The place was overcrowded. I tried to keep my cool with all my might but, it wasn't much. I could barely see the pathway ahead of me, even though it only existed in my mind. My eyes desperately focused on patches of cobblestone between dresses, coats, and shoes, attempting at solving the puzzle. But in the midst of the heavy passersby swirl, I began feeling dizzy. The human mass was turning me around like I was air. Nobody even said "excuse me" along the way. And then, I heard a crack. To become shorter by a little over an inch on one side at that same second. My right foot collapsed, and I immediately lost my balance. I outstretched my arms, begging a stranger under my hand to stop in my mind. I grasped his shoulder, but he didn't give me as much as a second to try and regain my steadiness. He slid out like a bar of soap, pushing me a little bit backwards in the process. So, I ultimately fell back. On a person that had no other choice but to catch me because otherwise, both of us would've landed on the ground. And possibly gotten walked all over.
- Oh, my! - he cried, catching me so skillfully that I not only stood in place, but also faced him, turned around for one last time that day.
- Hey, Napoleon!
Someone called out, before I even had a chance to say I was sorry. Making me aware of the fact that I didn't have to look for my target anymore. As he found me himself.
- Are you alright, miss?
He completely ignored the man calling him, and grabbed my hands. That helped with setting me on the right level for the time being. He held one of his forearms a little more firm, allowing me to put the weight on him. It struck me that he wasn't so short after all.
- Yes, I just broke my heel off. I'm so sorry for falling on you - I mumbled as fast as a machine gun would.
I knew I didn't have much time.
- Your heel? I have a friend in town who is a shoemaker. I'm sure he can repair it for you - he smiled and I asked myself if the fact his eyes were so blue should take me off track so easily.
- That would be perfect, thank you so much! - I said in a bit too high pitch.
He chuckled.
- Here, let me help you.
He offered me his arm, then acted like my walking stick.
- Napoleon! - somebody cried out again.
- I'm coming, I'm coming! - he smiled at me again. - Don't worry, I'll have my sister Elisa help you with running errands if it's needed.
I followed his gaze to a basket I was holding in my hand, and suddenly remembered why I was there. But I smiled back at him, and nodded with as much grace as that of an elephant.
- Thank you so, so much, sir.
He laughed.
- Oh, don't you "sir" me, Monica. That's right, I didn't forget you completely, huh? I stopped to look at him more closely.
Pretended I examined his face and eyes, then smiled in disbelief.
- Napoleon Bonaparte? - I mumbled.
- The one and only!
We giggled just like back then, when we were kids.
- It's unbelievable! - I squeezed his arm.
- What brings you all the way here, to Brienne-le-Château?
- My parents decided to move here, because of father's work. He didn't have enough clients back home. People couldn't afford spices. - I shrugged.
He bursted out laughing.
- Oh, that explains why your shoes aren't the best!
- Hey! - I made a resentful face.
- Ok, ok. I apologize for my painfully true comment. On a more serious note, times aren't the best for any of us.
- There you are, Napoleon! Would you please stop disappearing in the crowd on an occasion like today?
A tall man, wearing a french uniform got to us.
- Pierre, this lady needed help - he said in a tone that suggested he didn't think of it much.
- So you necessarily had to run into people to save her, huh? An hour before your dispatch? You could've ruined your uniform!
- You know how I am. Charming - he winked at him. - Monica, meet Pierre Dégus, my best friend. Pierre, meet Monica, the spark of my childhood years.
- How do you do, miss? - He bowed. - I've heard a lot about you.
He looked at me, unsuccessfully trying to stop a wide grin from spreading.
- Oh, really? Unfortunately, I cannot say this back.
- She first met me at nine years old, shortly after we first moved to France. So, unfortunately, I did not have the pleasure of knowing you back then, Pierre.
- Of course you didn't. I was buried deep into a monk's basement, writing for him.
- Father Jean taught you how to write, you sneak! Anyway, Monica here broke off her heel, so I need to take her to Maurice.
- Oh, no, no, no, Bonaparte! There isn't a way you're going to make it in time, back for the dispatch.
He rolled his eyes.
- Relax, I'll borrow their horse if I have to. But Neige hasn't had a chance to get tired yet, and it's not far away, so I doubt it.
Pierre put his hand on Napoleon's shoulder.
- You do realize what will happen if you're late?
He looked him dead in the eye.
- I do. That's why it won't happen. Like I said, it's not far. And Monica is a friend, who just got here. I can't leave her without help, her family needs her.
- Right, you're the noble man - Pierre snickered.
- I got your point. But I'll be fine. Back in half an hour at most. Don't get a constipation while I'm gone. - He patted his back, then nodded at him.
- Right. Just don't tell me I didn't warn you. Miss. - He bowed at me, then walked away.
We moved forward to a stable. He got his horse all ready in a minute.
- I'm really sorry but we're going to have to ride one horse. I'm not allowed to touch Pierre's, because it doesn't take liking in me, and there's no one around I could ask to borrow theirs. And I don't have time to look for anyone.
- It's fine, I completely understand. I'm really grateful regardless of the riding conditions. What dispatch was Pierre talking about?
He froze for a second, then looked at me.
- I'm going to serve in the war. I did good in school so they're sending me away with honors.
- War? - I pretended to be shocked.
- Come on, Monica. You've seen my uniform. People don't get into army to standby these days. I'm sure you know that.
- But, what if...
- Oh, you women are just... Then it happens. I'd rather go, doing something right. With a purpose, how'd you reckon?
- I reckon I just got here and you're leaving already. - I sighed.
He gave me a faint smile.
- I'm not leaving till next week. That's still some time, isn't it? How about we meet up tomorrow at noon to go for a walk? I know a nice place. We could catch up on the occasion.
- That sounds nice, thank you.
- My pleasure. Now, let me help you onto that horse. We're still running late.



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