Erik

I haven't told Christine, but I'm almost as glad that Buquet has left as Carlotta and Piangi. He's the only person in the theater to have ever gotten a good look at me. If I start taking Christine out into the city, it will be good to know there will be no one around who can recognize me as the Opera Ghost. I thought about it a great deal last night, and for her sake I know I must try. There's no time like the present, and I think I had better do it before I lose my nerve.

"Would you like to go to dinner in a cafe tonight, my dear?"

She's staring at me in complete astonishment. "Dinner in a cafe?"

My lips twitch into a smile. "That's what I said."

"I would love to, but are you sure?"

I am about as far from sure as it's possible to be, but I am determined to do this for her. "Quite sure."

I dress in the clothes I wore the night I brought Christine down here for the first time, I know she's partial to them. She chooses a sparkling gown of midnight blue velvet. Her hair is half up and half down, styled with a set of diamond studded combs. She looks exquisite.

As we stroll through the streets of Paris, I get many curious stares and several people do a double take. With Christine on my arm, I hold my head high. A few people make eye contact and I nod at them. Some even smile and tip their hats. I can't help but wonder if this is a dream.

Christine points out a cafe she'd like to try. "I've heard it's excellent.

The maître d' barely gives my mask a second glance and seats up graciously. Our waiter also seems completely unfazed by my appearance as he tells us the evening's specials. After we both order roast beef and herbed vegetables, he points out a selection on the wine menu, "Monsieur, might I recommend this? It should complement your meal nicely."

The wine is a favorite of mine. "Yes, please. An excellent suggestion."

Once he bustles away to place our order Christine smiles at me softly. "You see, Erik? You're just another eccentric Parisian. Heaven knows this city is full of them."

"Speaking of that, did you see that man with the chicken on a leash on our way over?"

Christine giggles. "Yes, it was wearing a little coat and everything!"

"I suppose in these temperatures, if I had a pet chicken I would fit it with a coat as well." Now that I think of it, I'm fairly certain I did my own bit of staring at the man and his chicken.

The cafe is tastefully decorated with cream colored tablecloths and elegant, brass light fixtures. There's a large stacked stone fireplace with a roaring fire. A man is playing a pianoforte in the corner. The meal is delicious and we have a splendid time as we eat and chat. When we are leaving, the maître d' asks, "Was everything to your satisfaction?"

"Yes, it was wonderful," I answer with a smile.

"Thank you, Monsieur. Have a good evening and come back soon."

I'm walking on air as we return to the opera. Never in my dizziest daydreams did I ever imagine that I would be able to do something as normal as going to a cafe with my wife. A window display in a jewelers shop catches my eye. Emboldened by our experience at dinner, I steer Christine inside.

"May I help you?" The shopkeeper smiles broadly at us.

"Tell me about the necklace and earrings on display in the window."

"Ah! You have excellent taste, Monsieur." He retrieves the pieces. "Diamonds and sapphires set in white gold."

"The price?"

He jots a figure down and shows it to me. The jewelry is just as expensive as it looks, but thankfully I've brought enough with me.

"We'll take it."

"Erik, no! I don't need…"

"It's not about what you need," I interrupt. "It's about what you deserve."

"Quite right, Monsieur!" The shopkeeper proclaims as he boxes and wraps the pieces for us.

Christine is staring at me pensively. "Erik, can you give us a moment please?"

I'm nonplussed, but I agree and step outside the shop to wait. A few minutes later, Christine comes out with a small, secret smile on her face.

"What was that about?"

"You'll see," she says mysteriously. "Thank you for the necklace and earrings."

"You're welcome, my love."

Just as Christine said, I notice several more peculiar people on our walk back. One has not only her hair, but also the hair of her poodle dyed a garish shade of blue. Another is wearing an absolutely enormous hat, leaving others with no choice but to give him a very wide berth. I wonder if that's the point. Another is walking around with a large parrot on his shoulder. Maybe she's right, maybe others simply view my mask as just another idiosyncrasy among many.

Once we arrive home, Christine takes a small box out of her handbag and approaches me. "I didn't have one to give you the night we married." She opens the box to reveal a simple, masculine, white gold wedding band. She slips it onto my finger. "With this ring, I thee wed."

I can't speak around the lump in my throat, so I simply pull her into my arms and kiss her.