Christine dans Deux
An Alternate Multiverse - A Phantom of the Opera Story
Nyasia A. Maire
© 2006
DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One
Chapter Sixty-Six – Dearest Cousin
Greetings, My Dearest Cousin!
I hope this letter finds you and yours quite well. I pray for the speedy recovery of your strength and hope you have been enjoying visiting with Madame, Trystin and Jean-Paul. Please convey my sincerest best wishes to Madame and Jean-Paul. If you would do me the greatest favor and give Trystin a hug and kiss from me, I would be forever in your debt. Tell her I miss her every moment I am away and hope to see her soon.
I instructed the messenger bearing this letter to wait for your reply. Please give Trystin the letter I have written for her, which I am sure you found upon opening this letter. Let her know that her mom needs to hear from her and a letter from her would help make my heart ache a little less. From the moment of her birth, I have not left her more than one or two days at a time. I find this separation a truly trying experience for me and eagerly await the day we are reunited. The only consolation I have is the knowledge that you, Madame and Jean-Paul are watching over my little angel.
Our mutual friend and I arrived in Paris the day before yesterday. Paris! What a city! It is truly a beautiful place! The streets are broad and lined with smooth cobbles. It is a pleasure walking along the broad boulevards, stopping sometimes to dine in a small sidewalk café. I love sitting there and watching as the world strolls by me.
I have decided that I want to walk across every bridge that spans La Seine and see as many fountains as I am able. The variety of architectural styles from bridge to bridge and fountain to fountain never ceases to amaze me. So far, I believe that Pont Neuf and Le Pont Louis-Philippe are my favorite bridges. I am withholding judgment in regards to the fountains and I can only say that time will tell in regard to my favorite fountain. I believe the true reason I have not visited as many fountains is that I wish to take Trystin with me. I am certain she will love them as much as I will, so I wait so we can share the wonder of them together.
Yesterday, we kept our appointment with the managers of the Opera Populaire. Our meeting was most productive. Messieurs Erickson and Donato are actually intelligent individuals that place a premium on the excellence of each opera they host upon their stage. Our friend (although he would most likely deny it) enjoyed speaking, negotiating and coming to terms with them. I am pleased to inform you of the results of yesterday's meeting: we are the contracted producers of a new opera scored by Léo Delibes named, "Lakmé." The scheduling of audition dates may make it necessary for you to come to Paris soon, but do not worry, Cousin, it will not be too soon. Who knows? I will attempt to schedule auditions after the wedding so you may return with us to Paris after our friend and I marry. I intend to audition for the part of Mallika and I really am looking forward to both hearing you sing and singing with you.
There is news of which I must inform you and I am uncertain how to tell you. First, please go find Madame Giry and have her with you before you read the rest of this letter. I shall now continue this letter on another sheet of parchment and you, dearest Cousin, go find Madame!
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Christine,
It is my sincerest wish that you have paid heed to my request and you now have Madame with you. Please sit down. I am certain by this time you are feeling quite annoyed with me and fear the bad news I bear. Well, dear, I shall delay no longer and simply say it…Raoul is very ill and I am certain his illness is mortal. I do not know if he is even aware of his illness. He has cancer. The spots on his scalp are a type of skin cancer called, "melanoma."
We saw him when we went to the opera the night before last. As you know of our friend's fondness for Box 5, I am sure you will not be surprised to learn that it was in Box 5 where we encountered Raoul. Our friend had somehow secured the use of Box 5 for our night out at the opera. Raoul came to the box and made something of a scene. I was actually very surprised. I had expected him to act in a more dignified manner, especially in front of strangers. It was quite horrible. Well, actually, the sight of Raoul and his actions were both equally horrible in their own ways. You would have been so proud and surprised at the grace with which our friend handled Raoul's assault on us. He maintained his composure while at the same time his words put Raoul in his place without lowering himself to Raoul's level.
Anyway, I believe that our friend intends to make some inquiries and I thought that knowing the name of Raoul's personal physician would be very helpful in this. If you could write back to me with his name, I would be extremely appreciative. In fact, please include any information that you think may be helpful in regards to persons with whom Raoul has business dealings, social clubs, mistresses, friends, etc. It is entirely possible that your participation in the opera will happen without having any interference from Raoul…. Only time will tell if we will be this lucky.
