Chapter 1:

"Belle, Beeilung!" I heard my brother call out.
"Eine munite bittie!" I replied while making sure my flute was in working order. Today was the day the square was to be filled with people on their way to The Paris Opera House. Tonight they would be performing a new work, La Sonnambula by someone named Bellini I think, and by the sounds of Carlotta, it was to be a doozie. I put my flute down next to Conner and Lukas as they began to play their violins. Ever since I began to dance, we've earned more and more from people. This is my life; living with my two brothers like gypsies. We do anything for money, play music, dance, tell stories, and my favorite, making things. If we were lucky, someone would like my work so much, I would be hired to build something like a dresser or a table or one time; a family wanted me to make a bedframe as a wedding present for a newly-wedded couple. Anyway, as the song began, there were only a few people in the square; the song was a beautiful one from our homeland. It began softly with me curled in a ball on the ground, then I slowly rose up, my legs, torso and finally my arms and head. Through the beginning of the song you could hear the singing of birds, be it from the violins or actual birds that came to join our performance. As the song leaped on my dancing became more advanced, my dress flapping against my legs. The music became more dramatic, discords and eeriness making everyone in the crowd feel the storm raging on. At the crescendo of the song I leapt into the air with only a small wobble, landed softer than a snowflake, the dress following slowly. The music began to slow and finally came to a stop, the now numerous crowd applauding and throwing us many francs in return.
"Lukas, ich bin werde in meinen Shop eingestellt. Ok?" he nodded and went back to his violin. He and Conner played a beautiful version of a familiar lullaby. I could hear kids telling their mothers 'That's our song!' I changed into my pants and shirt as people flocked to my stand to see what I had today. "Today ladies and gentlemen I have items that your children and grandchildren will want when you are gone. Furniture, picture and mirror frames, toys and more! Gather round and see!" We didn't get a break until the opera started and heaven knows how many languages I had to use to communicate with the customers.
Conner came running to me, his hat clanking with the sound of francs and a big smile upon his face.
"Very good my little Bruder!" I said embracing him in my arms. Conner couldn't be more than 9 years old and never did his smile fail to brighten my day. I turned and told him to put it in the money box. For the first time in a long time the box was a quarter of the way full. That is, after we paid off all of the debts we owed to merchants, and the gambling debts our father owed.
"Schwester!" Lukas called. "Diese ist useren finale zahlung!"
Conner tugged on my shirt and looked up at me, his head tilted adorably to one side, his brown hair messy and untamed and his blue eyes shining brightly with curiosity. He was the exact image of Father. I'd been waiting for this day for what seemed like ages. He handed me our ledger and after some quick arithmetic, I proved he was right.
"He said this is the last payment we have to make to Monsieur Foss." Conner jumped with excitement.
"Und ich spiele wir haben eine feier!" Lukas cried. Feier was one of the few German words Conner knew, it meant party. I smiled and quickly ducked into my side of the tent to change into the only dress I had beside my Sunday mass dress, grabbed a shawl, and headed to the market. Most merchant were closed, but one man was always open, if you knew what to say. When I arrived he was just packing up from another day's work.
"Bon jour Messier DuBois, how has business been?"
"Well, mamselle Belle, Bonjour! It's been very well."
"It seem that success is contagious! Look at what I finally have!" I shook the box softly, letting the small amount of extras ring in his ears.
"Que je sue damné! Look who is moving up in the world for once! What can I get for you today?"
"I am out celebrating! We are now officially debt free and have money to spend. What do you have that is fresh?" I bought some fresh green beans, corn, some bread that his wife had made that afternoon and a real treat: meat. After my 'shopping debut' I returned to find two unknown guests in our tent having a hard time communicating with Lukas and Conner, since one of them hasn't said a word in years and the other speaks exclusively German. I bend down to grab my knife when Conner waves me off, mouthing something about picture frames. I put my knife away and address the two men.
"Messieurs, may I help you?" They turned in surprise. They introduced themselves as Messieurs Badeaux and Leroux, owners of the Paris Opera House.
"Oui Mon cher. My wife was walking through here and bought his wonderful frame. When she told where she got it, I had to see the young man that made this, do you who made it?" I looked at Conner, who was laughing in his silent way and once I translated for Lukas, he burst into laughter as well.
"I hate to disappoint you Monsieur Badeaux, but you are looking at her. I made that frame." I could see the shock in his eyes. He couldn't believe that this girl that stands before him made this. "What, you do not think that a girl can be good with her hands?"
"Mademoiselle, is this where you live?" I nodded. He began to tap his finger on his chin "I see, my wife said you also dance. Is that true?"
"Well, yes but not very well. I just dance when we need the extra money, which comes about when your Opera is about to debut a play."
"Well, with some help from…" he trailed off. Then an idea struck him. "How would you and your brothers like to work and live at the Opera Garner? We could use more musicians since Carlotta well, is an acquired taste and a lady stagehand would be most helpful when it comes to painting." My eyes lit up. I felt Lukas's large hand on my shoulder. Though he was my younger brother, he towered over me like Father did over Mother. Through translation, he was as happy as I was. Conner was already packed by the time I turned to ask. Monsieur Leroux began to laugh.
"I take that as a yes then. May I help the rest of you pack?" Within the hour, all five of us were walking into the doors of the opera house. It was much bigger than any of us expected. Conner was amazed at the sound of his feet echoing as he walked. He kept tugging at my shirt and smiling as he pointed at his feet. I would say 'yes Conner, I can hear your footsteps.'
First, Badeaux showed Lukas and Conner to the room where the musicians stayed. I told Lukas that if Conner ever had nightmares to come and get me. Then I followed Monsieur Leroux to another room, a private room.
"We can't put you in the same room as the stagehands, because well you understand, and there is no room for you with the ballerinas. So this is the only other option. Please make yourself comfortable, tomorrow you will start rehearsal as a stage hand. Good night Mademoiselle." And he closed the door behind him. This was the first time in nearly 7 years I'd had a bed not made from straw, let alone my own room. Now I have a tub, dresser and even a full length mirror. I laid out what clothes I had and took out my music box. I wound it up and let it play. I hummed along as I changed into a nightgown that desperately needed to be replaced. It was my mother's before she died. I heard a knock at my door; I opened it to see little Conner standing, and shaking with a blanket tightly clutched in his hand. I knew what this meant. I let him in and put him in my bed. I did the one thing that puts him to sleep time and time again. The melody is soft and light and with the added things my father taught, Conner fell asleep within minutes. I carried him back to where Lukas was and he took it from there. I kissed both of their cheeks and bid them goodnight. After reading out of Father's favorite book, I fell asleep. That night I dreamed of my parents, all 5 of us were happily living in England. Father was playing the piano while Mother softly sang baby Conner to sleep. Lukas and I were running around outside, playing tag and climbing trees. I could see Lukas's youthful, brilliant red hair shining in the summer sun. Mother soon came outside to warn us to be careful, but we never listened. We came inside for lunch but in the background I could hear footsteps; like someone was walking within the walls of the opera house.