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It’s 10:30 and the Frollos have just finished visiting Champs Elysées also known as Arc of Triumph, which was built to honor those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Now, they are off to visit the village that Claude had lived twelve years in where h experienced fond memories but also tragic ones. Despite that, he had decided to visit after having a severe PTSD episode in the middle of the night, in the hopes of finding some closure.

As they drove toward Claude’s village which is now known as Bright Bridge Village, Claude is on the quiet side. He noticed the worried looks on his wife and son’s freckled faces and gives them a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry you two, I’m fine. I’m just mentally preparing myself is all.”

”Oh..okay.” Said Zephyr. “Well know that me and mummy are here for you one million percent!”

Claude smiled at his son in the rear view mirror. “Thank you cacahuète.”

”So…” began Ica, “Do you think…the village will be the same when we get there?”

Claude signed. “I’m not to sure, I haven’t stepped foot there since I was taken in all those years ago.”

”Papá?” Said Zephyr.

”Yes son?”

”Was that family that took you in nice?”

Claude pondered how he was going to explain this complex question to his son. Though a rich couple had taken him in, they weren’t very family like. “Well, you see. After the raid, couples would take in all the children that had become orphans. It was said if they took in children, they would get paid. The man and woman that took me in were…absent.”

Zephyr tilted his head, “Absent?”

”it means they didn’t treat me like part of the family. There were about 30 children in that house. They had money so it was huge. I had one room to myself…I basically took care of myself. I went to law school when I was seventeen to become a judge…” Claude trailed off. His wife threw him an apprehensive look. Realization had just set in. “Even though Claude had explained to Zephyr that he had been a judge in his younger years, he failed to tell him that he wasn’t a very kind one. “Um…well let’s just say I left and never cared to come back.”

”Oh…well you have me and mummy now as your family. And the congregation too. We are a spiritual family. You will never be alone again.”

Claude’s heart swelled as he listened to his son’s words. “I love you, son.” Was all he could say without tearing up.” Ica took his hand and smiled at him, and he smiled back. Then his smile faltered. There was a sign up ahead that read Welcome to Bright Bridge Village. “We’re here.” Claude parked the car in the cut out of a dirt road.

Zephyr and Ica looked around a tad confused. “Um…where is it?” Asked Ica. “I don’t see a village.”

”There is a trail that leads to it. It’s not far.” Replied Claude.

The three of them got out of the car and spotted a faded wooden sign with directions on it. “Wait here.” Said Claude putting his hand out. He walked up to the sign where a few other people congregated, as they also read over the sign deciding where they wanted to go. Claude’s dark gray eyes scanned the faded wood until he found little villages drawn in a cluster. Under it it read. Bright Bridge Village. Claude turned and walked back to his family, his face unreadable. “Ready?”

“Yeah…but first I have to go to the loo.” Said Zephyr.

Claude looked around. “There’s a portapotty over there. Here, I’ll go with you.”

“Papá I don-” Zephyr began to protest.

“I won’t go in there with you. I will just wait outside the door, okay?” Zephyr nodded, remembering how protective his father could be, especially now that they were here in his village. Claude took his son’s hand and led him to the outdoor bathroom, Ica following them.

After Zephyr had gone in to do his business, Ica turned to Claude. “You know never told him about your past…the whole past of your…public official days.”

Claude pinched the bridge of his pointy nose. “Yes Ica you think I don’t know that? You think I’m just going to say out of the blue ‘Oh hey by the way son, your old dad here was a horrible, savage, and ruthless judge that made people’s lives miserable.’ His tone was mocking and sarcastic. “Why don’t I just announce to all of Paris that the mean old judge is back. I’m sure someone is bound to recognize me at some point.”

Ica frowned. “That’s not how I meant it!”

“Okay, whatever you say Ica.” His wife glared at him, upset at his tone with her. Just then Zephyr stepped out of the portapotty and sensed the tension between his parents.

“What’s going on?”

”Nothing. Come on son.” Zephyr grabbed his son’s hand to leave but he pulled away.

“You guys were arguing again weren’t you! I can tell!”

Zephyr’s parents looked at each other, but before Claude could speak, Ica jumped in. “It’s my fault peanut. I said something to daddy and it kind of hurt his feedings. I was being insensitive, especially because we just got to the place that makes him super anxious. I’m sorry. Claude.” Her hazel eyes were apologetic and his face softened and he took her hand.

“It’s alright mon amour.” He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. Then he held out his arm to Zephyr, who ran up to him and hugged him.

“I know you’re stressed Papá, I felt it when we got here. Say a prayer?” He loomed up at him, his broth green eyes encouraging and sincere. His father nodded and led the in prayer. After they all said Amen a calm fell over him. “Better?” Asked Zephyr letting him go and scanning his face.”

”Yeah, better. Now let’s go. This time he took his wife and son’s hand and together the started down the trail to his village.

About twenty minutes down the path, two large trees stood on either side of the village as if welcoming all those who came to visit. Claude stopped and baled at what he saw in front of him. The village that he had lived in with his mother, father, and younger brother was no longer charred, ransacked, and dead, but was completely restored, abuzz with happy, smiling people. Zephyr and Ica squeezed his hand comfortingly. “Don’t worry, I’m okay.” He reassured them. Together the began to walk into the midst of Claude’s childhood home.

“Wow.” Said Zephyr. “It’s really nice here.” It’s held her breath. Not sure how her husband would react to their son’s comment. Realizing what he had just said, Zephyr back pedaled. “Er..well I mean..not that it’s nice nice because bad stuff happened bu-”

Claude chuckled. “C'est bon mon fils.” (It’s alright son) It is. I guess after everything happened, they decided to rebuild. Sometimes I wonder how I would have turned out if the pirates hadn’t come to destroy everything.” Said Claude wistfully.

Zephyr looked thoughtful. “I don’t know. You probably wouldn’t have met mummy and fallen in love with her, or gotten baptized, or…had me. But…I guess that would hav been okay because you would still have grandma Ethelinda, and grandpa Burlio, and uncle Clement.”

Claude could tell that his son was trying to be supportive but he could see that the thought made him a bit sad. “Zephyr, look at me.” He said bending down to his son’s level. His face was serious but gentle all at the same time. “Don’t think I regret everything that happened after I lost my family, because I don’t. I love mummy, and our congregation and the fact that I dedicated my life to Jehovah. And I certainly do not ever ever have regret having you as my son.”

”Really?” Zephyr’s green eyes searched his father’s face.

”Really crazy boy.” Claude ticked his son making him laugh and then picked him up and put him on his back. Zephyr hugged him around his neck. Ica watched the two of them amused.

”Papá, aren’t I too old for piggy back rides?” Asked Zephyr laughing. “And heavy?”

“Well too old…maybe but you aren’t that heavy. Do you want to get down?” He asked craning his neck to look back at him.

“No, not really.” He chuckled.

Claude smiled at him then he’ll his hand out toward his wife and she gladly took it. As the Frollos walked around the village they enjoyed all the booths of sellers who sold beautiful colorful fabrics, fresh delicious fruits and vegetables, warm baked breads, and a plethora of trinkets. Zephyr was caught eyeing a blue and green spinning top. Claude noticed and strode over to a heavy set man with bright eyes and rosy cheeks. “Puis-je avoir la toupie, s'il vous plaît ? Pour mon fils.” (Can I have the spinning top please? For my son.) Zephyr looked at his father in surprise. Claude just smiled.
The man nodded and turn around to gather the top and bag it up. Claude thanked him, giving him a generous tip, and continued their tour of the village. “Would you like something mon amour?”

Ica looked down bashful. “No, no, I’m okay.”

Claude smirked. “Well too bad. I’m getting you something anyway.” They continued through the shoppes and Claude spotted something that he knew his wife would love. There was a bright yellow tented top where a woman busying herself with organizing her items. Sitting there on one of the shelves was a red and purple bandana speckled with silver metallic dinosaurs on it. He gently tugged his wife toward the seller’s booth. The woman turned around, her age faced turned flirtation as she eyed Claude as she gave him a crooked tooth smile.

“Salut, comment puis-je t'aider aujourd'hui mon beau ?” (Hi there, how can I help you today handsome)

Ignoring the woman’s flirtatious demeanor he politely asked foe what h wanted. “Salut, je voudrais acheter le bandana de dinosaure s'il vous plaît” (Hi, I would like to buy the dinosaur bandanna please)

“Absolument. Et est-ce pour toi, jeune homme ? Pensez-vous que votre beau grand-père ici aimerait m'emmener dehors ? Si c'est le cas, vous pouvez l'avoir gratuitement. (And is this for you young man? Do you think your handsome grandpa here would fancy taking me out? If so you can have it free.) She said smiling in Zephyr’s direction. Claude made an uncomfortable face of disapproval.

Zephyr shook his head vigorously, clearly not appreciating this woman’s romantic advancements toward his father. “Non, c'est pour ma maman. Papa l'obtient pour elle parce qu'elle aime vraiment les dinosaures. Et il l'aime aussi... beaucoup“ (No, it is for my mummy. Daddy’s getting it for her because she really loves dinosaurs and he loves her too…very much) Claude couldn’t keep the amused smile off his face at hearing his son indirectly reprimand this woman.

The sales woman looked at Ica, who gave an awkward smile and a tiny wave, not knowing what everyone had just said. Then her eyes drifted toward Claude again. “Oh... je vois. Eh bien, de toute façon, laissez-moi le faire pour vous.” (Oh…I see. Well anyway let me get that down for you) The woman grabbed the bandana down and once again, Claude gave her a generous tip. She handed it to Ica, who disapproved of her being with this older man. Just for good measure Claude leaned down and kissed Ica gently. Zephyr usually embarrassed by his parents’ displays of affect didn’t mind.

“Merci.” Said Ica graciously taking the bandana. The woman gave Ica another disapproving look and turned around, going back to tending to her items. When they walked away and were out of earshot, Ica looked at Claude. “What was her problem? Did I do something wrong?”

Before Claude could respond Zephyr spoke. “She was just mad because daddy is in love with you. She kept hitting on him.”

“Wait…even though I was standing right there?” Said Ica in disbelief.

“They thought daddy was my grandfather. You know…that thing again.”

Claude chuckled. “Yes it was quite….uncomfortable, but don’t worry mon amour. I only have eyes for you.” He kissed her on the forehead and took her hand. As they walked along, they came to a small building with numerous amounts of people walking in and out.

”Ooh what’s that! Can we go in there?” Asked Zephyr excitedly pointing at the building.

”Of course let’s go explore it.” Said Claude smiling back at his son.

As they got closer they noticed that the on the building in big white letters read Bright Bridge Memorial Museum. when they walked inside there were was a large mural of what the village used to look like. Claude stopped dead in his tracks. Around the room were display slides with information about the early years and founding of the village. Before the incident the name of the Village was Hill Top Village, but after it acquired its new name.

“What…is this?” Asked Ica turning her head and taking in her surroundings.

”The mural…that’s how I remember the village.” Said Claude almost to himself. He could almost smell the wood stove and his mother’s ratatouille, cooking on the stove. He could feel the crunch of dry yellow hay beneath his feet as he remembered going to feed his midnight colored horse, Jet. And he could see his mother, father, and brother, playing tag in field.

“Papá can I get down now?” Asked Zephyr, growing tired of being on his father’s back. Claude was jolted from his thoughts when Zephyr asked again. “Papá? Did you hear me? I want to get down now. Claude was reluctant, seeing as there was a large crowd milling around the museum and he was nervous about losing him.

“Son I don’t know, there’s a lot of people in here.”

”Aww come on Papá. My bum is starting to hurt.” Iva stiffed some laughter at their son’s words.

”Oh, aright just stay close okay?” Zephyr nodded and slid off his father’s back.

