Page 2 of Derivation
“Like what?” Gabi asked, looking confused.
“It’s Paris. You never know.”
“Have you actually been to Paris?”
“No.”
“It really is just a normal city. I mean, there are things to see, but you can plan them so that you’re prepared.”
“You’re only saying that because you live there,” Sarai replied. “Has the shine worn off?”
“Maybe. I don’t know.”
“Have you ever been to Amsterdam?”
“No,” Gabi said.
“Do you think it’s just a normal city?”
“No, it’s Amsterdam.” Gabi smiled. “I can’t wait to explore it. I have a list, and I made a reservation at the Anne Frank House months ago. I didn’t know I’d be staying with you. I thought I’d go alone, so I just got the one ticket.”
“It’s okay. I went there when I first arrived.”
“You did?”
Sarai pointed to herself and said, “Sarai Kaplan. Jewish.”
“Oh, right.” Gabi nodded.
“But you’ll like it. What time is your ticket for?”
“Tomorrow at two.”
“Okay. I’ll take you over there and hang out until you’re done. What else do you want to do while you’re here?” she asked.
Gabi gave her a very long list of sights to see, museums to visit, and parks to check out.
“What about tonight and tomorrow night?” Sarai asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Bars? Nightlife?” she said, nodding toward the tram stop that they needed to get to in order to buy Gabi a ticket.
“Oh, I don’t care. Whatever you suggest.”
“Not a big nightlife person?” Sarai asked her.
“Not really, no. But I want to experience the city.”
“Okay. Well, let’s get on the tram, and you can drop your stuff off at my dorm.”
Years later, Gabrielle Durand still had that long black hair, but it was pulled up and in a single braid that landed at her shoulder blades. She was even more beautiful somehow, wearing dark-rimmed glasses that only brought out her deep brown eyes, and she didn’t look like a kid anymore at all.
“How long have they been together again?” Gabi asked of Stella and Violet.
“Over a year. They hated each other when we were all in school together,” Sarai replied with a laugh, and one of the bartenders finally walked over to them. “Can we get our check, please? And can you put it all together? Her drink, too.”
She nodded to Gabi.
