Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

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The French Linen Closet

White-French-Linen-Napkins

Photography and text by Corey Amaro:

French Husband's sister… Soizic (an old name from Brittany) was a firecracker who knew when to razzle, dazzle, and most of all pop. She was beautiful, stunning chic… when she walked into a room she commanded attention. A force only she could control. Her smile winning the way of what she wanted, yet underneath the certainty of a fox who knew how to use her teeth. I was cautious from the moment I met her… and on that day (twenty some years ago) only thirty six hours later I knew I had met my match, when it came to wanting everything regarding old and beautiful. Looking at my fingernails while closing the linen closet with my foot did not slip her attention, I knew it by the way her eyes licked my heel.

Sozic asked where her brother was, I pointed upstairs since I didn't speak French. Then she pointed to the linen closet. What was I to say? To this day I can still see her licking her red painted lips. As she opened the closet to feast on the linens with her family's monogram, I ran upstairs… I had to get that man out of the darkness and into the treasure chest!

Comments

16 responses to “The French Linen Closet”

  1. Natalie Thiele

    Uh oh, polar opposites. FH wanted nothing,
    FS-I-L wanted it all. How will this end? I’m dying to know!

    Reply
  2. Jackie

    C, Can you tell us who does the embroidery on the family linens? Ohh yes, let’s hear more about sister when this story is over…
    jackie
    bliss farm antiques

    Reply
  3. Penny

    Before I say how beautiful the monogrammed linen is in your picture, I must say how intrigued I am with your story, Corey. Oh my, what a spot to be in! Now, I can say how beautiful the linens you show above are. I hope that they are yours.

    Reply
  4. carol

    What a good heart FH has. You write so well, Corey. I am wondering if these are the family linens and I am with Jackie in wondering who does this beautiful padded satin stitch and eyelet embroidery? Also, was this Yann’s uncle’s home? How very beautiful. You are brave to put FSIL’s name here! A fox can be very sly and cunning!

    Reply
  5. Christina

    Yes!
    rubbing my hands, or should I say wringing my hands in anticipation…
    Lovely.

    Reply
  6. Marilyn

    You bring a smile to my face. I do hope you got a few of the remaining monogramed linens.

    Reply
  7. Everton Terrace

    I sm sitting here yelling “run Corey run”!

    Reply
  8. Brenda L from TN

    YIKES!!!!…RUN to FH and demand he come down from the attic and help fight off his sister who wants EVERYTHING!!! I surely hope the linens shown at top are part of the treasure…they are beautiful…love the story…hate the FSIN…hope you two are friends now.

    Reply
  9. Patt

    A rock and a hard place.

    Reply
  10. Rhonda P.

    Friend or Foe? What does she end up being?
    I cannot wait. Poor FH, he is like many men, these beautiful, priceless items mean nothing to them. He would rather hang on to the memories.
    NOT ME, I think a lot of my vintage and antique purchases stem from having two Grandmothers who had so many grandchildren, to receive something from them was unique. So I shop for items and ask myself, I wonder if Grandmother had one of these? Well, that’s what I tell myself. tee hee

    Reply
  11. Shelley@thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com

    Where is she now?

    Reply
  12. Denise Solsrud

    when you marry a man, you also marry his family.:) Bestest,Denise

    Reply
  13. Juliette

    I am the Fox’s daughter.
    I’ve smiled reading my dear’s Aunt’s post. Her description is so real. It is exactly how my Mum was. She knew what she wanted, and was ready to do anything as long as she could obtain what she wanted to. A part of me is like that: it’s in my genes.
    However she was, I loved her. She died 5 years ago. Some of your comments are hard to read for me…
    I do remember that day, this house, the stairs, the dust in the attic, the ray of light through the windows.
    I was so happy that day; so happy!
    An entire day with my dear Oncle and yet, soon Auntie… no only for a dinner!!! Although I was asked to stay still, I was jumping everywhere… I was so happy that day…

    Reply
  14. Maddy

    What an amazing women your sister in law must have been, such a powerful picture you paint with your words and one photo. I too would have faught you for that linen!

    Reply
  15. Merisi

    It just about broke my heart when I read Juliette’s comment (what a brave woman she is!). Of course her mom would want some of the most personal household items, monogrammed linens! I would too. I am glad you have such beautiful memories of that day, Juliette! Today is that day when my sister had to leave this earth, so what you were writing here resonates deeply with me.
    My mom told me a similar story about scenes at the household of a relative of my father. Newlywed then, she did not want to engage and fight with relatives over their inheritance (my father did not want to attend). All she took home was a hand-painted night pot (no one else wanted it) and a kilo of sugar that somehow had ended up with the pot.

    Reply
  16. Beverly

    Oh dear..it now has become a sticky and sensitive situation..long ago and now..

    Reply

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