Just then, the Frollos heard a voice behind them. When they turned A stout man with a black cowboy hat and buddy gray mustache. “Welcome folks.” He had an accent but it wasn’t French. It was more southern than anything. They figured he was from America in the south. Welcome to Bright Bridge Museum. You’ll find the history of how the village was founded as well as the fire of the fire of 68. That was a tragedy it was.” The three of them went quiet. The southern man gave them a perplex look. “You folks okay?”

Ica shook her head. “Yes…yes thank you.” The man gave them a bid and walked off. “Claude we can leave if you want. We don’t have to stay if this is too hard for you.”

”Yeah Papá, maybe it wasn’t a good idea for me to suggest we come here.” Added Zephyr.

”It’s…okay. I think I need this. To be here facing what happened to me and coming to terms with everything. And now I can do that…right here in this museum. So far coming back hasn’t been so hard. Seeing how everything has changed. But here…this museum is going back to my past. Let’s stay.”

”You sure?” Asked Ica placing a hand on his arm.

“Yes, I have to do this.” His face was resolute.

As they went around the museum they read information all about Claude’s village. Things that he didn’t even know about that took place before his birth, even before his parents birth.

“Hey look at this.” Said I a pointing to one of the descriptions under a glass case. It says that the reason the name was changed to Bright Bridge Village was because when the village was burning.” Ica hesitated before reading some more. “The bridge was so engulfed so heavily in fire that glowed was so bright that it alerted that help was needed.” She read the last sentence slowly and uncertain. “Um…well I…”

”That’s horrible! What a dumb name!” Blurted Zephyr frowning down at the case.

“Zephyr!” Yipped Ica. “Stop.”

”But it is.”

”Okay, I probably wouldn’t have named it that either but whataya gonna do.” She said eventually.

Claude turned his head and noticed another room that was lit up in a soft pale blue light. “What’s in there?” He said pointing. They three of them headed in the direction of the other room. When they stopped the entrance the sign on the wall was black with shiny silver letters that read. Lost Souls of Hill Top Village. The color drained from Claude’s face. Both his wife and son gave him uncertain looks. He looked back at them. His face was a mixture of sadness, curiosity, and determination. “Let’s go.”

Inside the room were pictures of the victims with their names under it, and who lost their lives on that tragic night. Claude’s eyes scanned the wall, looking to see the pictures and names of his fallen family. He continued to walk around the room until he stopped dead in his tracks.

“Ica. Zephyr. Come here.” His voice was barely audible.

The first one was a man with sharp features, dark brown hair, a gentle expression, and yes the exact same dark gray as Claude’s. Underneath read Burlio Frollo. The next photo was a woman. Her dark auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders and her expression was cheerful and her bright blue eyes full of life and strength. Underneath hers read Ethelinda Frollo. The last one was of a young boy, no older than ten years old. His eyes were the same right blue as Ethelinda’s but his hair was a lighter brown that fell just below his ears. Bus expression was adventurous and cheeky but his smile was kind. Underneath it read. Clemént Frollo.

”Papá is that…” Zephyr began.

”Yes son.” Claude finished for him. He didn’t even try to stop the tears that spilled out of his dark gray eyes, the same dark gray eyes that his father Burlio had given him. Immediately his family wrapped their arms tight around him. Supporting him as though he was a new born child as he cried silently. After he had composed himself he looked down and his wife and son, they still had their arms wrapped around him. He stroked both their heads. “Would you like a better look?”

Both Ica and Zephyr nodded. Claude picked Zephyr back up so he was at eye level with the pictures and Ica stood on a near by stool provided by the museum. They looked at Burlio’s picture first. Ica tilted her head. You definitely look like your dad. Down to the eye color and everything. And I bet you had the same hair color too, didn’t you?” Said Ica running her fingers through her husband now gray hair. Claude’s nodded with a soft smile on his face. Then they turned their attention to his mother, Ethelinda.

“Wow, Grandma Ethelinda was really pretty Papá.” He reached out to touch the photograph but Claude gently stopped him.

“Don’t touch, okay son.” He said his voice as gentle as his touch.

“Oops okay.”

“She was vey pretty Claude. But she looks like she’s got some some sass in her too.” Added Ica.

Claude smiled. “Oh she did. She would often boss my father around.” He said fondly remembering how she used to tease all of them.

Lastly, they peered at his younger brother Clemènt’s picture. “Wow, he’s like the perfect mix of your father and your mother. Except he has Ethelinda’s bright blue eyes.” Then Ica looked from Clemént to Zephyr. “Hey peanut, you kind of look like him!”

Zephyr squinted close to his uncle’s picture and tilted his head. Claude chuckled. “You do son. You have the same expressions at times. sometimes you remind me so much of him it’s funny and sometimes your mannerisms are identical to his. I guess…I guess that’s why I get so protective of you. I wasn’t able to protect him…he was gone for only a few minutes and in that time it took me to find him, I wasn’t able to save him.” Claude said quietly.

Zephyr finally realized, really realized why his father was so over protective. He wrapped his arms around his neck and rested his head on his shoulder. “Don’t worry Papá.” Whispered his son. “You won’t loose me. I make sure to be more careful.” Claude hugged him close.

”Merci mon précieux fils.” (Thank you my precious son)

Ica watched the two of them silently, admiring their bond. Then it hit her. These three people were now her family. She had a mother-in-law, a father-in-law and a brother-in-law. Though they were not here now, she would be able to meet them and this made her smile to herself. “Claude?”

”Yes moon amour?” Said Claude looking over at her. “I wonder if your family would have liked me?”

Claude walked over to her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “They would have loved you. Just as much as I do. Now, come. My lovely family, I think I have found the peace and closure that I need.”

“That’s great Papá I’m glad.” Said Zephyr enthusiastically.

Claude put his son down and ruffled his hair. “Ready to go?” He nodded and so did Ica and they followed him back out into the lobby. As they headed toward the door there was a case full of more pictures that had been recovered after the burning. As they walked by, one of the pictures caught Claude’s eye. When he stopped to look at it he froze, causing his son and wife to bump into him.

“What is it? Why’d you stop like that?” Asked Ica rubbing her forehead.

“The picture.” Said Claude pointing. “That picture is of me and Clemént!” Claude ran up to the case, placed his hands down on the glass, and leaned over toward the man behind it. “Excusez-moi, monsieur, cette photo. Puis-je le voir s'il vous plaît ?” (Excuse me sir, that picture, can I see it) The man stood there and blinked at Claude, looking confused. Realizing that this man probably wasn’t French he switched to English. “Sorry, I thought you spoke French. But anyway, that picture you have in there, may I see it?”

”Oh, this one?” He pointed to the picture of him and Clemént. “Sure.” The man bent down and carefully took out the old picture. “Be careful, the frame is falling apart.” He said as he handed the photo to Claude.

The aged man stared down at the old picture in his hands. He smiled, as he was brought back to that exact moment. He and Clemént were sitting in their father’s study reading the Adventures of Rin Tin Tin by the soft glow of the lantern. They were so engrossed in their story that they didn’t notice their parents standing in the door way.

“You boys better get to bed it’s getting pretty late.” Their mother had said.

“Aww maman, just let us finish this chapter.” Clemént stuck his bottom lip out pleading with his mother to just give them five more minutes.

“Oh Ethelinda, we should feel good that our boys are interested in books. It’ll keep them smart. I say we give them just a little while longer.”

Their father had come to their rescue convincing their mother to let them have a little more time. Ethelinda had given him a kiss and agreed, but before they left them to their book, she went to go get the camera and snapped a little picture of her two boys engrossed in the adventures of their story.

“Claude, thanks for being my big brother. Reading books is more fun when you have someone to read them with.”

Claude remembered the warmth of Clemént’s body as he say next to him in the chair.

“Don’t worry Clemént, I’ll always be here to read books with you.” Claude had told him.

Shaking his head Claude came back to reality. “Can I have this photo please?”

The man looked at him a bit skeptical. “Oh I don’t know…these are very valuable pos-”

“Please.” Said Claude desperately. “This is a picture of me and my brother Clemént when we were kids. It must have been found in the aftermath of everything. This is the only thing I have left of my brother. He, my mother and father died in that raiding all those years ago. Their pictures are up in that remembrance hall. Please sir, I’m begging you.”

The man rubbed his chin then peered at the picture then at Claude. He leaned close to his face and squinted. When he backed up his eyes widened. “Well I’ll be darned! This is you. I see the resemblance. You’re just taller, well a little thinner, and way less hair and more gray.” Said the man. Ica giggled.

”Does this mean I can have it?” Said Claude his voice full of hope.

“Of course! Technically it was yours in the first place.”

”Thank you so much!” Said Claude shaking the man’s hand vigorously.

“Papá! I want to see you when you were little!” Cried Zephyr.

“Yeah me too!” Piped Ica.

Claude laughed. “Okay, okay. Here.” He held the picture down so his wife and son they could see.

“Wow Papá, it’s so funny seeing you as a kid. You looked so happy! How old were you?” Asked Zephyr looking up at him.

”I was 12. Just a year older than you are now. And Clement was 10. Year younger than you are now. We were reading the Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. Clement loved that book.”

”Aww Claudie bears! You were so cute. And Zephy’s right you do look very happy. You and Clement.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m happy we found this. We’ll find a nice place to put it when we get home.”

Claude pulled Ica I’m close to him and kissed the top of her head. “Thank you mon amour. And thank you sir for letting me have it.”

“You’re mighty welcome.” The man wrapped up the picture in newspaper and handed it back to Claude.

He thanked the man three more times then he and his family left Bright Bridge Village with calm, peaceful, and happy hearts.

***

It was lunch time so the Frollos decided to find a place to eat. As they were walking down the sidewalk past various little shops Ica began jumping up and down and pointing. “Kitties!” She squealed. Claude and Zephyr turned to look at what she was carrying on about. Above the shop door was a sign with paw prints and whiskers on it that read, Café Des Chats.

“Café of the Cats?” Said Zephyr translating the sign.

”Yeah…let’s go! There are cats in there! And it’s a cafe! With cats…and food!” Cried Ica becoming more and more ecstatic.

”Okay, okay, crazy girl. We’ll go.” Said Claude laughing. “But we aren’t taking any cats home got that? I don’t think Nixon and Irish will appreciate that.”

“What if we take one for Clair?” Said Ica smirking.

”No, uncle Clair already has Missy. She’s stuck up and I think she wants to be an only cat.” Piped Zephyr.

”Okay, I won’t take any cats. Now let’s go.” Ica grabbed her husband and son by the hand and hauled them in the café.

Once inside, severs, cats padded up to inspect the newcomers. Ica immediately “awwed” and bent down to pet the curious felines. Pretty soo Zephyr was knelt down besides his mother as two orange kittens as they found their way up his back onto his head. Claude watched his family with an amused smile played with the cats on the floor. Then he felt claws digging into his pants. When he looked down, a tiny tortishell kitten was scaling his leg meowing in the process. He pried the bold kitten off his pats and he’s her up to his face.

”Well hello there. You know you are just like my son when he was a baby. He used to climb everything. But between you and me…he gets it from his mother and she’s not a kid.” The kitten reguarded Claude with round yellow eyes and gave a tiny meow. He chuckled and held the kitten close to his chest until she began purring.

“Ahem.” Ica looked at Claude with one eyebrow raised. “You are getting really attached to that kitten don’t you think?”

Claude gave a tiny innocent shrug. “What? She started climbing up my leg first. I was merely being friendly.l.

”Yeah okay Papá, whatever you say.” Piped Zephyr.

