Except that Nico would be the one to begin the conversation, not much of a plan of of how to approach Ted had evolved . This was probably the result of the amount of courage giving Burgundy that Nico had consumed, as well as that Ted in all accounts was now French, and Nico had been born in France.

Nestled in a row of small shops, the Boulangerie François was fronted by a window in which was displayed a spectacular array of colorful frosted pastries. Inside, the shop was pervaded with the aroma of baking bread.

Wearing a flour-dusted apron, the man behind the counter resembled the photo of Ted in Army uniform only in a lingering aura of artist and once-upon-a-time scholar of California art.

Nico and Jack approached the counter.