Chapter 31

Poppy found out that being tutored by Erik was no picnic. Erik surprisingly, was patient, but unwavering. It was Poppy that lost her patience several times. It first started when Poppy kept hitting the wrong note. It was to be a high C, but she could only go an octave lower.

"Stop! You'll strain your voice if you keep doing that!" Erik interrupted.

Poppy gritted her teeth, "I'm not a soprano. Only a mezzo. It's hard for me to hit this note."

Erik nodded, "I know. But you can. Don't tighten your throat. Relax it, and breath from your diaphragm. Now try it." He played the same note.

Poppy took a deep breath and did as he said and……let out a really sour C. She blushed and clapped her hands over her mouth. When she did, Erik's fingers slipped on the keys, making the organ crash. He turned to stare at her. "What was that?"

Poppy shook her head, beet red, trying to choke back her laughs. It was not really funny, but she couldn't help it. The sound that she had just made would've shamed Carlotta. Poppy couldn't hold back her laughs any more. She burst out laughing.

Erik's eyebrow rose. "So, you think it's a laughing matter?"

Poppy finally composed herself. She lightly cleared her throat, "No. It just hit me funny at the moment. But, Erik it's too high. I can't sing the note."

Erik though for a minuet, "Ok, let's try something new. Let's move you into a different posture." And he did so, moving her until she stood right beside him. "Now head back and feet apart. Good. Who taught you before?"

"A mediocre teacher."

Erik didn't say a word.

"I know that silence! So don't look at me like that! It was hard trying to find a teacher that didn't want a signed parent's slip. He was desperate for money, so he didn't ask for one. So long as I had the money up front, he didn't care." Poppy glared at him, "It was ether that or nothing!"

Erik laughed and held his hands up, "Easy there. I was just wondering. Very well, forget every thing he taught you. Just listen to me."

"Yes, oh my great Maestro." Poppy quipped sarcastically, "I'm sorry. We are trying to accomplish the impossible."

"No we are not. Now lets try again." Erik turned back to the organ. Playing once again, he nods as her voice became much better, almost hitting the troublesome note. He stopped halfway though the song, making corrections before she damaged her voice. "You are still straining your voice." He walked behind her, "breathe deeply into your diaphragm. It will allow you to carry the long notes out longer. Your voice will carry better."

Poppy took a deep breath and held it for a minute, stretching her lungs. She slowly let out. Holding good form, she beginning to sing again. The small changes made a grave difference. Halfway though, Erik suddenly places his hand on the small of her back the other on her stomach and presses, making her hit the longed for high C.

Poppy shivered as he pulled his hands away.

"Now, I'll play, you sing." He paused, "Now relax. Do it again."

Silly Ghost, I can't relax when you pull stunts like that! I can't even concentrate properly when you're around. Poppy thought, trying to remember how to breathe. She nodded, "Play."

Erik begins to play again, feeling pleased when her voice hit the high C. With out a word he played the song again, without stopping. Again she hit all the correct notes. He stopped and looked up at her. She looked shocked. He let out a small chuckle. "What's wrong?"

Poppy shook her head and smiled down at him, "No words. Thank you Erik."

"Welcome. You are ready, but we will still practice."

Poppy walked up to him and set down beside him. "But, it will still be hard. Tempers will fly." He warned. She laid her head on his shoulder, "Can't wait."