Claude shook his head and gently put he kitten down, and she scurried away over toward a cat tree. Ica and Zephyr also stood up gently dislodged the cats from their lap. “Eh bien, maintenant, je pense que les chats ici peuvent sentir que vous êtes tous les trois des chats.” (Well now I think the cats here can sense you three are cat people) The Frollos turned around to a tall thin man with dark hair streaked with gray and a neat mustache that curled at the tips. His top hat fit neatly on his head and he gave them a big toothy smile, his perfect white teeth gleaming.

Zephyr ran up to the friendly man and looked up at him. “Oui, nous aimons les chats. Nous en avons deux à la maison. Irlandais et Nixen. Ma mère a vu cet endroit et nous a traînés, mon père et moi.” (Yeah we love cats. We have two at home. Irish and Nixen. My mum saw the cats and dragged me and my dad in)

“Eh bien, content que vous vous soyez arrêté par le nom de Pepper. Et qui pourriez-vous être tous les trois ?” (Well glad you stopped by name is Pepper. And who might you three be?) Asked Pepper.

Claude stepped forward and out a hand on both his wife and son’s back. “Je m'appelle Claude et voici mon fils Zephyr et ma femme Ica. Nous sommes en visite depuis l'Amérique. J'ai grandi ici, mais mon fils et ma femme ne l'ont pas fait. Comme vous pouvez le voir, mon fils parle français, mais ma femme ne parle pas. Puis-je vous demander : parlez-vous anglais ? (My name is Claude and this is my son Zephyr and my wife Ica. We are visiting from America. I grew up here but my son and wife didn’t. As you can see, my son speaks French but my wife doesn’t. May I ask, do you speak English)

Pepper nodded and flashed his perfect smile. “Well nice to meet you and as you can tell, I do speak English. You see this is one of the top spots in Paris and tourist love it here, so I thought it would be nice to learn som English. Good for business you know?”

Ica nodded vigorously. “Yes! Thank you Pepper! Because is place is awesome and now I don’t have to have Zephyr and Clause translate everything you say or the menu or-“

“Mum! I think he gets the point.” Said Zephyr.

Pepper laughed. “Well come take a seat and I’ll grab you guys some food.”

The Frollos nodded and took a seat near the window. More curious cats padded up to them and climbed in their laps or Uber up against their legs. Pepper took their order and brought the tickets back to the kitchen for the chefs prepare. No long after Pepper was coming back aching three trays in this hands dancing at the same time.

Zephyr grinned at the thin man’s movements. “Wow Pepper you have really good balance.”

”Well thank you Zephyr. I spin plates in my spare time and have also joined tight rope walking class. I am how you say, a natural. But enough about me. Here you are, please enjoy the meal my chefs have prepared for you.” Pepper placed the plates down in front of them and danced his way over to the next table.

When the Frollos were finished with their meal, they went to thank Pepper for his hospitality before leaving. Pepper had an iPad where those who have visited the café could leave a review. While his parents were busy leaving their reviews, Zephyr went to go look at some pictures that were hanging on the wall. He smiled as he saw men and women holding and cuddling cats. Then his gaze fell on one picture in particular, an older woman with a kind smile and bright green eyes. Her thin face was gentle and her gray hair styled in a neat up do. Propped on her lap was a black and white tuxedo kitten his yellow green eye’s sparking toward the camera. Zephyr’s eyes widened. She looks like… “Papá! Look! Cried Zephyr, pointing at the woman’s photo.

Claude did a 180 and hurried over to his son abandoning the review he was leaving. “Zephyr son…what’s wrong are you okay?” He asked his voice tinted with concern.

”Look!” He continued to point at the picture of the older woman with the kitten on her lap. “She looks like…you.”

Clause turned his head to look in the direction of the picture on the wall that he was pointing at. When he saw the woman in the photo he froze. Ica finished up the reviews and went to go see what the fuss was about with her son and husband. “So what’s going on now?”

”Mummy look. This lady looks like daddy…except the girl version.” Said Zephyr excitedly.

Ica walked closer to the picture and started at it. Then, like her eyes widened just like her son’s had. “My GOSH she does look like you Claude!” Then Ica squinted her eyes and tilted her head. “And…her eyes are…he exact same color as yours peanut!”

“Really?” Zephyr went to stand closer to the picture to get a more detailed look. “Hey…she does! Papá look she ha…” Zephyr trailed off when he saw his father standing there un moving, staring at the wall where the picture was mounted. “Papá? You okay what’s wrong?”

Ica went up and touched Claude on the shoulder, her brow creasing with concern. “Claude? What is it?”

Her husband shook his head, snapping him out of his daze. “This woman seems familiar somehow…but… I can’t place my finger on it. I feel like I know her. Her eyes it’s like…” Then it hit him, the girl from his night terror. “I think this is the girl that I dreamt about. I mean she’s just older here…but I remember her eyes were just as green as that. The same like…Zephyr’s. Excuse me Pepper? Who is this woman? Asked Claude points at the photo.

Pepper strode over and lightly brought his fingers one rose gold frame.. “That is Miss. Cliona Tremaine. She use to volunteer at this car shelter called Paws and Meows…” Pepper put his knuckle to his chin. “Or was it Meows and Paws. Well anywho, she used to frequent the café quite often. She said that she wanted to support us as much as possible. She even gave us a generous donation so we could foster and adopt out some of the cats we have here. I…I actually was quite fond of her. She was very pretty and always so thoughtful.” Ica noticed Pepper blushing a little and a dreamy look creeping into his brown eyes. “But then…I stopped seeing her. She used to come twice a week. Then not at all.”

”What happened?” Asked Claude.

Pepper shrugged. “Not sure. But after about two years she showed up. I tell yeah I felt like the happiest man alive. Just it be able to see her again.” Pepper’s eyes drifted to the picture again. “Y see that kitten in her lap? Well, she adopted him from here, named him Lucifer.”

“Lucifer?” Said Claude wondering why someone would name their cat that. “Ins’t that supposed to refer to the lord of hell or something?”

Pepe shook his head. “No. That is how people view it from that fellow in those movies. But the name Lucifer means light bearer. She said when she visited that little black and white tuxedo cat you see in her lap brought her so much joy. Ask tell you that kitten adored her and she adored him. She said that he was the light she needed after…after she had been in so much darkness. Whatever that meant. But she told me she now lives in Toulouse, so she wouldn’t be in as much. In fact I haven’t even her in about six months. I do hope she is alright.”

”Hey…do you think we can go visit her?” Asked Ica suddenly.

Claude gave his wife a bewildered look. “Ica! We just can waltz up to this woman’s door. She doesn’t even know us.”

”Yeah but you said she was in your dream…er nightmare so maybe we need to go talk to her. Get that last bit of closure you need.” Countered Ica.

”Yes, but I don’t even know if this girl I dreamt of really exist, let alone be her.” Said Claude pointing at Cliona’s picture.”

”Papá, I say we go! It will be fun! She looks really nice..and she looks so much like you and she has my eye color. Maybe mummy is right. Maybe this is the last bit of closure you need. Besides you never really did get other part of the dreamed figured out the part where she said Ça ira. Promets-moi juste que tu reviendras. So if this is the girl n your dream and she is telling you to promise to come back…then maybe we need to come back and go to her.” Zephyr looked up at his father. His bright green eyes, the same bright green as this mystery woman, known as Cliona has.

”I do have her acres if you’d like it. All you would have I do is verify it at town hall.” Pepper gave Claude a motivating smile I think it’s worth a go. Then his son and wife looked at him, their expressions eager and hopeful.

Claude sighed. “Oh alright. We’ll go. BUT if this turns out to be an awkward disaster I’m blaming you three.” Said Claude pointing a finger at Zephyr, Ica, and Pepper.

Pepper clapped clapped his hands together. ”Splendide! Now here, this is the address. Like I said you need to verify I at town hall hen you should be all set.” Pepper handed a Claude a piece of paper with Cliona’s address on it.”

”Thank you, Pepper, and thank so much for your hospitality. We really appreciate it.” Said Claude smiling.

“Yeah thanks Pepper!” Yipped Zephyr.

“Thanks Pepper!” Yipped Ica.

”My pleasure. Now you all have a wonderful rest of your visit and if you indeed see Cliona, tell her that her old friend Pepper says hello!”

“Will do.” Said Claude. And with that the Frolios left The Cafe of Cats and started toward their new destination. To find Cliona Tremaine.

***

After about a forty five minute drive, the Frollos arrived at Tolouse Town Hall. “Alright, here it is. Now where’s the entrance?” Asked Claude half to himself as he drove around the car park.

“Over there Papá.” Zephyr pointed to a sidewalk leading to two glass doors, with an over hang. His father circled around and parked then they all got out and made their way into the building. Once inside there was a directory telling them where each department was. Zephyr ran over to see where they needed to go. His bright green eyes scanning over board. “There.” He said pointing.

Ica joined her son at the directory and peered at it. “Of course, it’s in French.”

Zephyr laughed. “Don’t stress mum you got me remember? Your French speaking son. But anyway we have to go to the directory department. They have names and addresses there that can be looked up. I think that’s how one guy stalked great grampie.”

Claude looked at his wife with a baffled expression. “Long story. Let’s go.” She said with a wave of her hand.

Zephyr led the way, skipping merrily down the hall way. Then he abruptly stopped and stared at the wall where pictures of all the past judges that ruled in Paris hung. His bright green eyes widened when he saw his father’s picture in the 36th slot. Underneath was a shiny gold plaque with black letters printed on it that read Judge Claude Frollo.

”Papá!” Cried Zephyr.

Claude hurried up to his son’s side to where he was standing in front of the judge’s wall. “Yes son what is…” Claude’s voice trailed off as he saw what his son was looking at and it made his blood freeze in his veins.

”That’s you…when you were a judge. Why do you look so mean. Everyone else is smiling but…you have the Disney Villain face…but you also look kind of…troubled.” After Claude didn’t respond Zephyr turned to look at him. “Papá?”

”Claude?” What’s ohh.” Ica looked at her husband’s picture on the wall then at her son, who was looking at his father waiting for him to say something.

“Papá!” Yipped Zephyr.

Finally Claude answered him. “Zephyr…I…” he took a deep breath. “Well you know that I used to be a judge here in Paris.” Zephyr nodded. “Do you know why I wanted to become a judge?” This time Zephyr sook his head no. “Well…when I saw how those criminals came to destroy my village and kill my family…I wanted to make sure that sort of ting would never happen to anyone else. So I went to school, got my degree in criminal justice and when I turned 36 I was finally appointed as judge of Paris. But…I let my rulings turn into revenge. Anyone who was brought before me I sentenced them to be thrown in prison…” Claude’s voice became almost inaudible “Tortured.” Zephyr’s bright green eyes had become the size of saucers as he listened to his father speak of his harsh days as a judge. “ didn’t care, I tore families apart. I wanted them to know what it felt like to have everything you loved ripped away from you. Eventually son…everyone hated me. They were terrified of me and ran away when they saw me coming. But I began to feel so guilty. Guilty that I was no longer helping people but I was hurting them. It was like I was the criminal. In fact I was no better than the criminals that destroyed everything that mattered to me.”

Zephyr stared at his father for a long time. His bright green eyes searching his aged face. Claude’s heart was sinking, afraid that his son would be ashamed of him, even hate him. Ica held her breath, not knowing what to say. Then Zephyr finally spoke. “It’s okay Papá.” He said quietly. Claude’s dark gray eyes widen and he looked at his son taken aback and a bit relieved. “I understand, why you did what you did. Not that it was right, but it started with pain. But the important thing is, you changed. And you found Jehovah and he forgave you. You are such a kind person Papá. I’m happy that I get to be your son and I don’t judge you, for what happened in the past, because that’s exactly where it is. In the past.”