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Suddenly, the woman writing the letter freezes. Her head lifts and her eyes glaze, as she appears lost in thought gazing out the window of her suite.
"Who am I? Where am I?"
Suddenly aware of the writing tool in her hand, the woman considers.
"Why am I writing a letter? To whom am I writing this letter? This is just too confusing!"
The woman lowers her head to the desktop and rests her forehead on her folded arms. After a moment, she begins to cry quietly. She continues to cry for several desperate minutes before lifting her head to the sky in silent supplication.
"I am just so tired of being the strong one. Cannot someone take care of me for once in my life?"
Returning her head to the desktop, the woman's tears begin to flow once more. She cries until she has no more tears left to shed. Her cries recede into hiccupping sobs and then into the agitated and restless mutterings of her discordant slumber.
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The woman's return to awareness is gradual, peaceful. Allowing her eyes to remain closed, she stretches catlike for a moment until her movements bring her into contact with first one warm presence and then another.
"Two?"
Her mind barely has time to process that thought when she feels an arm drape across her stomach, which causes her eyes to fly open and she scrambles to a sitting position. She is in a large four-post bed with two sheet covered forms on either side of her. The arm, which only moments before was resting on her stomach, now moves as if it is seeking her. It is a man's arm. It is a familiar arm and belongs to the larger of the two forms in the bed with her. The second form is small. Her curiosity now aroused, she lifts the sheet to peer beneath the covers. She smiles as she discovers her husband is the larger form and her daughter is the smaller form. The small blonde head turns and her eyes meet a pair of sapphire blue eyes. The eyes sparkle with amusement and then the small shape scoots out from under the sheet.
"Mommy!"
"Baby!"
The two embrace. The woman's hold upon the child an act of quiet desperation and she begins to rock the child within the circle of her arms. The man continues in his oblivious slumber.
"I've missed you so much, baby! Mommy loves you so much! Please don't forget that I love you always!"
"I know Mommy. I love you too!"
The mother continues to hold her child and then begins to sing.
"Would you know my name
if I saw you in Heaven?
Would it be the same
if I saw you in Heaven?
I must be strong
and carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
here in Heaven.
Would you hold my hand
if I saw you in Heaven?
Would you help me stand
if I saw you in Heaven?
I'll find my way
through night and day,
'Cause I know I just can't stay
here in Heaven.
Time can bring you down.
Time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart.
Have you begging please, begging please...
Beyond the door,
there's peace I'm sure
and I know there'll be no more
Tears in Heaven.
Would you know my name
if I saw you in Heaven?
Would it be the same
if I saw you in Heaven?
I must be strong
and carry on.
'Cause I know I don't belong
here in Heaven.
'Cause I know I just can't stay
here in Heaven."
Eric Clapton and Will Jennings
Suddenly, the woman notices that the bed is not indoors in a bedroom as it should be, but outside in the middle of a lovely meadow.
"I have to go now, Mommy."
The little girl leans her forehead against her mother's for a moment and then tilts her head to allow her eyelashes to brush against her mother's cheek.
"Butterfly kisses!"
She giggles and then hugs her mother tightly.
"Mommy, they told me that when it becomes too difficult to remember who you are, you should think of my butterfly kisses and that would help you. Don't forget, okay?"
"Oh, Adrianna! I won't forget my little princess! I am so happy to see you again! I only wish…."
"I know, I know. We'll see each other again…beyond the door."
"I think of you every single day…"
"I know…. Love you…."
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She blinks and raises her head from the desk, her face still wet with tears.
"I love you too, Adrianna."
She wipes her eyes with the backs of her hands and sighs.
"Don't worry, baby! I will remember your butterfly kisses. Thank you!"
She clears her throat and rubs her eyes. Then checking her letter for tear stains and finding none, she grimly resumes writing her letter to the woman she now calls, "cousin."
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Cousin,
I have noticed recently that I have been experiencing moments where I do not feel like myself. If you have had moments such as these, do not panic! There is a reason for this, but I would feel more comfortable in providing you with an explanation when we meet in person rather than discussing this matter in our correspondence. Suffice it to say, your temper shall be fierce at times, but we will weather through this.
I know we do not know one another very well yet, but it is my belief that we shall become very close friends.
Anxiously awaiting the day, we can cement the foundation of our friendship,
Your loving cousin,
Christine Maire