June 10th, 2011
Loire Valley, France
To: Kimberly Kit Jensen <kikiswebdesign@yahoo.com>
From: Katherine Perryman <dreamchaser89@gmail.com>
Re: I'm not in Kansas anymore!
You will not believe what's happened! The universe must not hate me so much after all because just as I'm about as down on my luck as I can be, who should I happen to run into? Jeremey LeClair! Now I know what you're thinking. The kid with the famous mother? Well, she wasn't that famous. I recently, just out of curiosity, googled her and she was only in a few Broadway shows and some commercials for antidepressants and dog food. But I will be meeting her soon, so I'll definitely give you the 411! Jeremy says she's had quite a bit of "work" done if you know what I mean. Anyway, the great news is I've decided to spend the summer in France at the LeClair's château in the Loire Valley! Jeremy says it's no trouble, Lizzie is psyched, I still haven't heard back from my mother, basically dreading that, but who cares! I'm spending the summer in France!!
Also, Jeremy is so far from the boy who used to spill his Juicy Juice at lunch and had to wear a helmet during PE on account of his chronic inner ear infections, remember how often he used to fall? Thank God he had the helmet on! He's really quite good looking now. Okay and yes, I admit I may be developing a slight crush. But only like the beginning of When Harry Met Sally, we're still feeling things out and are nowhere near Allie and Noah in The Notebook caliber yet.
Now on to you. How are things going with the perpetually doomed companies that have oh so wisely hired you to design their website? I hope they are at least paying you well, they sound like a bunch of basket cases. And Alec? How is he doing?
Miss you!
Kate
P.S. But not that much. I have crepes and café au lait practically every day! There are some things you just can't get in America, though occasionally I do get cravings for some good old fashion BBQ!
When Kate first laid eyes on Château de Langlois one thought immediately came to mind: breathtaking. It was hard to believe anyone would choose to live somewhere else when they had this historical gem at their disposal. As Jeremy drove around the circular drive a large fountain in the center of two dancing maidens Kate could feel her eyes getting bigger and bigger. Granted Kate still hadn't been to Versailles so perhaps her opinion was biased but she couldn't imagine a more beautiful place to live. There must be at least two hundred windows! With a pair of large wooden doors marking the entrance, probably as tall as a streetlight and adorned with a fetching blue roof.
"Why would you ever leave?" asked an astonished Kate once Jeremy had stopped the car.
Jeremy chuckled, "I guess I kind of like human interaction."
Kate gave him a haughty look.
"We are pretty outside the city. There isn't that much to do here." Jeremy pointed out.
"You can write."
"And what if I have writer's block?"
"Then you can read," Kate logically suggested.
Jeremy smiled, opening his door, "Well I can certainly see I'll be busy with you around."
Kate grinned as she also exited the car.
"Ready?" asked Jeremy.
Kate nodded, "Lead the way."
Leaving their bags in the trunk for now Kate followed Jeremy as he pulled open one of the heavy oak doors and ushered her inside.
Kate found herself in an immense entrance hall with a grand staircase covered with red carpeting. The floor was a rich mahogany while a large crystal chandelier hung in the center of the room reflecting off the light from the many windows. As soon as she stepped inside a chill ran down her body, yes it was colder inside but this felt different. Like someone had just drifted past her.
"You, okay?" asked Jeremy, noticing her shudder.
"Yeah. Just surprised by how big this place is."
"What were you expecting?"
"I don't know. I've never been to a château before!"
Jeremy chuckled. "Come on, I'll give you the official tour."
An hour later after Jeremy had led Kate through the kitchens, dining hall, library and parlor and showed her to her room they reconvened back in the entrance hall just as his parents were returning from a visit in town.
Jeremy hadn't been kidding, it was evident his mom had had more than a "little" work done. Not that Kate would ask for specifics after all she was their guest! But if she had to guess her money was on breast implants, a nose job, Botox, and a facelift. She wore a stylish powder blue wrap dress and silver heels. Her blond hair was immaculately done and swept up in a complicated bun.
His father was more demure, a short man with salt and pepper hair, fluffy white eyebrows and twinkling blue eyes. Upon seeing her he rushed over and immediately took her hand pressing a kiss to the top.
"Ah mademoiselle, bienvenue! Comme c'est genial de vous rencontrer!" he gushed.
