Chapter 10

"Nadir, I have no idea where I am. I am afraid I did not plan this thoroughly.."

Nadir couldn't help but laugh into the phone. "No, old friend, I am afraid you did not. Now, where are you?" he asked calmly.

Erik was not so calm. "I do not know where the devil I am!"

"Name some landmarks surrounding you, Erik."

"I am parked at a BP gas station. I see a McDonald's, a Taco Bell, and some sort of shopping center."

"It wouldn't happen to be called the Circle Centre Mall, would it?"

"Yes, that is it!"

Nadir sighed. "Do not shout, Erik. Just turn left on Sutter Drive. Then, drive a bit and turn right on Cherry Street. Willard Park will be on your right."

"Alright. You have my thanks."

"I will be waiting."

Christine and Meg said their good bye's after talking about school related things for a while.

Then, the brunette knew what she needed to do. It had been three days since she'd talked to her mom. So, she walked to the master bedroom and knocked on the door.

"Come in," came a quiet voice.

Christine entered hesitantly and closed the door behind her.

Erik made it to the park. But, before getting out of the car, he put a hat on in an attempt to hide the mask.

Nadir was seated beneath a shade tree on a bench. When Erik approached, he stood. "Erik, old friend, it is good to see you." Awkwardly, he patted the young man on the shoulder and both sat.

Although Erik refused to admit it, he was quite glad to see Nadir, as well. "Hello, Nadir."

"You are looking well."

Erik turned and glared at him. "There is no need to lie."

Nadir sighed realizing that part of Erik was still the same.

Erik's patience was wearing thin. "Let us get down to it, then."

"Alright. After you," Nadir offered.

"You do remember me saying that I instruct voice lessons for a living?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Well, I do not instruct lessons. I instruct a lesson."

"Only one?"

Erik snapped back, "Yes, only one."

"Well, alright then."

Erik calmed himself. "I have been training her since she was twelve…" His voice was distant.

"She?" Nadir commented.

"Her name is Christine."

"Alright, so you teach a girl named Christine…"

"But, she is not a girl. She is a young woman."

"What age?"

"Eighteen as of October second."

Nadir's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He was very unfamiliar with the tone in Erik's voice.

"She has a breathtaking voice, you see. Oh, she is beautiful…" Erik was thinking aloud completely oblivious of his company.

"Erik?" Nadir questioned cautiously.

"What?" he asked obviously out of the daydream.

"'She is beautiful'?"

Erik's eyes widened. "I did not say that."

Nadir shrugged. "Fine, you didn't say it."

The masked man sighed and mumbled, "I suppose I did." Nadir's eyebrow rose. "She is beautiful. Everything about her. I am going mad over her. Her charm will be the death of me, Nadir. You must do something!"

Do something? This is entirely unlike him! "Erik! Regain control. You can handle this. I will help you, if you will allow it."

"I beg of it," was Erik's outright reply.

"Hi, Mom," Christine cautiously said while sitting on the end of her parents' bed.

"Hi, Honey," came her mother's meek reply.

"How are you?" Christine momentarily closed her eyes. Why did I ask that? I can see how she is by looking at her. It isn't hard..

"I'm fine.. considering.."

Christine sighed and looked down. "Look, I know how hard this must be for you. I can't imagine.. But, things will get better. They have to."

Her mother just nodded not really believing it.

She then looked into her mother's eyes. "People still respect Julie Andrews, and she can't sing well anymore. It's no different with you. People will remember how amazing you were. They will still respect you."

For the first time in days, Beth Daae actually smiled. "Julie Andrews, Christine?"

She laughed. "Yeah, her."

"Good comparison, I must say." She then hugged her daughter. "Thank you, sweet heart. You truly light up my life."

"Good… Speaking of light, how about we brighten this place up a little bit." With that, Christine stood and opened some curtains in the room. She then turned on the overhead light. "See? That's not so bad."

"Not so bad at all. You've really made me feel better." Continuing, she whispered, "Not even your father could manage that."

They both laughed. "So, you think you'll be ok?" Before she could answer, Christine added, "You can still give lessons and stuff. You don't have to end your career all together."

