The biggest challenge lay in front of her, however, as she stood before the Ferris wheel, once again lit up beautifully, as it was that fateful night.  She wondered to herself for the hundredth time what it was that she thought she could accomplish by revisiting the site.  More than the other sites she and Tina had visited over two years ago, she had been dreading a visit to the Ferris wheel ride, in particular. 

She took a deep breath, and bent forward to rest her hands on her knees.  She wrapped an arm around her waist, as if to support it, and shut her eyes, debating with herself again whether or not to continue with this particular stop in the itinerary.  She didn’t know how long she was doubled-over – then felt a light tap on her shoulder.

“Mademoiselle, are you alright?,” a voice asked kindly, somewhere over her shoulder.

Bette straightened up, and saw the operator who had taken their tickets from her that fateful night.  She was surprised to see that he was still the same man who ran the ride.

He was looking at her, tapping his fingers on his temple, as if trying to recall something, and after a minute, as he registered who she was, “Oh it is you, mademoiselle!” he exclaimed.

Bette forced a smile, and said, “Oui.  Thank you for remembering me, monsieur.”  She handed him a ticket.

He took it, and said with warmth, “But of course I remember you, mademoiselle, you were so kind to leave me a generous tip, as well as put in a good word for me with monsieur Ric.”

“I didn’t know you were coming tonight…,” he continued, in an apologetic voice.

“Oh, no, no, no.  Please don’t be bothered, monsieur, I didn’t plan on doing anything, um, similar tonight,” Bette assured him.  “So just an ordinary carriage will do.”

He protested, shaking his head,“Oh, no, mademoiselle.  Certainly not; it is not a bother.  I can have the carriage ready for you to use.  Please just wait a few minutes here, and I will signal to you when it is ready.” He hurried away.

Realizing she couldn’t stop him, Bette walked slowly in the direction of the Ferris wheel. Well, too late to back out now, you coward, she thought to herself.