"He says welcome, it's good to meet you." Jeremy translated.
Kate smiled at him, "It's wonderful to meet you as well! I can't thank you enough for allowing me to stay at your home."
His father waved his hand away as if it was nothing.
"Of course, of course," his father chanted. "You were a good friend to Jeremy."
Jeremy shrugged sheepishly, "Let me introduce you, may I present my parents Colette and David LeClair. Mother, father, this is Katherine Perryman."
"Kate, just Kate," she corrected.
"Kate," Colette repeated, "I remember you when you were little. Your mother didn't have much fashion sense, did she? I recall seeing you in lots of corduroy."
Kate grimaced, "Yes, unfortunately you are right."
"Well clearly you did not inherit her poor taste, you look very lovely today."
Kate blushed. Before leaving Paris, she had made a last-minute purchase of a white sleeveless summer dress covered with pale pink roses, "Thank you Mrs. LeClair."
"Ah no need to be so formal, Colette will do."
"Of course."
"And you may call me David my dear. Has Jeremy gotten you all settled then?"
"Yes, he just finished showing me around."
"Did you tell her about the legend?" asked Colette.
Jeremy shot his mother a stern look.
"What legend?" Kate asked curiously.
"It's mainly just folklore," Jeremy explained, clearly not wanting to discuss the subject.
"I don't know about that," concurred Colette glancing at the chandelier, "It would certainly explain a lot."
"About what?" Kate asked even more curious now.
"You will see soon enough dear. But I must go lie down now. I'm quite fatigued from today's events. Enjoy your stay." And with that she began climbing the elaborate staircase.
"I'll see you both at dinner," David informed them, "Cook is making duck confit! Jusque là." And with that he departed as well following in his wife's footsteps.
"Until then."
"What?"
"That's what he said, until then." Jeremy explained.
"Oh, I thought your mom was the French one?"
"She is but she has become quite Americanized with her exploits in acting whereas my father has totally embraced French culture."
"And do they live here year-round?"
"No usually just the summers, though now that my fathers retired that may be changing."
"They both seem like really nice people." Kate expressed honestly.
"Yeah, they are, for parents anyway."
Kate laughed and plopped her hands on her hips, "So what's really the deal with this legend?"
Jeremy shook his head, "My mom's just having some fun with you. It's not true."
"What's not true?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Ah come on. Tell me!" pouted Kate.
"I'll think about it," said Jeremy with a sly grin taking Kate's hand in his, "Now let's go see about getting a before dinner snack."
Kate followed Jeremy out of the entrance hall, but she hadn't forgotten what was said and she definitely knew it wasn't just some legend when she woke in the middle of the night sleepy and cozy in her four-poster bed and heard a sweet feminine voice whisper in her ear, "We leave tonight, tell no one." Yeah, legend my ass thought Kate, turning over, next thing she knew they'd be telling her the duck she ate at dinner was really horse meat. Regardless one way or another Kate was getting that "legend" out of Jeremy and the sooner the better.
To: Katherine Perryman <dreamchaser89@gmail.com>
From: Kimberly Kit Jensen <kikiswebdesign@yahoo.com>
Re: I'm not in Kansas anymore!
I swear I must have read your email a dozen times before it finally sunk in. JEREMY LECLAIR! Only you would get dumped by a hot French guy only to be rescued by your childhood sweetheart. And yes, that's what he was because you didn't start dating until college and until he moved away, I barely saw you! If I didn't have Alec, I would be so jealous! And since you asked Alec is fine. Alec is always fine, he's like a bottle of antacids. You don't need him all the time but when you do, he's there.
But I'm glad to hear things are working out for you, just be careful I don't want to see you get your heart broken again. AND SEND ME A PICTURE ASAP! I want to see how Jeremy has turned out. Because even you have to agree he wasn't exactly hunk material when we were kids. If I remember right his nickname was cornstalk. On account of his being freakishly tall, well that and we lived in Kansas and the only thing in more abundance than corn is talk about the Wizard of Oz! Works coming along though I'd like to see you try to get a decision out of a man and HIS DOG because apparently, they must agree. Like, who cares the question was which font you prefer Arial or Courier New just decide already! Seriously, why, do I always attract crazy people?
Miserable in the States,
Kiki
P.S. And don't you dare say the reason; is because I'm crazy!
P.P.S. Remember to send me that picture!