Christine dans Deux

An Alternate Multiverse - A Phantom of the Opera Story

Nyasia A. Maire

© 2006

DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One
Chapter Twenty-Four – Picnic

Before me stands a woman and my mind tells me she is the other Christine. Her eyes are full of concern for me. I am both amused by her concern and feel a small amount of guilt as the cause of her concern was bliss for me. While I was otherwise engaged with my beloved, my body had slumped over into the corner. I sit up and find that my worldly body has sticky proof of our lovemaking.

"Erik, are you all right? Did you have a nightmare?"

"No. I am well. I apologize for alarming you. Did I wake you? Was I quite loud?" I attempt to hide my embarrassment in a show of concern for her.

"Yes, you woke me. No need to apologize. Yes, you were quite loud. Such moans, Erik. Really, it made me feel quite odd."

It is then that I notice that her face is flushed and her breathing ragged.

My mind tells me, "Her body knows what I was doing. Perhaps, her mind does not, but her body knows."

"Really? Well, again I am sorry for disturbing your rest. If you would excuse me? I need to take care of a personal matter."

She frowns, bows her head to acknowledge my leave taking and then turns her head from me to stare out the window at the shadowy shapes of the countryside.

I rise from my seat and ignoring the rapidly cooling remains of love, I direct a slight bow towards the confused woman and exit the compartment in search of a place to refresh myself and regain my composure. A porter points me in the direction of the nearest water closet. I clean my clothing and manage to do so without leaving any outward sign. A wet spot or stain would be most embarrassing. On my way back to the compartment, I see the same porter and ask if the dining car is open. He tells me that it is not meal time, but he is certain something can be arranged if we are hungry. He points the way and I toss him a two franc coin. He smiles his thanks and continues past me down the corridor. However, now he is whistling as he walks. I smile. It takes so little effort to make another person happy and yet, it seems, so few people are willing to do it. As I walk towards the dining car, I realize that I am smiling.

I hear my dear heart's voice from within, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."

In the dining car, I was able to obtain a loaf of bread, three fresh fall apples, a quarter of a round of summer comté cheese, a carafe of milk (for Christine) and (I must add this, I was very pleased to find) a bottle of Volnay. I felt most fortunate to discover this wine, as most prefer the stronger, heartier red wines of the Côte de Nuits. And the dining car did indeed have several selections of those. I, on the other hand, prefer the more delicate reds of Côte de Beaune. The waiter placed everything I purchased in an open wicker basket, including two of each – glasses, plates and napkins; a knife and a corkscrew.

Feeling very pleased with my decision to visit the dining car, I walk briskly back to our compartment. Upon entering, my pleasure continues as I find Christine awake and in a better state of mind than when I departed. She made no mention of my sleeping moans. It is my sincere hope that she had simply placed the blame for my sounds on a bad dream despite my reassurance to the contrary. It is a strange thing to be in love and feel guilt over your own happiness. Here I am … Erik, a man, also known by other less complimentary names, who had never expected a woman to want to look upon him (not even my friend, Christine Daae had been able to countenance my visage when first she saw it.) Yet, I find a woman who not only wanted to look upon me, desired me just as I was. And now, I feel guilt because the woman sitting across from me has yet to be blessed by love. I am comforted only in the knowledge that I know she will find her great love very soon.

"I have a picnic for us. I thought perhaps you would care for something to eat?" I raise the basket.

"Oh, something to eat! That sounds absolutely wonderful!"

I find the table the waiter had said was stored near the compartment door. I assemble it and position it between our two seats. I set out the plates, glasses and napkins. I then remove the rest of our feast to the table and set the empty basket near the door. Picking up the knife, I make quick work of slicing each of us some cheese, several slices of bread and an apple. I remove the cork from the wine bottle and set it aside to breathe.

"Would you prefer wine or milk?"

"Oh! Milk, please!" She gives a small bounce and claps her hands with delight.

Yes, it really is the small things that count, I think once again.

I take a napkin and drape it over my arm. Then hold the milk carafe for her approval. She looks the carafe over and then nods towards her glass. I pour two fingers of milk into the glass. She lifts it to her nose and sniffs loudly, then swirls the milk. Lastly, she loudly sips the milk, but she doesn't spit it out. Instead, she makes a show of swallowing it. Her face beams with delight and she giggles.

