Chapter 37

The day before Don Juan was wild. There were last minute preparations, costume fittings, rehearsals, and set building. Reyer had finally caught Poppy so that she could rehearse with Piangi. He was a nice man. She liked him, but didn't like him touching her. It may have only been rehearsals, but she couldn't help shuddering every time. Reyer finally deemed that they were ready. Poppy nodded to Piangi as she left the stage area. Mme. Giry met her.

"Hello, Mme. Giry. Is anything wrong?" Poppy inquired.

"No. Nothing is wrong. But I do have to talk to you. So, if you may, follow me." Mme. Giry told her, "Come."

With Poppy following her, they made their way though the turmoil. They arrived to Mme. Giry's room. Pushing Poppy inside, Mme. Giry closed the door. "Sit down please." Poppy sat down in a chair, as Mme. Giry did the same.

"Poppy, Erik has told me the truth a bout you. That you are for the future. This can be possible, so I'll not think too much on it, for it explains your words and actions. As for the future, you already knew about him. I feel that you don't know everything about him." Poppy opened her mouth, but Mme. Giry stopped her, "if you are thinking that I'm trying to turn you away from him, you are wrong. You need to know his past. He would tell you is self, but it is too painful. Listen and understand. Years ago, I went to a traveling fair. I was 12. I have never been to one before. There were strong men, jugglers, and performing monkeys. There was also a freak show. At the end of the line there was a cage on wheels. The bars were almost a foot apart. I couldn't see what animal it contained." Poppy had a feeling that she knew. Mme. Giry continued. "I heard the clank of chains and saw something laying on the straw inside. Just then a beefy, red-faced man came up. He offered rotten fruit and other disgusting items. "Have a go, pelt the devil's child!" The thing in the cage came up closer. I then saw that it was only a little boy. The right side of his face was disfigured. It was cut, bruised. People around me cried out in fear and disgust, running away. But not me. Child, I have seen pain in the eyes of wounded and dying men, but I have never seen pain as I have seen in his. I had a toffee apple, walking up to the cage I gave it to him. The red-face man began to yell at me. I, flinched, and turned to run as well. When I looked back, the man was beating, the boy. I started to yell out, to try and get him to stop, when the boy took a piece of rope and strangle the man. When he was dead, the boy climbed out of the cage. He stared at me, and then turned to run, but I reached out and grabbed his arm. I had heard people coming. Throwing my shawl over him, I led the boy to the opera house. It was being renovated at the time, so it was empty. This boy, as you may know now was Erik. He was nine when I first saw him and led him here. I am telling you this so that you will know want he went threw."

Poppy sat there shocked. The things he went though! It was hard not to pity him. Hard to say that she didn't. But it didn't change anything. If anything it made her love him even more. To know the torture that he went though, and him not turn into a monster. Only a man that needed love and understanding. His one flaw was that temper of his. To bad they didn't have anger management yet. Her eyes teared up and spilled over, "I only knew that he was beaten. I didn't know the full details. Thank you for telling me. Now I truly understand."

Mme. Giry nodded, "You still love him?"

Poppy wiped her eyes, "Yes, of course I do! Does not change anything."

Mme. Giry placed her hand on Poppy's, "I'm glad. Loving him will not be easy. He has a lot of problems. Ones that will take awhile to leave him. He needs a strong woman beside him. I'm glad that it's you." Mme. Giry stood. "Come. You will need some rest. It is already late, and tomorrow will be a big day for all of us."

XXX

Up in the dome of the Opera House, the rusty chains holding the chandelier slowly began to crack, causing the huge crystal chandelier to shudder.