Chapter 21
Thank you all for your continued support. I'm so grateful for your reviews. They keep me going.
The Tabor Grand Opera House was originally built in 1881, but for the purposes of this story I am having it built a decade and a half earlier.
With dinner completed, Adam suggested they go to the theatre.
"How about an evening to relax from the business of the day," Adam suggested.
"Sounds very nice, Adam. Where can we go?"
"Well, they have The Tabor Grand Opera House on 16th Street, I think offers cultural events. Would you like to go there and see what's on tonight?"
"Yes please. It sounds like something I might enjoy."
Adam offered her his arm and together they walked out of the restaurant and made their way to 16th Street.
"Here we are," Adam said, as they stopped in front of the grand Tabor Grand Opera House.
"It's very impressive," Julie excitedly said.
"Shall we try for seats?" Adam asked.
"Yes please."
They went inside where they found the foyer full of people.
"I hope we'll be able to get seats," Adam said with a worried expression.
They made their way over to the booking office.
"Good evening," the ticket clerk invitingly said. "How may I help you?"
"Have you any seats available for tonight's performance," Adam asked.
"Well, there's not much left, but we have some in the very back row or there are still one or two boxes left."
"Oh, that's wonderful. We'll take a box please."
The clerk checked the ticket that he had left and handed two for Box B.
"This is the best of the two boxes left for this evening's performance," he said. "I hope you enjoy the show."
"Thank you, I'm sure we will," Adam said, taking the tickets. He then studied them and looked around. "Over this way, Julie." He placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her over to the right set of stairs. When they reached the top, an usherette was standing their offering programs for the evening's entertainment.
"Thank you, we'll have two." Adam handed over the money for the programs. They walked down a small hallway and looked for Box B on the door. They entered.
"Oh, Adam, this is a marvelous spot. I hope they weren't expensive," Julie said.
"It's our honeymoon, and nothing is too expensive for you."
"Oh, stop it, you don't have to say such things."
"Yes, I do. We are acting out a play of our own. Let's keep to the script," he said. "Now, let me help you off with your wrap and take out seats."
Once they were comfortably seated, they both started reading their programs.
"Oh, this is an evening of arias from the operas, Adam," Julie was smiling as she said this.
"Right. I didn't realize what we were going to see or hear as we didn't look at the posters outside before we came in, but this is going to be a lovely evening."
"I don't know what these arias are."
"Doesn't matter. If you like music, you'll love these. I'll explain as they go along, okay?"
"Oh, yes please. This is a first for me. I've never been inside a theatre before." Julie was so excited at the being in a theatre for the first time. Something she thought would never happen to her.
Suddenly the lights began to fade but lights came up on the orchestra pit and the conductor turned around to face the audience and bowed. There was applause and both Adam and Julie clapped as well.
There was an interval after the first four arias and Adam turned to Julie asking if she wanted to know what the arias were about. She responded with an eager 'yes please'.
Mozart – Voi, che sapete (You Who Know) - The Marriage of Figaro. "This is about a servant called Figaro and this aria is about an adolescent's struggle with strange feelings of love is beautiful and passionate. I'll tell you about the opera itself at another time as it becomes complicated, but I will stress the music is extraordinary. You will enjoy seeing the whole opera at another time."
Verdi – Libiamo, neˊ leiti calici (Let us free, in the Happy Chalices)– La Traviata . "This is sung between the two main characters, Violetta and Alfredo. They discover they are in love. But this opera is a sad opera. Again, I'll explain it when we have more time and of course if you really wish to know."
"But of course, I want to know." Julie is smiling. "You're introducing me to something I really would like to know better."
"I'm glad."
Verdi - La Donna é Mobile (Woman is Mobile)- Rigoletto. "This aria is sung by the Duke of Mantua, about how fickle women can be. I won't go into the story, except to say that Rigoletto is the Duke's Jester."
Puccini – O mio babbino caro (Oh my Beloved Father) – Gianni Schicchi. "This is sun by Lauretta who is making a final plea to her father about a will. Again, I'll tell all later.
