Where have my reviewers gone? No one filled out vacation slip; and if they did, I never saw them! I demand an explanation! I want everyone in my office first thing Monday morning!
……..sorry, I blanked out for a moment. (grinning sheepishly)
LadyAmandanthala – I understand what you are saying and that is exactly the reaction I was going for. I want people to get the impression that Meckenzie is a child protégé. She has the intelligence level, vocabulary level, and education level of a child much older than she is. I will try to make it more believable in the future. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
To:Pertie and Mlle. Fox – You wonderful ladies are my anchor – you have been with me since the beginning (My first fanfiction story, A Place in This World) and I value your opinion and your input.
Side note to Mlle.Fox – I am not good at writing the quick-witted dialogue you have mentioned that should take place with Karen and whomever she is talking to. I should have you help with these scenes - your character in "I Surrender All", was priceless….thank you for reading and being honest – for now, lets just take Karen as looking like Bette Midler, not so much acting like her.
To:tink20, jbwriter, Erik'sTrueAngel, Darth-Phantom-1870, Twinkle22, Secretly Secretly, PhantomLover05, Terpsichore314, PrincessAlyssa17, Angel.de.Musica, diamondsandpearls, MJMOD, princess07890, klgphan (anon.), mikabronxgirl, Spectralprincess, ForeverPhantoms, Geriks, Passed Over, fictionreader, JackieLu, CarolROI, Mini Nicka, Timeflies, LadyAmandanthala, terbear, mika (anon.), and designer kisses – I appreciate the time you take to read this (and some of you, others) story. Every word you say is read and makes me a better writer. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart.
God Bless.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Erik or Christine. They are the wonderful creation of Mr. Leroux – but ALW gave them depth and humanity – as did Kay. I do not own any lyrics that are used; they will be credited at the end of the chapter in which they appear.
I do however; own the plot and any original characters, which appear from the dark caverns of my mind.
Character portraits:
Erik – Gerard Butler (There is no other – not for me!)
Christine - Scarlett Johansson (with violet eyes, and a little more of a mature look)
Meckenzie -Emma Karwandy (from Butterfly on a Wheel)
Vince - Pierce Brosnan (slightly shorter)
Karen -Bette Midler (only about ten year's younger, seven inches taller, and long, brown hair)
Ms. Jennison-Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny from the latest Bond movies)
Mr. Lynch - Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie)
All other original characters, you can use your imagination.
Enjoy.
CHAPTER 11
The only student that Erik had left for the day was the little Daae girl. He had mixed emotions about this particular student. He knew that Vince and Karen were developing a relationship with the girl and her mother, but Erik was determined to remain aloof.
He was deep in thought when the door opened and a little wavy-haired, blond girl skipped into the room. One of her teachers had accompanied her, since she was a new student, but she would have no trouble finding the room again.
The school was designed on one floor with each room identified in Braille on the door, within the child's reach. Erik had made sure there would be few problems with the children finding their way to extracurricular classes, which took place after their academic classes were completed in the afternoon; after 2:00 pm.
Each child was assigned a teacher for the duration of their time at the school. The teachers were certified to teach all subjects to all grade levels. Class sizes were limited to about ten students per teacher.
"You must be Meckenzie Daae." Erik acknowledged as she came into the room.
Erik remembered her perky, upturned nose and the bright tone of her smile from her audition. He had been hidden in the shadows, but she had seemed to light the room. She was quite a lovely child and Erik could not help the envy that crept into his heart for the couple that had created such a beautiful little girl.
"Yes sir, Meckenzie Rae Daae – happy to make your acquaintance." Meckenzie chirped, flashing him a dazzling smile.
Erik could not stop the smile that touched his lips. If he wasn't careful, he would fall under her spell – just as Karen and Vince had. Her bright violet/blue eyes were the most unusual color he had ever seen, and they were completely untouched by the blindness.
"I am Mr. Erik Trudeau. I will be instructing you in voice and piano…for the immediate purposes, you may call me Mr. Erik." He stated.
Erik went and stood by the piano, "Meckenzie, I want you to follow the sound of my voice, it will guide you to the piano."
It only took a few seconds for her find him and Erik was impressed.
