“What’s that?”
“A type of brandy. My uncle, Julian, usually keeps a bottle in the cabinet near the sink.”
“Splendid,” he said, stirring vegetables.
She retrieved the Armagnac and two small snifter glasses.
He placed the sauteed zucchini and onion onto plates and put them on the table with silverware, napkins, and glasses of water.
“I feel doted on,” she said.
“Good.” He sat beside her, and poured the Armagnac. “To freedom,” he said, raising his glass.
“Freedom.” She clinked his glass with hers and took a sip, tasting notes of vanilla and candied plum. A warmth of alcohol drifted down her throat and into her stomach.
Jimmie took a drink. “It’s quite good.”
She chewed a bite of zucchini, rich with caramelized onion and olive oil. “Superb.”
“I’m glad you like it.” He swirled his brandy.
“We’re lucky that my aunt and uncle had some fresh vegetables.”
“They had a few, but Pierre, Aline, and I ate them.”
She forked a slice of onion. “Most of the market shelves are empty. Where did you get the vegetables?”
He raised his arm, revealing a bare wrist. “I traded my Omega watch for some zucchini, three onions, and a bag of carrots.”
“That was generous and sweet. Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do. It’s kind of your aunt and uncle to open their home to people in need. I’m looking forward to meeting them.”
“Me too.” She took a gulp of brandy and her body relaxed. Jimmie is selfless and sincere. I feel true to myself when I’m with him, and he gives me hope that days ahead will be better.
Jimmie took a sip of brandy. “When this war is over, what do you want your life to be like?”
“Lately, I haven’t given it much thought.”
“You must have dreams—they make life worth living.”
She paused, picking at her food. “I want to return to my singing career, but someday I hope to have a life like my mom and dad. They behave like newlyweds—holding hands, laughing, and kissing—even after decades of marriage.”
Jimmie grinned. “Brilliant.”
“What do you want your life to be like?” she asked.
“I hope to pilot a plane, perhaps to carry airline passengers, but I’d gladly accept any job that will keep me in the sky.”
She smiled.
“Someday,” he said, “I’d like to be married and have a family of my own.”
“Are you saying that you want children?”
“Indeed.”
“How many?”
“Loads of kids.”
She chuckled. “Like a dozen?”
“No,” he said, smiling. “Two would be nice. How about you—do you want children?”
“I do. Someday, if I’m lucky, I’d like to have a couple of children. Being an only child, I always wished that I had a brother or sister to grow up with.”
He nodded and gently touched her arm. “You’ve barely eaten.”
Her skin tingled. “It’s delicious. I was preoccupied by our conversation.” She glanced at his full plate. “Aren’t you hungry?”
He shook his head. “I ate earlier. I’ll save it for someone else.”
For an hour, they chatted while Ruth ate the rest of her food. They finished their glasses of Armagnac and set aside their plates.
“Thank you for the meal.”
“My pleasure.” He rose from his chair. “I’ll take care of the dishes. You should get some rest.”