"Excellent choice, sir. Please …"

She motions to her glass and I fill it for her.

I take my glass and fill it with the Volnay. Then setting the bottle down, I raise my glass.

"I would like to propose a toast. Madame, to life."

"Non, monsieur. À l'amour!"

"I will drink to that as well. Now, Lady, let us eat."

My mind begins to wander as I eat. I think of her. Her crooked smile. The little birthmark shaped like the heel of Italy's boot on the underside of her bicep. Mostly, I sit and dream of the time the three of us can be together as a family. Without any cares except for the ordinary concerns of a lover, husband and father; a lover, wife and mother; and a daughter. I wonder whether we will live in my time or hers. I wonder …

"Pardonnez-moi, Erik? Erik? I have asked you for the carafe twice. Where are you? Are you really all right?"

"My apologies, Christine. Rest assured I am quite all right. I am to put it quite simply, in love. I miss her and Trystin. I am so very worried about the two of them. And I find it difficult to concentrate. There is not a moment when she is not in my thoughts. And, well, I never thought to have … well, I never thought a woman would ever consent to my holding her hand. I never thought a woman would willingly kiss me. And I knew no woman would ever hold me or lie with me. And the one thing, the one thing of which I had absolute certainty was no woman would ever love me. Yet, she did. She did all of those and more even though I still looked as I used to. When she looked into my eyes I could see that she was seeing something that others did not see. Not even myself. When she looked at me it seemed as if she were gazing upon the face I now wear. I will always be amazed that she loves me. We complete one another."

My words at last run dry. I was not able to look at Christine while I made my confession, the outpouring of my heart and soul. After a moment of silence, I turn to her. She sits looking at me. Her face an unreadable mask.

"Once again, my apologies! Please forgive me! I prattle on about love and here you are so unhappy. Oh, my silent friend! Forgive me! I am the most stupid of men. If my words brought you sadness, please accept my apology." My voice trails off, as she remains silent.

"Erik, you are the stupidest of men. I do agree, but not for the reason you believe. I sit in stunned silence because I am in awe of the love you profess and possess. I have never heard any person speak as you do of love. Nor, have I ever known anyone so aware of the preciousness of love."

"Christine that is not true. You sacrificed your hope of happiness in order to save my life. I live to love because of you. And you have existed in hell because of me. I speak of my love and yet, I did nothing to save you. It was my Christine who began the quest to save you. I simply carry on here in her place and hope that I can somehow help you and my ladies."

"Erik, I did not sacrifice myself for you. When I made my choice I knew what I had done. And Erik, what I had hoped was I could change him. Make him over into the boy I had once known. The fact that it was a vain and false hope is not your fault. I lay it at the door of youth and inexperience. If I had to do it over again, I would do the same. It has not been all hell. My children have provided me some small solace. And I still live. Erik, I still live. And now, I have a flicker of hope in my heart. Please let us move on from here! Remember, I believe. And, I hope. And, most importantly I have you here beside me, my friend, to help me."

"You are too good, Lady. Too good. I shall endeavor to live up to your hopes and expectations. Now, let me fill your glass."

She laughs merrily.

"After all, Erik, I believe you have plans for me to be free to love and marry again. I shall not despair, so neither shall you. Let us look to the future. Mine and yours."

As I fill her glass there is a soft knock on the door. After a moment, it opens and the conductor informs us of our arrival in Paris in five minutes.

"Let us finish and pack these things. I will not waste this good food. It has been long since I have had a Volnay as fine as this."

"I never thought you to be a wine connoisseur. It is good to see you as a person and not just my teacher and mentor. I am happy that my good Angel of Music has a name now."

We gather our things and with perfect timing, the train begins to slow.

"Remember, it is now you who must remain in the shadows, Christine. Not I. I do not believe anyone will recognize me now. But we must do our best not to draw attention to ourselves. We will find a place for you to sit and rest while I purchase our tickets. Is that agreeable with you?"

"Yes, Erik. It is. Let us go."