Matthew and the Stone Read online

  “I thought Louis pushed them out of France.”

  “After Colbert’s death, when his influence had declined.”

  “Death would generally mean a decline in influence,” Jason quipped, putting his arm around Alex.

  Matthew rolled his eyes at Jason.

  “Don’t be a pest. Matt’s done all the work.”

  “It’s okay. At least he’s staying awake,” Matthew said.

  “Just think of me as comic relief,” Jason smiled at everyone looking for approval. “Studying history can be fun if you loosen up a bit. It’s like a comic play about modern life.”

  “Good analogy,” Matthew said. “Anyway, Colbert’s successor supported the repeal of the Edict of Nantes which protected the rights of the Huguenots. Eventually they fled France to avoid the persecution that followed the repeal.”

  “Yeah, and then the economy started its decline.”

  “Mrs. Jefferies is really interested in that sequence of events. She’s referencing some part of it all the time.”

  . . .

  “Now everyone, the bus is here,” Mrs. Jefferies’ voice broke up their conversation. “We need to board now.”

  “Let’s go see this Grand Palace,” Jason said as he stood and helped Alex up.

  Alex smiled at Emily as she gave Jason her arm. “Isn’t it amazing how much of a gentleman he can be when he wants to?”

  “Yes, he sure can turn it on and off at will,” Emily gave both of them a big smile.

  . . .

  “Our last day in Europe and we have to take a test,” Jason groaned, leaning back from the breakfast table.

  “It does bite, doesn’t it? We could use the time to visit Montmartre instead,” Matthew sighed as he finished his croissant.

  “I’m glad we’re taking it before the plane ride back,” Alex said, “after ten hours in the air, my brain turns to mush.”

  “You said it. I would have forgotten everything while we were on the plane.”

  “We could use the time on the plane to study.”

  They all rolled their eyes at Matthew’s suggestion. “Study on the plane? All I can do is watch movies, try to sleep, or listen to music.”

  “Yes, it’s so uncomfortable.”

  “You guys are wimps. When my dad and I came last year, we traveled coach. Those seats barely recline.”

  “Coach, ugh. First class or a chartered jet is where it’s at,” Jason said. “You can lay the seat all the way back and really get some sleep.”

  “Why didn’t you fly First Class then?”

  “My dad wouldn’t let me. He said I had to travel with the rest of the class.”

  “Well, I hope you don’t suffer too much.”

  “I’m sure I won’t as much as I’m going to now.” Jason pointed at Mrs. Jefferies entering the café with the test in her arm. She’d reserved the restaurant at the hotel for the test since it was normally closed until dinner.

  . . .

  “When you finish your test,” Mrs. Jefferies called out, “hand it in; then go up to your rooms and finish packing. We have to be checked out in two hours.”

  Matthew finished the test, and after reviewing his answers twice, he got tired of stalling. He walked to the front of the restaurant and handed his test to Mrs. Jefferies.

  “Thank you, Matthew. You’re always the first to finish.”

  She smiled at him as though she was responsible for his being able to finish the test so fast. Matthew gave a weak smile back and headed out. He was always embarrassed to be the first to finish; he tried to stall by reviewing everything. Eventually he would get bored and start fidgeting so much that everyone would glare at him, but now they glared at him anyway as he walked out of the restaurant.

  He went up to Jason’s and his room and packed. While he waited for Jason to come up, he started to read A Tale of Two Cities. He’d brought the book to read on the flight back. He thought it would be nice to read it after being in France. He’d been to both cities, London with his dad and now Paris.

  Jason entered the room, “Oh come on, isn’t your brain tired enough from the test?”

  “Sure, but this is for fun. It’s about the French Revolution.”

  “I know it’s about the French Revolution,” Jason threw a pillow at Matthew, “but come on, Dickens is not light reading.”

  Matthew threw the pillow back “Give me a break; I don’t make comments about the stuff you read.”

  Jason tossed the pillow onto the bed, “That’s because I hardly ever read, especially on vacation.”