Claude seized his son in his arms so hard that Zephyr audibly gasped. “I love you so much son.” Tears began in his dark gray eyes. “Thank you for not hating me.” Iva watched the two of them. Tears in her own hazel eyes.

Zephyr pushed out if his father’s grip. “I could never hate you! I love you. But Papá sometimes you’re a big cry baby.” He gave his father a cheeky look.”

Claude chuckled and wiped his eyes. “But I’m your crybaby right?”

Zephyr laughed. “Yeah okay. I guess. Now are you ready to keep going?”

Claude hugged his son again and nodded. “Oui. Let’s go.”

When the Frollos finally reached the directory there was a woman with dark hair that was pulled into a messy and black rimmed rectangle glasses. Her ring red lips pursed together as she typed away on her computer. She wrote something on a sheet of paper then looked up. “Puis-je vous aider ?”

(May I help you)

Claude stepped forward and handed her the paper. “Oui, j'espérais valider cette adresse. Elle s'appelle Cliona Tremaine.“ (Yes, I was hoping to validate this address. Her name is Cliona Tremaine.)

The clerk looked at the paper and typed something into the computer. She looked at the screen and nodded and handed the paper back to Claude. “C'est en effet l'adresse de Cliona Tremaine. J'aurai juste besoin de signer ceci, pour montrer que vous m'avez donné l'autorité de localiser l'adresse. (This is indeed Cliona Tremaine’s address. I’ll just need to sign this, to show that you have given me the authority to locate the address)

Claude signed the sheet and thanked the clerk, then he and his family headed back to the car. “Here Papá, I’ll put it in the GPS for you. He handed his phone to his son so he could type in Cliona’s address. “Alright, so says it’s fifteen minutes away.” Said Claude as he started the car.

Soon the arrived on Cliona’s street, Glass Slipper Circle. Claude drive slowly to ensure that he didn’t pass the house. “They’re Claude.” Said Ica pointing to a light pink cottage with gray shutters. “It’s number 1950.”

“Should I pull in the driveway or…is that rude…no, you know what I’ll just park on the street.” Said Claude half to himself. He parked the car and sat there a minute, his slender hands clutching the steering wheel.

”Um Papá are you going to get out?” Asked Zephyr touching his shoulder.

”Huh? Oh, yes son.” But still Claude hesitated. “What if this is a bad idea.” He blurted. “What if this woman thinks we’re insane and she has nothing to do with my dream.”

This time it was Ica who placed a hand on Claude’s shoulder. “I know..this is probably hard for you. Maybe me and Zephyr were being a little insensitive. We don’t have to go, if you don’t want to.”

Claude was silent for a moment but the shook his head slowly. “No… no let’s go. We came all this way, it wouldn’t make sense to just turn back now. Plus I have you two with me. And the worst case scenario she sends us home right?”

”Okay, as long as you’re good with it.” Said Ica.

”I am, now let’s go.” Claude kissed his wife and ruffled his son’s hair hair. The three of them got out if the car and walked up the driveway. On the wooden door was a black butterfly door knocker.

“Ooh I’ll do it!” Yipped Ica. “I love door knockers.” Ica grabbed the door knocker and banged it three times. They waited a couple of minutes, and no one came. “Here, let me do it again.” Once again, she knocked, but it remained quiet. “Well guess she isn’t home.” Said Ica a bit dejected.

Just as they were about to turn and leave a young man dressed in a white tee shirt and ripped dirty jeans came walking around from the back yard. He had a leaf blower in one hand and used his other hand to wipe his sweaty forehead. “Hi, can I help you?”

Feeling confident that this young man had just spoken to them in English and with who American accent at that, she stepped forward to tell them why they were there. “Yes hi, this is my husband Ckaude and our son Zephyr. We are looking for Cliona Tremaine. We…um knocked but there was no answer.”

The man oursed his lips looking puzzled. “Cliona isn’t home right now but Nina should be in there. She’s the maid. I’m Nick by the way, i’m Cliona’s landscaper.” He walked up and shook all their hands. “Let me go see what’s going on.” Nick gave a hearty knick on the wooden door. After a few seconds a petite woman with dark brown hair tied back in a messy ponytail came to the door. He dark eyes were bright and curious. “Hi Nina, this is um…” Nick trailed off forgetting each of the Frollos name.

“Ica and my husband Claude and our son Zephyr.” She said, coming to his aid.

“Yeah. They are here to see Cliona but I told them she isn’t here.”

“Oh, my apologies.” Her French accent was light and airy. “Would you like to come in?” She asked opening the door wider and gesturing them inside.

“Oh…well, we wouldn’t want to impose.” Started Claude. “I mean if she isn’t here-“

”Nonsense.” Said Nina cutting him off. “She’s only gone to the market. She should be back soon actually.” She peered at Claude for a moment and tilted her head. “Are you any relation to Lady Tremaine? You look a lot like her.” She asked. Still studying Claude.

“Claude opened his mouth then closed it again. Not sure how to respond. “I…well I have never met her before.”

“Huh, well why don't you come inside and wait for her.”

Ica gave her husband a look that said, “let’s go” so he nodded and graciously stepped inside. When they stepped in the house smelled of fresh lavender. The living room was neat and tidy and the couches were adorned with red throw pillows.

”You can have a seat. Like I said she shant be long. Can I get you three anything? Something to drink? Eat?”

“No, no, we’re fine.” Said Claude waving his hand.

“Very well.” Said Nina. “If you change your mind, I’ll be in the kitchen. “ Claude nodded, and she turned to head toward the kitchen.

“Wow…this cottage is really big! No wonder she needs a maid. It must take forever to clean.” Said Zephyr. Ica gave Zephyr a look. He gave her a tiny apologetic smile. Then got up off the couch to look at some pictures on the mantel. There was one of her at the café with Pepper, one of Lucifer, now a full grown cat, and one with an older man and woman most likely her parents. Then Zephyr saw one that made him frown just a tad. It was a picture of Cliona, but her normally gentle expression was troubled. Her bright green eyes seems to emanate a silent anger. And her mouth was pinched and turned down in a slight frown. He went to go reach out to pick it up until Claude stopped him.

“Zephyr, don’t touch her things please.” Zephyr jerked his hand back but kept eyeing the picture with slight concern. “What is it son?”

”She looks so…sad but also mad here. She has a…Disney Villain face. She looks exactly like you Papá. The same Disney Villain face you had in your judge picture. I wonder if she was going through something painful too.”

Ica got up to examine the picture as well. “Her hazel eyes widened. “He’s right Claude. She looks almost identical to you here.”

Not being able to contain his curiosity anymore he got up too to see the photo. When he peered at it, a jolt ran through him as he looked at Cliona. He could practically feel her emotion through his own body. Suddenly they heard a key being put into the lock and turning. The all whipped around quickly just in time to see tall thin woman wearing a maroon dress. Her dark gray hair was in a tidy up do and she was carrying a grocery bag in one hand. Claude opened his mouth but nothing came out, not knowing what to say or do. Cliona tilted her head eyeing them carefully. Just as it looked like she was about to say something, Nina rushed up to Cliona saving the Frolls from the brief akwardness.

“Oh! Dame tremaine. Bon retour. Ici, laissez-moi prendre ce sac pour vous.” ( Oh! Lady Tremaine! Welcome back. Here let me take that for you) Nina quickly took the bag from Cliona and then turned the Frollos who were standing there trying to figure out if they should say something. “Euh, ce sont des... invités qui sont venus vous voir. Je me suis dit que puisque vous seriez bientôt de retour, je ne les attendrais pas.” (Er, these are some… guest that came to see you. I figured that since you would be back soon I would neither them in to wait for you) Nina fumbled over herbwords, not sure if inviting the Frollos in was such a good idea. Cliona loomed from her maid then to the Frollos, her thin face was unreadable but her bright green eyes had a curiosity in them.

Claude finally finding his voice stepped. “Euh, oui, salut, je m'appelle Claude Frollo et voici ma femme Ica et notre fils Zephyr et-. (Er, yes, hi, my names is Claude Frollo and this is my wife Ica and our son Zephyr an-)

Cliona’s bright green eyes widened and she stiffened. “D-avez-vous dit que votre nom de famille était...Frollo ? (D-did you say your last name was…Frollo?)

Claude nodded slowly. “Oui…”

“Que faites-vous ici et comment m'avez-vous trouvé ?” (What are you doing here and how did you find me?) Demenaded Cliona?

Here tone wasn’t harsh, but more shocked than anything. Nonetheless, Claude gulped, worried that he had upset the older woman that stood before them. Claude hesitated…his mind was overwhelmed and had no clue how he was going to explain any of this. He glanced at his wife who gave him a nervous blank stare. Of course Ica can't help me. She doesn't even know what we just said. I knew this was a bad idea.

“Poivre. Il nous a donné votre adresse.” (Pepper. He gave us your address) He heard his son’s voice jolting him out if his panicked thoughts.

Cliona’s thin planted eyebrows shot up. “Quoi ?” (What)

Zephyr took a deep breath and explained everything that happened at the café. “Ma famille et moi sommes en visite depuis l'Amérique. Nous sommes allés à Cats of the Cafe et j'ai vu votre photo sur le mur. J'ai été choqué de voir à quel point tu ressemblais à mon père et que tu avais exactement les mêmes yeux verts que moi. Ma mère a suggéré que nous venions vous rendre visite parce que... très bien... (Me and my family are visiting from America. We went to Cats of the Cafe and I saw your picture on the wall. I was shocked how much you looked like my dad, and had the same exact green eyes as me. My mum suggested that we come visit you because…er well…) Zephyr trailed off not knowing if he should go into the details about his father’s night terror episode. Seeing as he just met Cliona, he decided not to diverge that information. “Nous voulions juste... vous parler.” (We just wanted to…talk to you) He finished, less confidently.

Cliona just looked at the Frollos in disbelief the color draining from her face. “Je ne sais pas quoi dire... comment... est-ce que cela se passe. Veuillez patienter ici.” (I-I don’t know what to say…how…is this even happening. Please, wait here) Cliona brushed past her visitors and quickly made her way upstairs leaving them and Nina downstairs.

“What just happened?!” Blurted Ica. “What did she say?! She seemed really freaked out.”

“Sorry about that.” Said Nina setting the bag down she had taken from Cliona. “I don’t understand why she ran off like that. And I didn’t know the two of you spoke such fluent French.” She looked over at Claude and Zephyr.

”My dad grew up here and he taught me hen I was a baby. My mum doesn’t speak it but we have been translating for her.”

“I see, well Lady Tremaine is bilingual. She speaks English as well.” Said Nina.

Ica gave a sigh of relief. ”Oh good. Now I won’t actually be in the dark.

Just then Cliona came back downstairs with a piece of paper in her slender hands. It was faded and yellowed with age and a few tears occupied the corners, but other than that it was in one piece. “Oh…Lady Tremaine, please know that Ica here, is only fluent in English, if you wouldn’t mind would it be alright to use English?”

Cliona nodded. “Of course. Now if you would all wouldn’t mind taking a seat, I have something to share with you.” The three of them sat down on the couch, and Cliona sat across from them in a velvety blood red red arm chair. “So…a couple of months ago, I lost my parents, it was a very hard time for me. They were wonderful.” Ica opened her mouth to comfort her, but Claude gently put a hand on her knee, letting her know this was not the time. “When they were on their death beds, they gave me this..letter and…well.” She sighed. “I guess you should read it for yourself.” She reached over and held out the aged piece of paper for Claude to take.

He sat back and opened it. His wife and son leaning over his shoulder to see as well. It was a letter written, neatly written in cursive. Claude began to read it silently but Zephyr nudged him to read it out loud. It was written in French, but Claude translated so his wife could understand what was written in that letter. His dark gray eyes scanned over the letter, then he began to read.