"You have a beautiful voice, Mr. Erik…it makes me feel all happy inside." Meckenzie said.
"Thank you, Meckenzie; now, let's begin with the scales and arpeggios."
The lesson was a delight. The child was already well instructed in the piano and Erik found himself smiling more than he had done in years; she was truly gifted.
"The only place I see that needs improvement, is your technique, and that is what my focus will be on. You have done well, Meckenzie, I am pleased." His deep, lulling voice uttered.
They moved right in to the voice lesson. Erik was impressed with her child-like voice. She had a sweet, high soprano with very little vibrato; this child was going to be a joy to watch grow into a magnificent performer – if that was her desire.
"Thank you, Meckenzie – that will be all." Erik announced, after she finished her last exercise. "Your next lesson is Wednesday at 4:30."
Meckenzie smiled in the direction of his voice, not knowing that he was watching her every move, to make sure she made it safely out the door. All she knew was that he had a wonderful speaking voice and seemed kind and patient.
As she approached the door, she turned back toward him, "Mr. Erik…will sing for me someday?"
Erik, pleasantly surprised by the question, decided he would enjoy that very much, "I would be honored."
'I see why Vince and Karen seem taken with the child, she is truly a delight.' Erik thought as he closed up the room. He would slip out the back door, without being seen – just as he always did.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"So, how did your music lessons go?" Christine asked Meckenzie as they drove home.
Meckenzie's face lit up and she smiled over at her mother, "They were wonderful! Mr. Erik is such a kind and patient man…and he has the most beautiful speaking voice."
"Really?" Christine inquired, "How interesting."
Christine found it amusing that her daughter enjoyed a beautiful speaking voice as much as she did. It was odd, since Raoul had not been gifted with a wonderful speaking voice. It was too late when she did discover where his gifts lay –"lay" being the definitive word.
"He taught me some new scales and I learned about different ar..pe…gos…" she knew she hadn't pronounced it right, but Christine just smiled at her. "…everyone says he is ugly…but I don't care – I want to be his friend." Meckenzie stated, concern showing on her little face. "There was such sadness in his beautiful voice – even more than I hear in your voice, mommy."
Christine almost cried at that statement. Her daughter had a rare gift with her empathetic heart. She sensed the needs of others and did her best to console or cheer – which ever worked best.
"It would seem that Mr. Erik has become your new project." Christine teased.
Meckenzie smiled, knowing her mother was teasing her, "Yep…he sure has…you have to come and meet him after one of my lessons – he needs more friends."
Christine smiled, "I will, sweetheart…now – what would you like for dinner?"
OOOOOOOOOOOO
The next couple of weeks past in a blur for Christine and Meckenzie; Christine's job was demanding, but satisfying and she enjoyed it very much.
Meckenzie's music lessons were coming along splendidly, and Christine could see and hear a noticeable different in her playing, the way she sat at the piano, her voice – everything. Mr. Erik, as she called him, was apparently the genius everyone had said he was.
Christine had been over to see Vince and Karen on a couple of occasions, since they were really the only friends she had in town.
This was one of those nights; she had been invited over for dinner and movie with Karen, Vince was out of town and she wanted some company.
"Hey, Christine; Meckenzie!" Karen harked, as she opened the door and gave the younger woman a hug and then pulled Meckenzie close for a bear hug.
"Hi, Ms. Karen." Meckenzie replied with a bright smile.
"Won't you both come in and we'll eat in a few minutes." Karen instructed, as she ushered them into the dining room.
Christine offered to help, but Karen would have none of it; so she sat at the table and carried on a conversation with her. Meckenzie went into the living room and listened to the cartoons Karen had put on for her.
"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" Christine inquired.
"Not at all." Karen prompted.
"How did you know Vince was 'the one'?"
Karen regarded Christine with a slight smile and blush. She had never shared this with anyone.
"You mean beyond the fact that he is HOT!" Karen exclaimed with a grin.
Christine laughed, nodding her head in agreement. She thought Vince was very attractive, in an "older guy" kind of way.
"It's different for everyone, kiddo – I knew the minute I laid eyes on him that he was the man for me." Karen stated, "He didn't seem phased by his own attractiveness, he didn't care that I wasn't 'model material', he laughed at my crazy antics and stupid jokes, he made me feel like I was the only woman in the world."
