Annie's story continues:
Walking home from Annie's house I traced back over her story: Where she was born, why they left Greece, arriving by boat to Marseille with the icon in one hand and the sewing machine in the other, heading out to live in the countryside, then after several years moving to Marseille… it was at this point I wondered why did they move back to Marseille, especially when Annie's mother didn't want to live there in the first place?
I turned around, walked back to Annie's house, tapped on her window and asked, "Hey Annie, why did your family move to Marseille? I thought your Mother didn't want you to be fish monger?"
Moving aside the geranium plants she leaned on the window sill as she continued her story, "My Mother, oh what a strong character she was! My oldest sister was very bright, she was the smartest in the class. It use to be in those days that the smartest in the class would have a certificate and with this certificate you could have special privileges. The other mothers became jealous of the "foreigner" who received special treatment. They even went as fas as asking the School Director why the "Greek Girl" received the newer books, while their children from the village had the older ones? The School Director told them, "The Greek Girl is the smartest, and with that honor comes special treatment, hence the new books.
I was the third oldest child, we moved when I was ten, because my Mother wanted us to have a better education. Most of the children from the village stayed and worked in the tile factories…." Annie looked over my shoulder towards the factory's brick chimneys that remain in our village, I thought she was being carried away with a memory, but when I turned around I saw Annie's friend Georgette walking towards us.
As it is in France, it is customary to give a kiss on both cheeks when greeting people you know well. Annie waved her friend into the house, since leaning over and kissing her would be too difficult. Before entering Annie's house I shook Georgette's hand, I know her but not well enough to give a kiss let alone say, "Tu".
Georgette and Annie kissed and exchanged polite greetings. Georgette had a new skirt, Annie admired it then said to Georgette, "I have a new dress that I bought with Corey. But I think it is too short for my age." Georgette waved her hand in the air as if to say, "Nonsense" then added, "At our age who cares?" Georgette is 89 years old.
Annie narrowed her eyes, pulling her chin back in and said, "Well I do!" Georgette laughed. Then they both laughed. Georgette asked Annie, "Isn't it funny how at our age everyone wants to know our secret? Honestly, it seems I am asked that everyday by someone." Annie replied, "Well what do you say?" Georgette shrugged, "Luck. What do you say Annie?"
Annie sat up straight and said, "Faith!"
Georgette leaned in, teasingly tapped Annie's knee, "Annie, Annie! Just because you believe in God you think you live longer?"
"No, but because I have faith it has helped me ease over the rough patches. I am an easy going person because I believe someone is in charge, I trust that. You know Georgette, I can give up many things if I had too in order to live healthier or in harmony… but I could never give up my faith, nor fruit." with that Annie laughed, and laughed, "You didn't see the fruit thing coming did you?" She laughed again. "I couldn't live without fruit!"
Georgette shook her head in disbelief.
"You know Georgette, Corey blessed Mr. Porte's coffin with Tomatoes, Green Beans, Cherries and Figs, instead of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. By the way when I die I want Pavarotti's Ave Maria to play in the church. Corey will you bless my coffin like you did Mr. Porte's?"
"Annie, I'll make you a bouquet of fruit flowers too, and make sure your dress covers your knees."
With that Annie slapped her knee, "Can you imagine that… everyone eating fruit at my funeral!"
To be continued…..
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