  “And your point is?” Matthew glared at Jason.

  “Nothing. Sorry, I’m just so burned out after the test. Let’s get our stuff downstairs and check out.”

  . . .

  When they boarded the airplane for home, Matthew headed for the back. The flight was an all business-class flight, so he couldn’t complain too much. Mrs. Jefferies had made sure that the roommate pairings were seated next to each other on the way to France, but hadn’t put that constraint on the return flight. When it occurred to the teenagers to check their seat assignments for the return flight, they found that they were scattered all over the plane. The flight was a so full that it had been impossible to re-arrange seating. Matthew’s seat was so far from any of his new friends that he just resigned himself to his fate of a long trip sitting with strangers. As he settled into his seat next to a small child and his mother, Matthew groaned. This was going to be anything but a relaxing flight home.

  As the plane took off, Matthew fingered the stone around his neck and thought of the places he’d been with his friends. As he relaxed, he saw them before his eyes. He retraced the steps they’d made at the monastery; he saw the crowds as he maneuvered around the grounds. He seemed to be able to take his mind into areas they had only seen in passing. It was so real he was amazed, just like watching a movie. There were crowds, but he didn’t see any of his friends. As he thought of Versailles, it appeared as it had the two evenings before, just as they were leaving. The crowds had thinned out and the shadows were getting long. Matthew took himself through the entire palace again, viewing each room, taking in detail that he hadn’t realized he’d seen. The rooms were empty, except for him. He paused before each piece of art or furniture to examine it in detail. Strangely, he seemed to be able to see things from angles that were impossible during the tour. He could see out from the grand throne as though he were seated on it, an impossible view since that entire room was roped off. The seat-belt light went on with a ping, as the flight attendant told the passengers to fasten their seat belts as turbulence was ahead. Matthew adjusted his seat belt and took out his book to read.

  . . .

  When the plane landed in Los Angeles, Matthew and Jason joined Emily and Alex while they waited for their bags.

  After pulling a couple of bags off the conveyer belt for the girls, Matthew started to head out.

  “Wait, we’ve got more bags,” Alex said.

  “Why would you need more than these two behemoths?” Matthew asked.

  Jason gave Matthew an incredulous look, “Are you kidding, I think they each have three.”

  “Where did you come up with them? I only remember your having one each on the way out.”

  “Well, when you go to Paris, you always pick up some extra luggage to bring back your shopping,” Alex said.

  “When did you have time for shopping?”

  “There’s always time for shopping,” Emily replied. “Where do you think we were going when we left dinner early?”

  “Ah, I see said the blind man,” Matthew laughed. “I thought it was strange how little and quickly you two would eat.”

  “The mall below the Louvre is just great. Every haute couture designer in the world must have a store down there.”

  “I hated to rush dinner,” Alex said, “but a girl’s gotta shop.”

  “Here come our bags now. Next, we have to get through customs,” Emily said. “Matt, did you bring anything back with you?�
�

  “No, just some pictures and stuff.”

  “Well then, would you take one of my bags through customs? Here, we can change your declaration form to cover the stuff I’ve got in it.”

  “Is that legal?”

  “Sure, everyone coming back is entitled to bring just so much in,” Alex said. “You didn’t use your allotment, so it only makes sense that you use it to help Emily out. Jason is carrying two of my bags through.” Alex gave Jason a hug.

  “Okay, what are friends for?”

  “Thanks, you’re a doll,” Emily gave Matthew a peck on the cheek. “Here take this one.”

  The customs agents didn’t even pay attention to the four teenagers as they worked their way through the line.

  “Where’s our gate?” Emily said, “You two are flying to Palomar airport too, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, seat 8A on the next puddle hopper out of here,” Jason said. “I hate flying those small planes, but I can’t wait to get home.”

  “Me, either,” said Emily, “this has been fun, but I can’t wait to spend the night in my own room!”

