The girls spend most of the afternoon at the hotel.  They swam for a while, went in the jacuzzi and took full advantage of the spa facilities.

When they got back to the room, they dried and curled their hair.  Then they each fought for a bit of space in front of the mirror as they put on their make up.

Bea lost the toss, so she sat back and drew a picture of the three of them.

“Wow!  That’s a good picture, Bea,” said Purity.

“Yes, it is,” said Prudence.  “Ok Bea – now I’ll put your hair into a side French twist.”

They decided to go out for a real french dinner and then to the show.

Of course when the girls ordered food, they ordered “frites” which is French for French fries.  When Prudence asked the waitress to bring Ranch dressing, she gave them with a quizzical look.  But she brought the dressing.  Later, the girls watched as the waitress came to their table and prepared the famous french dessert, crepes suzette. The girls had never seen someone intentionally set food on fire…

Being all dressed up in the finest from Paris, the girls felt very swanky.  And when they walked out the door and into a cab headed to the opera house, they felt “tres chic” indeed.

The opera house in San Francisco seemed very opulent.  It almost felt like they were in Paris again. They found their seats in their opera box and the show began.

The girls were unprepared for the show they witnessed.  The sets were amazing.  An underground lake had been built onto the stage somehow and the girls were transported to the world under the Paris Opera house.

When the phantom stole Christine away and into the underground labyrinth for a singing lesson, Bea could not help but sit up in her seat.  She didn’t want to miss a moment.

“I didn’t think I’d like it, but I do,” said Purity. They were standing in line at intermission waiting to get something to drink.

“Me too!” said Bea.  “The sets are amazing!”

When they returned to their seats and the performance started, a new actress was playing the leading lady.

“Why is Christine a different person?” asked Purity.

“Because the role requires a lot out of any actress.  So if two actresses share it, the load is easier,” responded Prudence. “Or maybe the lead actress got sick and needed her understudy to take over.”

The new actress did a wonderful job.  The girls held each other tight as she sang the song, “Think of Me.”

It was a magical night.  But then it always was when the girls spent time with Prudence.

They got back to the hotel and out of their Paris dresses.  Then, Prudence tucked them both into bed.  You’d think being “almost 16 and clearly 18 year old girls” they wouldn’t want such a fuss.  But they knew that when they woke up…Prudence would be gone.

“Good night, sleep tight, pleasant dreams, I love you,” said Prudence as she kissed them.

“Prudy…I don’t need to go to Paris for my birthday,” said Bea in the darkness.

“Oh, where should we go?” asked Prudy.

“I’d like to do something simple, close to home and artistic,” said Bea.

“I think we can do that,” said Prudy.  And she went over to hug them both again.

After the door to their room closed,  Purity got up and tried to find a little music on her ipod.  They both knew better than to fight the reality that they must return home.  And they both wanted a little “say good bye to San Francisco” music. And this was what Purity found…

https://youtu.be/R50i9-Qy1z8

And the next day, Prudence found this in her suitcase as she was unpacking. It was in Bea’s handwriting:

“I love you too…” whispered Prudence.  She took the message and stuck it onto her refrigerator for safe keeping. 🙂