Veronique's Story

Moonlight brightly shone down on the quaint French restaurant as beautifully lit string lights hung upon elegantly manicured trees and smooth light posts.

"Wow, this is everything I've always thought it would be," Veronique whispered to herself. Throughout her life she had heard countless stories of how her great great grandparents had met. Right there, as she stood atop the tiny hill in the countryside of France, lay before her very eyes VERONIQUE'S, the restaurant of which she was named after.

Nervously, she looked over her shoulder to check the back of her shoe heels. She wanted to be sure that she hadn't cracked the thin two inch heels on the rough cobblestone that sat beneath her feet. As she approached the French doors adorned with exquisite wreaths, she could feel her heart begin to beat rapidly. She questioned herself as to why she was apprehensive, only to realize it was just plain 'ol excitement! She smiled and reached for the door handle when she was suddenly interrupted.

"Madame, peut-je?" Veronique looked a little confused as the doorman appeared to her right. She had been so wrapped up in her emotions that she was oblivious to her surroundings.

While she gathered herself, the doorman to the left of her asked, "Madam, may I?" He spoke English but with a hint of his home accent.

"Oh, yes," Veronique replied. "Thank you." Blushed with embarrassment, Veronique entered through the French doors and onto the beautiful designer carpet, as if she were a celebrity.

The soft pink roses she was given from the host were ever so lovely. With a strong accent, the host, Louis, uttered "Madame, the chef will be right with you," as he pulled out her chair.

"Excuse me?" Veronique replied, "Did you say 'the chef?'"

"Why, yes, madame. You are a special guest to our house, and Chef Bernard would like to meet you personally. He will be right with you." Louis bowed his head, turned, and walked away. Veronique could not believe the welcome she had received.

She thought to herself, "I have never experienced such warm hospitality. Who knew I had to travel to the South of France to be blessed by it!"

She laughed quietly to herself and sat back to watch the many guests surrounding her, each seeming to be lost in their own community. Some were toasting to a joyous occasion, while most sipped on wine. There was one couple holding hands. The woman smiled shyly while the gentleman whispered softly in her ear. There were even guests laughing and conversing over what looked like a delicious spread.

Veronique sat patiently as she waited for the chef. She happened to hear hearty laughter toward the front of the restaurant. Immediately she took noticed of the distinguished gentleman standing. He was wearing what looked to be a very costly suit and carried a briefcase.

"He must be here for a meeting," Veronique thought to herself.

Veronique had been a people watcher since childhood. She was a curious child, preoccupied with the lives of other. Her grandmother, Colette, picked up on this feature of Veronique's personality and often escorted her to the park where Veronique would create stories of people she saw. Some were funny and sad, but none were ever mean. Veronique carried a loving heart within her and it showed.

As she sat at the dinner table awaiting the chef for what seemed like a long time, she continued to ponder. Her thoughts carried her back to a place she at times wanted to forget. While in her thoughts, Louis returned with a glass of wine.

"Madame, please accept this glass of our best house wine. It's a celebration! You are twenty-one! Happy Birthday!" Veronique smiled as Louis continued, "Chef Bernard is a tad busy. My apologies." He bowed his head. Veronique touched his elbow and assured him that she was in no rush to leave. She emphasized the joy of being able to sit and embrace the beauty that was around her.

When Louis left, Veronique continued to think. Memories came flooding back as she remembered how many times she, at her dinner table on Staten Island, would hope of a large meal or even of something else besides boiled potatoes and gravy. Never did she complain out loud; however, within her the complaint lived.

She remembered the immeasurable times she had been teased about her meager clothing. She never blamed her parents or even her great great grandparents, who migrated to the U.S. in 1893. If they had stayed in France, would her life today be any different? Their dream was to own a VERONIQUE'S in the Americas just like the one they came to know and love back home. A restaurant that would combine people of all cultures with great food, laughter, and kindness mixed with love. Her great great grandparents left France in hopes of finding happiness. The economy in France had fallen due to others leaving in search of many opportunities they had heard of in America. Veronique's great great grandparents, Christian and Dorit Durant, arrived at Ellis Island with a dream. They didn't expect to fail, but when no work was given and no money was made, they took jobs to make ends meet. Dorit found her niche cleaning the homes of many, while Christian became a brick layer. Christian Durant became one of the best masons in the borough. However, the financial gain wasn't there, and the entire family had to work to survive. Eventually the family of five took residence in a two bedroom, one bath home on Staten Island. Today, Colette, Christian and Dorit's granddaughter, still lives there, along with Veronique and her parents.

She remembered how her parents would say, "You, my girl, are blessed. You are filled with love, It surrounds you night and day. It keeps you warm when cold. It keeps you safe when scared. It's worth more than gold, and you should always share." Veronique had always been one to do just that. Not having much herself, she never wanted anyone to feel empty. If she could make a difference, she did.

