Erik had left the compartment for a few refreshments, forcing Christine to wait for him to return in order to continue his story. She was dressed and restless as she awaited his return. Thus, when she heard the compartment door open, she practically leaped up to greet him.
"Finally! What took you so long?"
He was carefully managing a tray, while closing the door.
"I wanted to make sure our tea was hot, not tepid. Not to mention, I thought we could refuel from all our rigorous activity." He smiled in remembrance.
She greeted him with not one kiss by two. She then took the tray and sat it down on the table.
"How is everyone?"
Erik sat down and began preparing Christine's tea.
"They seem fine. The train seems to be operating like new. We'll be back soon. I know you're anxious to get back to Gustave, as am I." He stirred her tea after two sugars but reluctantly put in one more. "Try it."
She grinned. "It's one vice, Erik."
"Have you ever tried it with honey?"
She took a sip. "No."
"Well next time, I'll…."
"Erik, I couldn't care less about the tea. Now are you going to tell me your story, or aren't you?" She huffed.
He chuckled. "Oh. Where was I?"
She hit his leg. "Seriously?"
He in turn, took her hand and kissed it. "Now that your tea is to your liking, I have brought a few refreshments. Check under the handkerchief."
She did and looked up smiling at him. "How are these okay but my sugar is not?"
He took a biscotti and cut it in half.
"We can't share spoons of the same sugar."
She laughed. "I keep forgetting you are a genius."
He fed her a bite and kissed her. "Don't forget again."
She picked up a piece of fruit to feed him but changed her mind and dropped it in her mouth and playfully stuck her tongue out at him.
"All this stalling and I thought you wanted to hear my story?" He made to stand up, but Christine yanked him back down.
"Start talking. I'll get you another piece."
He let himself get comfortable, as Christine brought the treat to his mouth and then followed it up with a kiss. He then held her closer and moved her to his lap.
"Is this alright?"
"Of course, it is. Now are you ready to tell me?"
"There's not that much to tell. He was the Chief of Police in Persia. I met him when I worked for the Shah."
"I'm sorry, did you say the Shah?"
"It's not a happy tail but then again, you probably already knew that. Yet meeting Nadir was a good thing. He liked me. He wanted me to be better. He saved my life, by helping me escaped. At the time, I thought he was a complete pest…. I never told him how much I cared for him. He left some time after I did. I sometimes wonder what he would say, if he saw me these days."
"If he was as good a friend as you say he was, I am sure he knew how you felt. As for all you have accomplished? I'd say he would be very proud of you."
"Perhaps. Thank you for saying so, nevertheless."
They kissed, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"And how did you meet the good doctor? I mean is he really a doctor?"
Erik nodded. "Indeed, he is, just not in the traditional sense. I met him shortly after I came to Coney. I was looking for work and he was at one of the first few fairs I found. His son…."
"He has a son?"
"Had."
"Oh my…."
"His son is one of the first people I met here. He took me to meet the manager and stayed to watch me. I was hesitant, but I knew I would have to take my mask off for the public, so I couldn't shy away from the boy, not when I was auditioning. Besides, he liked my magic tricks." He tried to smile.
"My heart aches knowing you had to put yourself on display like that."
He shrugged. "It had to be done. We needed to eat. This face made a pretty good dollar."
She knew he didn't have time to undo his mask when he came in and she had been distracted by his story, but she wasn't going to waste another moment. She took it off and placed it on the table. "This face makes the woman you love very happy, every time she gets to see it."
He smiled. "Knowing that, makes up for all the years beforehand." He reached for her lips and she gave them to him freely. "I love you."
"And I love you." She gave him one final peck. "Continue."
He chuckled again. How many times did he laugh in the span of a few hours? He could get used to this.
"He invited me over for supper. I had to get back to Antoinette and Meg, but I knew they would appreciate my return even more if I brought some hot food for them. So, I went and explained the situation to his father. Just like with Nadir, we hit it off right away but unlike with Nadir, we didn't spar with one another. There was no tit for tat. Gangle has his own affliction, as you know. I didn't ask him about his and he didn't ask about mine. We were equals right away. With Nadir, I always felt as if I wasn't good enough for his friendship."
Erik shook his head, to bring him back to the present. "Well, we worked in the same camp and soon it became apparent that our manager was as clueless as the Opera House managers were. Aside from Gangle, I kept to myself, but I listened to all that was around me. Who was who, who came to the park, who was considered a "special patron" and took notes. Lots and lots of notes. I saved every penny I could and with the money Antoinette made, we had something to bargain with. See, I wasn't interested in just managing the park, I wanted to buy it."
"So that park became Phantamsa?"
"No. Gangle didn't think it was wise that a park owner was once a worker. He was convinced I should buy out the manager but built all over again. That required a lot more time and money."
"What happened?"
"Well, the plan had to be put on hold for a bit, you see, Solomon…. That was the boy's name. He became very sick. Gangle tried to save him but he could only do so much, for the infection had spread too fast. Only it wasn't so simple."
"What do you mean?"
"I had learned about infections and remedies in the gypsy camps. I had asked Gangle to let me help and see if anything could be done. While, he was correct, the infection was too far gone, I did discover that this illness would not only kill him but kill him slowly. Meaning he would lose his sight and the ability to walk. He would be in agony once the bones began to decay."
"Good God."
"When I told Gangle, he had never heard of such a situation before so naturally, he didn't believe me. He studied his books for more information, but Solomon had already begun to suffer. Gangle couldn't bear to see him like that but he couldn't…."
