The midnight call that shattered the quiet.
Suddenly, the phone rang at halfpast eleven. Camille had just drifted off, lulled by her husbands steady breathing, and the abrupt ringing jolted her awake. Her heart hammeredat that hour, nothing good could be expected.
Louis, she whispered, shaking him gently. Louis, wake up! Its the phone.
He sat up instantly, snatching the receiver. Camille watched his face grow paler with every passing second.
What when? he asked in a hoarse voice. Yes yes I understand. Im on my way.
Louis set the phone down slowly, his fingers trembling.
Whats happening? Camille murmured, already sensing the inevitable.
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 believe it.
Just two days earlier, theyd all been in the kitchen sharing tea, Sophie bragging about a new tart recipe, PierreLouiss longtime friend from universityspinning fishing tales.
And Juliette? Camille suddenly recalled. My God, whats happened to Juliette?
She was at home, Louis said, hastily pulling on his trousers. I have to go, Camille. Theres a need for identification and then
Im coming with you.
No! He turned sharply. Lucie would be alone. No point scaring her in the middle of the night.
Camille nodded. He was right; involving their twelveyearold daughter in such a tragedy served no purposeat least not yet.
The night passed without sleep. She paced the apartment, glancing repeatedly at the clock. She checked on Lucie, asleepbreathing softly, cheek resting on her hand, red hair splayed across the pillow. So peaceful, so fragile.
Louis returned at dawn, eyes bloodshot and exhausted.
Its confirmed, he said, collapsing into a chair. A headon collision with a truck. They had no chance.
What will happen to Juliette now? Camille asked gently, placing a steaming cup of coffee before him.
I dont know. All she has left is her grandmother in the village. Shes very old, almost helpless.
Silence stretched. Camille stared out at the gray, mournful dawn. Juliette, Louiss goddaughter, was the same age as Luciea shy little blonde.
You know, Louis said slowly, maybe we should take 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, this is a huge decision. We need to think, maybe talk to Lucie.
Whats there to think about? Louis slammed his fist on the table. Shes an orphan! My goddaughter! I couldnt live with myself if I abandoned her!
Camille bit her lip. He was right, but everything happened so quickly, so unexpectedly.
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 silently, 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 callous? Shes already suffering
And what does that have to do with me? Lucie shot back, eyes flashing. Its not my problem! I dont want to share my house with her, nor you!
She stormed out, 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 adjust.
A week later Juliette moved inquiet, pale, with a vacant stare. She spoke barely, answering questions only with nods. Camille tried to envelop her in care, cooking her favorite meals, buying fresh butterflypatterned bedding.
Lucie deliberately ignored Juliette, locking herself in her room; if she met her in the hallway, she averted her gaze and kept walking.
Stop acting like that! their father warned. Have some compassion!
What am I doing wrong? Lucie retorted. Im just acting as if she doesnt exist. This is my house!
Tension grew daily. Camille shuffled between the two girls, trying to smooth things over, but the more she intervened, the worse it became.
Then Juliettes earrings vanishedher favorite gold pair with tiny diamonds, a gift from Louis for their tenth wedding anniversary.
She took them! Lucie exclaimed when Camille discovered the loss. I saw her go into your room when you werent there!
No way! Juliette raised her voice for the first time. I didnt take anything! Im not a thief!
She burst into tears and fled to her room. Louis glared at his daughter.
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. The earrings will turn upmaybe I misplaced them.
Three days later a ring disappeared from the jewelry box, a keepsake from Camilles mother.
So that vanished too, by chance? Lucie snapped. Or should we just pretend nothing happened?
She stood in the living room, hands on hips, a tiny storm of fury. Near the door, Juliette trembled, biting her lip, on the brink of tears.
Camilles gaze shifted from one girl to the other, and for the first time she seemed to understand 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 fingera thought about the red stain, as stubborn as a lie and as visible as truth.
When everyone was asleep, she retrieved the jewelry box. She marked each ring and earring with a tiny dot.
What am I doing? she whispered in the darkness. God, how far have I gone
The next morning a pendant was missing. The table was heavy with silence. Juliette mechanically stirred her cereal; Lucie stared out the window; Louis sipped his coffee with a grim face.
The girls, Camille tried to speak calmly, show me your hands.
They looked at her, puzzled.
Why? Lucie frowned.
Just show them, Camille replied.
Juliette extended her handclean, unmarked. Lucie hesitated.
I dont want to! she tried to get up.
Sit down! Louis barked. Show your hands to your mother right now!
Reluctantly, Lucie placed her palms out; tiny green dots glittered on her fingertips.
A deafening silence fell over the kitchen. The clock ticked, water drummed in the pipes, Louiss breath was heavy.
You he choked with rage. You accused Juliette while you
Lucie leapt up, overturning her chair. Terror mixed with something elseshame, perhaps?
I hate you! she shrieked. 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 cool off, he said harshly. She needs to think about what shes done.
Hours passed; Lucie didnt return. The phone stayed silent. As dusk fell, Camille could no longer stand still.
We have to call the police, she said, voice trembling. Night is coming
Then, after a day of silence, Juliette straightened 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 earlier? 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, resolve.
Go, she permitted.
An hour passed, then another. When dusk settled, the doorbell rang.
On the threshold stood the two girls, hair disheveled, faces flushed. Lucies eyes were swollen with tears, but the anger had left her gaze. Juliette smiledthe first genuine smile in weeks.
Mom, Lucie whispered. Im sorry. Ill make things right.
I know, sweetheart, Camille pulled her close. I know.
Its just that I thought Lucie sobbed. Youd love her more than me. Shes so sad, and I
Youre silly, Juliette said suddenly. Youre silly, Lucie. Can you steal love? Either its there, or it isnt.
Camille stared, astonished at the wisdom of a twelveyearold.
We talked, Juliette explained, meeting Camilles eyes. A lot. Everything.
And you know what? Lucie, through tears, smiled. Shes awesomeour Juliette. She loves Harry Potter and plays chess! Mom, can she stay in my room? Please!
A lump rose in Camilles throat. She hugged both girls tightly. Somewhere in the apartment, Louis shifted noisily.
Later, as she tucked the girls into bed, she heard them whisper:
Can I call you sisterette? Lucie asked.
Yes, Juliette replied, a smile in her voice. If you teach me how to make bracelets. Yours are beautiful
Camille closed the door gently. In the kitchen, Louis awaited with two glasses.
You know, he said thoughtfully, pouring rubyred liquid, I bet Pierre and Sophie are happy up there.
Do you think so? 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 only just become strangers whispered secrets, slowly becoming true sisters.
The Midnight Call That Shattered the Silence
