A Friend for a Funeral

3. Personal Time

     Fiona felt bad when Adam informed her of the depressing reason that forced him to be in Paris. She almost felt bad for him but for more than one reason, curiosity was getting the best of her. Before she asked a single question, Fiona waved to the water and asked her for some more wine. She was tempted to order the entire bottle but decided to hold back on that for at least the time being. When their wine finally arrived, she took a quick sip and watched Adam do the same before finally asking a single question.

     "So who kicked the bucket?" Fiona finally asked.

     Adam's stunned face was priceless. "That's not a nice way to approach the subject. I'd like to think this person passed away quietly, without suffering and in the company of her loved ones."

     "I hope so too." Fiona replied, "This person had to mean something to you if you're flying over an ocean to attend the service."

     "Truth is, I don't even know this person." Adam confessed, "Not personally that is. Though I had always wished I had."

     "That's very confusing." Fiona said as she was even more curious. "Please continue. I want to know more."

     "The truth is the person was the owner of a very enormous enterprise that owned several companies." Adam began to explain, "One of them does business my Dad's company. This company is one of our most loyal clients."

     "What does your company do?" Fiona asked.

     "We design logos and marketing stuff." Adam answered, "We have a lot of big clients now but back in the beginning when things were tight and a struggle, it was this company that came through for us and helps us ride the waves."

     "What company was that?" Fiona inquired, wanting to know more.

     "We've already seen it," Adam answered, "The L'Auberge Rouge."

     "Oh my," Fiona said, as it was all making sense. "You're here to attend the service of Caroline Bouchard!"

     "I am," Adam confirmed. "My Dad usually makes trips like this but it was very last minute and he doesn't do well on flights, so he passed the duty onto me."

     "And how do you feel about flying over for the funeral?" Fiona asked.

     "I have mixed feelings." Adam honestly replied, "Part of me feels awkward attending the service of someone I never personally knew the deceased. But at the same time, Mrs. Bouchard and her husband were very good to us; it would be disrespectful for no one from our side to up and pay our respects."

     "That's probably true." Fiona said as she kept listening.

     "But a part of me is very humbled to be here." Adam said as he was trying to think of the right words to say.

     "Why humbled?" Fiona asked.

     "When I was a young, very impressionable man," Adam started, "One of the first moves I ever saw was 'Dancing in the Stars'."

     "I love that movie!" Fiona said in complete agreement. "Didn't she win an Oscar for that role?"

     "She was nominated, but never won." Adam answered, "But she should have."

     "Oh, for sure!" Fiona agreed, "I can't get enough of that movie."

     "Neither can I," Adam concurred, "That was Caroline in her prime, the black and white musical from the 50's that takes your breath away. I didn't care how cheesy everyone thought it was; I loved every part of it. I know every song by heart. I've seen it dozens of times on the big screen and its true classic in my books."