“I suppose that is possible. I’m also concerned that if she did get Bunny back, it would always remind her of seeing and touching her dead mother.”
“Did Juliette touch her mother’s body?”
“She touched her face. I don’t know if she was encouraged or did it on her own. I was across the room when it happened, and her grandmother was holding her, letting her reach over into the coffin with the toy. I think it spooked her.”
“I can well imagine. Would it be okay if I came over and tried to talk with her? I have an idea that might help.”
“Oh, please do,” Brian said gratefully. “Both Camila and I are at a complete loss of how to handle this. It’s heartrending to see her suffer.”
“I’ll be over as soon as I can.”
Chapter 27
September 1
It was just over forty minutes later that Brian heard the doorbell chime. He had been waiting impatiently, alternately sitting with Juliette and pacing in the living room.
“You are like the proverbial cavalry arriving at the last minute to save the day,” he said, trying to make light of the situation as he welcomed Jeanne back. No longer in bike clothes, she was dressed in a white summer blouse and black shorts and carrying a shopping bag.
“I’m sorry if it took too long. I had to shower and get out of my bike gear.”
“Not a problem now that you are here,” Brian said. “But I have to admit, we’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival. We’re really at a loss.” As she took off her mask, he noticed something he’d not noticed before. In contrast to his pale complexion, hers was almost as olive as Camila’s. When he mentioned it as she removed her shoes, she explained that there was a bit of Algerian in her heritage and maybe even a bit of Moroccan even farther back.
“How is Miss Juliette doing?” Jeanne asked as they mounted the stairs.
“Not much change,” Brian answered. “She stopped crying when we told her you were coming over to see her, but she’s still not speaking. Camila and I have alternately stayed with her since you and I spoke on the phone.”
“Sometimes that’s all you can do in a situation like this,” she said. “Patience is a virtue with children. Insecurity is going to be a challenge for her for a while, maybe for life.”
As they entered Juliette’s room, Camila stood up from the bed where she’d been sitting. She’d been reading to Juliette even though Juliette had remained unresponsive and curled up on her side. As Camila and Jeanne exchanged a verbal greeting, Juliette surprised everyone by rolling over on her back. She stared up at Jeanne.
“Hello, ma Juliette,” she said, trying to sound upbeat while sitting down in the spot that Camila had just vacated. “I’ve heard that your visit to your grandma’s was upsetting. Is that right?”
Juliette nodded.
“Seeing your mommy like that must have been scary,” Jeanne said. “But at least you got to say goodbye.”
Juliette nodded again.
“Did it feel strange when you touched her?” Jeanne asked.
With an added expression of distaste, Juliette said, “It was icky.”
“I’m sure it was. You were brave. I understand that you did something very nice: You gave your mommy Bunny to keep her company.”
“I want Bunny back,” Juliette demanded with a defiant expression.
“I’m sure you want both your mother and Bunny back. But I have an idea of what might help, and it is here in this shopping bag.” She raised the bag so Juliette could see it plainly. “Are you interested to see what it is?”
Juliette’s expression softened. “Yes,” she said.
Jeanne opened the bag, reached in, and pulled out another stuffed rabbit. It was about the same size as Bunny but a light gray instead of a light brown and less floppy except for the ears, which were longer. It was also in far better condition and had both of its eyes.
“This is Jeannot Lapin,” Jeanne said, pronouncing the name in a distinctly French fashion. “I told you about her earlier. She’s been my friend since I was about your age, but she would like to live with you if you will have her and treat her well.”
To Brian’s surprise and joy, Juliette reached for the stuffed toy, and when she had it in her hands, she examined it closely. When it apparently passed muster, she tried hugging it. She then looked up at Jeanne and once again nodded.
“She is a beautiful rabbit,” Brian said to his daughter. “I think she is fantastic. Do you like her as much as I do?” When Juliette indicated she did, he asked: “What will her name be: Jeannot Lapin or Bunny 2?”
“Jeannot Lapin,” Juliette declared, impressing everyone by imitating Jeanne’s French pronunciation perfectly.
“Jeannot Lapin it is,” Brian said with relief. “What about Bunny: Can she stay with Mommy?”
“Yes,” Juliette answered without hesitation.
He exchanged a grateful glance with Jeanne, once again feeling thankful he’d had the serendipitous pleasure of meeting her in Megan Doyle’s office. Even if Megan Doyle’s efforts were to come to naught, Brian was certain he’d feel indebted just for the opportunity of meeting Jeanne and the help she was bringing to Juliette.
Camila, who had been watching from the doorway, now came into the room and added her appreciation. After giving the stuffed rabbit a long list of praises, she asked the rabbit if she was hungry. Juliette answered for her, saying that she was hungry for eggs and bacon.
“Then let’s take her down to the kitchen and see that she gets fed,” Camila said. “I’m hungry, too.”
As Juliette and Camila filed out of the room, Brian turned to Jeanne. “Bravo,” he said. “Once again, I can’t thank you enough. You really are a child whisperer. Thank you so much for all your help and for parting with such a personal possession. Can I at least pay you something for it?”
With true mirth, she laughed. “I’ve gotten more than adequate compensation from that toy. I couldn’t have imagined a better fate for it now. It was my mother who insisted I bring it here to the USA. I’m lucky I was able to find it after we talked. When I moved into my current, smaller apartment, I had to pack away a lot of my belongings.”
“Regardless, giving it to Juliette is enormously generous. Frankly, had you suggested it on the phone, I probably wouldn’t have thought it would work. I tried to get her excited about looking at stuffed rabbits online, and she was totally uninterested. Again, it’s obvious you have a way with children.”
“Thank you for the compliment,” Jeanne said. “Maybe it’s the child in me, but I do love interacting with young people. Obviously, that was why I ended up in school psychology, at least for a time. And I find Juliette darling. You are lucky to have her. I truly regret that Riley and I didn’t have children. We shouldn’t have put it off for the sake of the damn business.”
“I can understand your feeling. In many ways Juliette is holding me together.”
“I can see how committed you are,” she agreed.
“I’ve had some more bad news about Peerless and MMH Inwood,” Brian said. “It never stops. Can I bend your ear? I feel like complaining to someone.”
“Of course.”
“Let’s go down to the living room and at least be comfortable.”
As they descended the stairs, Jeanne said, “I think you are doing a marvelous job trying to deal with Juliette’s grief, but what about yours? You’ve lost a wife and a life partner, after all.”
“You are right. As I’ve said, it’s mostly denial. It’s also true that I haven’t had time to really let it sink in.”