Free Paris Summer by April Lynn Kihlstrom Page B

the week’s Pariscope indicated the original version was
being shown in a theater across town. They rode over in
Alan’s car. Alan was his usual gay self and regaled them
with funny stories. Janine sat next to Sandy in the back
seat, and he used the opportunity to put his arm around
her.
    “What have you been up to since Sunday?” he asked
quietly.
    “Well, yesterday I saw an old friend and met her
family. They’re French,” Janine replied.
    “Helene somebody or other?” Sandy asked. When
she nodded he added, “Alan says she’s rather snobbish.”
    “Yes, I rather think she might give Alan that
impression,” Janine admitted with some amusement,
“but she’s really quite nice.”
    “Must have been boring for you to meet her family.
But I suppose you couldn’t very well refuse.” He
paused as a thought occurred to him. “Isn’t there a
brother’? Did you meet him?”
    Janine smiled. “Yes. Jacques was very nice. He
showed me his gardens.”
    “Be careful, Jenny,” Sandy said, frowning. “Jacques
has quite a reputation with women. Don’t fall in love
with him.”
    Janine laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Sandy!
Jacques wouldn’t be interested in me…. I’m Ameri can, remember? I’m sure he’s only interested in dating
French women.”

    Sandy shook his head. “There are other things
besides dating. He’d try to seduce you, and since you’re
American he’d feel he wouldn’t have to worry about
your reputation.”
    Janine refused to take him seriously. “Maybe not,
but he’d worry about the fact that I was Helene’s friend.
I’m sure I have nothing to worry about.”
    “Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you!” Sandy snapped.
    Janine stopped laughing abruptly. “Seriously,
Sandy. I’m in no danger because I can’t possibly see
myself falling in love with Jacques.”
    Sandy relaxed a little. “Well, I worry about you.
Don’t get angry with me, but I also think I ought to tell
you to watch out for Mark.”
    “Why?” Janine was curious.
    “Alan thinks he has a key to your sister’s apartment,” Sandy said, frowning, “and Mark’s also got a
reputation for going after more than one woman at a
time.”
    “But he’s engaged to Rena,” Janine pointed out.
“Surely that makes it a different situation.”
    “Well…yes,” Sandy admitted cautiously. “Alan’s
sure Mark will stay faithful to Rena. But I’m not. Of
course, I don’t really know him, but from what I’ve
heard and seen of Mark I can’t see him being satisfied
with your sister.”
    Janine sighed. “No man, no matter who he is, is ever
dissatisfied with Rena unless she wants him to be. No,
I’m safe from Mark. Anyway,” she added mischievously, “I’ve got Ralph to protect me.”
    “Ralph?” Sandy demanded. “Who’s he?”
    “The cat Rena bought!” Janine answered, laughing. “Don’t you remember?”

    “Oh, yeah. Well, I hope you’re right about Mark,”
Sandy said sourly. He made an obvious effort to shake
off his bad mood. “Tell me, what did you do today?”
    “I went to a math seminar,” Janine replied.
    “Good God!” Sandy exclaimed. “How awful! I’ll bet
you’ll be glad when you’re married and don’t have to go
to such things anymore!”
    Hearing Sandy’s exclamation, Betty turned around.
“What things?” she asked.
    “Math seminars!” Sandy said, grimacing.
    “Ugh! Did Mark drag you to it?” Alan asked.
    “No,” Janine answered in a small voice, “I went on
my own.
    Alan shook his head. “The next time you’re that
hard up for something to do, call me. I’m sure I could
suggest something better than that! Hey, here we are,
everybody.”
    Sandy bought the tickets while Alan was parking the
car. They had plenty of time since the sceance, or
commercials, had just begun. The theater was almost
empty so the four friends felt free to make comments
among themselves as the movie progressed. Sandy kept
his arm around Janine’s