Marie's Links
When he speaks to her, she feels a chill run down her spine. She cuffs her hand around her bracelet, and will not look directly upon him. His eyes seem almost predatory, as if he gazes about her, scanning for weaknesses. No, not sentimentality or familiarity, but a base, instinctual fear. Her intuition demands she stay far from Rhine.
Marie is a good person. Rhine sees how agreeable, how genuinely kind hearted she is. He believes she would do very well in his employ. But for some reason, which none can particularly discern, he respects the distance she demands with all but her word.
Marie admires and is drawn to Constantin's good nature. He welcomed her into his community, even when she barely spoke the language. Now she is much more familiar, and Constantin has become her closest friend. Over the years, she has helped balance his passionate temper by demonstrating her intense patience. She has helped to unlock a new side to his character, one that is particularly useful in his domestic life, and he is forever thankful for it, even if he will never attribute such a change to her.
"What’s a Friday night supper looking like for you Marie? Some strange Asian cuisine I've never heard of? For me, it’ll be the same thing it has been for the last 8 years." - Constantin.
He honors and reciprocates her good neighbor policy. The two often exchange favors and stories. He wants for her to stay in France for longer than she plans and has successfully convinced her thus far. Despite their differences, he would much rather her, as a good friend of the family, then most anyone else.
Antoine is at her shop almost as much as she is. If only he was a paying customer. He is not quite a nuisance, as he is not obstructing the regular flow of business, but his constant presence disturbs her, particularly around closing time.
Perhaps it was when I sat on her sofa, maybe when she invited me to take off my shoes, or maybe even still when she first gazed upon me. When our eyes met, it was an instant recognition, like the discovery of some long lost friend. But her eyes do pierce me. She can see parts of the self I have spent my adult life trying to find. I am confident she can show me the things I dream of. And I discovered all this in one afternoon. In one exchange. One glance. She is an amazing woman isn't she?
"Much of my life I have been alone. Alone in Rome, alone in America. Makes the company that much nicer while I have it." Marie explained.
"Well, would you ever consider trading it? All those adventures, foreign clothes, and languages learned for someone who would stay with you a little longer than the weekend?" Elliot inquired.
"No." She replied softly, with a weary smile.
"I'm talking about a husband. You are unmarried." Elliot conceded.
"How perceptive of you!"
"Is it because you don't want one?" Elliot asked with total innocence.
Her nose wrinkled, fully revealing her age. She paused and turned away from him before responding, "Yes, I suppose that must be it."
Elliot really likes Marie. She is very kind to him, helping Elliot accomplish some of his long term goals in a short time, giving him a sense of fulfillment rare to life. There is no way he could repay her, but she doesn't expect thanks or repayment. He wonders why she would support him so when they were only strangers not so long ago. (Elliot doesn't know what genuine kindness without expectation is like. What an emo)
Marie does not think much of Elaine. Though, that is not to say she thinks negatively of her. Elaine is ever pleasant socially, she often comes over and the two share a snack and a drink. She just lacks the depth of character and mind her husband possesses. For instance, Marie prefers conversation of substance, and Elaine prefers that of the weather. Why do people who live inside exclusively talk so much of the weather, as if it would truly alter their day in any way?
Marie makes Elaine uncomfortable, she is quite old to be unmarried, and she belongs to no particular religious order. One time, Elaine overheard Marie say to Constantin from the other room, "When you got married, everything changed." Marie's presence has been accompanied with a distasteful air of scandal as long as Elaine could recall. Although they are pleasant to each other, and Marie has been very kind to their family, Elaine is honestly not fond of the woman.