Description
It’s 10:30 and the Frollos have just finished visiting Champs Elysées also known as Arc of Triumph, which was built to honor those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Now, they are off to visit the village that Claude had lived twelve years in where h experienced fond memories but also tragic ones. Despite that, he had decided to visit after having a severe PTSD episode in the middle of the night, in the hopes of finding some closure.

As they drove toward Claude’s village which is now known as Bright Bridge Village, Claude is on the quiet side. He noticed the worried looks on his wife and son’s freckled faces and gives them a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry you two, I’m fine. I’m just mentally preparing myself is all.”

”Oh..okay.” Said Zephyr. “Well know that me and mummy are here for you one million percent!”

Claude smiled at his son in the rear view mirror. “Thank you cacahuète.”

”So…” began Ica, “Do you think…the village will be the same when we get there?”

Claude signed. “I’m not to sure, I haven’t stepped foot there since I was taken in all those years ago.”

”Papá?” Said Zephyr.

”Yes son?”

”Was that family that took you in nice?”

Claude pondered how he was going to explain this complex question to his son. Though a rich couple had taken him in, they weren’t very family like. “Well, you see. After the raid, couples would take in all the children that had become orphans. It was said if they took in children, they would get paid. The man and woman that took me in were…absent.”

Zephyr tilted his head, “Absent?”

”it means they didn’t treat me like part of the family. There were about 30 children in that house. They had money so it was huge. I had one room to myself…I basically took care of myself. I went to law school when I was seventeen to become a judge…” Claude trailed off. His wife threw him an apprehensive look. Realization had just set in. “Even though Claude had explained to Zephyr that he had been a judge in his younger years, he failed to tell him that he wasn’t a very kind one. “Um…well let’s just say I left and never cared to come back.”

”Oh…well you have me and mummy now as your family. And the congregation too. We are a spiritual family. You will never be alone again.”

Claude’s heart swelled as he listened to his son’s words. “I love you, son.” Was all he could say without tearing up.” Ica took his hand and smiled at him, and he smiled back. Then his smile faltered. There was a sign up ahead that read Welcome to Bright Bridge Village. “We’re here.” Claude parked the car in the cut out of a dirt road.

Zephyr and Ica looked around a tad confused. “Um…where is it?” Asked Ica. “I don’t see a village.”

”There is a trail that leads to it. It’s not far.” Replied Claude.

The three of them got out of the car and spotted a faded wooden sign with directions on it. “Wait here.” Said Claude putting his hand out. He walked up to the sign where a few other people congregated, as they also read over the sign deciding where they wanted to go. Claude’s dark gray eyes scanned the faded wood until he found little villages drawn in a cluster. Under it it read. Bright Bridge Village. Claude turned and walked back to his family, his face unreadable. “Ready?”

“Yeah…but first I have to go to the loo.” Said Zephyr.

Claude looked around. “There’s a portapotty over there. Here, I’ll go with you.”

“Papá I don-” Zephyr began to protest.

“I won’t go in there with you. I will just wait outside the door, okay?” Zephyr nodded, remembering how protective his father could be, especially now that they were here in his village. Claude took his son’s hand and led him to the outdoor bathroom, Ica following them.

After Zephyr had gone in to do his business, Ica turned to Claude. “You know never told him about your past…the whole past of your…public official days.”

Claude pinched the bridge of his pointy nose. “Yes Ica you think I don’t know that? You think I’m just going to say out of the blue ‘Oh hey by the way son, your old dad here was a horrible, savage, and ruthless judge that made people’s lives miserable.’ His tone was mocking and sarcastic. “Why don’t I just announce to all of Paris that the mean old judge is back. I’m sure someone is bound to recognize me at some point.”

Ica frowned. “That’s not how I meant it!”

“Okay, whatever you say Ica.” His wife glared at him, upset at his tone with her. Just then Zephyr stepped out of the portapotty and sensed the tension between his parents.

“What’s going on?”

”Nothing. Come on son.” Zephyr grabbed his son’s hand to leave but he pulled away.

“You guys were arguing again weren’t you! I can tell!”

Zephyr’s parents looked at each other, but before Claude could speak, Ica jumped in. “It’s my fault peanut. I said something to daddy and it kind of hurt his feedings. I was being insensitive, especially because we just got to the place that makes him super anxious. I’m sorry. Claude.” Her hazel eyes were apologetic and his face softened and he took her hand.

“It’s alright mon amour.” He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. Then he held out his arm to Zephyr, who ran up to him and hugged him.

“I know you’re stressed Papá, I felt it when we got here. Say a prayer?” He loomed up at him, his broth green eyes encouraging and sincere. His father nodded and led the in prayer. After they all said Amen a calm fell over him. “Better?” Asked Zephyr letting him go and scanning his face.”

”Yeah, better. Now let’s go. This time he took his wife and son’s hand and together the started down the trail to his village.

About twenty minutes down the path, two large trees stood on either side of the village as if welcoming all those who came to visit. Claude stopped and baled at what he saw in front of him. The village that he had lived in with his mother, father, and younger brother was no longer charred, ransacked, and dead, but was completely restored, abuzz with happy, smiling people. Zephyr and Ica squeezed his hand comfortingly. “Don’t worry, I’m okay.” He reassured them. Together the began to walk into the midst of Claude’s childhood home.

“Wow.” Said Zephyr. “It’s really nice here.” It’s held her breath. Not sure how her husband would react to their son’s comment. Realizing what he had just said, Zephyr back pedaled. “Er..well I mean..not that it’s nice nice because bad stuff happened bu-”

Claude chuckled. “C'est bon mon fils.” (It’s alright son) It is. I guess after everything happened, they decided to rebuild. Sometimes I wonder how I would have turned out if the pirates hadn’t come to destroy everything.” Said Claude wistfully.

Zephyr looked thoughtful. “I don’t know. You probably wouldn’t have met mummy and fallen in love with her, or gotten baptized, or…had me. But…I guess that would hav been okay because you would still have grandma Ethelinda, and grandpa Burlio, and uncle Clement.”

Claude could tell that his son was trying to be supportive but he could see that the thought made him a bit sad. “Zephyr, look at me.” He said bending down to his son’s level. His face was serious but gentle all at the same time. “Don’t think I regret everything that happened after I lost my family, because I don’t. I love mummy, and our congregation and the fact that I dedicated my life to Jehovah. And I certainly do not ever ever have regret having you as my son.”

”Really?” Zephyr’s green eyes searched his father’s face.

”Really crazy boy.” Claude ticked his son making him laugh and then picked him up and put him on his back. Zephyr hugged him around his neck. Ica watched the two of them amused.

”Papá, aren’t I too old for piggy back rides?” Asked Zephyr laughing. “And heavy?”

“Well too old…maybe but you aren’t that heavy. Do you want to get down?” He asked craning his neck to look back at him.

“No, not really.” He chuckled.

Claude smiled at him then he’ll his hand out toward his wife and she gladly took it. As the Frollos walked around the village they enjoyed all the booths of sellers who sold beautiful colorful fabrics, fresh delicious fruits and vegetables, warm baked breads, and a plethora of trinkets. Zephyr was caught eyeing a blue and green spinning top. Claude noticed and strode over to a heavy set man with bright eyes and rosy cheeks. “Puis-je avoir la toupie, s'il vous plaît ? Pour mon fils.” (Can I have the spinning top please? For my son.) Zephyr looked at his father in surprise. Claude just smiled.
The man nodded and turn around to gather the top and bag it up. Claude thanked him, giving him a generous tip, and continued their tour of the village. “Would you like something mon amour?”

Ica looked down bashful. “No, no, I’m okay.”

Claude smirked. “Well too bad. I’m getting you something anyway.” They continued through the shoppes and Claude spotted something that he knew his wife would love. There was a bright yellow tented top where a woman busying herself with organizing her items. Sitting there on one of the shelves was a red and purple bandana speckled with silver metallic dinosaurs on it. He gently tugged his wife toward the seller’s booth. The woman turned around, her age faced turned flirtation as she eyed Claude as she gave him a crooked tooth smile.

“Salut, comment puis-je t'aider aujourd'hui mon beau ?” (Hi there, how can I help you today handsome)

Ignoring the woman’s flirtatious demeanor he politely asked foe what h wanted. “Salut, je voudrais acheter le bandana de dinosaure s'il vous plaît” (Hi, I would like to buy the dinosaur bandanna please)

“Absolument. Et est-ce pour toi, jeune homme ? Pensez-vous que votre beau grand-père ici aimerait m'emmener dehors ? Si c'est le cas, vous pouvez l'avoir gratuitement. (And is this for you young man? Do you think your handsome grandpa here would fancy taking me out? If so you can have it free.) She said smiling in Zephyr’s direction. Claude made an uncomfortable face of disapproval.

Zephyr shook his head vigorously, clearly not appreciating this woman’s romantic advancements toward his father. “Non, c'est pour ma maman. Papa l'obtient pour elle parce qu'elle aime vraiment les dinosaures. Et il l'aime aussi... beaucoup“ (No, it is for my mummy. Daddy’s getting it for her because she really loves dinosaurs and he loves her too…very much) Claude couldn’t keep the amused smile off his face at hearing his son indirectly reprimand this woman.

The sales woman looked at Ica, who gave an awkward smile and a tiny wave, not knowing what everyone had just said. Then her eyes drifted toward Claude again. “Oh... je vois. Eh bien, de toute façon, laissez-moi le faire pour vous.” (Oh…I see. Well anyway let me get that down for you) The woman grabbed the bandana down and once again, Claude gave her a generous tip. She handed it to Ica, who disapproved of her being with this older man. Just for good measure Claude leaned down and kissed Ica gently. Zephyr usually embarrassed by his parents’ displays of affect didn’t mind.

“Merci.” Said Ica graciously taking the bandana. The woman gave Ica another disapproving look and turned around, going back to tending to her items. When they walked away and were out of earshot, Ica looked at Claude. “What was her problem? Did I do something wrong?”

Before Claude could respond Zephyr spoke. “She was just mad because daddy is in love with you. She kept hitting on him.”

“Wait…even though I was standing right there?” Said Ica in disbelief.

“They thought daddy was my grandfather. You know…that thing again.”

Claude chuckled. “Yes it was quite….uncomfortable, but don’t worry mon amour. I only have eyes for you.” He kissed her on the forehead and took her hand. As they walked along, they came to a small building with numerous amounts of people walking in and out.

”Ooh what’s that! Can we go in there?” Asked Zephyr excitedly pointing at the building.

”Of course let’s go explore it.” Said Claude smiling back at his son.

As they got closer they noticed that the on the building in big white letters read Bright Bridge Memorial Museum. when they walked inside there were was a large mural of what the village used to look like. Claude stopped dead in his tracks. Around the room were display slides with information about the early years and founding of the village. Before the incident the name of the Village was Hill Top Village, but after it acquired its new name.

“What…is this?” Asked Ica turning her head and taking in her surroundings.

”The mural…that’s how I remember the village.” Said Claude almost to himself. He could almost smell the wood stove and his mother’s ratatouille, cooking on the stove. He could feel the crunch of dry yellow hay beneath his feet as he remembered going to feed his midnight colored horse, Jet. And he could see his mother, father, and brother, playing tag in field.

“Papá can I get down now?” Asked Zephyr, growing tired of being on his father’s back. Claude was jolted from his thoughts when Zephyr asked again. “Papá? Did you hear me? I want to get down now. Claude was reluctant, seeing as there was a large crowd milling around the museum and he was nervous about losing him.

“Son I don’t know, there’s a lot of people in here.”

”Aww come on Papá. My bum is starting to hurt.” Iva stiffed some laughter at their son’s words.

”Oh, aright just stay close okay?” Zephyr nodded and slid off his father’s back.

