She had a feeling she had been here before on the Champs Elysees. Monique’s mind was easily spent as she drifted along the Champs Elysees reminiscing when Paul embraced her in the romance of summer. The Champs Elysees was always a spectacle.

Winter 2013. A brutal season this year in Paris. The chill, slightly obnoxious, casted a frown on Parisians making their way to work. Monique’s mobile phone rang. She fiddled thru her bag, searching for her mobile.

“Bonjour.” she said.
“Monique? Como allez vous?” a woman’s voice erupted into laughter.
“Tres bien…wait a minute.” Startled, Monique poised herself as a statue. “Who is this?”
“You don’t recognize old friends do you? It’s Michelle. “Good times? New York. Hello? What planet have you drifted to?” Michelle continued to laugh.
“Oh, Michelle! I thought it might of been my supervisor. I’m on my way to work.”
“Guess where I am?”
“Where?” said Monique.
“Our favorite shack on Bleecker. Chugging down cocktails. Martini’s for ladies night, but alone.”