Chapter 43
Presentations for World History research projects started today. Nick thought back to how it all began and the events that unfolded since that first day, when Cat had told him he had lived another life during WWII.
Now as they sat in the cafeteria, Gary grumbled about his paper. “I’ll be glad to have this behind me,” Gary said, looking into his protein drink, swirling it around in the bottle and taking a swallow. “Maybe I need a cinnamon roll to keep my strength up!”
Tiffany rolled her eyes. Nick snuck a glance past Tiffany to where Emily sat with her friends. He caught her looking his way, but she quickly averted her eyes. He sighed and looked at Gary, who was hurrying toward the cashier to purchase a cinnamon roll. He got up, smoothed down his jeans, and went to Emily’s table.
“Can I talk to you?”
She seemed to be debating talking to him, before standing and walking to where he stood. “What do you want?” She folded her arms.
“Presentations start today.”
“I know that!” she huffed.
“What I was going to say is that when we’re finished, there won’t be any reason for Cat to talk to me.”
Emily rocked back on her heels and peeked at him from under her bangs. “Let me think about it.”
“Why do you have to think about us?”
“You’ve changed this year,” she said, pushing up her glasses that had slipped down her nose.
“Maybe a bit,” he said softly and longed to give her a hug, but he kept his arms pinned to his sides.
****
“Listen up.” Coach began class by announcing, “I’ll first take volunteers to present your research. Do I have any takers? Extra points for the first two presentations.”
Nick’s and Bryan’s hands shot up at the same time. “Nick and Catherine first and then Bryan and Sam.” Nick shot Bryan a smirk, and Bryan gave him a shit-eating grin. They’d see who the better student was.
Coach Sullivan had placed two desks at the front of the room and made a laptop available for PowerPoint presentations and an easel for displays or pictures.
He and Cat had none of those things. They would talk through their presentation. Cat on the historical background of the Gypsies, their internment, and Nick telling about the other significant events happening in Saumur at the same time, namely the cadets at the Cadre Noir fighting the Germans. He smoothed down their paper. He had highlighted the important parts so he wouldn’t forget anything.
They took their places at the front of the class. Cat, wearing her customary black leotard, with bright rainbow leg warmers and ballet slip-ons. And Nick wearing his jersey and jeans. He shuffled his sneakers against the floor—anxious to get started and be done and get back to his life before their research presentations.
Cat began, “Our presentation is on the treatment of the Romas—better known as Gypsies—during the Second World War. I’ve been to France many times and learned of their hardships during the war, so now I’m going to give you a brief overview of their lives before, during, and after the war. Nick will talk about their treatment, particularly in the internment camp in Saumur, France, and how the war affected all the French people.”
She paused before continuing. Everyone leaned forward, waiting. “Gypsies are a nomadic tribe of people who originated in India a thousand years ago. They believed the land belonged to everyone for everyone’s enjoyment and benefit. But the other Europeans believed landownership was important for stature, so the Gypsies were viewed as strange, backward thinkers. Still are. There is a long history of persecuting the Gypsies in Europe.”
Cat stopped for a breath, not once looking at her notes or their paper. “The Gypsies are now protected under the Equality Act in Europe. Many work as artisans and entertainers. But during the war years, they were rounded up with the Jews and others the Germans targeted for their eradication campaign.”
Cat’s voice, low and calm, had a mesmerizing effect on the classroom. Nick noticed his classmates leaning forward in their seats to listen and look at Cat. She was a beautiful girl—in an exotic way—a dancer when most girls in their class wore jeans and cowboy boots, not leggings and leotards.
She continued talking, stopping only to take a sip of her water. Since she was sitting next to him, he could only see her hands. They stretched and clenched as she talked, accented by her bloodred polish.
“Even though the war wiped out over a million Gypsies, there are many famous Gypsies you may have heard of—Charlie Chaplin and Mother Teresa.”
Nick saw a few brows go up in surprise.
She continued, “Ever heard of Elvis Presley and Pablo Picasso? They had Roma blood.” Cat finished talking, and now it was time for his part. He mentally gathered what he wanted to say, glanced down at the highlighted parts.
Before he could speak, the fire alarm sounded.
“Everyone to the soccer field,” Coach said.
Nick and Cat followed the class and others out the building. In some ways he was relieved to be interrupted, but it would make it so he needed to finish their presentation later.
Coach clasped him on the shoulder as they left the building. “Sorry about that. You may have to finish tomorrow.”
Nick rubbed his arms and stamped his feet as they waited for the all-clear signal. Cat slipped on her headphones and began moving her body. The class stopped to watch her, and soon they were joined by others.
Nick spied Emily and Veronica. When Emily saw him looking at her, she turned away. Nick continued watching Cat as she swayed and moved her arms up over her head and then bent at the waist.
The bell sounded, but still the crowd watched her dance. With a final flourish kick of her legs and overhead motion of her arms, she stopped, and several people clapped.
Nick watched her take off her headphones and dip her head to those still watching.
“You’re good,” Nick whispered.
“Thank you. I’ve always loved dancing.”