Satine and I ran into my apartment. I threw some shirts and some pants into a suitcase. She tossed in some of her dresses and diamonds - we needed money. I kissed her and we left, leaving my room abandoned, but I did not sell it. Deep down in my gut I knew I would return, as good as the dream was, it wasn't enough to disguise the reality of our actions.
We boarded the first train, not caring where it was going. Luckily, it was to London, if this was fate or a freak accident I'll never know.
She looked at me, smiling so happily as we stepped onto the train. She sat down and I sat next to her, putting my arm around her and kissing her forehead. She felt cold.
"Is everything alright?" I asked her, feeling her brow.
"Perfect." She replied kissing my cheek, leaving a red lipstick mark. I grinned and immediately a song came into my head.
"All my bags are packed
I'm ready to go
I'm sitting here next to you
I'd hate to leave you, to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin'
This early morn
The train is waitin'
He's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so happy I could cry" I began, putting my spare hand around her waist. She began to giggle so I continued to serenade her.
"So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll come with me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause we're leaving on a steam train
Don't know when we'll be back again
Oh babe I'm glad to go"
"There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now
They don't mean a thing
Every place I go
I go with you
Every song I sing
I sing for you
I won't come back
I'll wear your wedding ring" Sung she, her voice calming and serene. "So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll come with me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause we're leaving on a steam train
Don't know when we'll be back again
Oh babe I'm glad to go"
We both then sang together. "Now the time has come to leave this place
One more time
Let me kiss you
Close your eyes
We'll go on our way
Dream about the days to come
When we won't have to live alone
About the time when I don't have to say........Leavin' on a steam train..."
"I'm happy." I sighed. "This is what I want - what I need."
"I feel the same way - this is us, our future. What will we do in England?" Asked she. I opened my mouth to reply but the train jerked and began to roll away.
After a few hours, the question I pondered, the question I was last asked, was asked again. 'What will we do in England?'. I paused again and looked as though I knew.
I grinned happily pretending I had the answer. I opened my mouth and closed it again. Several times. "We'll..." I began. We'll what? If I brought Satine home my father would
literally kill me and my mother would most certainly prevent our love from continuing. I had no money, I had not earned a penny in the past five to ten weeks at least and the
only money we owned we had spent on the train tickets. It was Satine who brought in the money - all Satine. She was looking at me expectantly. I grinned again "We'll...We'll..."
I coughed slightly and began to looked around tapping my fingers together.
"We'll...?" Said Satine. She took my hands and held them still looking into my eyes. "What will we do?"
"We'll stay with my father until I get a steady income. I am sure someone will want to use my work!" Just as I said that the train screeched to a stop and I ran off, Satine following closely behind.
We stood on the platform. She looked so excited, like a small child on her first outing. But I suppose that is what can be expected - had she ever left the Moulin Rouge? I doubted it.
She looked so perfect that I moved my hand into her soft hair and kissed her perfect lips.
"What was that for?" She asked.
"For being you, the woman I love." I kissed her again and she pulled away.
"Christian..." She started. I moved in to kiss her again but she turned her back on me. "Not here."
"Why should we hide our love?" Questioned I.
"Because we should." She finished, walking into the freedom of the world.