Midnights call shattered the quiet.
In an instant, the phone rang at 11:30p.m. Camille had just slipped into sleep beside her husbands steady breathing, and the sudden noise made her jump. Her heart pounded harderat that hour, there was little to hope for.
Louis, she whispered, shaking her husband gently. Louis, wake up! The phone.
He sat up abruptly, snatching the handset. Camille watched his face grow paler with each passing second.
What when? he asked hoarsely. Yes yes I understand. Im on my way.
Louis placed the receiver down slowly, his fingers trembling.
Whats happening? Camille murmured, already sensing that something irreversible had occurred.
Pierre and Sophie he swallowed. An accident. Both of them. Right away.
A heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by the clocks ticking. Camille stared at her husband, unable to accept the news.
Only two days earlier theyd all been in the kitchen, sipping tea, Sophie sharing her new tart recipe, PierreLouiss university best friendspinning fishing tales.
And Juliette? Camille suddenly recalled. My God, what happened to Juliette?
She was at home, Louis said, pulling his trousers on hastily. I have to go, Camille. Theres a matter that needs acknowledging. And then
Im coming with you.
No! he snapped, turning sharply. Lucie would stay alone. No point frightening her in the middle of the night.
Camille nodded. Her husband was rightthere was no reason to involve their twelveyearold daughter in this tragedy, at least not yet.
She lay awake all night, wandering the apartment, repeatedly checking the clock. She stopped by Lucies room, where the girl slept, breathing softly, her cheek resting on her hand, red hair scattered across the pillowso peaceful, so vulnerable.
Louis returned at dawn, eyes bloodshot and exhausted.
Its confirmed, he said hoarsely, collapsing into a chair. A frontal collision with a truck. They had no chance.
What will happen to Juliette now? Camille asked gently, placing a strong cup of coffee before him.
I dont know. All she has left is her grandmother in the village. The woman is very old, almost helpless.
Silence fell. Camille gazed out at the grey, dismal dawn. Juliette, Louiss goddaughter, was the same age as Luciea shy little blonde.
You know, Louis said slowly, what if we took her in?
Camille turned sharply.
Youre serious?
Why not? We have a spare room. Im her godfather, after all. I wont let the child end up in an orphanage.
Louis, thats a huge decision. We need to think, talk to Lucie.
Whats there to think about? he slammed his fist on the table. Shes an orphan! My goddaughter! I could never look at myself in the mirror if I abandoned her!
Camille bit her lip. Of course her husband was right, but everything felt so sudden, so unexpected.
Mom, dad, whats going on? Lucies sleepy voice startled them. Why are you up so early?
They exchanged a glance. The moment of truth had arrived faster than theyd imagined.
My dear, Camille began, sit down. We have very bad news.
Lucie listened in silence, her eyes widening with each word. When her father mentioned Juliette moving in, she sprang up.
No! she shouted. I dont want that! Let her stay with her grandmother!
Lucie! Louis scolded. How can you be so heartless with what shes endured?
And what does it matter to me? the girl snapped, eyes flashing. These arent my problems! I dont want to share my house with her! Nor you!
She stormed out of the kitchen, slamming the door. Camille looked at her husband, helpless.
Maybe we shouldnt rush?
No, he answered firmly. The decision is made. Juliette will live with us. Lucie will get used to it.
A week later Juliette moved in, quiet, pale, with a vacant stare. She spoke little, answering questions only with nods. Camille tried to surround her with carecooking her favorite meals, buying fresh butterflypatterned bedding.
Lucie deliberately ignored Juliette, locking herself in her room, avoiding eye contact in the hallway.
Stop acting like that! their father admonished. Show some compassion!
What am I doing wrong? Lucie retorted. Im just treating her as if she doesnt exist. This is my house!
Tension in the household grew daily. Camille shuffled between the girls, trying to smooth things over, but the more she intervened, the worse it seemed.
Then the earrings vanishedher favorite gold pair studded with tiny diamonds, a gift from Louis for their tenth wedding anniversary.
She took them! Lucie declared when Camille discovered they were missing. I saw her go into your room when you werent there!
Its not true! Juliette shouted for the first time. I didnt take anything! Im not a thief!
She broke into tears and fled to her room. Louis looked at his daughter, darkeyed.
You did it on purpose, didnt you? Trying to drive her out?
