Mademoiselle Emilie loved the dancing. She danced with the other young ladies as well as the older men who had become her very own fathers and grandfathers. She danced with the children. She loved, so very much, all of the parties.
     Now, between the young mademoiselle and the maids, this dual life remained a secret. It wasn't that she intended to lie to her parents. It was more that, when her parents finally arrived to the estate, they had such other things to discuss. So, for years, this secret life on the other side of the town remained a secret.
     One early autumn day, Marie-Christine invited mademoiselle Emilie to join her for another evening with her family. Mademoiselle Emilie instantly agreed and released her early for the day.
      "Marie, Marie, please get on your way. You have a house to prepare. I will join you after I finish my Latin assignment" Mademoiselle Emilie insisted.
     Marie-Christine protested, but Emilie argued, "I know the way. I know these streets better than anyone. I will not see you again until evening."
     That is exactly what she did. She finished her schoolwork and left for the other side of town. Though, she did give herself time to meander. She knew all of the streets. She knew the ins and outs and the little-known pathways and the back alley-ways. She wanted to visit one of her favorite places. On the way, however, she passed by Remi and Nico's house. She was going to pass by but, something distracted her.