Dark Energy

What exactly is “dark energy?” It’s a concept in physics—the stuff of astrophysics, to be precise. But that’s not the issue here. As you’ll learn by the end of this story, dark energy may have more to do with cosmesis or even cosmetics than with any aspect of physical cosmology—at least in this instance.

Marie-Claire is a young Parisian girl, and this is her coming-of-age story. By “coming-of-age,” do I mean a sexual awakening? Not really. No, her coming-of-age is more a recognition that she’s not alone, that she has a family—an exceptional one—and that she’s about to discover a second family, equally as exceptional. Not to mention, the love of her life.

While spending a late-summer month in San Francisco, as arranged by the two families—she comes of age as babysitter and almost as mentor to a young American girl. Yes, she’s the mentor; but her experience in this summer of love makes her more of a protégée—at least of that experience.

How exactly does she come of age? Well, that’s the point of reading this little novella—namely, to find out. And if you’re not spilling tears of happiness for her by the end of the story, I’ve missed my mark—and you should never consider reading another book or story of mine again.

Oh, and by the way: please don’t be put off by some of the dialogue. Marie-Claire is, after all, French. And we can allow—can we not?—that not all the world speaks English from birth. (No worries: she gets into her English-language world quite quickly, fluently and flawlessly. Yes, she’s French; but she’s also French-smart.)

A final word about the cover … “Liz” is a hand-colored photograph by Peter Groesbeck, of Drexel University, in Philadelphia, PA. The overall design and printing of that same cover was accomplished by Margot Spindelman, of Brooklyn, NY.