"I have thought of that. Giving lessons is a good idea. But, you won't let me give you lessons, will you? That's Mr. Destler's job, isn't it?" She smirked.

Christine just stared at her. "Uh.. yeah, that's his job.."

"Christine, is something wrong?" Her mother looked concerned.

"Mom, you're just getting over a big change. I can't bother you with my silly problems." She got up to leave, but her mom stopped her.

"Wait just a minute. I always have time for my daughter. You sit right back down and explain yourself. What kind of problems are you having?"

Christine reluctantly did as she was told. Deciding honesty was the best way to go, she spoke. "Mom, I think I might like my voice teacher."

Beth Daae's eyes widened. "You what? What kind of 'like'?

"The more-than-a-friend 'like'."

"How long have you had these feelings, Christine?"

She couldn't look into her mother's eyes. "I don't know. They're coming gradually. It- it's hard to say.."

Her mother then sighed and said, "Please, look at me." Christine did. "It's ok." Christine blinked. "It really is. You know how your father and I met, don't you?"

Christine's eyebrow rose. "Now that you mention it, I don't. How weird is that?"

"Well, he was my violin teacher at one time. Sure, I was in my early twenties, which is older than you, but you, more than anyone, know how close you become to a music teacher."

"Yeah, but you didn't have lessons with Dad since you were twelve! It's not the same! Mom, I'm going crazy. I cannot have these feelings for him. It will destroy everything."

"Why?"

"Why? Because, everything will be awkward. I'll mess up and get embarrassed and act shy!"

"But, you said the feelings have come gradually. Christine, I know you can deal with this. You're strong. It's just a crush, anyway. It will disappear with time. And, if you're really this paranoid about it, you should focus on trying to find somebody else."

Christine gasped. "You know, that's not a bad idea. Yeah, I just need a distraction. That will solve everything." She got up to leave, her thoughts completely on this new idea.

"But, Christine.." She turned towards her mother's voice. "You've got to be careful. You can't just go searching for somebody else. You need to really like the person."

She nodded. "That's true. Thanks, Mom. For everything. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes. You have really helped. I'll be fine. Now, I think I'm going to get up and find your father. Things have been dismal for far too long."

Christine smiled at her mother. "Good." Then, she left the room and headed to her own. Mom and Dad met through violin lessons.. But, that just can't happen with Erik and I! He would hate me if he knew what I was thinking. He would..

Then, she remembered something. Robert called. Maybe I should call him back. The two had known each other since their freshman year. He's a good guy. Yeah.. Christine thought with a small smile on her face.

"So, you think I should try to suppress these feelings?" Erik asked while looking at his hands.

"If you believe it would ruin everything you have worked on with the girl, then yes. Only good should come of love. So, if that is not the case, then it is best to escape the burden."

"What are you saying? You think I should stop seeing Christine all together?"

"Well, that would probably be the wisest choice.."

"No. No, Nadir. As I have told you countless times, we have worked too hard to get where we are. I cannot simply cancel our lessons. I swore to myself long ago that I would make her a star. I will keep that promise."

"Well, then, you will keep these feelings."

"Feelings or no feelings, her voice comes first. Music comes first. Music always comes first."

Nadir sighed and ran his fingers through his dark hair tiredly. "Erik, I know you, old friend. You are obsessive, possessive, and controlling. Yet, you are unused to these feelings. You cannot simply forget them. You can only let them go by changing the situation. But, you say you will not do that. I cannot help you any further, then. My advice is meaningless."

"Nadir, I am grateful for your advice, but I cannot take it. Our lessons are far more important. My feelings for her mean nothing."

This is not true, Erik. Not taking my advice will show you that it is not true. "Well, since you will not take my advice, how about we move our conversation to my home. We will talk of other things there."

"It is getting late."

"Yes. Perhaps you should stay the night. There is an extra bedroom."

"It makes no difference. I do not sleep much as of late. I can leave after visiting. There is no need to stay overnight."

"As you wish, Erik."

The two headed to Nadir's home. Erik's thoughts repeated one phrase: My feelings for Christine go no further than our lessons. I am her teacher. She is my pupil.