  “I just hope the plane can get off the ground,” Matthew groaned. “What have you got in this thing?” he asked as he hefted the bag up to the re-check carousel.

  “Just some clothes and shoes,” Emily answered.

  “Lots of shoes,” Alex said, as the two girls giggled.

  “Don’t complain,” Jason said, “Alex gave me the one with all the shoes in it, too.”

  “What good are all those muscles if you don’t use them?” Alex said as she gave Jason’s biceps a squeeze.

  “Did you survive okay? I saw you were next to a baby,” Emily said as Matthew helped her lift the other huge bag onto the carousel.

  “Sure, I just read,” Matthew said. “Did you have to get such a big suitcase?”

  “Of course, they only let you check three,” Emily said. “If I’d have thought about it, I’d have asked you to check one for me, then I could have brought more stuff.”

  “We definitely should have thought of that,” Alex said. “I really hated leaving all that nice stuff in Paris.”

  Matthew just rolled his eyes. He couldn’t imagine having the kind of money his friends had. They were all from wealthy families. As he remembered the shops under the Louvre, he guessed that what the two girls had spent on clothes and shoes would have been as much as his mother made in a month, more probably.

  Matthew summoned up his courage and asked the question he’d wanted to ask since they left Paris. “Hey, do you guys want to get together next week and do something?” he said. What a lame way to ask, he thought.

  “Sure,” said Jason, “what are you up for?”

  Matthew looked expectantly at Emily. “A movie, anything.”

  “I can’t,” Emily said. “I’m only home five days before I’m off to tennis camp in Florida. I’m kind of dreading another big stretch away from home.”

  “How long are you going to be away?” Matthew said, feeling his heart sink into the pit of his stomach.

  “Two and a half weeks. It’s a great camp. Some of the top players have trained there.”

  “You must be crazy,” Alex said. “I’m not going anywhere for at least a month.”

  “We should exchange numbers now. It’ll be impossible when we get to Palomar,” Alex said. “That way Emily can call us when she gets back.”

  “They’re calling our plane now,” Jason said. And the four friends worked their way down the stairs and across the tarmac to their plane.

  . . .

  The goodbyes at Palomar airport were short as their families scooped up each of them and started asking about the trip.

  Matthew’s mother and little sister were waiting for him at the gate. “Well Matt, how was it?”

  “Matty, did you go up the Eiffel Tower?” asked Matthew’s little sister, Jessica.

  “No, but I brought one back for you.”

  “Bye Matt, see you later,” Emily said as she left with her parents.

  “Wasn’t that Emily Stevenson? I didn’t know you were friends.”

  “We kind of got to know each other on the trip. There were only sixteen of us, so we got to know each other pretty well.”

  “That’s nice. I’ve met her parents at PCA parents’ night, and I worked with her mother on the Children’s Hospital fundraiser last year. They’re really nice people.”

  “I guess so.” Matthew hollered at Jason, “Hey Jason, I’ll call you.”

  “Right. Hello,” Jason walked over and offered his hand to Matthew’s mother. “I’m Jason Winthrop. Matt and I were roommates on the trip.”

  “Jason, this is my mother, Margaret, Mom, Jason.”

  “Oh, he mentioned you on the phone. I’m glad he was able to room with someone as nice as you.”

  “Nice meeting you, Mrs. Brandt, and you must be Jessica,” Jason squatted down to shake Jessica’s hand.

  Jessica positively beamed from the attention. “Matty bought me the Eiffel Tower.”

  “No wonder his bag was so heavy. Well, he’s a really nice brother carrying the Eiffel Tower all the way back from Paris for you.” Jason smiled at Jessica and looked her straight in the eye.

  “Yes, he is.” Jessica turned and hugged Matthew’s leg.

  “Nice meeting you,” Jason said as he stood up. “See you around, Matt.”

  “He seems like a nice boy,” Mrs. Brandt said, watching as Jason walked over to his father.

  “Yeah, he’s a real charmer,” Matthew said.

