In Seine

The Seine river banks, with their lack of guardrails, freaked me out in fourth grade: "Avez-vous entendu?!!" My best friend rushed to ask it. "Did you hear?! (the news)" A woman drowned!! She gushed - the horror tale punch line delivered. My eyes were wide with shock and fear - the monster takes another victim. The dark Seine river slithered, like a green snake - feet from my front door. There was no railing - a misstep would drop you some 12 feet, to your cold death. No parent could save you - a terrifying thought for a nine year old girl. Walking to school, my brother would sneak up, nudging me near left-bank death. I would scream, amid cat calls and boyish laughter, despite our au pair. My best friend, Chloe, shared my caution, if not my fear, and loved to tease me. That rapid river loomed large in my dreams - as fears can - for many years. Last year we were in Paris and I still couldn't go near the riverbank =]