P R O L O G U E
It had all started with that one glance that told me that he had known suffering as well. The night he disappeared was the night I knew I was in love with him. Ever since that eventful night, I have waited for this opportunity. My hopes are set too high, and I know it, but I've returned to this Opera House once more in pursuit of a wish that may be long lost.
That night in the opera house was the opening night of the Don Juan Triumphant. I was curious to see it, since the Opera House did not parade it about, as it had with it's other masterpieces. There's no way on earth I could have managed to purchase even one ticket.
"Don't even bother," my closest friend Aurélie had dismissed the idea the moment she saw my eyes catch on the board at the Opera House.
The night of the opera came. Aurélie rushed me into the building away from the drunks who laid outside the door. As we mounted the stairs to out shared room, our landlord glowered at us, sticking his oily face into the hall, and snarled, "Your rent's due." Aurélie tugged on my hand and ran into our room. She quickly shut and locked the door behind me.
A sigh of relief ran through both of us. I looked at Aurélie, her eyes shut, still standing against the door. She opened her tired grey eyes and matched my gaze, "Mirielle, I don't think I can stand living here anymore. That landlord just takes the life and money out of me. Oh, Dieu, at least the day is over. We don't have to clean another house until the day after tomorrow."
"I've been telling you, Aurélie, why don't I take up another job? I can handle it! With that anemia of yours, you have to be careful to avoid overworking yourself." I reminded her gently, taking up her torn shawl. She watched me work with grateful eyes as I quickly mended it.
"Thanks," she smiled as she folded her shawl and put it aside. "Well, it's Saturday night and I want to finish reading this Jane Austen before the landlord confiscates it." She lifted the treasure onto her lap and started reading silently. I hesitated for a minute, stalling for the right moment.
"Alright. Well—I'm going to go out and grab a snack. Maybe stop by and peek in the Opera House," I said casually as I walked out the door. Aurélie was too engaged in the world of Jane Austen to realize what I planned to do.