A Medal For Mary by Rob Astor (best books to read for self improvement TXT) 📕

Her life couldn’t be more perfect. Mary was content.
* * *
The brilliant orange sun crested over the horizon, poking through the metal super structure of the Eiffel Tower from the vantage point of Mary’s suite in the Paris Hilton. She stood by the huge windows, dressed in a silk robe, staring at the cobble stone paved parkway below.
Stretching and pulling her long dark hair from under the robe, Mary walked to a plush couch, sinking into the comfort of fluffy cushions. She finished her morning orange juice and nibbled at her Eggs Benedict. Mary picked up the television remote control and touched the power button.
A young blond woman delivered the morning news, forcing Mary to think in French in order to understand the reporter’s words. “At seven o’clock Greenwich time this morning, German troops massed along the Portugal border have stormed into the country, crippling the government and adding the country’s territory to the ruthless Nazi Regime. Britain’s Prime Minister denounced Germany’s actions and asked the United States for assistance in halting bombing raids constantly leveling London to rubble. There have been no known nuclear strikes.” The scene shifted to a view of tanks moving into Portugal. Blasts from shells ripped apart fields and town houses near the border.
When the young woman's face reappeared, it was side-by-side with a photograph of a young man. “Adolph Hitler VII proudly boasted his party is responsible for the death of the American President and he will launch a missile attack at a time when conquering the western world is opportune. Targets in the United States have apparently been chosen. Hitler’s installations across Europe have been put on a round the clock alert status. That includes facilities here in France.”
Mary leaned forward. If Hitler’s a success nuking the United States, there’s no help for the world. Japan, Russia, China; all the world’s largest and best equipped armies have failed. The only thing keeping the warlord Antichrist from total control of the planet is the United States and her few remaining allies. How can they stand up to an army massing a billion.
The television reporter shifted nervously in her seat. “Hitler’s claims all Jewish populations have been destroyed in his death camps.”
The door bell chimed. Mary considered the door with an empty glance before rising to get it. “Who is it?” she asked.
“Alexis,” a medium pitched female voice answered pleasantly.
Mary unlocked the door quickly, pulling the wooden barrier back to reveal a middle aged woman standing before her dressed in red, hair falling to her shoulders in strawberry blonde curls. “Alexis, it’s so good to see you.”
“May I come in?”
“Oui, oui, of course; where are my manners?” Mary stepped aside. “Join me for cappuccino?”
“Thank you, Marie, but no. I’m fine. Are you still with Jeanclair?”
Mary’s brightened expression turned sullen. “Yes and no. We see each other when we can, but, he has joined the resistance here in Paris. He and the others believe they can thwart Germany.”
“They may be correct in their thinking.”
“With so many dead already, I can’t bear to think of life without him.”
Alexis smiled warmly, standing, placing her hands on her younger companion’s shoulders. “He will be fine. Jeanclair is a fine man. Intelligent. He will be a great asset.”
“I pray Hitler’s minions don’t find them.”
“Have you been practicing your French my dear?”
Taken off guard, Mary had to collect her thoughts. “Oui, as often as I can,” she said in French, perfectly masking her American accent.
Alexis smiled. “Good. We would not want any Nazis to discover you here and take you hostage as they have so many other Americans.” She dropped her arms and regarded Mary’s robe. “Come, come; you were supposed to be dressed by now so we can do our shopping.”
“Forgive me. I was distracted. I’ll be only a minute.” Mary trotted to her bedroom. Alexis sat, turning the television off.
* * *
“Spring is my favorite time of year,” Alexis said. Mary sipped on diet cola. “It never fails to rejuvenate my sense of youth and being. Revitalizes me. Gives me renewed courage and strength.”
Mary sighed. Alexis is such a pleasure to have as company.
“Of course, every season has its own beauty. Summer reminds me of my days as a school girl when I so looked forward to spending time with father at his chateau in the south. Winter reminds me of trips to the Swiss Alps. And autumn, the anticipation of all the glorious colors and changes that befall the land.” Alexis had a lingering far away look in her blue eyes. “Forgive me.” The twinkle faded. “I tend to ramble on about nothing.”
“That’s not true. You speak so beautifully. I love listening to your stories. They’re warm. They fill me with love. They make me feel alive.” Alexis smiled, flattered.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a very large fan. Both women looked skyward. Their eyes rested on the long silver colored cylinder of a dirigible passing gracefully over the city. Nazi swastikas covered the fins. A clear Freudian display of prestige and power.
Another sound wrenched their eyes from the sky. The sound of an explosion. Red flames and black plumes of smoke rose from a gaping hole in a building across the street from them. People screamed and ran. A few dressed in dark clothes sprinted away. Mary briefly got a good look at one of the men. “Jeanclair,” she gasped.
