Page 38 of After Paris
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Ruby
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
2:00 p.m.
When the door opened to Dr. Mitchell, all thoughts fell out of my head. Jeff set down his phone, and I sat a little straighter. Jeff stood, extended his hand to the doctor, and introduced himself. I assured the doctor he could discuss my medical records with him. I had no idea what was about to land in my lap, but Jeff needed a strong taste of what life with me would be like.
“The MRI and bloodwork are negative, Ruby,” Dr. Mitchell said.
I’d braced for disaster, and when it didn’t hit, I still couldn’t relax. “Are you sure?”
“No cancer has returned. I’d still like to see you back in three months so we can retest, but as of today, you are in the clear.”
His assurances didn’t quiet my worries. “Why do I feel so awful?” I asked.
“You have been busier than usual?” he asked.
I glanced at Jeff. He shrugged as if he wasn’t going to narc on my adventures in Alexandria. “I’ve been working on an article. Burning the midnight oil.”
“It’s a great article,” Jeff said.
“You’ve been going nonstop for how many days?” Dr. Mitchell asked.
“At least a week,” I said.
“Dehydrated, rich foods, no yoga, not enough sleep?”
“That sounds about right,” I said.
The doctor smiled. “That can make anyone sick. I’m glad you’re living your life, Ruby. It’s good to see. But like I told you before you left the hospital last year, less is more. You can do a lot but can’t do it all at once.”
Relief rushed over me with a ferocity I’d never felt. Tears burned in my throat. “Got it. Won’t happen again.”
“If it does,” Dr. Mitchell said, “it’s not the end of the world.”
“Sure felt like it this morning,” I said.
Jeff took my hand. “I’ll take some of the blame for the extra nights out.”
“I’m glad she wasn’t overdoing it alone,” the doctor joked. “But slow and steady is better if you’re with her.”
“Understood,” Jeff said.
The doctor chuckled. “Ruby, get dressed. I’ll see you in three months.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
When the door closed behind him, tears trailed down my cheeks. I swiped them away and found a crooked smile. “Sorry for the false alarm.”
“Next time, call me first,” Jeff said. “I don’t want you doing this alone. Eric is great, but if you and I are going to have a real thing, we need to share the good and the bad.”
“Jeff. This visit today was tame compared to what it has been. And I could very well end up here again. Better we stick to the plan and let me find you the next Mrs. Jeff.”
“I don’t want another Mrs. Jeff. I like the one sitting right here.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “Jason died this morning.”
He drew in a deep breath. “I know you hate hearing ‘sorry,’ but I’m sorry. I know Jason was a good friend.”
“It would break my heart if I got sick again and all the drama drove you away.”
“Robert was at Jason’s side, wasn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“I’m a Robert, not a Scott. I’m in it for good.”
I took his face in mine and kissed him on the lips. “I’m not being fair, but I love you so much.”
He stilled. “Love as in love or LOVE?”
“LOVE,” I said.
He kissed me back. “When did you fall for me?”
I swiped away a tear. “When you hired the marching band to play outside my hospital room.”
He grinned. “That was a good move, wasn’t it?”
“You were the talk of the ward for weeks.”
“Go big or go home.” He pulled me into a hug. “We’re going to be fine. You need to stop worrying.”
A nurse came into the room and unhooked my IV, and I slid out of the bed. Jeff handed me my clothes. For a moment, I hesitated to strip in front of him and then laughed at my modesty. I dropped the gown and dressed in my sweats and T-shirt. A glance in the mirror was enough to make me grimace.
“I wish I’d picked something cuter.”
“Given the circumstances, give yourself a break.”
I shrugged. “Cécile did escape Paris in Sylvia’s old clothes.”
“See. Even Cécile didn’t dress up. Time and a place, Ruby. Balance.”
“We need to tell Eric,” I said.
“He’s already texted me eight times. I’ve responded to all, and he’s been updated.”
“Good. I need to remind my brother not to tell Mom and Dad.”
“That cat might be out of the bag.”
The nurse arrived with a wheelchair and forms for me to sign. Once the hospital had discharged me, the nurse wheeled me out toward the elevator, where Jeff took over. He took me to the lobby, and then we headed out to the circular parking area.
“They aren’t flying home, are they?”
“No, but it would be good to call them.”
“I’ll do that now.”
“I’ll get the car.”
Mom answered on the first ring, and I spent five minutes assuring her I was okay and that I wouldn’t overdo it again. She asked how Jeff was doing, and I wondered aloud if this family had any secrets. There were none, she said. After several “I love yous,” the call ended as Jeff pulled up.
I rose out of the wheelchair and settled into the front seat. As Jeff pulled away, I asked, “Did you find out what happened to Louis?”
He chuckled. “So much for taking it easy.”
“I’m just talking here. Nothing fancy.”
“He had an unpublished memoir auctioned about a decade ago.”
“How did you find that?”
“A friend of a friend. I’ve only had a chance to skim it, but he’s very open about his life and choices. He ended up moving to the South of France, where he obtained work as a hotel manager in Nice. He died in a car accident in 1980. His memoir mentions an actress who saved him during the occupation.”
“Does he name Cécile?”
“No, but in 1980, the world might not have been ready for that news. The war was still an open wound for many.”
“Did he say what happened to her?” I asked.
“He suggests the actress retired to a quiet life in southern France. She could have returned to the farm near Avignon.”
“It would have been a natural place to vanish.”
As far as the world knew, Cécile had collaborated with the Germans and lived better than most during the occupation. No one knew that she’d passed German military secrets on to the Allies.
Cécile had noted to Sylvia that her decisions in Paris, no matter how noble, would have had repercussions from those who didn’t understand her entire story. “I hope home was as welcoming as she hoped.”