Not Like The Others

Chapter 1

I brushed my dark mahogany locks behind my ears and took a deep breath. 

Today is the day I leave for the airport. In just nine hours, I would be starting my new life in France. 

"Emily!" my mom called from downstairs. "We're leaving in five minutes!"

I'm Emily Wolfe. Emily Rose Wolfe. My mother, Beffany, and I lived together in Portland, Maine, and my life was about to change forever.

No, Portland isn't only in Oregon, and no I didn't have any idea how exactly my life was going to change, but I could just feel it in my bones. I have that intuition.

"Okay, be right down," I shouted. I zipped my leather, sticker-decorated suitcase shut, slung my moss green Fjallraven Kanken backpack across one shoulder, and marched down the stairs.

--

My plane landed in Marseille at 8:05 pm, and I arrived at my new home for the foreseeable future at a quarter to 10. Le Vignoble de Acajou.

Le Vignoble de Acajou is a family-owned and operated vineyard in the heart of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The aforementioned family would be hosting me free of charge, but I instructed to assist with the tending of the vineyard and wine production. 

I took a minute to compose myself before walking up the cobbled path to the main house. Lightly, I knocked on the door. 

I heard footsteps approaching, and suddenly the door creaked open to reveal a middle-aged woman with olive skin and dark flowing hair that had been tied up in a loose up-do. She was dressed in a casual, long, housedress of red and orange hues, and bare feet. Her smile was warm, and she was strikingly elegant in a simple way. 

"Janne Acajou," she said, outstretching a hand, and I took it. "Bienvenue. I hope you find the accommodations to be like home."

"Merci beaucoup, nice to meet you," I said graciously. 

"Please, do not ever find yourself as an employee. You are our guest, just as any other amie! We are so honored to assist you in this so you do not have so much trouble with paying for University!" 

I glanced down at my dark red Doc Martens and kicked lightly into the stone step. How could I help feeling as though I was a burden or an employee?

"Merci, Janne." I said meekly.

"Please, come in now! Follow me."

I followed her through the dimly lit home until we reached a small corridor of what I assumed to be the bedroom quarters. She gestured toward a door at the end of the hall before opening it. 

"These will be your sleeping arrangements," she said before pausing. "I really hope they are satisfactory. My husband, Paul, is out on a trip back to Marseille to retrieve an order of barrels, and he took my boy with him, and they should return sometime in the next two days, but please, they really keep to themselves most of the time."

The room was quite spacious, with a queen-sized bed, night tables, a set of drawers, and a writing desk with a computer. 

"Thank you, really, Janne. They are more than satisfactory." She nodded before heading out the door and turning back to face me. 

"Goodnight," she said warmly, and I gave a small wave. She closed the door behind her.

I rolled my suitcase over to the dresser and drop my backpack down there as well. I bent down and unlaced my boots before slipping them off, and then removing my socks as well. I allowed my bare feet to touch the cool stone floor, before shuffling over to the bedside and feeling the soft rug between my toes. 

I closed my eyes and slide my cropped chinos down from my waist, past my hips, and let them hit the floor, before stepping out of them. I crossed my arms across my waist and grabbed the bottom hem of my recycled cotton sweater before pulling it over my head and placing it on the floor. I retrieved an oversized sweater from my backpack and slip on a pair of dainty shorts before plopping down onto my bed. 

I remembered Janne mentioning her having a husband and a child son, and with this full family atmosphere I couldn't help but make me feel a longing for the same kind of upbringing, but I repressed these feelings. 

I looked up at the plastered ceiling and tried to imagine it doesn't exist, that I was lying under the stars. I heard the crickets and cicadas chirping through my peaked open window, and I could almost smell the fields and fields of grass just outside. 

I felt peaceful in this moment, and somewhat hopeful that this may be the fresh new start I have been searching for.

--

I was awoken at sunrise by a light rapping on my door. I stumbled out of bed and opened the door, and I was surprised to be greeted by someone who was not Janne.

"Goodmorning, mademoiselle," the man said to me. I knew almost immediately that this must be Janne's father, they share the same warm smile,  yet he was much older and greyer, with a weathered face.

"Hello monsieur," I said groggily, trying to rub the sleep from my eyes. "Is there something needed from me?"

"Oh no no, I would like to let you know breakfast is on the table. My name is Pierre, I am Janne's father."

"Pleasure to meet, Pierre," He shook my hand before heading back out of the room and towards the kitchen. 

I quickly dressed in a pair of dark green high-waisted pants and a cream-colored long sleeve tee that fell just below my ribcage. I grabbed a fresh pair of socks from my luggage and slipped those on as well as my Docs.

When I arrived in the kitchen, I was met with cheerful greetings from Janne and Pierre, who are so strikingly similar in mannerisms it's almost comical. I was instructed to take a plate and dish my own various breakfast components as I pleased. I ended up with fresh melon and a piece of toast with elderberry jam and clotted cream. 

As I sat at the table with Janne and Pierre, we made conversation and sort of introduced our lives and personalities to each other. We had small talk, and at the end of our meal, I was apprised of the day's events ahead.

"Emily, we thought it would be helpful to sort of give you a tour of the things today, processes and such, so you are more familiar. Does that sound okay?" Janne asked, taking a sip of coffee from her cup.

I nodded, blotting a touch of jam from my chin. "Sounds great."

Pierre cleared his throat before posing the next question. "When does University begin? Is it my understanding that you are here quite early to allow time?"

"Well, I wanted to be able to accommodate to the new home and my new responsibilities before I began schooling," I explained, "And besides, I would like a little free time to explore." Pierre and Janne both chuckled and nodded before rising from their places at the table. 

"Well, if it is okay by you, Pierre will begin your tour now?" Janne asked. I nodded and stood up, and collected my dishes.

"Please no," Janne outstretched a hand, "allow me!"

I nodded graciously, "Merci," and followed Pierre out the door of the home.