  “Where’s my Eiffel Tower?” Jessica started jumping up and down.

  The Tennis Lesson

  On the day after the Fourth of July, Emily called.

  Matthew answered the phone, “Hello.”

  “Hi, Matt, it’s Emily.”

  “Oh, hi. I thought you were going to be out of town.”

  “I leave tomorrow. I called to ask if you found out your grade on the test.”

  “No, I haven’t heard, have you?”

  “I got an A. The grades came in the mail today. I wanted to call and say thanks for all the help.”

  “No problem.”

  “Are you sure yours didn’t come? Alex and Jason got theirs.”

  “Wait a sec.” Matthew put his hand over the mouthpiece. “Mom,” he shouted, “did I get anything in the mail?”

  “It’s right there on the counter, like always,” his mother shouted back.

  Matthew took his hand off the mouthpiece, “Mom says something came. Let me look.”

  Turning to the counter, he saw the letter from the school sitting in plain sight. Picking it up, he tore it open to check out his grade.

  “Here it is.” Matt examined the paper. His grade was an A+. “I got an A, too,” he said.

  “I knew you would. Alex and Jason both got an A-. They were totally thrilled.”

  “Great, then it was worth it.” Matthew’s voice sounded a little dejected as he wondered if he had any chance with Emily.

  “Are you all right, you sound a little down?”

  “I’m fine,” he lied. “I’m just tired from my workout.”

  “Okay, thanks again for all the help. I’ll call when I get back.”

  “Great,” Matthew perked up at the thought of her calling him. “Have fun in Florida.”

  “I will. It’s going to be a lot of hard work. This coach is really into physical fitness.”

  “Well, you have to be fit to win. You will have time for some fun, won’t you?”

  “Sure, Alex is flying down for the last weekend and we’re going to Disney World. But the rest of the time it’s training seven days a week.”

  “Send me a postcard,” Matthew said. “Geez am I lame or what,” he thought. “Any moron could carry on a more interesting conversation.”

  “Okay, I’ve got to go finish packing, see you when I get back. Bye.”

  “Bye.” Matthew hung up the phone, wondering whether she would call when she got back. And even if she d
id, what would that mean. “Man this relationship stuff is hard.”

  The phone rang again.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey Matt, my man,” Jason said, “I got an A on that test.”

  “Yeah, Emily just called and told me.”

  “Hey, that sounds promising; I mean her calling and all.”

  “I hope so. Anyway, she’s off to Florida tomorrow.”

  “Bad timing huh, well it’s only two weeks.”

  “I know.”

  “Hey dude, I talked to my mom and she says she’d love to give you tennis lessons.”

  “Are you sure, if it’s too much hassle…”

  “Don’t worry about it. She was ecstatic that I was talking about playing more.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes! Now you should come over on Saturday morning for your first lesson. Mom’s suggested that you come twice a week for a while.”

  “That sounds like a lot of her time. I’m . .”

  “It’s cool,” Jason interrupted, “my mom doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to. Now here’s how to get to my house.”

  . . .

  Matthew hung up the phone; he had been fingering the stone during his conversations with Emily and Jason. “I wonder what the writing says,” he thought. “I’ll see if Mom can get someone to translate it for me.”

  He took the stone off so he could make a rubbing of the writing on it. He put a piece of paper over the stone and used a number two pencil to rub on the paper; the writing was very readable. Then he took the paper downstairs to talk to his mom.

  “Mom, is there someone at UCSD who’s into ancient languages and artifacts?”

  “Of course there is, there are several, in fact. Which language are you interested in?”

  “I don’t know, but I found this writing on a rock in Europe. I made a rubbing of it and was hoping you could get someone to tell me what it says.”

  “Let’s look at it,” his mother said, taking the piece of paper from his hand. “It looks like some Gallic or Celtic language. I know just the guy to ask.”

  “Great.”

  “It could take some time, with it being summer. Everyone’s schedules are pretty erratic. Are you in a hurry for the answer?”