"Erik, what are you saying?"
"He asked me to give the boy something to help him. To help him die in peace."
Christine slowly got up from his lap.
"Christine?"
"I'm fine. I am not a little girl anymore, Erik. I remember reading about a couple who had a similar situation in Germany. They had to watch their once bright and lively little girl get taken away from them slowly, day by day and it became unbearable for everyone. I wept for days after I read what happened."
"They did the same thing?"
"Yes, but they were arrested. I kept thanking God I didn't have to make such a choice and I also prayed to God for forgiveness because I wasn't sure what choice I would have made!" She placed her hand to her mouth.
"Christine, I didn't want to do it. You know that I…."
"Oh, angel, I know." She hugged him. "I can't believe he would put you in such a situation. If you ask me that was heartless."
"No, you mustn't think like that. He is a good man. I took the responsibility."
"And the risk. Erik, if someone had found out…."
"I loved that little boy. Life was already taking everything from him. It did not deserve his dignity or make him wallow in unnecessary pain." He then fell on his knees. "Please don't hate me."
She dropped onto the floor with him.
"I love you, unconditionally. This changes nothing that is between us or that will be between us. I only wished I had been here with you. You have spent too much time being on your own. You have a family now, love."
"I never told another living soul. Gangle and I don't discuss it. Hearing an angel like you say you understand and still love me… I know there is indeed a God and he is merciful and kind."
"Next stop Coney Island, I repeat, next stop, Coney Island." The conductor called through the hallway.
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Christine couldn't contain herself from running to Ms. Fleck's and retrieving Gustave. Hearing the story of Solomon made her remember how she slept in Gustave's room when he was a baby for weeks, afraid something might happen to him, if she didn't watch over him. She knew she couldn't have prevented something like that from happening, any more than the German parents or Dr. Gangle could have, but it didn't matter. She needed to be near him then, same as now.
When Ms. Fleck came to the door she looked at bit tired.
"There you two are. I hope the audition went well. Ms. Christine?" She nodded to Erik. "Evening, Sir."
The audition? After all that transpired tonight, the audition seemed like a lifetime ago. She smiled. "Yes, but now all I want to do is take Gustave home. Can you get him for me?"
"Well, Ms. Christine, of course I can but you see it is very late. He's asleep. He was working all day and then tonight, he went off exploring the park, again. Don't worry, Mr. Walker was close at hand."
Christine looked worried. "Are you sure…. Are you sure Raoul…My husband wasn't here?"
"No Ma'am. I haven't seen him since he in ages and if we did, Walker, Squelch and Gangle would get him out of here. He can't set foot here if Mr. Y isn't on the premises." She looked scared. "Did… Did I do wrong, Mr. Y?"
"No of course not, Ms. Fleck. We are very grateful for your loyalty and kindness to Gustave." He then touched Christine's shoulder. "His mother just misses him."
"Then come on and get him. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…"
"No, no. You're right Ms. Fleck. He's safe and happy. He loves spending time with you. I'll let him be, but I will just go in and see him for a moment."
"Of course, Ma'am. Say, Mr. Y, since Ms. Christine is seeing Gustave, can we talk for a minute about tomorrow's show?"
Erik looked annoyed. He wanted to see his son too but as far as anyone else knew, Gustave wasn't his. He had to be careful, for a little longer anyway. He looked at Christine and motioned for her to go on ahead.
"I'll be right here, when you are ready to go, Christine. I'll escort you back. Take all the time you need."
A few minutes later Christine emerged.
"He looked very happy, Ms. Fleck and peaceful. I can't thank you enough."
"Nonsense, I love having him here. I can bring him back first thing in the morning."
"That won't be necessary, Ms. Fleck. Christine and I will pick him up."
"Sounds fine, Mr. Y. You both have a good evening."
When they were outside, Erik took Christine's hand. "Are you alright?"
She nodded. "Yes. I'm a foolish, overprotective mother. I'm fine."
"Would you...Would you like to see my place?"
"Mr. Y, it's very late…"
"Would you like to sleep over?"
She smirked. "I suppose we should take advantage of this opportunity to be alone."
"I'll get us a carriage."
"A carriage? Why can't we walk?"
"Angel, it's going to rain."
"Since when are you afraid of a little rain?"
"Me? Afraid?"
"Are you?"
"Certainly not."
"Race me."
"What?"
She giggled. "Unless you're too old…."
"Too old?! Challenge accepted. And just for that, I'm not going to tell you where I live." He started to run off and she laughed while chasing after him.
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Earlier that night at Phantasma
"Nancy! Nancy!"
The girl turned around. "Meg? They told me you came back but I haven't seen you." She hugged her. "Are you here to stay?"
"Maybe. I don't know. Look, I was hoping we might go out tonight. You know just girl time. I could really use a good talk and I don't want to be alone."
"Ah Meg, I'd like that, but I promised Gustave I would show him how to swim."
Meg froze. "Gustave?"
"Ms. Daae's son. He's a real cutie. Have you met him?"
Meg rolled her eyes. "You know once upon a time, the so-called Ms. Daae was my best friend... Of course, I know him!" She sounded angry.
"Calm down. Look, we'll catch up tomorrow night, ok? My treat."
Meg forced a smile. "Sure. Say, how about I come along with you?"
"You?"
"What? I'm a better swimmer than you, anyway. It will be fun. Kids love me."
Nancy nodded. "Well, I suppose it will be alright. Come on."
A/N: Uh oh…..
