Sinners ── B. Watts

Love Letters

CHAPTER 10
Paris, 1952

     In that place, Violet could be anyone, or perhaps no one at all. The people flowed like rivers, never stopping for obstacles but swirling around them. On those wide avenues with wilted trees, their leaves curled and blackened in the August heat, the buildings towered on each side. The golden light on the sandstone architecture was built in the days when curves and design weren't considered superfluous. On days like this, crammed in with more bodies than Violet could count even in a photograph, everything was peculiar for her.

     Paris was different from what she had seen, considering the limited options Violet had been given during her childhood. Beautiful gardens, beautiful views, and a huge take back into history. It turned out that being an international champion had its advantages, right? However, her purposes had nothing to do with chess or any other competition. In fact, things were now spinning around her and Beth.

     The final day for her in Las Vegas turned out better than she had thought, although she lost against Beth, Violet won something much more important, their friendship. She told her about Benny, her mother, and even the bond between her and her father — the one she had been thinking about. They spend that afternoon together, talking and exchanging experiences, which they turned out to be more similar than she'd imagined. Alma was also very happy with the relationship they had developed, which determined her to invite Violet to Kentucky and stay with them for a few days, maybe weeks.

     Days turned into months and Violet's behavior changed tremendously. Beth had slowly turned into her chance to learn about herself, helping Violet become her own person. The loneliness that used to take over her had been a vice in her heart, squeezing with just enough pressure to be a constant pain, which she liked to ignore.

     Some people say once you have mastered being alone, you are ready for the company of others but that didn't make it easy for Violet.

     When everyone's life journey separated from her own, when the only heart beating in the house belonged to her, it wasn't something most could take.

     Slowly, the young woman found herself moving into Beth's house after Alma died. The redhead was ruined after she found her mother lying still in bed, empty, out of breath. There was nothing Violet could do about it but be there for her, which she did. Mexico was a nightmare, especially the match she had lost against Borgov. Beth drowned her misery in chess, just like she had always had. She and Violet would play every day ever since, to keep her focused and ready for the US Championship.

     Paris was just a caprice. Violet collected enough money to go on a trip during the last few months. She realized both she and Beth were in desperate need of a break, a chance to live a little more, outside those 64 squares. After several attempts of trying to convince Beth to come with her to Paris, Violet succeeded and hoped for the best. She knew why Beth was so against her idea. Her mom had dreamt about Paris, about France.

          "So?" Violet bit down on her lip, glancing over at Beth, "Do you like it?" She wrapped Beth's arm around hers as they walked down the most famous avenue, pointing to the floral ornaments and the river. Violet was truly excited and she really wanted to make her feel at ease, "I'm still surprised we've got to see Champs-Élysées now. It's been three days," Violet wondered.

          "Yeah," Beth spoke dryly with a shrug, "It's pretty. Very French."

     Violet responded with a nod and quit asking her any other questions so she won't feel too pressed. No one could see the pain on her face, but Violet was able to sense it. It wasn't pain exactly, more like numbness. She wanted to persuade her into thinking about something else, maybe even enjoy their trip, help her. But when it came to Beth, everything was a mess, an organized one. Only she knew what was happening up there.