Chapter 2- Who Said Money Grows on Trees?

It been a little over two weeks since that fateful night when Christine's parents died and her abusive boyfriend drove away in her car. Now Christine was continuing to live in her parent's house and school has started again. Christine had been having a hard time finding a job that could work around the hours that she wasn't in school. But luckily, Meg had been dancing in the latest opera at the local theater and managed to get Christine a spot as a dancer also. Dancing wasn't one of her major priorities, but she didn't completely lack in talent when it came to it. The money was decent, but Christine knew it wasn't near enough to get by on. The problem was she couldn't find another job that could accommodate her hours.

After classes that day, Christine rushed home to get ready for a rehearsal at the theater, when she noticed she had a message on her answering machine. She quickly went over to press the play button while changing into some more comfortable clothes. A man's voice came over the speaker:

Hello, Christine Daae? This is Richard Davis, your parents' lawyer. I'm terribly sorry for the short notice, but we really need you to come down to 407 Main Street to discuss some details involving your parents passing. If you could possibly be there by 5:00 that would be great. I know this is probably an inconvenience to you but if you have any questions you can reach me at 972-754-0836. .

Christine stopped the answering machine, puzzled. Details involving my parents passing? What could that mean? She ran through the possibilities in her mind before picking up the phone again. She dialed Meg's cell.

"Hello?" Meg answered.

"Hey Meg, it's me. I can't make it to rehearsal today, so can you tell Mr. Shay that something important came up?"

"Sure. Where are you going?"

"I'll tell you as soon as I know." Christine glanced at the clock. 4:40. "Oh shoot. I got to go or I'm going to be late. Bye, thanks Meg!"

Not even bothering to wait for Meg's response, Christine hung up the phone and changed, once again, into something nicer.

As Christine walked into the big, boring looking building, she began to wonder if she should be nervous. Since her parent's death, Christine had been making sure she wasalways busy so she would never have aspare moment to let her thoughts linger to the memories of her parents. That night was such a disaster that she just wanted to block outthe memoriescompletely. And now, here she was, about to go talk to some stranger about them.

After asking the secretary about the man who'd left her the message, she found his office and knocked on the door.

"Come in," a deep, resonant voice beckoned.

Christine slowly opened the door and stepped into the large, butcozy office.

"Ah, you must be Christine. Pleasure to meet you, and thank you for coming on such short notice. Now, would you like some tea or coffee?" Richard offered after shaking Christine's hand.

"No thank you. Please excuse me, but could you tell me why exactly I'm here, Mr. Davis?" Christine hesitantly asked.

For a brief moment Richard's eyes seemed to sadden before he straightened up and took some papers out of a desk drawer. "Mrs. Daae, in your parents' will they left you everything. The house, the furniture, and their money. Unfortunately, as we were going through their accounts we found that theyhad some financial troubles. They'd been having hard times paying their house mortgage and bills. So that leaves you with hardly any money at all. And it seems like you don't exactly have the best financial situation right now either. Therefore, we strongly advise you to sell your current house and move into an apartment. Also, your parents were in quite a bit of debt for the loans they had taken out. They planned on having the money paid back before they died but now, unfortunately, the debt has been passed to you."

Christine sat back in her chair, shocked. My parents had financial problems? I have to sell the house? Oh boy… Christine thought to herself. I knew I should've been nervous.

"Where are you currently working now?" Richard asked, hoping to help her any way he could. Christine was caught off guard by his question, having been lost in her own thoughts.

"Oh, well I'm dancing in the production of Il Muto at the nearby theater," Christine replied, a bit uncertain. Richard knew that probably didn't pay near enough to equal the amount she needed to pay back her parent's loan.

"And you're taking some courses at the community college here, correct?"

"Yes. Music theory and literature."

"What job did you plan on having after you finished these courses?" Richard asked.

"Well, I've always wanted to compose lyrics for operas, but at this age, directors only want people who are experienced." Christine began to blush a bit. She wondered why he was asking all these questions. She half expected him to tell her the bad news then throw her out, leaving her to figure things out on her own.

"You know what Ms. Daae? I have a friend, well, acquaintance really, who's in my debt. He's an opera director and I might be able to convince him to hire you if he knew your situation. How about I call him and then get in touch with you and let you know what he says?" Richard asked, hoping she would agree.

Christine was thrilled. This was the chance of a lifetime. It was what she'd always wanted to do, but, she there was a problem.

"Mr. Davis, thank you for your help, but I don't think it would work. I'm already in an opera and taking college courses. I'm cut for time enoughas it is." Richard thought the poor girl looked exasperated.

"Not to worry. I'm sure Il Muto can be short one dancer. And as for your classes, you could take courses over the summer. I know they offer them."

Christine hadn't thought about that. The theater had seemed a bit overloaded with dancers. She wasn't that good anyway. I'm sure they wouldn't miss me.

"Then I accept your offer. Thank you so much Mr. Davis. If there's anything I can ever do for you, just let me know." She started gathering her stuff, and some paper work she'd been given, preparing to leave. Richard stood also, saying again that he would call. They shook hands and Christine drove home.

As Christine lay in bed that night, she reviewed all the events that had happened that day. Her thoughts began to wonder to how Mr. Davis said she would have to sell her house. Tears came to her eyes at the thought. Where will I go? Christine wondered. This is the only place I've ever lived. This house holds so many memories of my parents. If I sell it...what will happen to my memories?

As thoughts such as these ran throughout her mind most of the night, Christine couldn't help but crying herself to sleep. She prayed to God that things would be better in the morning.

A/N: Thank so much to the people who reviewed. This is an E/C fic, and I garuntee that Erik will come soon. I won't be able to update until after vacation so farewell until then. Review, please!

Your humble servant,

Greek-Phantomphan