"Smokey and the Sunflower Stalk." The day Mom flew home our giant tournesol blossomed. But the joy Mom left in her wake turned into something else….
quiproquo (kee-proh-koh)
: mistaken identity
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following example sentence:
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Un quiproquo est un malentendu qui fait prendre quelqu'un pour un autre ou une chose pour une autre. A quiproquo is a misunderstanding in which one person is mistaken for another or one thing for another.
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A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Yesterday, I received a strange email. Inside was a photo of Mom in a darkened cell. Though the picture was flou, I could tell Mom was smiling and I noticed she had on her travel clothes, including her beloved Frida Kahlo cape–the one she had on when she kissed me goodbye 30 hours earlier.
In the emailed photo, Mom was pictured sitting on the ground with her favorite notebook beside her–le cahier in which she copies her scriptures. (She's almost transcribed The Book of Mark!)
I searched the courriel for a note accompanying the photo but there was none. Then I recognized a prénom above the subject line: Raul. What a coincidence! I thought, She's run into her friend Raul at the airport in Puerta Vallarta–and she's had him use his Smartphone to record and send me her picture, as evidence she's arrived safely.
Owing to the darkened shot, I supposed the photo was taken at midnight, when Mom was scheduled to arrive. It was now 7 a.m. By this time she would have had a good night's sleep in her own bed, beside which her telephone would be ringing on her little nightstand. (I could wait no longer to call her!)
John, my beau-père answered the phone. After our shy hellos, I noticed he still hadn't offered to pass the phone to Mom. That was unusual.
"What a long trip it's been for Mom…" I hinted, eager to hear Mom tell about the 24 hour journey home to Mexico.
"Yes, I hope her transfers are going smoothly," John agreed.
"What do you mean? She's not home yet?!"
"She gets in at midnight," John pointed out.
"Yes, midnight–as in 7 hours ago!"
"Oh, God!" John said, and the panick in his voice echoed in the pit of my stomach.
* * *
But there was more to the confusion than a misread ticket. There was that mysterious email I'd received, from Raul. Mom knew him from her neighborhood–before he was thrown into the slammer. And Raul, I remembered, had just gotten out of prison.
I thought back to the bizarre email. Why was there only a picture–and no message? I clicked open the email and stared at my Mom. Only now the picture looked very much like a ransom shot!
Panic took over as I calculated the time in which Mom had been missing: over 7 hours!
Where to begin the search? I emailed Raul.
Careful to keep things breezy, I began with a note of appreciation: "Thanks again for the photo!"–then segued into a positive identification: "By the way, is this Raul?" I'd noticed two prénoms in the sender's line. But one was feminine…. Perhaps it was a joint account and it was Raul's wife with whom I was corresponding? Perhaps I could let her know Mom's been praying nonstop for Raul ever since he was locked up. But before I could type a follow up email, the sender replied:
"Yes, this is Raul. Nice to meet you," came the instant response.
That was odd. We'd already met–back in February 2011 when I visited Mom in Puerta Vallarta. I guessed it was a fault in translation. I decided to follow Raul's lead. More than a lead, he was a lifeline to my dear Mom!
"Nice to meet you, too!" I typed back, as if it were correct English to carry on telling someone you'd already met "ravie de vous connaître!"
Then, very unassumingly I pried for information. "Just tried to call my Mom. She is not home yet. Have you seen her today? Was this photo taken last night? Thanks. A little worried."
"You are welcome Kristin. Nice to meet you. Saludos, Raúl."
And then I called the Camino Real airport hotel only to find out it did not exist!!!
The last email I received from Raul said this: "Your mom was at the lobby of Camino Real airport hotel in México City."
The race was on! Unable to get in touch with John (I'd sent him on a wild hare chase to PV airport) I fired off an email to John's cohort, Stan, who runs Puerta Vallarta's sports fishing and tackle shop–the name of which I'm too prude to type, so go ahead and call me an old maid! Only then we'd both be caught up in this game of assumptions, which up till now got me nowhere in this puzzling question of Mom's whereabouts!!!
