The Fine Print: Daniel Knauf and HBO own Carnivale and, unfortunately, Justin and Iris.

Minutes Like Hours

By twinb80

Chapter Ten: Music Lessons

Iris closed the door to room 15 at the Inn. In her hands she carried a basket filled with fresh towels for the guests. The Inn had been having a successful season and the rooms were filed with important guests and their families. She had been at work since eight that morning ad was looking forward to leaving early at four that afternoon. It had been three months since she began an affair with Norman. And so far he had been right concerning her fear of becoming pregnant. Her monthly visitor had always come on schedule and she was never late like that time before.

As she headed down the hallway she quietly hummed a song to herself. Singing had always been an outlet for her as a child growing up in the Church. As a young girl singing had also filled the gap in her lessons from living in Russia. She had been fortunate a month after the fight with Laura Tolken to continue her piano lessons. Rose had found her at the family's piano playing a piece her Mother had taught her. Iris had thought Rose was outside hanging laundry to try and had taken the opportunity to sneak playing a song. Iris did not think that Rose would become upset with her for playing the piano. But she knew that even playing the piano might make Rose suspicious of her past. Instead, Rose had in fact been surprised and astonished when she walked back into the house and found Iris playing. By age twelve, Iris had taken lessons for the past seven hours and her teacher had considered her playing to be above age level. The piano and singing had been two of her favorite lessons growing up in Russia. Rose had been so taken with her playing that she had signed her up for more lessons the next day.

Her lessons had continued for a few more years and now she found them coming in handy. Her manager Mr. Williams had asked her to give private lessons to two young girls staying at the end. The girls come from a prominent East Coast family and were staying at the Inn while their Father was on business. Iris had been surprised when Mr. Williams had asked her earlier that in the week. He had quickly explained that he had heard through the grapevine that she could play at an advanced level and wondered if she would like to pass on her knowledge. He had also explained to her that he had heard that she was working to pay for her brother's schooling and had figure that a little extra income might help matters along. Iris had been taken back by the request but she quickly thanked him for thinking of her. Giving piano lessons would bring her some extra income towards Justin's schooling and having a home of their own.

Iris quickly made her way downstairs and dropped the laundry basket off with another on of the workers. She had just enough time to tidy herself up before heading over to the Inn's ballroom. There she found 12 year old Lisa and 10-year-old Beth Lennox waiting for her. The girls were well mannered and Iris found them to be a delight to be around. They were eager students and found their lessons to be fun. The next hour found Iris teaching the girls a new song with an occasional guest stopping by the ballroom. Since the guests never said anything, Iris had let the matter slide. Her co-workers had stopped by in the beginning as if her playing was a foreign ability she had suddenly acquired. Their questioning faces had made Iris wonder who had informed Mr. Williams of her playing. But since her co-workers never said anything it was another matter she let slide. The lesson was almost over when Lisa began to giggle. She had been sitting in a chair patiently waiting as Beth sat next to Iris on the piano bench learning new notes. Iris did not look up as Lisa continued to giggle into her hand. Without looking up Iris finally asked her what was so funny. The question made her giggle some more and set Beth into motion as well.

"Lisa...your lesson is almost over...can this wait? What is so funny?" Iris asked again.

"That man over there is staring at you." Lisa said pointing to the doorway.

Startled Iris turned towards the doorway part of her fearing to find Norman there. She let out a small sigh as her eyes landed on Justin and she smiled at him. Her smile made the girls giggle more and iris rolled her eyes.

"Ok girls. Your lesson time is up. Would you like to meet my brother over there?"

The girls looked at one another and nodded their heads. Iris took each by the hand and walked over to Justin. Introductions were next and the girls suddenly became shy. Lisa looked down at her shoes while Beth continued to stare at Justin, eyes wide. Iris had forgotten how impressive her brother's height could be to a child. They walked over to the Inn's lobby and waited for the girl's mother to appear. The other guests looked at them and smiled over their newspapers. They appeared a ready-made family and Iris did not find the need to correct them. Finally, Mrs. Lennox appeared and after thanking Iris left with the girls in tow. Iris could now spend time with her brother and question him why he wasn't in school. But she did not want to do that with the rest of the Inn watching her. Justin waited as she ran and clocked out, grabbing her coat on the way out. They didn't speak until they were outside the Inn and walking on the sidewalk.

