Meg: For the first time in my life my mother was not going to hover over me. Not only that, but she was allowing me to go with a man such as Erik. It was unusual, deceitful almost. I looked back to make sure my mother wasn't following us in the shadows, but no, she was really gone. Erik was examining the map, and I fell into step with him.
It was the first time I'd ever been actually been out of Paris, and I relished the countryside. We spent the day looking at buildings, and Erik told me all about how hard stonemason's worked to create the arches and columns. I'd never realized how interesting architecture really was. We visited a museum later on, and had lunch at a small bistro.
Erik was trying to teach me Italian, but I had a hard time grasping the unfamiliar tounge. Late in the afternoon we walked along the boulevard, discussing all that we had seen. We saw my mother walking along the boulevard, and caught up to her.
My mother came towards us holding two fans. "Here, your cheeks are flushed." She handed me one and we three walked along; only then did I realize the fans weren't for fanning ourselves in the cool Italian breeze, but for hiding Erik's mask by waving them on ourselves slightly in front of him.
He made no comment, and we stopped to watch a street performer. After we gave the man a few generous tips we visited a small theater; where Erik and my mother quietly translated the plot for me. Afterwords we went to a small restaurant, and as always we sat far away from the other customers in a shadowy table.
Erik and I continued to practice my Italian and my mother helped. After we returned to our room we each used the bathroom, and Erik nodded for me to come outside. My mother didn't seem to mind, and I followed. He led me around back and I began to feel uneasy. All during the day I had felt safe and content, actually enjoying the time we spent together.
Yet now, in the darkness, I was agitated. Erik soon dispelled this agitation, however, when he asked me "See how the position of the stars has changed since we left France? The only star that retains it's latitude position is that one." He pointed to a bright white star and I smiled. He had wanted me to accompany him in his star-gazing!
I asked, "Is that the north star?" He nodded and pointed to a small cluster of stars next to that, "Always follow that North Star if your lost. Those stars next to it change depending on your current direction." He pointed each way and said, "North, East, South, West." I asked him more questions and we spent a good while talking about astronomy.
When we returned to the room my mother was already asleep. Erik whispered to me, "I actually had a good time today. Perhaps tomorrow we can tour the country. I would like to draw."
I nodded and whispered back, "That would be fun. Goodnight Erik." He whispered back, "Goodnight Meg." I curled up next to my mother and fell asleep.
Erik: Three weeks flew by in astounding speed. I spent the days with Meg touring all about the Italian countryside. I drew the gorgeous fields, the lush foilage that grew alongside ancient homes, and the marvelous buildings along the boulevards.
We visited the many Piazzos, the astonishing work of Michelangelo, and the islands with connecting canals that made up Venice. I even ventured a small trip with Ann and Meg along the canals, and Meg held my hand as we floated along.
Ann would meet us in the late afternoon, and together the three of us explored all that Italy had to offer. I had never felt so content, so peaceful.
Of course there were times when I thought of Christine, many times, and I wondered how Raoul was taking care of her. I wondered where they had gone for their honeymoon, and if Christine was actually happy.
I tried not to show my inner feelings, and in Italy, it was easy to lose myself within it's beauty. It was true that second to France, Italy was my favorite country. None of the people that saw us were too cruel in their stares, and I only heard one jest about me as we walked along. Ann's constant fluttering fan made me feel quite secure, and Meg's presence by my side assured that no person would look twice in the direction of an eccentric man and his young companion.
We visited museums, theaters, parks, and beaches. Late at night when Ann was asleep I would take Meg out and teach her about Astronomy. Mark's Square was the best place to go for a glimpse at the stars, and I would gladly answer all of Meg's questions. The only places I would not enter into presence were the magnificent, marvelous churches that rose so majestically into the sky.
I was still afraid of my sins, and the fear that God had abandoned me. It took all that I had to draw them from a distance, and I refused to look too closely. Finally, after a week, I decided to travel further.
Ann asked if I still planned to visit The Vatican, and I nodded yes. I did indeed want to see the architecture of Rome, and I wanted to glimpse the structures of the most holy place on Earth.
It didn't matter if I burned up into smoke at my first step into the Great Square, I was going to see it. We hitched up our horses and rode south.
Ann: Ah, Italy! The smell of the fresh salty air, mingled with the scent of hot spices. The sights of the vineyards, the beautiful, luscious hills and green pastures.I had become comfortable with Meg and Erik's friendship, and it allowed me some time to do my own personnel reflections.
I would spent the mornings walking along the beaches, exploring the boulevards, and sipping a few wines. For nearly twenty years I had been shut up inside that Opera, teaching tiny brats the monotonous steps of Ballet. I had been Erik's cohort, his puppet on a string, and now I was able to escape those pressures and release my spirit into the intoxicating beauty that was Italy.
I even felt myself feeling rather giddy when a young, handsome man told me I was quite a lovely and gorgeous French-woman. In the late afternoons and early evenings I would catch up with Meg and Erik, and they would tell me about their day. We watched street performers and peddlers, and enjoyed ourselves immensely.
I did begin to wonder, however, where Erik took Meg every night. I was of course surprised to find that Meg had an interest in Astronomy, and I felt there was no need to stifle her curiosity. So long as Erik remained a gentleman. That was my only fear, my worry that never went away. Megan was quite a young woman now, and in the prime of her health.
Of course I wanted a fine marriage for her, and I wouldn't have minded if she met some nice Italian man. It was only that during our entire time in northern Italy she never left Erik's side, and never ventured off by herself.
They would ride their horses side by side, and I once caught Meg grasping Erik's hand in the canals of Venice, although he appeared uncomfortable.
All together, when we rode off towards Rome, a gnawing sensation began to manifest within me.