As email voices go, Stan's was lighthearted and humorous. He took in the information–Mom, Missing in Action!!–and got right back to me:
No worries, Stan said, John's been in contact with your Mom. And by the way, did I have a minute to shoot the breeze about marketing? (Mom, it seems, had gone on and on about her daughter with the successful French Word-A-Day site….)
With no choice but to trust Stan's report, I let go of all anxieties and launched into a crash course in product marketing! In a nutshell, start a blog already! (Stan informed me he has one. I must have overlooked the name…)
"You should have seen this guy!" Mom gushed.
Post note: When Mom learned I'd mistaken the two Raul's, fearing one of them to be a kidnapper, she burst out laughing. "Honey, you have to write the story."
"It's too complicated. Besides. I'd have to change Raul's name," I pointed out.
"Oh, he wouldn't care. And remember, he's innocent!"
P.S. Stan, if you are reading, you had suggested (a week before) that we pull one over on Mom's humband, John–suggesting Mom may have found another love interest. Alas, Raul (of Mexico City!) was but an innocent bystander who happened to be in the lobby when Mom's eyes locked onto the Smartphone that could communicate a travel update (however failed, however creative!) to her daughter. No worries, John. Mom only has eyes for you!
To respond to this story, click here. I love reading your comments and so does Mom. I sure hope both Raul's will enjoy them, too!
New rental in Provence. In the charming village of Sablet–this spacious home is the perfect place to return to after sightseeing, bicycling or hiking. Click here for photos.
"Maman sans Tuyau"
Hello Kristin!
Thanks, Anna! As you suspected, some readers did send in a photoshopped version after I lamented about the errant hose! …
Thanks, Paul! Love the richness of this one. What a gift, indeed!
I would love for that wall to the right to be glass and iron (greenhouse). Then we could see up to the boulder, just outside it. And, where Smokey's walking, that would be enclosed, with more greenhouse glass/iron. Then one could amble from the kitchen to the garden room! The floors could be left in gravel (Mom's idea) and Jean-Marc would never have to vaccuume. 😉
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Dear Jules….. so glad you are safely home. You have the most wonderful ability to make a lovely and interesting experience out of a long and tiring trip. Now we know that Kristin can write “cliffhangers”! Many thanks to you both. Best wishes, Cynthia
Dear Jules….. so glad you are safely home. You have the most wonderful ability to make a lovely and interesting experience out of a long and tiring trip. Now we know that Kristin can write “cliffhangers”! Many thanks to you both. Best wishes, Cynthia
Love the drama…and knew all along that your Mama would be just fine!
Love the drama…and knew all along that your Mama would be just fine!
Kristen,
I love reading your readers’ comments almost as much as your post! Such lovely and insightful things they say. What an inspiration it must be~
Kristen,
I love reading your readers’ comments almost as much as your post! Such lovely and insightful things they say. What an inspiration it must be~
Vous avez de la suite dans les idées.
Vous avez de la suite dans les idées.
and you are ready to write a detective novel too.
and you are ready to write a detective novel too.
Lori, Your post made me think of Maxim LeForestier’s wonderful song, so I looked for the blog you mentioned and saw that fantastic video about the house! Thank you!!
If anyone else wants to see it, here’s the link
http://willows95988.typepad.com/tongue_cheek/2014/06/tuc-the-french-ritz-and-the-blue-house-in-san-francisco.html
Lori, Your post made me think of Maxim LeForestier’s wonderful song, so I looked for the blog you mentioned and saw that fantastic video about the house! Thank you!!
If anyone else wants to see it, here’s the link
http://willows95988.typepad.com/tongue_cheek/2014/06/tuc-the-french-ritz-and-the-blue-house-in-san-francisco.html
I just couldn’t stop reading, Kristin! I had to find out just what Jules’ situation really was and whether or not she made it home. Well done. Now I can go out to the Blueberry filed and pick 7 pounds while rehashing my own Mother and Father’s adventures. They stopped in another town for 3 days while we were anxiously waiting for them to arrive! Parents! Daughters! And now Granddaughters! Life is interesting, n’est-ce pas?
