The Midnight Call That Shattered the Silence

The midnight call that shattered the silence.
At halfpast eleven, the phone rang abruptly. Camille had just drifted off, listening to her husbands steady breathing, and the sudden tone jolted her awake. Her heart pounded louderat that hour nothing good could be expected.
Louis, she whispered, shaking her spouse gently. Louis, wake up! Its the phone.
He sat upright in bed, snatching the handset. Camille watched his face grow paler with every 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 the inevitable.
Pierre and Sophie, he swallowed. An accident. Both of them. On the spot.
A heavy hush settled over the room, broken only by the ticking clock. Camille stared at her husband, unable to comprehend.
Just two days earlier they had all been in the kitchen, sipping tea, Sophie sharing her new tart recipe, and PierreLouiss best friend since universityrecounting fishing tales.
And Juliette? Camille suddenly recalled. God, what happened to Juliette?
She was at home, Louis said, pulling on his trousers hastily. I have to go, Camille. Theres a need for identification and then
Ill come with you.
No! he snapped, turning sharply. Lucie will stay alone. No point frightening 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.
She lay awake all night, pacing the apartment and glancing repeatedly at the clock. She checked on Lucie, who slept peacefully, her cheek rested on her hand, red hair scattered over the pillowso serene, so vulnerable.
Louis returned at dawn, eyes bloodshot and exhausted.
Its confirmed, he said hoarsely, collapsing into a chair. A headon collision with a truck. They didnt stand a chance.
What will happen to Juliette now? Camille asked softly, setting 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 incapable of caring for her.
They fell silent. Outside the window, dawn was gray and bleak. Juliette, Louiss goddaughter, was the same age as Luciea shy little blonde.
You know, Louis said slowly, maybe we could take her in?
Camille turned sharply. Are you 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, maybe talk to Lucie first.
Whats there to think about? he 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 was moving so fast, so unexpected.
Mom, dad, whats happening? Lucies sleepy voice startled them. Why are you up so early?
They exchanged a glance; the moment of truth had arrived sooner 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 to her feet:
No! she shouted. I dont want that! Let her go to her grandmother!
Lucie! Louis scolded. How can you be so heartless after everything shes endured?
And what does it matter to me? she snapped, eyes flashing. Those arent my problems! I wont share my house with her, nor you!
She stormed out, slamming the kitchen door. Camille looked at her husband, helpless.
Maybe we should have waited?
No, he replied firmly. Its decided. Juliette will live with us. Lucie will adjust.
A week later Juliette moved inquiet, pale, with a vacant stare. She spoke little, answering questions only with nods. Camille tried to surround her with care, cooking her favorite meals and buying fresh butterflypatterned bed linens.
Lucie deliberately ignored Juliette, locking herself in her room. If she met her in the hallway, she turned away and kept walking.
Stop acting like that! their father chastised. Show some compassion!
What am I doing wrong? Lucie retorted. Im just treating her as if she doesnt exist. This is my house!
Tension rose daily. Camille shuttled between the girls, trying to smooth things over, but the more she tried, the worse it got.
Then the earrings vanishedher favorite gold pair studded with tiny diamonds, a gift from Louis for their tenyear wedding anniversary.
Its her! Lucie declared when Camille discovered the loss. I saw her enter your room when you werent there!
Its not true! Juliette shouted for the first time. I didnt take anything! Im not a thief!
She burst into tears and fled to her room. Louis stared at his daughter, darkeyed.
You did that on purpose, didnt you? Trying to drive her away?
Im telling the truth! Lucie stamped her foot. Shes just pretending to be sad, when in reality
Thats enough! Camille interrupted. Lets not fight. Well find the earrings; maybe I misplaced them myself.
Three days later a ring disappeared from the jewelry boxan heirloom from Camilles mother.
So that one vanished too, by accident? Lucie snapped. Or should we pretend nothing happened?
She stood in the living room, hands on her hips, a tiny fury. At the doorway, Juliette trembled, biting her lip, tears welling.
Camilles gaze shifted from one girl to the other, and for the first time in days she seemed to understand something.
Sitting on the bathtub edge, she held a bottle of mercurochrome. A simple idea had crossed her mind while treating a paper cut on Juliettes finger: the red stain, as persistent as a lie, as visible as truth.
When everyone was asleep, she retrieved her jewelry box. She marked each ring and earring with a minute green 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 shrouded in a heavy silence. Juliette mechanically stirred her cereal; Lucie stared at the window; Louis sipped his coffee with a grim expression.
The girls, Camille tried to speak calmly. Show me your hands.
They looked at her, puzzled.
Why? Lucie furrowed her brows.
Just show them, Camille said.
Juliette extended her handclean, unblemished. Lucie hesitated.
I dont want to! she tried to stand.
Sit down! their father boomed. Show your mother your hands right now!
Reluctantly, Lucie placed her palms out. Tiny green specks glittered on her fingertips.
A deafening silence filled the kitchen. The clock ticked, water dripped in the pipes, Louiss breathing was heavy.
You he choked with anger. You accused Juliette while you
Lucie jumped up, knocking her chair over. Terror mixed with something else in her eyesperhaps shame.
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 cool off, he said sharply. She needs to think about what shes done.
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 trembling. Night is coming
Then, after the long day of quiet, Juliette sat up suddenly.
I think I know where she might be.
How do you know? Camille asked, surprised.
I Ive seen her sometimes. She likes to sit in the old pavilion in the park, near 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, determination.
Go, she gave permission.
One hour passed, then another. Night deepened when a knock sounded at the door.
Two disheveled girls stood on the threshold, 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 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 being foolish, Juliette said suddenly. You cant steal love. Either its there, or it isnt.
Camille stared at her, astonished at the wisdom of a twelveyearold.
We talked, Juliette explained, meeting Camilles eyes. A long talk. About everything.
And guess what? Lucie smiled through tears. Shes awesome. Our Juliette loves Harry Potter and plays chess! Mom, can she stay in my room? Please?
A lump formed in Camilles throat. She embraced both girls tightly. Somewhere in the apartment, Louis shifted loudly.
Later, as she sent the girls to bed, she heard them whisper:
Can I call you sisterette? Lucie asked.
Yes, Juliette replied, her voice warm. If you teach me how to make bracelets first. Yours are beautiful
Camille gently closed the door. In the kitchen, Louis waited with two glasses.
You know, he said thoughtfully, pouring the 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 once been strangers whispered their secrets, slowly becoming true sisters.