Paris, 1942

The girl and her parents are taken to a large garage where men are working on engines and stare at them silently. In one corner of the garage is a large group of people, mostly women and children, standing silently with an assortment of bags and baskets. Soon two policemen appear and begin calling out names. The girl’s father raises his hand when their family name is called.

The girl looks around and sees a classmate from school. She gives him an encouraging look but he stares at her like she is “crazy.” She is embarrassed and wonders if she is right to be hopeful. When her father bends down close to her and asks where her brother is, she shows him the key and explains that he is safely tucked into their hiding cupboard with plenty of air, a flashlight, and some water. His eyes immediately fill with tears as he explains that they will not be allowed to go back. Something “cold and horrible” creeps through her as the import of his words become a reality. She practically screams at him, asking why they cannot go home, but her father simply tells her quietly that she must be brave. The girl is too afraid to cry and says she promised her brother she would come back for him; her father is not listening as he deals with his own grief and fear.

They are all sent outside and ordered to board the city buses waiting there for them. As they ride to their unknown destination, she thinks about her brother, waiting patiently for her to come back. After driving through a rainstorm, the buses finally arrive at a great building; the French police are herding people, carrying their suitcases and children, from many buses from all over the city. It is a covered arena and there are hundreds of people in it. The heat grows stifling and unbearable. She asks her father again why they are there, and he finally indicates the yellow star sewn on her blouse and notes that everyone in the room is wearing one. She tells him it is not fair, and her father agrees.

A month ago her mother had sewn the yellow stars on all of their clothing, except for her brother’s, and before that their identity cards had been stamped with either “Jew” or “Jewess.” Suddenly they had not been allowed to play in the park or use public facilities such as the swimming pool and the library. Signs saying “Jews Forbidden” were everywhere, and any shopping her mother did had to be late in the day when there may or may not have been anything left to buy. It is all so unfair, and no one can explain to her why it is happening.

Paris, 2002

Julia works for a weekly American magazine called Seine Scenes . She has worked there for six years, and it is a difficult job. She covers events that Americans in Paris might be interested in, and her boss is tyrannical. Joshua is not concerned about the personal lives of his employees and has no patience with excuses; however, this man in his fifties is a shrewd editor and businessman. Bamber is the photo editor. Almost thirty years old, Bamber has orange hair, a British accent, and multiple piercings. He is discreet and efficient, a helpful ally on the days when Joshua is on the rampage. Alessandra is the features editor, half Italian and “terrifyingly ambitious.” Julia is never sure whether she likes her or not, as Alessandra is half her age and...