Im telling the truth! Lucie stomped. Shes just faking sadness while actually
Thats enough! Camille interrupted. Lets not fight. Well find the earrings. Maybe I put them somewhere and forgot.
Three days later a ring disappeared from the boxa unique memento from Camilles mother.
So that vanished too, by chance? Lucie snapped. Or should we pretend nothing happened?
She stood in the living room, hands on hips, a tiny fury. At the doorway, Juliette trembled, biting her lip, on the brink of crying.
Camilles gaze shifted between the two girls, and for the first time in days she seemed to grasp something.
Sitting on the bathtub edge, she held a bottle of mercurochrome. A simple idea had struck her while treating a paper cut on Juliettes finger: mercurochromestubborn as a lie, visible as truth.
When everyone slept, she took the jewelry box and marked each ring and earring with a minute dot.
What am I doing? she whispered in the dark. God, how far have I gone
The next morning a pendant was missing. The table was heavy with silence. Juliette stirred her spoon listlessly through her cereal; Lucie stared defiantly out the window; Louis sipped his coffee with a grim face.
Girls, Camille tried to speak calmly, show me your hands.
They looked at her, confused.
Why? Lucie furrowed her brows.
Just show them.
Juliette extended her hand, clean, unmarked. Lucie hesitated.
I dont want to! she tried to stand.
Sit down! her father boomed. Show your mother your hands, right now!
Reluctantly, Lucie placed her palms forward; tiny green dots glittered on her fingertips.
A deafening silence filled the kitchenthe clock ticking, water flowing in the pipes, Louiss heavy breathing.
You he choked with anger. You accused Juliette while you
Lucie sprang up, overturning her chair. Terror mixed with something else in her eyesshame, perhaps.
I hate you! she screamed. I hate you all!
Before anyone could stop her, she bolted for the front door, slamming it shut.
Lucie! Camille chased, but Louis grabbed her shoulders.
Let her get some air, he said harshly. Let her think about what she did.
Hours passed and Lucie didnt return. The phone stayed silent. As dusk fell, Camille could stand it no longer.
We have to call the police, she said, voice shaking. Night is falling
Then, after a day of oppressive silence, Juliette sat up suddenly.
I think I know where she might be.
How do you know? Camille asked.
I Ive seen her sometimes. She likes to sit in the old pavilion in the park, by the pond.
Why didnt you say that sooner? Louis demanded.
You never asked, Juliette shrugged. Ill go get her. Alone. Please.
Camille exchanged a look with her husband. There was something new in Juliettes voiceconfidence, determination.
Go, she permitted.
An hour slipped by, then another. At twilight, a knock sounded at the door.
On the threshold stood the two girls, hair disheveled, faces flushed. Lucies eyes were swollen with tears, but the anger had faded. Juliette smiledthe first genuine smile shed shown in weeks.
Mom, Lucie whispered. Im sorry. Ill give everything back.
I know, sweetheart, Camille pulled her into an embrace. I know.
Its just that I thought Lucie sobbed. Youd love her more than me. Shes so unhappy. And me
Youre an idiot, Juliette said suddenly. Youre an idiot, Lucie. Can you steal love? Either its there, or it isnt.
Camille stared, astonished. How could a twelveyearold be so wise?
We talked, Juliette explained, meeting Camilles eyes. A lot. About everything.
And you know what? Lucie, through tears, grinned. Shes awesomeour Juliette. She loves Harry Potter! She plays chess! Mom, can she sleep in my room? Please!
A knot formed in Camilles throat. She gathered both girls in her arms, holding them tightly. Somewhere in the apartment, Louis shifted noisily.
Later, as she tucked the girls into bed, she heard them whisper:
Can I call you sistah? Lucies voice.
Yes, Juliette replied, smiling in her tone. If you do one thing for me.
Whats that?
Teach me how to make bracelets. Yours are so pretty
Camille closed the door gently. In the kitchen, Louis waited with two glasses.
You know, he said thoughtfully, pouring rubyred liquid, I bet Pierre and Sophie are happy up there.
You think? Camille asked, taking a glass.
Certain. Their daughter is finally home, with family. And now she has a sister.
Stars twinkled outside; distant dogs barked. In the childrens room, two girls who had just become strangers to each other whispered their secrets, slowly turning into real sisters.
The Midnight Call That Shattered the Silence