Nazi soldiers brandishing Uzis rounded a corner and opened fire on the renegades. Mary screamed. One of the rebels fell, rolling over and over. She was suddenly face down on the pavement. A strong hand held Mary back as she started to get up. “Stay down, child,” Alexis advised forcefully. “If they suspect you know him, they will kill us.” A few thundering seconds passed. The Nazis took flight after the resistance.
Spectators cautiously stood, helping companions and strangers get back up on their feet. Fortunately, no one hurt. Mary watched them and faced Alexis, eyes wide. “They’ll kill him. I’ll never see him again.” Alexis helped Mary stand.
A burly Nazi in a general's uniform walked along with a ten man compliment of soldiers and a bull horn. He spoke in broken English, his voice was deep and booming. “Everyone, remain where you are. I will be interviewing all of you,” he said with particular stress on the word ‘interview’.
Alexis held her hand to her heart, her lower jaw dropping some. She tried to remain calm as the Nazi officer approached them first. “Good afternoon, ladies,” he began gently enough. “Would either of you know who was responsible for this blatant attack?”
“We know nothing,” Mary blurted. The general’s eyes drifted to her.
Alexis cut in by touching the Nazi’s arm gently. “Please. She is in shock after what happened. We were watching the blimp pass overhead when the explosion occurred. All we saw were their backs as the cowards ran,” Alexis said as evenly as possible.
The general studied them a moment and nodded slightly, touching the brim of his hat with his fingers. “Thank you for your cooperation. Good afternoon, ladies.” He stepped back and started for the next group of standers by.
When he was out of earshot, Alexis sighed heavily. “That was close,” she whispered. “Let us go.” She collected their shopping bags, wrapped her arm around Mary’s arm, and tugged her along. Mary took one last look up the street. She heard distant gunshots and held the beret to her head, walking faster to keep pace with Alexis.
* * *
Pacing around her suite, Mary wrung her hands. She stopped to stare out the window to the streets below. Mary waited a few seconds, hoping to catch a glimpse of her lover, then sighed and continued her aimless pacing. “Please, child,” Alexis said, seated on the couch. “Sit. Rest. Jeanclair will contact you if he can.” She sipped at a cup of coffee.
“Doesn’t he know what this does to me? It should not be like this.” The telephone rang. Mary walked quickly toward it. Alexis jumped up, intercepting Mary. She placed her hand on the receiver. “It’s him. I have to talk to him.”
“In case it’s not, let me answer. There are so many spies and informants. We must be careful.” Mary reluctantly nodded. It rang for the fifth time. Alexis plucked the receiver up and spoke in French. Mary didn't listen to the words, biting at her lower lip.
“Marie, it is for you,” Alexis said cheerfully. She held her palm over the mouthpiece, whispering, “Talk in French and make sure you don’t give information not needed. The lines may be tapped.”
Mary nodded, taking the phone. She cleared her throat, fighting to remember how to speak French and banish her American accent while fighting the worry pooled under her breastbone. “Jeanclair, it is so good to hear from you.”
“Marie, my love, it’s good to hear your voice,” he replied. Jeanclair hid his true feelings, too. “We are in Paris for the night and having dinner at the Le Grande Tower. Will you and Alexis be so good as to join us?”
“We would be delighted.” Mary smiled.
“Shall we say eight o’clock?” Jeanclair asked.
“That will do very nicely. Take care, my love. We will see you tonight.” Mary smiled as she set the phone down.
“It was good news, non?” Alexis asked.
“Oui. We’ll have dinner with him tonight at the Le Grande Tower.”
“You see? I told you everything would be fine.”
Mary embraced Alexis. “Thank you for being here when I need you.”
“It’s quite all right.”
“I don’t know how I’d get along without you, Alexis.”
* * *
Paris, hailed as the City of Lights, lived up to its reputation, even under Nazi occupation. The cityscape was dotted with an endless sea of multi-colored lights, glowing like distant gems. Mary and Alexis stepped out of the cab, the latter paying the fare. They took a deep breath of the fresh air, crossing the plaza square in front of the Le Grande Tower. Trees and fountains were spaced along shale walks. The scent of chlorine filled the warm evening air. Glass panels formed the face of the building. “This is much better than the photographs I have seen,” Alexis commented.
Mary was about to reply when she spotted Nazi soldiers spaced at intervals around the plaza perimeter. Her face melted from carefree to terrified. Alexis noticed Mary’s change. “What’s the matter?”
“Hitler’s toy soldiers are here,” Mary whispered, nodding slightly to a group of three poised next to one of the lit fountains.
“Keep your composure.” Alexis pulled her long leather jacket closer.
Mary was more conspicuous wearing in a strawberry dress with matching heels and beret. “Something must be wrong,” she whispered.
“Don’t draw attention to yourself,” Alexis said quietly, keeping her eyes on the entrance.
Soldiers whistled at Mary. “Damn. They’ve seen us.” There were a few lewd howls and idle comments, then laughter