Just then, the Frollos heard a voice behind them. When they turned A stout man with a black cowboy hat and buddy gray mustache. “Welcome folks.” He had an accent but it wasn’t French. It was more southern than anything. They figured he was from America in the south. Welcome to Bright Bridge Museum. You’ll find the history of how the village was founded as well as the fire of the fire of 68. That was a tragedy it was.” The three of them went quiet. The southern man gave them a perplex look. “You folks okay?”

Ica shook her head. “Yes…yes thank you.” The man gave them a bid and walked off. “Claude we can leave if you want. We don’t have to stay if this is too hard for you.”

”Yeah Papá, maybe it wasn’t a good idea for me to suggest we come here.” Added Zephyr.

”It’s…okay. I think I need this. To be here facing what happened to me and coming to terms with everything. And now I can do that…right here in this museum. So far coming back hasn’t been so hard. Seeing how everything has changed. But here…this museum is going back to my past. Let’s stay.”

”You sure?” Asked Ica placing a hand on his arm.

“Yes, I have to do this.” His face was resolute.

As they went around the museum they read information all about Claude’s village. Things that he didn’t even know about that took place before his birth, even before his parents birth.

“Hey look at this.” Said I a pointing to one of the descriptions under a glass case. It says that the reason the name was changed to Bright Bridge Village was because when the village was burning.” Ica hesitated before reading some more. “The bridge was so engulfed so heavily in fire that glowed was so bright that it alerted that help was needed.” She read the last sentence slowly and uncertain. “Um…well I…”

”That’s horrible! What a dumb name!” Blurted Zephyr frowning down at the case.

“Zephyr!” Yipped Ica. “Stop.”

”But it is.”

”Okay, I probably wouldn’t have named it that either but whataya gonna do.” She said eventually.

Claude turned his head and noticed another room that was lit up in a soft pale blue light. “What’s in there?” He said pointing. They three of them headed in the direction of the other room. When they stopped the entrance the sign on the wall was black with shiny silver letters that read. Lost Souls of Hill Top Village. The color drained from Claude’s face. Both his wife and son gave him uncertain looks. He looked back at them. His face was a mixture of sadness, curiosity, and determination. “Let’s go.”

Inside the room were pictures of the victims with their names under it, and who lost their lives on that tragic night. Claude’s eyes scanned the wall, looking to see the pictures and names of his fallen family. He continued to walk around the room until he stopped dead in his tracks.

“Ica. Zephyr. Come here.” His voice was barely audible.

The first one was a man with sharp features, dark brown hair, a gentle expression, and yes the exact same dark gray as Claude’s. Underneath read Burlio Frollo. The next photo was a woman. Her dark auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders and her expression was cheerful and her bright blue eyes full of life and strength. Underneath hers read Ethelinda Frollo. The last one was of a young boy, no older than ten years old. His eyes were the same right blue as Ethelinda’s but his hair was a lighter brown that fell just below his ears. Bus expression was adventurous and cheeky but his smile was kind. Underneath it read. Clemént Frollo.

”Papá is that…” Zephyr began.

”Yes son.” Claude finished for him. He didn’t even try to stop the tears that spilled out of his dark gray eyes, the same dark gray eyes that his father Burlio had given him. Immediately his family wrapped their arms tight around him. Supporting him as though he was a new born child as he cried silently. After he had composed himself he looked down and his wife and son, they still had their arms wrapped around him. He stroked both their heads. “Would you like a better look?”

Both Ica and Zephyr nodded. Claude picked Zephyr back up so he was at eye level with the pictures and Ica stood on a near by stool provided by the museum. They looked at Burlio’s picture first. Ica tilted her head. You definitely look like your dad. Down to the eye color and everything. And I bet you had the same hair color too, didn’t you?” Said Ica running her fingers through her husband now gray hair. Claude’s nodded with a soft smile on his face. Then they turned their attention to his mother, Ethelinda.

“Wow, Grandma Ethelinda was really pretty Papá.” He reached out to touch the photograph but Claude gently stopped him.

“Don’t touch, okay son.” He said his voice as gentle as his touch.

“Oops okay.”

“She was vey pretty Claude. But she looks like she’s got some some sass in her too.” Added Ica.

Claude smiled. “Oh she did. She would often boss my father around.” He said fondly remembering how she used to tease all of them.

Lastly, they peered at his younger brother Clemènt’s picture. “Wow, he’s like the perfect mix of your father and your mother. Except he has Ethelinda’s bright blue eyes.” Then Ica looked from Clemént to Zephyr. “Hey peanut, you kind of look like him!”

Zephyr squinted close to his uncle’s picture and tilted his head. Claude chuckled. “You do son. You have the same expressions at times. sometimes you remind me so much of him it’s funny and sometimes your mannerisms are identical to his. I guess…I guess that’s why I get so protective of you. I wasn’t able to protect him…he was gone for only a few minutes and in that time it took me to find him, I wasn’t able to save him.” Claude said quietly.

Zephyr finally realized, really realized why his father was so over protective. He wrapped his arms around his neck and rested his head on his shoulder. “Don’t worry Papá.” Whispered his son. “You won’t loose me. I make sure to be more careful.” Claude hugged him close.

”Merci mon précieux fils.” (Thank you my precious son)

Ica watched the two of them silently, admiring their bond. Then it hit her. These three people were now her family. She had a mother-in-law, a father-in-law and a brother-in-law. Though they were not here now, she would be able to meet them and this made her smile to herself. “Claude?”

”Yes moon amour?” Said Claude looking over at her. “I wonder if your family would have liked me?”

Claude walked over to her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “They would have loved you. Just as much as I do. Now, come. My lovely family, I think I have found the peace and closure that I need.”

“That’s great Papá I’m glad.” Said Zephyr enthusiastically.

Claude put his son down and ruffled his hair. “Ready to go?” He nodded and so did Ica and they followed him back out into the lobby. As they headed toward the door there was a case full of more pictures that had been recovered after the burning. As they walked by, one of the pictures caught Claude’s eye. When he stopped to look at it he froze, causing his son and wife to bump into him.

“What is it? Why’d you stop like that?” Asked Ica rubbing her forehead.

“The picture.” Said Claude pointing. “That picture is of me and Clemént!” Claude ran up to the case, placed his hands down on the glass, and leaned over toward the man behind it. “Excusez-moi, monsieur, cette photo. Puis-je le voir s'il vous plaît ?” (Excuse me sir, that picture, can I see it) The man stood there and blinked at Claude, looking confused. Realizing that this man probably wasn’t French he switched to English. “Sorry, I thought you spoke French. But anyway, that picture you have in there, may I see it?”

”Oh, this one?” He pointed to the picture of him and Clemént. “Sure.” The man bent down and carefully took out the old picture. “Be careful, the frame is falling apart.” He said as he handed the photo to Claude.

The aged man stared down at the old picture in his hands. He smiled, as he was brought back to that exact moment. He and Clemént were sitting in their father’s study reading the Adventures of Rin Tin Tin by the soft glow of the lantern. They were so engrossed in their story that they didn’t notice their parents standing in the door way.

“You boys better get to bed it’s getting pretty late.” Their mother had said.

“Aww maman, just let us finish this chapter.” Clemént stuck his bottom lip out pleading with his mother to just give them five more minutes.

“Oh Ethelinda, we should feel good that our boys are interested in books. It’ll keep them smart. I say we give them just a little while longer.”

Their father had come to their rescue convincing their mother to let them have a little more time. Ethelinda had given him a kiss and agreed, but before they left them to their book, she went to go get the camera and snapped a little picture of her two boys engrossed in the adventures of their story.

“Claude, thanks for being my big brother. Reading books is more fun when you have someone to read them with.”

Claude remembered the warmth of Clemént’s body as he say next to him in the chair.

“Don’t worry Clemént, I’ll always be here to read books with you.” Claude had told him.

Shaking his head Claude came back to reality. “Can I have this photo please?”

The man looked at him a bit skeptical. “Oh I don’t know…these are very valuable pos-”

“Please.” Said Claude desperately. “This is a picture of me and my brother Clemént when we were kids. It must have been found in the aftermath of everything. This is the only thing I have left of my brother. He, my mother and father died in that raiding all those years ago. Their pictures are up in that remembrance hall. Please sir, I’m begging you.”

The man rubbed his chin then peered at the picture then at Claude. He leaned close to his face and squinted. When he backed up his eyes widened. “Well I’ll be darned! This is you. I see the resemblance. You’re just taller, well a little thinner, and way less hair and more gray.” Said the man. Ica giggled.

”Does this mean I can have it?” Said Claude his voice full of hope.

“Of course! Technically it was yours in the first place.”

”Thank you so much!” Said Claude shaking the man’s hand vigorously.

“Papá! I want to see you when you were little!” Cried Zephyr.

“Yeah me too!” Piped Ica.

Claude laughed. “Okay, okay. Here.” He held the picture down so his wife and son they could see.

“Wow Papá, it’s so funny seeing you as a kid. You looked so happy! How old were you?” Asked Zephyr looking up at him.

”I was 12. Just a year older than you are now. And Clement was 10. Year younger than you are now. We were reading the Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. Clement loved that book.”

”Aww Claudie bears! You were so cute. And Zephy’s right you do look very happy. You and Clement.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m happy we found this. We’ll find a nice place to put it when we get home.”

Claude pulled Ica I’m close to him and kissed the top of her head. “Thank you mon amour. And thank you sir for letting me have it.”

“You’re mighty welcome.” The man wrapped up the picture in newspaper and handed it back to Claude.

He thanked the man three more times then he and his family left Bright Bridge Village with calm, peaceful, and happy hearts.

***

It was lunch time so the Frollos decided to find a place to eat. As they were walking down the sidewalk past various little shops Ica began jumping up and down and pointing. “Kitties!” She squealed. Claude and Zephyr turned to look at what she was carrying on about. Above the shop door was a sign with paw prints and whiskers on it that read, Café Des Chats.

“Café of the Cats?” Said Zephyr translating the sign.

”Yeah…let’s go! There are cats in there! And it’s a cafe! With cats…and food!” Cried Ica becoming more and more ecstatic.

”Okay, okay, crazy girl. We’ll go.” Said Claude laughing. “But we aren’t taking any cats home got that? I don’t think Nixon and Irish will appreciate that.”

“What if we take one for Clair?” Said Ica smirking.

”No, uncle Clair already has Missy. She’s stuck up and I think she wants to be an only cat.” Piped Zephyr.

”Okay, I won’t take any cats. Now let’s go.” Ica grabbed her husband and son by the hand and hauled them in the café.

Once inside, severs, cats padded up to inspect the newcomers. Ica immediately “awwed” and bent down to pet the curious felines. Pretty soo Zephyr was knelt down besides his mother as two orange kittens as they found their way up his back onto his head. Claude watched his family with an amused smile played with the cats on the floor. Then he felt claws digging into his pants. When he looked down, a tiny tortishell kitten was scaling his leg meowing in the process. He pried the bold kitten off his pats and he’s her up to his face.

”Well hello there. You know you are just like my son when he was a baby. He used to climb everything. But between you and me…he gets it from his mother and she’s not a kid.” The kitten reguarded Claude with round yellow eyes and gave a tiny meow. He chuckled and held the kitten close to his chest until she began purring.

“Ahem.” Ica looked at Claude with one eyebrow raised. “You are getting really attached to that kitten don’t you think?”

Claude gave a tiny innocent shrug. “What? She started climbing up my leg first. I was merely being friendly.l.

”Yeah okay Papá, whatever you say.” Piped Zephyr.

