Chapter twenty eight (Topaz)

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(Guys it's almost over I promise lmao)
      Topaz stayed at her father's grave for hours. The hill was wet and muddy and it stained her uniform but she didn't care. Her voice was scratchy as she told her father all about the war and about Jacques and Loui and how they won.
"He's really nice dad I think you'd like him....." She smiled a little and wiped a tear off her cheek. She heard footsteps behind her but didn't react. She continued to speak quietly.
      A large hand placed itself on her shoulder, but she didn't question who it belonged to. She put her own hand on top of it and sniffed. Jacques put his hat on her head. "You're going to catch a cold....."
"I don't care...." she answered. The brim of his hat slipped down her head and covered her eyes. Rain fell on them.
"Please come inside....."
"Can't I stay a little longer?"
"You've been out here for hours, Topie." Her sister's voice ran out. Jacques wasn't alone. "I miss him too, but we have other things to worry about right now......" Her voice cracked.
".........Loui didn't know did he....that papa died...."
"I'm afraid not......" Jasper answered. Topaz stood up, feeling her back brush against Jacque's chest. He was standing very close to her. She stepped away a bit.
"I'll tell him when he gets here.....I hope he won't be too sad......" she said, walking down the hill towards the house. Jacques and Jasper shared a worried look and scurried after her. The sun was going down.
     When she went back into the sitting room, a man was standing next to Violet whom hadn't been there before. He was very tall with a leather apron. His face was as cold as stone.  Topaz ignored him. She knew Violet had some other man besides Loui. The German blacksmith. She sat quietly on the couch. Rose sat next to her. "Topaz, wouldn't you like to change your clothes? Yours are so cold and muddy......." She said, trying to think and talk about anything but Loui. It hurt to much for both of them.
"I've grown attached to them......Jacques I'm keeping your hat."
"Alright." He laughed a little bit.
      Jacques had been acting really weird lately. Maybe it was just Loui's death but he seemed to cling to Topaz. It seemed to her like he took every chance he had to grab her hand or touch her shoulder or her cheek or anything really. 'Maybe what Loui said really got to him......'
   The fact that he would have to leave eventually pressed against her heart and her brain. Even though he was one of the best friends she'd ever made, he was still French, and he still belonged to the military. He'd have to go back to France with the rest of his troop and she would probably never see him again. She made a pained noise. "What's wrong?" Rose asked.
"Nothing.....I'm just thinking......." Violet's Gentleman friend seemed to be about to speak but was interrupted by a knock at the door. It was weak and quiet but they all heard it. Jacques started moving over to the door to open it.
"No I got it." Rose stood.
"No I insist. You've been through a lot. Let me." He gave a slight bow and left the room. Rose gave no protest and sat down. There was a moment of silence before a loud, "SAINTE MER!"erupted down the hall from the door. Topaz jumped.

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