This Musketeer

I have to go back to Paris. I hope that I'll be back to start at Brahman in the autumn, but something's happened— Maman is very sick, and we can't afford medical care at a hospital. Without Papa for so long, and being so estranged from the rest of our family, I am probably the only help that Maman has. I'm not scared for her life, but I know that she needs me.

It's just not fair. Right when I thought everything would work. When I thought that I was going places. And I will, but the old life has crept back for one last moment.

Emilio, Emma, others— I hope that I will see you again, and rockclimbing really will happen. Edith— it will hurt to be away from you, very much. We should speak before I go.

I'm reading a lot about college choices. I had only one choice— and I was lucky to have it at all. Sometimes I'm curious about the backgrounds of other students here.

Something feels different today.

Anyway, the ski trip was good... and I realized that I have been here a while but don't know so many people, at least not as many as I should. I am all in favor of une soirée chez Alex although chez Alex is very small. Who supports this notion?

(And who can provide wine?)

Oh, and someone almost hit me with their car when I was crossing the street in town today. They will regret getting on my bad side, as I think the expression goes. Sometimes I miss speaking French. But I can speak French with Mlle Edith, who is now home!

OK... please tell me, who is Aaron Eckhart? And who is Heath Ledger? I have heard of them (finally) in connection with the next Batman film, and one is playing Harvey Dent and the other is the Joker. Are they good??? The previous film was EXCELLENT, so I'm curious. Ah! Ledger, he has been in something important, I know. But I don't remember. I only saw him in that film "The Brothers Grimm." That was very hard to understand.

I should try to write here more, because it is obviously English practice. But I think that I'm getting better with English, anyway.

And some important news: we are officially going to ski! Nico has said something, but this is my reminder. Next Saturday! Skiing! (I hear that it is a holiday? An Irish holiday? But Nico is Italian-American and I am French, so who cares!) Please tell one of us if you're interested, there are only so many cars. So far it is the two of us and the young ladies Violet and Zenna... I don't know you, Zenna, but we will be introduced, of course. Edith, will you be home in time?

I think that the part I have in Twelfth Night is that of a knight who does not know how to fence.

Such irony!

I practiced fencing this Sunday morning, because that's my true religion. Actually, I try to practice every day; I wonder if I could practice five times a day, like how Muslims pray. My grandfather is Muslim. I think that it's all right to say so here. Anyway, I've lost some skill by practicing without a coach and only occasionally with a human partner. If anyone fences (Emilio?) or would like to learn, consider this an official request for a regular fencing partner. We can practice before class on Wednesdays if you like the morning; if not, after class.

The weather is terrible for rockclimbing outdoors. I think that maybe I'll abandon plans for doing that in the close future. But now I am certain there must be opportunities to do skiing. Is anyone interested?

Hoff, these comics are incredible. You need to rescue them from me, before I think that they are mine.

I'm happy at Eupheme, so far. Very happy. I have met some awesome people— and une très belle jeune fille. Actually, whoever told me that most girls at Eupheme are hot... you were very correct.

New York City... it should be the setting for Dante's Divine Comedy. Are there words? There will be. I will find them. I've been back for a day, though I provided little warning about leaving. How stealthy of me. In any case, it sounds as though mischief is happening as concerns sexual misconduct. While certain identities must perhaps be protected— un bonhomme ne dit rien— I can tell you, if dormitories become forbidden for "youthful enthusiasm" between boys and girls, New York is a substitute location highly recommended.

In Paris it is an ungodly hour of the night, but now it isn't uncommon for me to be awake. I never need any sleep. Anyway, I am awake tonight because I have a very early airplane flight to New York City and then to Boston and then— a bus (and Christmas? who needs Christmas!). Much transportation is necessary to go where I'm going: Eupheme! I love Paris, I will miss it much, and I will miss Maman and my friends, but the opportunity was offered. I will be an exchange student for this semester and then I will attend the university. I hope that Eupheme has a fencing team.