CHAPTER TEN (Madame Giry POV)
The rehearsal with the new back-up dancers was a disaster. They were horrible! What possessed them to think they could perform in a place like Phantasma, I'll never know. The show is the best in town, so therefore, we must showcase the best. Not just anyone. The audience deserves the absolute best.
Over the years, I had always tried to shape the shows into ones that would suit Meg most. Erik had taken my advice most of the time but he had always been unaware that I had been doing it for Meg. I never thought it selfish, nor did I ever think of it as deception. Erik had always been like a son to me, and I had always wanted to see him happy. Not a momentary happiness, but a lifelong one. Phantasma, his dream, becoming successful was a way to obtain that sort of happiness. It isn't my fault anymore if the key for it's success is Meg.
I finally arrive at our little apartment, just at the shore of Coney Island. The lights are switched on and the front door is slightly ajar. "Meg?" I say, knocking on the door, though already opened. She is sitting on the couch, her elbows propped on her knees, both hands covering her face. I get in and the first thing I notice are the bloodshot eyes of my daughter. What happened?
"Meg, what's wrong?" I ask, holding her by the shoulders. She is shakes her head as more tears roll down her cheeks. "What's wrong?" I say again, my panic rising. She stays silent. I wipe her tears, bring her to the dining table, and give her a glass of water. She finishes it and tries to avoid my eyes. I sigh. She never really liked sharif her problems with me. That had always been the problem with Meg. I never really knew what bothered her. "Meg," I say, my voice soft and questioning, "maybe I can help you." I say, not knowing what else to tell her.
"It's Gustave." she says, her voice cracking the moment she began to speak. "What happened?" I ask her, reaching for her hand. She begins to cry harder. "I just don't know what to do," she says after some time in silence. She is shaking, and I give her a tight hug. I never liked when she was troubled like this. Not to mention it's not beneficial for our show.
"Just do what you need to do." I say, putting a light kiss on her forehead. "Do you want me to cancel rehearsals tonight?" I ask, readying myself for the disappointing answer I am expecting. "Yes please." She says, a grateful smile on her features. She stands up and fixes her slightly tear stained dress. She stands there for a while thinking deeply. Suddenly, she goes out the door. "Where are you going?" I call after her.
"I'm going to make things right."