He held his pen over the card. He wanted to write, wish you were here, but somehow that didn’t seem appropriate with their past.

Instead he wrote,

New York was even more amazing with you in it.

Hope to see you again soon.

Andrew

He laid the card on the bedside table, unsure if he’d actually ask Lori to mail it or not. Then he turned off the light, and the television, and lay back onto the pillow. A few minutes later, he turned on the light and reached for the postcard and pen. He inserted the word “very” between again and soon.

That was more like it. He put a stamp on it and sat it on the nightstand.

He drifted off to sleep.

“Up and at it, Andrew.” For a second, he was back home in Bailey’s Fork on a school morning, then he realized where he was and that it was Lori from the show pounding on his door.

“Yes?”

“It’s time to get up. You’ve got forty-five minutes.”

“Thanks.”

“Need a snooze alarm knock?”

He hopped out of bed and opened the door. “No, thanks. I’m getting up.”

“Here’s your call sheet for the day in case you want something to read while you’re dosing caffeine.” She handed him the printout. “I’ll knock when they’re here to get us.”

“Thanks.” He let the door close behind him and headed for the coffee pot.

He made two cups of coffee and then pulled back the curtains. A light snow had already begun. He probably should’ve packed warmer clothes, though. Being surrounded by the three seas, Paris rarely got more than a dusting, and anything that fell melted immediately. It was pretty much the same back in Bailey’s Fork, except for maybe once a year. He did remember once having a fairly significant snowfall in France, and just like back in North Carolina, it had been utter chaos.

The call sheet itinerary showed his scheduled arrival, hair and makeup, and first lighting checks. The actual show wouldn’t begin filming for hours after they arrived. It took a lot of people and a lot of time to put together a short television program.

He tossed the call sheet on the nightstand and pulled his black pants out of the drawer. They hadn’t fared too well on the trip, so he pressed them before putting them on. A black T-shirt was all he’d need under his chef’s coat. It wasn’t like he’d really be walking around outside anyway. They rushed him in and out of every building.

Three quick knocks came at his door.

“Coming.” It felt weird to not have his phone or keys to keep track of. He tucked his room key into his wallet and joined Lori outside.

“Ready for round two?”

“More than ready.”

They went downstairs and got in the car.