Thanks, Laurence

I can’t even explain how grateful I am to have family here. Laurence has been especially fabulous.

The ride up was long and tedious. She said I was doing her a favor by coming with her; looking at the dog hair floating in the back, landing delicately on my mounds of luggage, I wasn’t so sure. We arrived, and she looked sheepishly at me: “There’s no food in my kitchen for dinner.”

I winked. “Merde, we must go out!”

I laughed all through dinner. She’s hilarious.

The next day, she took me to the apartment and refused to leave me until everything was settled in and we had done a big shop. She directed me to the best brands, the best savings, the best choices. She called the next morning to make sure I was ok. And today, she was my first guest.

I made something simple, but we were both in the mood for a light lunch. She was impressed at how much I did in just one day to improve the look and feel of this place. (I’m telling you, it’s the blanket that pulled it all together!) We talked of many things, and I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. She’s great.

She demanded to go through my paperwork with me. On the carte de sejour, she agreed: the school needs to help. On the cell phone, she argued that I should get a monthly plan instead of the mobicarte, which is apparently the most expensive service possible; she promised to help pick something better out when the time comes. On the internet, the broken pot, everything, she had counsel which I desperately needed but for which I refused to ask. (Gets back to the self-sufficiency thing.)

Then she insisted on helping me fill out my application for a monthly metro pass. When I say helping, I mean she did it all, handed it to me, and listed the things I need to get before mailing it. She even reached into her purse and put a stamp on the envelope.

I wanted to cry, or crawl over the table and hug her. I honestly don’t know how to express my gratitude.

But I have a few ideas cooking.

Laurence even contributed more to the help-furnish-Cat’s-apartment-fund with old sheets, towels, blankets, a hamper and a rug from her cellar and Ludo. Slowly, surely, this place is looking nice. Pictures to come when it’s complete—which means I really, really need to find a night table.