Claude shook his head and gently put he kitten down, and she scurried away over toward a cat tree. Ica and Zephyr also stood up gently dislodged the cats from their lap. “Eh bien, maintenant, je pense que les chats ici peuvent sentir que vous êtes tous les trois des chats.” (Well now I think the cats here can sense you three are cat people) The Frollos turned around to a tall thin man with dark hair streaked with gray and a neat mustache that curled at the tips. His top hat fit neatly on his head and he gave them a big toothy smile, his perfect white teeth gleaming.

Zephyr ran up to the friendly man and looked up at him. “Oui, nous aimons les chats. Nous en avons deux à la maison. Irlandais et Nixen. Ma mère a vu cet endroit et nous a traînés, mon père et moi.” (Yeah we love cats. We have two at home. Irish and Nixen. My mum saw the cats and dragged me and my dad in)

“Eh bien, content que vous vous soyez arrêté par le nom de Pepper. Et qui pourriez-vous être tous les trois ?” (Well glad you stopped by name is Pepper. And who might you three be?) Asked Pepper.

Claude stepped forward and out a hand on both his wife and son’s back. “Je m'appelle Claude et voici mon fils Zephyr et ma femme Ica. Nous sommes en visite depuis l'Amérique. J'ai grandi ici, mais mon fils et ma femme ne l'ont pas fait. Comme vous pouvez le voir, mon fils parle français, mais ma femme ne parle pas. Puis-je vous demander : parlez-vous anglais ? (My name is Claude and this is my son Zephyr and my wife Ica. We are visiting from America. I grew up here but my son and wife didn’t. As you can see, my son speaks French but my wife doesn’t. May I ask, do you speak English)

Pepper nodded and flashed his perfect smile. “Well nice to meet you and as you can tell, I do speak English. You see this is one of the top spots in Paris and tourist love it here, so I thought it would be nice to learn som English. Good for business you know?”

Ica nodded vigorously. “Yes! Thank you Pepper! Because is place is awesome and now I don’t have to have Zephyr and Clause translate everything you say or the menu or-“

“Mum! I think he gets the point.” Said Zephyr.

Pepper laughed. “Well come take a seat and I’ll grab you guys some food.”

The Frollos nodded and took a seat near the window. More curious cats padded up to them and climbed in their laps or Uber up against their legs. Pepper took their order and brought the tickets back to the kitchen for the chefs prepare. No long after Pepper was coming back aching three trays in this hands dancing at the same time.

Zephyr grinned at the thin man’s movements. “Wow Pepper you have really good balance.”

”Well thank you Zephyr. I spin plates in my spare time and have also joined tight rope walking class. I am how you say, a natural. But enough about me. Here you are, please enjoy the meal my chefs have prepared for you.” Pepper placed the plates down in front of them and danced his way over to the next table.

When the Frollos were finished with their meal, they went to thank Pepper for his hospitality before leaving. Pepper had an iPad where those who have visited the café could leave a review. While his parents were busy leaving their reviews, Zephyr went to go look at some pictures that were hanging on the wall. He smiled as he saw men and women holding and cuddling cats. Then his gaze fell on one picture in particular, an older woman with a kind smile and bright green eyes. Her thin face was gentle and her gray hair styled in a neat up do. Propped on her lap was a black and white tuxedo kitten his yellow green eye’s sparking toward the camera. Zephyr’s eyes widened. She looks like… “Papá! Look! Cried Zephyr, pointing at the woman’s photo.

Claude did a 180 and hurried over to his son abandoning the review he was leaving. “Zephyr son…what’s wrong are you okay?” He asked his voice tinted with concern.

”Look!” He continued to point at the picture of the older woman with the kitten on her lap. “She looks like…you.”

Clause turned his head to look in the direction of the picture on the wall that he was pointing at. When he saw the woman in the photo he froze. Ica finished up the reviews and went to go see what the fuss was about with her son and husband. “So what’s going on now?”

”Mummy look. This lady looks like daddy…except the girl version.” Said Zephyr excitedly.

Ica walked closer to the picture and started at it. Then, like her eyes widened just like her son’s had. “My GOSH she does look like you Claude!” Then Ica squinted her eyes and tilted her head. “And…her eyes are…he exact same color as yours peanut!”

“Really?” Zephyr went to stand closer to the picture to get a more detailed look. “Hey…she does! Papá look she ha…” Zephyr trailed off when he saw his father standing there un moving, staring at the wall where the picture was mounted. “Papá? You okay what’s wrong?”

Ica went up and touched Claude on the shoulder, her brow creasing with concern. “Claude? What is it?”

Her husband shook his head, snapping him out of his daze. “This woman seems familiar somehow…but… I can’t place my finger on it. I feel like I know her. Her eyes it’s like…” Then it hit him, the girl from his night terror. “I think this is the girl that I dreamt about. I mean she’s just older here…but I remember her eyes were just as green as that. The same like…Zephyr’s. Excuse me Pepper? Who is this woman? Asked Claude points at the photo.

Pepper strode over and lightly brought his fingers one rose gold frame.. “That is Miss. Cliona Tremaine. She use to volunteer at this car shelter called Paws and Meows…” Pepper put his knuckle to his chin. “Or was it Meows and Paws. Well anywho, she used to frequent the café quite often. She said that she wanted to support us as much as possible. She even gave us a generous donation so we could foster and adopt out some of the cats we have here. I…I actually was quite fond of her. She was very pretty and always so thoughtful.” Ica noticed Pepper blushing a little and a dreamy look creeping into his brown eyes. “But then…I stopped seeing her. She used to come twice a week. Then not at all.”

”What happened?” Asked Claude.

Pepper shrugged. “Not sure. But after about two years she showed up. I tell yeah I felt like the happiest man alive. Just it be able to see her again.” Pepper’s eyes drifted to the picture again. “Y see that kitten in her lap? Well, she adopted him from here, named him Lucifer.”

“Lucifer?” Said Claude wondering why someone would name their cat that. “Ins’t that supposed to refer to the lord of hell or something?”

Pepe shook his head. “No. That is how people view it from that fellow in those movies. But the name Lucifer means light bearer. She said when she visited that little black and white tuxedo cat you see in her lap brought her so much joy. Ask tell you that kitten adored her and she adored him. She said that he was the light she needed after…after she had been in so much darkness. Whatever that meant. But she told me she now lives in Toulouse, so she wouldn’t be in as much. In fact I haven’t even her in about six months. I do hope she is alright.”

”Hey…do you think we can go visit her?” Asked Ica suddenly.

Claude gave his wife a bewildered look. “Ica! We just can waltz up to this woman’s door. She doesn’t even know us.”

”Yeah but you said she was in your dream…er nightmare so maybe we need to go talk to her. Get that last bit of closure you need.” Countered Ica.

”Yes, but I don’t even know if this girl I dreamt of really exist, let alone be her.” Said Claude pointing at Cliona’s picture.”

”Papá, I say we go! It will be fun! She looks really nice..and she looks so much like you and she has my eye color. Maybe mummy is right. Maybe this is the last bit of closure you need. Besides you never really did get other part of the dreamed figured out the part where she said Ça ira. Promets-moi juste que tu reviendras. So if this is the girl n your dream and she is telling you to promise to come back…then maybe we need to come back and go to her.” Zephyr looked up at his father. His bright green eyes, the same bright green as this mystery woman, known as Cliona has.

”I do have her acres if you’d like it. All you would have I do is verify it at town hall.” Pepper gave Claude a motivating smile I think it’s worth a go. Then his son and wife looked at him, their expressions eager and hopeful.

Claude sighed. “Oh alright. We’ll go. BUT if this turns out to be an awkward disaster I’m blaming you three.” Said Claude pointing a finger at Zephyr, Ica, and Pepper.

Pepper clapped clapped his hands together. ”Splendide! Now here, this is the address. Like I said you need to verify I at town hall hen you should be all set.” Pepper handed a Claude a piece of paper with Cliona’s address on it.”

”Thank you, Pepper, and thank so much for your hospitality. We really appreciate it.” Said Claude smiling.

“Yeah thanks Pepper!” Yipped Zephyr.

“Thanks Pepper!” Yipped Ica.

”My pleasure. Now you all have a wonderful rest of your visit and if you indeed see Cliona, tell her that her old friend Pepper says hello!”

“Will do.” Said Claude. And with that the Frolios left The Cafe of Cats and started toward their new destination. To find Cliona Tremaine.

***

After about a forty five minute drive, the Frollos arrived at Tolouse Town Hall. “Alright, here it is. Now where’s the entrance?” Asked Claude half to himself as he drove around the car park.

“Over there Papá.” Zephyr pointed to a sidewalk leading to two glass doors, with an over hang. His father circled around and parked then they all got out and made their way into the building. Once inside there was a directory telling them where each department was. Zephyr ran over to see where they needed to go. His bright green eyes scanning over board. “There.” He said pointing.

Ica joined her son at the directory and peered at it. “Of course, it’s in French.”

Zephyr laughed. “Don’t stress mum you got me remember? Your French speaking son. But anyway we have to go to the directory department. They have names and addresses there that can be looked up. I think that’s how one guy stalked great grampie.”

Claude looked at his wife with a baffled expression. “Long story. Let’s go.” She said with a wave of her hand.

Zephyr led the way, skipping merrily down the hall way. Then he abruptly stopped and stared at the wall where pictures of all the past judges that ruled in Paris hung. His bright green eyes widened when he saw his father’s picture in the 36th slot. Underneath was a shiny gold plaque with black letters printed on it that read Judge Claude Frollo.

”Papá!” Cried Zephyr.

Claude hurried up to his son’s side to where he was standing in front of the judge’s wall. “Yes son what is…” Claude’s voice trailed off as he saw what his son was looking at and it made his blood freeze in his veins.

”That’s you…when you were a judge. Why do you look so mean. Everyone else is smiling but…you have the Disney Villain face…but you also look kind of…troubled.” After Claude didn’t respond Zephyr turned to look at him. “Papá?”

”Claude?” What’s ohh.” Ica looked at her husband’s picture on the wall then at her son, who was looking at his father waiting for him to say something.

“Papá!” Yipped Zephyr.

Finally Claude answered him. “Zephyr…I…” he took a deep breath. “Well you know that I used to be a judge here in Paris.” Zephyr nodded. “Do you know why I wanted to become a judge?” This time Zephyr sook his head no. “Well…when I saw how those criminals came to destroy my village and kill my family…I wanted to make sure that sort of ting would never happen to anyone else. So I went to school, got my degree in criminal justice and when I turned 36 I was finally appointed as judge of Paris. But…I let my rulings turn into revenge. Anyone who was brought before me I sentenced them to be thrown in prison…” Claude’s voice became almost inaudible “Tortured.” Zephyr’s bright green eyes had become the size of saucers as he listened to his father speak of his harsh days as a judge. “ didn’t care, I tore families apart. I wanted them to know what it felt like to have everything you loved ripped away from you. Eventually son…everyone hated me. They were terrified of me and ran away when they saw me coming. But I began to feel so guilty. Guilty that I was no longer helping people but I was hurting them. It was like I was the criminal. In fact I was no better than the criminals that destroyed everything that mattered to me.”

Zephyr stared at his father for a long time. His bright green eyes searching his aged face. Claude’s heart was sinking, afraid that his son would be ashamed of him, even hate him. Ica held her breath, not knowing what to say. Then Zephyr finally spoke. “It’s okay Papá.” He said quietly. Claude’s dark gray eyes widen and he looked at his son taken aback and a bit relieved. “I understand, why you did what you did. Not that it was right, but it started with pain. But the important thing is, you changed. And you found Jehovah and he forgave you. You are such a kind person Papá. I’m happy that I get to be your son and I don’t judge you, for what happened in the past, because that’s exactly where it is. In the past.”