"Justin, I am very happy to see you. But why aren't you in school?'

He didn't say anything but merely smiled and opened the door to a local cafe they had happened upon. They sat down and a waiter came and took their orders. Justin finally spoke after the waiter had brought them their coffee. " Can't I come by and surprise my sister?"

"Well, yes, of course...but does your school know you are here?"

Justin smiled mischievously at her and Iris found herself returning the smile. "Actually, no. My school doesn't know am here. I'm playing hooky and thought you might need some excitement as well."

Iris laughed and agreed with Justin. They soon finished their coffee and were walking down the sidewalk once more. As they walked, Iris could see out of the corner of her eye other women stop and stare as Justin walked by. For an instant, jealousy ran through her, but it was soon replaced with calmness as she realized that Justin was not returning the women's stares. Instead, he continued to tell her about school and how much he missed being with her. Their walk back ended back at the Inn where Iris had left the car that morning. As the car pulled away from the Inn, it occurred to her that Justin had walked from the train station to the Inn. When she asked him about this he had jokingly replied: " Well, yeah, how else do you think I got there? By magic?" She giggled at his remark and he was soon laughing along with her. They pulled into the driveway and found Rose and Norman in the living room. They were surprised to see Justin, but soon saw how happy Iris had become, so they didn't ask too many questions.

To Norman's eye, Iris appeared more happy and full of life as she sat next to Justin on the sofa. Iris had never said anything to Justin about them, but Norman still wondered if Justin suspected anything. Over the course of a few months, Norman and Iris had met discretely and taken pleasure in each other's bodies. Rose had, to Norman's eye, not suspected what was going on. And because of this, she had unknowingly given them a few opportunities when she joined a Woman's Book Club that met twice a week. During that time, Norman and Iris had ended up back in the guest room. Their lovemaking was intense and heightened by the fact that Rose could return sooner than planned. But she never did. And now Justin was home unannounced on a night Rose was going to her Book Club. Norman found himself resenting Justin being home, but tried not to show it. Iris was overjoyed to have her brother home and that was all that mattered.
Norman found himself alone with Justin in the living room as Rose and Iris began to make dinner. Talk soon turned to sports and Norman soon found himself lost in the conversation, forgetting what might have happened that night. As Iris and Rose prepared dinner, they talked about the latest book Rose was reading. Joining the Book Club had opened up a world of literature for Rose and Iris was happy for this.

As Iris began to set the table, she thought about how strange her life had become in the past few months. Here she was at twenty-seven years of age, and she was a Reverend's mistress. And not just any man's mistress, but Norman Balthus's. Her nights with Norman were filled with passion, but she also knew the nights were filled with lust. She did not kid herself in regards to this. She knew Norman liked nice things, like his new car or a new suit every now and then. She also knew that Norman was not in love with her. She was happy about this, because she was not in love with him. She could not be in love with him, because she loved somebody else. Not that she didn't love him as a person who had been kind to her. She did love him that way, but she wasn't in love with him. They cared about one another; there was no question about that. No, their affair was about passion and lust. It was just sex, and Iris planned on keeping it that way.

She had finished setting the table, and called Justin and Norman to the table. Iris found it ironic that Rose did not suspect what was going on under her own roof, but Rose had not always known what went on under her roof and Iris was not about to be telling her. It was more ironic to Iris that she could find herself talking with Rose and not feel remorseful about screwing her husband the minute Rose walked out the door. It was just the way thing were. She still cared for Rose and considered her to be a friend as well as her guardian, but she did not feel awful at her actions regarding Norman and his marriage. Justin was home tonight, and that was all that matter. All thoughts of Norman and Rose were pushed to the side as Iris sat at the table with her family and enjoyed their meal and Justin's presence.