I just couldn’t stop reading, Kristin! I had to find out just what Jules’ situation really was and whether or not she made it home. Well done. Now I can go out to the Blueberry filed and pick 7 pounds while rehashing my own Mother and Father’s adventures. They stopped in another town for 3 days while we were anxiously waiting for them to arrive! Parents! Daughters! And now Granddaughters! Life is interesting, n’est-ce pas?
I do not see my comment — very glad your mother was home safe and what a great story for the grandchildren. But the uncertainty must have been awful.
I do not see my comment — very glad your mother was home safe and what a great story for the grandchildren. But the uncertainty must have been awful.
La Maison Bleu is such a pretty song! I had never heard of it before but listened on youtube.
La Maison Bleu is such a pretty song! I had never heard of it before but listened on youtube.
blimey, my heart was pounding on this blog!! But then I remembered, your mum would be just fine as she always is when she is out and about meeting new people and having new experiences!! xoxox
blimey, my heart was pounding on this blog!! But then I remembered, your mum would be just fine as she always is when she is out and about meeting new people and having new experiences!! xoxox
I love the idea of the conservatory/greenhouse and the gravel floor. Brilliant! Would love to have one even here in the good old USA but how very lovely to have one with a French view!
I love the idea of the conservatory/greenhouse and the gravel floor. Brilliant! Would love to have one even here in the good old USA but how very lovely to have one with a French view!
I do not see my comment(s) either. I commented on how we become ‘parents to our parents’, and then posted again to suggest an online site to follow your mom’s flight next time – as you would have known much earlier that her flight had been held up, and could have tracked her down sooner. Were these comments somehow not fit for posting?
I do not see my comment(s) either. I commented on how we become ‘parents to our parents’, and then posted again to suggest an online site to follow your mom’s flight next time – as you would have known much earlier that her flight had been held up, and could have tracked her down sooner. Were these comments somehow not fit for posting?
Kristin,
I am a new follower of your blog, but what I have read so far is wonderful! I have a funny story for you. I am here in PV visiting my parents with my husband and children. Mom and I were walking the other day when a sweet lady stopped us and told us where she goes for her walks in the mornings. She introduced herself and then gushed about her time in PV, her daughter in France and her daughter’s blog we HAD to check out. We said our goodbyes and went on our way. My mother was telling my dad about the nice lady we met on the street and when she was finished he said “that must be John’s wife”. My mother laughed and laughed because they have known John for years but never met his wife. What a small world even in PV! Your mother was a delight to meet. I am hopeful all of our paths will meet again in PV one day. We connected with Jules only a day or two ago, but I think my mother has already bought 3 of your books online. 🙂 blessings to you and your family from ours in PV. – April and Alice
Kristin,
I am a new follower of your blog, but what I have read so far is wonderful! I have a funny story for you. I am here in PV visiting my parents with my husband and children. Mom and I were walking the other day when a sweet lady stopped us and told us where she goes for her walks in the mornings. She introduced herself and then gushed about her time in PV, her daughter in France and her daughter’s blog we HAD to check out. We said our goodbyes and went on our way. My mother was telling my dad about the nice lady we met on the street and when she was finished he said “that must be John’s wife”. My mother laughed and laughed because they have known John for years but never met his wife. What a small world even in PV! Your mother was a delight to meet. I am hopeful all of our paths will meet again in PV one day. We connected with Jules only a day or two ago, but I think my mother has already bought 3 of your books online. 🙂 blessings to you and your family from ours in PV. – April and Alice
Hello Kristin, I’m Fabi, I’m 16 and I met your mom Jules in Puerto Vallarta 🙂 she’s a very nice woman, it was a pleasure to met her, she told me about this vlog, its amazing
Hello Kristin, I’m Fabi, I’m 16 and I met your mom Jules in Puerto Vallarta 🙂 she’s a very nice woman, it was a pleasure to met her, she told me about this vlog, its amazing