Claude seized his son in his arms so hard that Zephyr audibly gasped. “I love you so much son.” Tears began in his dark gray eyes. “Thank you for not hating me.” Iva watched the two of them. Tears in her own hazel eyes.

Zephyr pushed out if his father’s grip. “I could never hate you! I love you. But Papá sometimes you’re a big cry baby.” He gave his father a cheeky look.”

Claude chuckled and wiped his eyes. “But I’m your crybaby right?”

Zephyr laughed. “Yeah okay. I guess. Now are you ready to keep going?”

Claude hugged his son again and nodded. “Oui. Let’s go.”

When the Frollos finally reached the directory there was a woman with dark hair that was pulled into a messy and black rimmed rectangle glasses. Her ring red lips pursed together as she typed away on her computer. She wrote something on a sheet of paper then looked up. “Puis-je vous aider ?”

(May I help you)

Claude stepped forward and handed her the paper. “Oui, j'espérais valider cette adresse. Elle s'appelle Cliona Tremaine.“ (Yes, I was hoping to validate this address. Her name is Cliona Tremaine.)

The clerk looked at the paper and typed something into the computer. She looked at the screen and nodded and handed the paper back to Claude. “C'est en effet l'adresse de Cliona Tremaine. J'aurai juste besoin de signer ceci, pour montrer que vous m'avez donné l'autorité de localiser l'adresse. (This is indeed Cliona Tremaine’s address. I’ll just need to sign this, to show that you have given me the authority to locate the address)

Claude signed the sheet and thanked the clerk, then he and his family headed back to the car. “Here Papá, I’ll put it in the GPS for you. He handed his phone to his son so he could type in Cliona’s address. “Alright, so says it’s fifteen minutes away.” Said Claude as he started the car.

Soon the arrived on Cliona’s street, Glass Slipper Circle. Claude drive slowly to ensure that he didn’t pass the house. “They’re Claude.” Said Ica pointing to a light pink cottage with gray shutters. “It’s number 1950.”

“Should I pull in the driveway or…is that rude…no, you know what I’ll just park on the street.” Said Claude half to himself. He parked the car and sat there a minute, his slender hands clutching the steering wheel.

”Um Papá are you going to get out?” Asked Zephyr touching his shoulder.

”Huh? Oh, yes son.” But still Claude hesitated. “What if this is a bad idea.” He blurted. “What if this woman thinks we’re insane and she has nothing to do with my dream.”

This time it was Ica who placed a hand on Claude’s shoulder. “I know..this is probably hard for you. Maybe me and Zephyr were being a little insensitive. We don’t have to go, if you don’t want to.”

Claude was silent for a moment but the shook his head slowly. “No… no let’s go. We came all this way, it wouldn’t make sense to just turn back now. Plus I have you two with me. And the worst case scenario she sends us home right?”

”Okay, as long as you’re good with it.” Said Ica.

”I am, now let’s go.” Claude kissed his wife and ruffled his son’s hair hair. The three of them got out if the car and walked up the driveway. On the wooden door was a black butterfly door knocker.

“Ooh I’ll do it!” Yipped Ica. “I love door knockers.” Ica grabbed the door knocker and banged it three times. They waited a couple of minutes, and no one came. “Here, let me do it again.” Once again, she knocked, but it remained quiet. “Well guess she isn’t home.” Said Ica a bit dejected.

Just as they were about to turn and leave a young man dressed in a white tee shirt and ripped dirty jeans came walking around from the back yard. He had a leaf blower in one hand and used his other hand to wipe his sweaty forehead. “Hi, can I help you?”

Feeling confident that this young man had just spoken to them in English and with who American accent at that, she stepped forward to tell them why they were there. “Yes hi, this is my husband Ckaude and our son Zephyr. We are looking for Cliona Tremaine. We…um knocked but there was no answer.”

The man oursed his lips looking puzzled. “Cliona isn’t home right now but Nina should be in there. She’s the maid. I’m Nick by the way, i’m Cliona’s landscaper.” He walked up and shook all their hands. “Let me go see what’s going on.” Nick gave a hearty knick on the wooden door. After a few seconds a petite woman with dark brown hair tied back in a messy ponytail came to the door. He dark eyes were bright and curious. “Hi Nina, this is um…” Nick trailed off forgetting each of the Frollos name.

“Ica and my husband Claude and our son Zephyr.” She said, coming to his aid.

“Yeah. They are here to see Cliona but I told them she isn’t here.”

“Oh, my apologies.” Her French accent was light and airy. “Would you like to come in?” She asked opening the door wider and gesturing them inside.

“Oh…well, we wouldn’t want to impose.” Started Claude. “I mean if she isn’t here-“

”Nonsense.” Said Nina cutting him off. “She’s only gone to the market. She should be back soon actually.” She peered at Claude for a moment and tilted her head. “Are you any relation to Lady Tremaine? You look a lot like her.” She asked. Still studying Claude.

“Claude opened his mouth then closed it again. Not sure how to respond. “I…well I have never met her before.”

“Huh, well why don't you come inside and wait for her.”

Ica gave her husband a look that said, “let’s go” so he nodded and graciously stepped inside. When they stepped in the house smelled of fresh lavender. The living room was neat and tidy and the couches were adorned with red throw pillows.

”You can have a seat. Like I said she shant be long. Can I get you three anything? Something to drink? Eat?”

“No, no, we’re fine.” Said Claude waving his hand.

“Very well.” Said Nina. “If you change your mind, I’ll be in the kitchen. “ Claude nodded, and she turned to head toward the kitchen.

“Wow…this cottage is really big! No wonder she needs a maid. It must take forever to clean.” Said Zephyr. Ica gave Zephyr a look. He gave her a tiny apologetic smile. Then got up off the couch to look at some pictures on the mantel. There was one of her at the café with Pepper, one of Lucifer, now a full grown cat, and one with an older man and woman most likely her parents. Then Zephyr saw one that made him frown just a tad. It was a picture of Cliona, but her normally gentle expression was troubled. Her bright green eyes seems to emanate a silent anger. And her mouth was pinched and turned down in a slight frown. He went to go reach out to pick it up until Claude stopped him.

“Zephyr, don’t touch her things please.” Zephyr jerked his hand back but kept eyeing the picture with slight concern. “What is it son?”

”She looks so…sad but also mad here. She has a…Disney Villain face. She looks exactly like you Papá. The same Disney Villain face you had in your judge picture. I wonder if she was going through something painful too.”

Ica got up to examine the picture as well. “Her hazel eyes widened. “He’s right Claude. She looks almost identical to you here.”

Not being able to contain his curiosity anymore he got up too to see the photo. When he peered at it, a jolt ran through him as he looked at Cliona. He could practically feel her emotion through his own body. Suddenly they heard a key being put into the lock and turning. The all whipped around quickly just in time to see tall thin woman wearing a maroon dress. Her dark gray hair was in a tidy up do and she was carrying a grocery bag in one hand. Claude opened his mouth but nothing came out, not knowing what to say or do. Cliona tilted her head eyeing them carefully. Just as it looked like she was about to say something, Nina rushed up to Cliona saving the Frolls from the brief akwardness.

“Oh! Dame tremaine. Bon retour. Ici, laissez-moi prendre ce sac pour vous.” ( Oh! Lady Tremaine! Welcome back. Here let me take that for you) Nina quickly took the bag from Cliona and then turned the Frollos who were standing there trying to figure out if they should say something. “Euh, ce sont des... invités qui sont venus vous voir. Je me suis dit que puisque vous seriez bientôt de retour, je ne les attendrais pas.” (Er, these are some… guest that came to see you. I figured that since you would be back soon I would neither them in to wait for you) Nina fumbled over herbwords, not sure if inviting the Frollos in was such a good idea. Cliona loomed from her maid then to the Frollos, her thin face was unreadable but her bright green eyes had a curiosity in them.

Claude finally finding his voice stepped. “Euh, oui, salut, je m'appelle Claude Frollo et voici ma femme Ica et notre fils Zephyr et-. (Er, yes, hi, my names is Claude Frollo and this is my wife Ica and our son Zephyr an-)

Cliona’s bright green eyes widened and she stiffened. “D-avez-vous dit que votre nom de famille était...Frollo ? (D-did you say your last name was…Frollo?)

Claude nodded slowly. “Oui…”

“Que faites-vous ici et comment m'avez-vous trouvé ?” (What are you doing here and how did you find me?) Demenaded Cliona?

Here tone wasn’t harsh, but more shocked than anything. Nonetheless, Claude gulped, worried that he had upset the older woman that stood before them. Claude hesitated…his mind was overwhelmed and had no clue how he was going to explain any of this. He glanced at his wife who gave him a nervous blank stare. Of course Ica can't help me. She doesn't even know what we just said. I knew this was a bad idea.

“Poivre. Il nous a donné votre adresse.” (Pepper. He gave us your address) He heard his son’s voice jolting him out if his panicked thoughts.

Cliona’s thin planted eyebrows shot up. “Quoi ?” (What)

Zephyr took a deep breath and explained everything that happened at the café. “Ma famille et moi sommes en visite depuis l'Amérique. Nous sommes allés à Cats of the Cafe et j'ai vu votre photo sur le mur. J'ai été choqué de voir à quel point tu ressemblais à mon père et que tu avais exactement les mêmes yeux verts que moi. Ma mère a suggéré que nous venions vous rendre visite parce que... très bien... (Me and my family are visiting from America. We went to Cats of the Cafe and I saw your picture on the wall. I was shocked how much you looked like my dad, and had the same exact green eyes as me. My mum suggested that we come visit you because…er well…) Zephyr trailed off not knowing if he should go into the details about his father’s night terror episode. Seeing as he just met Cliona, he decided not to diverge that information. “Nous voulions juste... vous parler.” (We just wanted to…talk to you) He finished, less confidently.

Cliona just looked at the Frollos in disbelief the color draining from her face. “Je ne sais pas quoi dire... comment... est-ce que cela se passe. Veuillez patienter ici.” (I-I don’t know what to say…how…is this even happening. Please, wait here) Cliona brushed past her visitors and quickly made her way upstairs leaving them and Nina downstairs.

“What just happened?!” Blurted Ica. “What did she say?! She seemed really freaked out.”

“Sorry about that.” Said Nina setting the bag down she had taken from Cliona. “I don’t understand why she ran off like that. And I didn’t know the two of you spoke such fluent French.” She looked over at Claude and Zephyr.

”My dad grew up here and he taught me hen I was a baby. My mum doesn’t speak it but we have been translating for her.”

“I see, well Lady Tremaine is bilingual. She speaks English as well.” Said Nina.

Ica gave a sigh of relief. ”Oh good. Now I won’t actually be in the dark.

Just then Cliona came back downstairs with a piece of paper in her slender hands. It was faded and yellowed with age and a few tears occupied the corners, but other than that it was in one piece. “Oh…Lady Tremaine, please know that Ica here, is only fluent in English, if you wouldn’t mind would it be alright to use English?”

Cliona nodded. “Of course. Now if you would all wouldn’t mind taking a seat, I have something to share with you.” The three of them sat down on the couch, and Cliona sat across from them in a velvety blood red red arm chair. “So…a couple of months ago, I lost my parents, it was a very hard time for me. They were wonderful.” Ica opened her mouth to comfort her, but Claude gently put a hand on her knee, letting her know this was not the time. “When they were on their death beds, they gave me this..letter and…well.” She sighed. “I guess you should read it for yourself.” She reached over and held out the aged piece of paper for Claude to take.

He sat back and opened it. His wife and son leaning over his shoulder to see as well. It was a letter written, neatly written in cursive. Claude began to read it silently but Zephyr nudged him to read it out loud. It was written in French, but Claude translated so his wife could understand what was written in that letter. His dark gray eyes scanned over the letter, then he began to read.