Following the interval there were four more arias and Adam promised to tell all when they were alone together at a later time. The final four arias were -
Puccini – Quando mˈen vo (When I go Along) – La Boheme.
Rossini - Largo al factotum (Make Way for the Handyman) – Barber of Seville.
Mozart – Non piu andrai (You will not go Anymore) – The Marriage of Figaro.
Puccini – E lucevan le stelle (And the Stars are Shining) – Tosca.
The evening proved a success, and both were reeling in exuberance from the music they had been listening to. Adam called a cab for the return journey to their hotel as it was later in the evening now and walking home in the dark was not recommended.
Once they were back at the hotel, Adam was expecting some sort of confrontation regarding the sleeping arrangements, but much to his surprise none came. Julie went immediately into the bathroom to change while Adam made his floor bed as the night before.
"Are you really going to sleep on the floor again tonight?" Julie asked, coming out of the bathroom.
"Yes, it's easier this way."
"I think you'd sleep better if you were on the bed by me," she stated.
"I don't think so," was Adam's reply.
"I was meaning me on the inside and you on the top covers."
"No, no way am I doing that. I'll stay on the floor."
"Why for heaven's sake. You'll end up with a bad back."
"Well, if I do, I will receive enviable looks from the other guests when we walk down for breakfast."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Julie asked.
"Julie, you are aware of what happens on honeymoon nights, are you not?"
"Well, yes. But I don't really know what it entails exactly."
"Let me explain, a husband's marital relations in making love, can sometimes produce a bad back. So it might look to others as us having consummated our marriage."
"Oh, that could be embarrassing."
"It could. But let me emphasize, I will not be sleeping in or on the bed with you."
"But what difference does that make, we won't be doing anything."
Except causing me great pain, he thought.
"You are not a man, and you being so innocent in the affairs of married couples, would not understand what lack of control a man can have sometimes when he's close to a female, especially one that he likes."
"I'm sorry if what I suggested is going to making you uncomfortable. I apologize."
"No need to apologize, sweetheart. Just get into bed and go to sleep. Sleep well and God bless."
Julie then got into bed and snuggled down and tried to sleep. But it had denied her as her mind was running with thoughts she shouldn't have. Was Adam having a difficult time controlling himself. Then the thought came to her what was going to happen once they returned to the Ponderosa. They would have to believe they were truly married for the situation to work, making everyone believe it was a true marriage. His father would probably throw me out if he ever found out the truth of this marriage and why. Although eventually she would be revealing the truth to them, hoping they would understand. She would then get her annulment and would move on.
Adam too, was having his own thoughts. How can Julie be so naïve? But then she has had no experience
with genuine love or affection, he thought, only bad memories. And she certainly does not perceive the effect she has on me. Dear Lord, he silently prayed, help me in this predicament.
Sleep eventually came to them both. …
The following morning at breakfast, Adam was explaining how he would need to return to the bank that morning to start the process of transferring the stocks and shares over to his name.
"This will take a few days I fear, Julie."
"I will come with you," she stated. "I can't be my own in this city and I'm not staying in my room while you go gallivanting off."
"I'm not going to gallivant anywhere but to the bank and will return to you for lunch," Adam confirmed.
"No," came the firm response.
Adam sighed, then offered an alternative. "How about we find a good bookstore. You could stay in there…all day if you wished…and purchase whatever your heart desires," he suggested. "I will give you some money for the purchases."
"No, I won't allow you to spend any more of your money on me," she declared.
"Okay, then we'll call it a loan and you can repay me when you get your money." And he quickly reached for his wallet and extracted fifty dollars and handed it to Julie, who immediately put it in her purse, looking around to see if anyone had seen the transfer of money. It made Adam smile. Still so nervous, he thought.
"That sounds more reasonable." She smiled. She had won a round.
"Right, now we've settled our days activities, we should make a move. Are you finished. Have you had enough to eat, sweetheart."
"Yes, thank you, darling," she emphasized.
It only made Adam smile. Sarcastic or not, he thought, Julie was beginning to apply herself to their situation.