Celine nodded, trying to blink away the tears. She turned her attention to Rene. "Yes. Tell them yes. I'll go." "Well try to sound happier when we get there." He chuckled. Celine smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear. "When do we leave?" "Soon." Celine opened her mouth for another question, or another million questions so she could pack, prepare, start rehearsals, and dive into everything she'd put on hold to take care of her mother. There was so much catching up to do! Would she even be ready when it was her time to perform? "Rene, won't you stay with us a bit longer? I'm sure my husband and Celine's siblings would love to hear more about what is going to happen in Dublin." "We're doing a campfire tonight since the weather is so nice." Celine agreed. "It would be nice to have you here after all you've done to help." "Yes." Her mother sounded strangely genuine."I'd be happy to." Rene assured. After a bit more conversation, Therese waved Celine away. "Go help your father set everything up. You know he's hopeless without one of us to help." Celine's brow furrowed. Maman had never called her father helpless. If anything, he was the most capable and sure-footed man she'd ever met. But she wasn't about to disagree with her mother after everything that had gone on this week. She gave Rene a hopeful smile, praying to whatever god she could think of that Maman wasn't going to chew him out. Last time, she'd overheard just enough of the conversation to know that her mother didn't care for Rene, no matter how kind or wonderful he was on a regularbasis. She crossed her fingers as she walked outside to help with the campfire.
