Chapter 1

"Christine I love you…." and then she was gone. He sobbed, knowing the finality of her exit, crying her name over and over. Each cry pulled at my heart. Tears ran down my cheeks, salty upon my lips. I loved the Phantom. I loved this show, it's story of redemption.

"It's over now, ... the music ... of the... night!" and his beautiful voice filled the theater as the music swelled in accompaniment. The finality felt as if a knife were twisted within my gut and more tears welled, spilling forth. Why did this hurt so much? The show was my first love and a comfort when life hurt. Poor Erik. I wish you were mine to love.

Many of us lingered reluctant to say good-bye to the show, to the theater. Part of me yearned to be my twelve year old self that wanted to hide in the theater so it would never end. I whispered, "I would have loved you, Erik. Choose me." My fingers played with the arm of my seat. The ushers stood to the side, refraining from rushing us. I had come alone, wanting only to say farewell in my own manner.

An older man with a darkened complexion made his way down the aisle to me. "You have been here all week," he said softly. I nodded and he offered me a handkerchief. He reminded me of my father who used to carry them and new tears fell. "The show is special to me," I said, trying to explain my costly expenditure.

The seat creaked as he sat down beside me. "You love him don't you,"

"Yes, He deserved some happiness."

"Would you care for him if he were real?"

Odd choice of words, but maybe he was writing an article for one of the news outlets. Obsessed Phan girl cries over Phantom leaving. "I would like to think that I would. I have seen the show enough, his looks don't shock or disgust me. I hate it when she unmasks him and runs, rejecting him. And at the end I always want her to keep the ring and to choose him. He changed."

"Would you like a momento to remember him?"

Oh so he worked with the show. I nodded.

He reached to his pinkie finger and withdrew his ring, holding it out just as Erik had on stage. I took it and skipped it on to my left ring finger. A perfect fit. It felt momentarily warm. I reached with my right hand to caress the black stone. "Thank you, but won't they miss it, want it for another production?"

No, he needed someone with great empathy to be its keeper."

"Who?"

"Erik, of course."

I smiled. He was playing into my love of the show and it was sweet. I didn't think my evening would end with a smile. "Thank you."

I slowly made my way down the aisle to the side doors and into the crisp evening air as I walked the few blocks to my AirBnb. I let scenes and songs play over in my head. The cast and crew had been superb. I am sorry they had to say good-bye too. I mentally wished them well on their next endeavor.

xxx

Thank you for reading.