She paused to look at Christine and noticed the betrayal that had settled in her eyes. She sat down and put her had on Christine's hand, inviting the young woman to open up.
"I thought Raoul was the one for me…I was taken in by his handsome face and, probably more than that, I was seduced by what he could do for me." She murmured.
"Many a good woman has fallen prey to a handsome face which hid an ugly heart." Karen pointed out, "Don't think you are the first…and you won't be the last."
"He left me, Karen…he left me and his beautiful daughter." Christine hated the tears that were threatening to spill down her face. "Ultimately, I made him leave our lives on a physical plane, but he was gone long before that."
Karen watched the play of emotions on Christine's face. She had loved him…once…but that love was now a poisoned dart imbedded in her heart, which slowly ate away any affection she had ever had for the man. It left a deep, dark, gaping hole filled with anger and resentment.
"Don't let the actions of one man hinder your search for the man who will be all that you need him to be, kiddo…he could be just around the corner, at the local grocery store, or even at your place of employment." Karen winked and smiled, making Christine smile back at her.
"Are there any men left out there like Vince?" Christine asked, jestingly. "Does he have a younger brother…or a cousin, maybe?"
Karen closed one eye, pulled her cheek up toward her eye, and pursed her lips, "That's for me to know and for you to find out."
Christine didn't want Karen to know how serious she was. She had no desire to live the rest of her life without the love of a man – and not just any man – a man worthy of her love and the love of her daughter. So far, in her opinion, such a man did not exist.
"Tell you what, kiddo – I am going to arrange for you to meet a dear friend of ours…he will not allow the meeting if I inform him of my intentions, so I am going to have to bring it across as a chance encounter…" Karen schemed, "…are you up to it?"
Christine was intrigued, but guarded, "I don't know, Karen…a blind date?"
Karen smirked and shook her head, "Will ya trust me? I'm not going to introduce you to a mass murderer, a priest, a nerd, or any of the like…" She teased, "…he is rightfully withdrawn, as he has been viciously hurt by a woman in the past; he is highly intelligent, some would say he is a genius; he is artistic and creative…"
Christine started laughing and held up her hands in surrender, "Okay, okay!" She exclaimed, "I'll do it!"
"Good." Karen stated, "This coming Sunday he will be coming over for dinner." Karen put her finger to her chin, showing her intense thinking process, "Come by around 6:30ish and say you were in the area and wanted to know if I could go shopping with you…or to a movie…I don't care what excuse you come up with, just come up with one."
Christine smiled, "Let the games begin!"
They both smiled broadly, and then broke out in laughter.
They watched "Love Story" and "Somewhere in Time", and Meckenzie fell asleep on Christine's lap through the middle of the "Somewhere in Time". Christine gently picked her up and carried to the car, preparing to leave, when a beautiful, what appeared to be, Bronze Metallic BMW pulled into the townhouse driveway.
She watched as two men got out of the car and walked toward the front door where Karen was standing. Christine could see that one of the men was Vince; the porch light was on and he was not an easy man to miss – but it was the other man that captured Christine's attention.
He was slightly taller than Vince, which was saying quite a bit. Vince was 6'1", so this man had to be about 6'3". He was slender, but powerfully built; with a narrow waist and lean hips supported by long, graceful legs. Christine could not see his features, but what she could see of him was stunning.
'If he is indicative of your friends, Karen, I won't be disappointed.' Christine thought.
He moved with such elegance and poise, a rarity in today's men, that Christine could barely take her eyes off him. She would have to get Karen to introduce her to this man – he was an arresting figure, even in the dark.
Erik turned his head as a car started up and turned its lights on. He hadn't noticed it sitting there. He immediately recognized the car as being that of Christine Daae.
"Did you two have a fun time?" Vince asked, watching Christine pull away.
"Yes, we did. She is such a lot of fun to be around…and that Meckenzie – she's a livewire!" Karen stated.
Erik watched the two of them, admiring their love for each other, but also envious of it. He turned to leave, but not before Karen pulled him in for a hug.
"You really should meet her Erik, she's different than the others." Karen said with calm assurance.
Erik didn't say anything, he just smiled sadly and said goodbye
TBC