"You knew my mother?" Valentina asked, her eyes stained with tears.
Madam stretched out her hand, and collected the wine bottle from Valentina's limp hold.
She brought the bottle to her lips, and took a generous sip from it.
"Hmmm, tastes exactly as I remember," she looked up into the waiting eyes of Valentina. "It's like I said, child. Tell me. How did you survive? Where have you been?"
A single tear rolled down her eyes. She always knew deep down in her heart there was something here for her. Here in France.
Now she understood why she always wanted to pay a visit. This right here was the reason.
"Its been so hard! So hard!" She burst into tears and began spilling everything that had happened so far.
By the time she was done, there were dried tear stains all over her face.
Madam rose to her feet, and walked back and forth once, then she leaned against the wall.
"I've heard of him."
Valentina glanced at her.