"Madame," a voice called to Veronique as she came back to reality, "Are you okay?" Louis asked.

Startled, Veronique answered, "Yes, sir. I-I'm fine."

Louis continued, "Chef Bernard will be out soon. He apologizes once more for your wait. These last fifteen minutes have been entirely too long. Madame, is there anything I may offer you?"

Veronique was stunned. To her, it seemed she had been waiting for so much longer. "No, no thank you," Veronique replied. Louis left her side as she quietly continued to read her life's book in her head. "Those memories of my childhood will never leave, but for that I am thankful," she thought. "For they remind me of who I am - someone grateful for everything and hopeful for anything."

Out of the corner of her eye, Veronique noticed something. It was the gentleman with the briefcase. "Excuse me, ma'am. My name is John Mass. I am with the Michaels and Stephens law firm out of New Jersey, from back in the states. Your great great grandparents hired this firm years ago."

With confusion on her face, Veronique wondered why this man had approached her. "Sir, I am quite sure you are looking for another. I'm not here for any meetings," Veronique said.

Mr. Mass smiled, winked, and boasted. "On the contrary. You, Miss, are exactly who I'm looking for."

Just as Veronique's mouth started to disagree, Chef Bernard appeared.

"Bonjour!" bellowed the short, stout, and bearded man. "I am Chef Bernard IV. I see you both have met. Excellent!" The chef pulled out a chair for himself. Veronique had a bewildered look attached to her face. As the two men began conversing and opening folders, Veronique cleared her throat and spoke.

"Gentlemen, I am sorry for the confusion. Nevertheless, I believe you both are in search of someone else." The two men glanced up. They smiled and laughed together.

"My dear, dear girl," Chef Bernard echoed with the thickness of his French tongue. "You are exactly the one we are looking for." He placed Veronique's hand in his. "You see, many, many years ago, two youngsters decided to marry and were given this land of which we sit upon tonight. They chose to...well," Chef Bernard stopped and looked at Mr. Mass.

Mr. Mass opened his briefcase and lifted out a little black notebook. He handed it to Veronique and warmly said, "Everything you must know lies within this little black book."

Veronique looked at Chef Bernard. He nodded and whispered, "Read, child. We'll be right here."

Veronique opened the notebook. She stroked each word that fell beneath her fingertips. As tears tried to block her view, she read of how her great great grandparents met. She read of how they had created VERONIQUE'S, the restaurant where she was sitting. A place where people of all cultures came to eat great food in a room filled with laughter and kindness mixed with love. She read of how the restaurant had come to be hers. After much page turning, Veronique's emotions settled and set deep within her soul.

Finally, she spoke. "This...this restaurant belonged to my family?"

Mr. Mass laughed his hearty laughed, "Why, yes dear! And now it's all yours!"

Chef Bernard reached for Veronique's hand once more. "I am the great grandson of the first chef that was the overseer. My great grandfather, Chef Bernard II, was your great great grandfather's meilleur ami. They were the closest of friends. He agreed to keep this place up and running until your great great grandfather's return. Well, things happened and time just didn't allow it. Years passed, and the promise was kept by every generation thereafter. And now my grandson, Barron, will be stepping in as Head Chef when I retire."

He smiled and motioned with his hand as if to present the restaurant to Veronique. "Madame, this is all yours."

Veronique sat quietly. She could neither believe her eyes nor her ears. She couldn't believe the reality that was taking place.

"So," Mr. Mass interrupted. "Here are two files. In this one, financial business. Our firm will continue to help with that. And in this one, well, basically, you are now the proud owner of VERONIQUE'S!"

A smile rested upon Veronique's face. Chef Bernard motioned to Mr. Mass.

Mr. Mass called, "Veronique Marie Durant." He handed her an envelope aged in time that read "Happy 21st Birthday!" Veronique slowly opened the envelope. Inside lived the most money she had ever seen! Also inside was a note: "To help you enjoy your life. Here's $20,000.00."

Chef Bernard chimed in, "Veronique, your great great grandparents asked my great grandfather to place five dollars aside monthly for the one who would return- the first daughter named Veronique. As business improved, well, so did the savings!"

With tears streaming down her face, Veronique was at a loss for words. This had to be a dream. Chef Bernard nodded to Mr. Mass and passionately said, "The child seems overwhelmed, yes? Let her rest. We shall continue in the morning."

Louis appeared with a bowl of soup. "This girl hasn't eaten a thing!" he quipped.

Chef Bernard gave a quiet belly laugh and patted Louis on the back with a smile. "I don't think she will be needing that, for I think she's quite full."

Veronique sat in her old flowered dress and scuffed heel shoes, holding tightly to the small black notebook with the aged envelope tucked inside. She whispered to herself, "You, my girl, are blessed. You are filled with love. It surrounds you night and day. It keeps you warm when cold. It keeps you safe when scared. It's worth more than gold, and you should always share."

Veronique had always been one to do just that.