Christine, Masson and I settled into a routine of sorts. If I awoke before Masson and put him between Christine and me in bed he would wake smiling, and we all had a chance at a good day. If not, he would squawk and Christine would chew her lip and fret that I had to go. Most nights, I stayed with her and we abused each other for several hours before we fell asleep, sweaty and blissfully entangled.
We passed a couple of peaceful weeks, until we took Gaston's Jeanne and Christine to the Persian coffee house. Jeanne rather enjoyed herself, I think; she appreciated the dancing girls' costumes and wondered how they were able to move as they did. Jeanne and Gaston made a fine couple; they were both jolly and fun-loving. My darling, on the other hand, was so polite I got frostbite; I knew I was for it when we got home.
We had to argue in whispers, since Masson was sleeping as we undressed.
"Shall I go next door, Christine? You look quite displeased."
"How shall I look? It was nothing but an erotic display," she groused.
"Oh for heaven's sake, can't you appreciate the artistry of it?"
"Is that what you were doing? Is that what all those men were doing with their tongues hanging out like so many hungry dogs?" she demanded.
"Funny; I didn't notice any tongues hanging out," I replied mildly.
"I'm sure you didn't."
"Right, good night, Darling. I'll just go next door."
"I see; no point in staying if nothing juicy is forthcoming," she snapped.
"That's not it at all, Christine. I just don't see that we're accomplishing anything sniping away at each other. You're all on about your women's rights again, and I find I'm not in the mood."
"Reza, what the devil are you doing? Where is Darius?"
"He asked for the whole day; I thought we could muddle through…"
"Yes, but don't try cooking, Man. Just have a croissant with jam and have done with it. What does he need a whole day off for?"
Reza chuckled. "He's a man like the rest of us. What's got you so irritable today?"
"Oh, the usual."
"What have you done this time?" He sat down with coffee for us both.
"Thanks. Nothing. Why can't Christine be more like Jeanne? Jeanne had a marvelous time last night; I'll wager she doesn't make Gaston feel guilty for enjoying the sight of a pretty girl."
"Probably not; Jeanne is not Christine. You are not Gaston."
"What the devil is that supposed to mean? I tell you, it's not me, Daroga. She's not the girl I fell in love with. All we do is argue anymore."
"Of course she's not the girl you fell in love with. Life goes on; people change. She's a mother now, and has grown into a remarkable woman. More woman that I'd dream of taking on," Reza admitted. "Are you the man she fell in love with, Erik?"
"Of course I am. What have I got to go changing for?" I demanded indignantly.
"Oh, I don't know. Lessons learned, I suppose," Reza suggested mildly. "Silly me."
"Hmph. You know, I never once argued with Anci; not once."
"I don't believe you're actually comparing Christine and Anci, and I love you, Erik, so I'll just pretend I didn't hear it," he smiled.
Christine and Masson descended upon us then; Masson and I had a walk and goose- and duck-feeding planned for the morning so we made a quick job of breakfast and departed with our bag of breadcrumbs.
We found several mud puddles to splash in, and held foot races from one to the next. The winner got to stomp in the puddle and splash the loser. We saw some bigger children flying kites, and agreed we'd have to have a go at that another day. We were chased by an especially cantankerous gander, patted several dogs and had some fruit ice; all thrilling stuff. On the way home, Masson passed out on my shoulder, so I slipped straight upstairs with him and laid him down.
A wash-up was definitely in order, but I wanted to let Christine know we were home first. Descending the stairs, I spotted her and Prince Charming at the door. He held both her hands in his and kissed them; I didn't hear all of what he said, but I heard 'love', and I went mad. I roared and flew down the stairs; Christine darted away and squealed. I hit Raoul and we both hit the floor. I heard his nose pop when I hit it; he was clever enough to work on the ribs he'd broken in Hungary. I've had to beat people to a pulp more time than he has, however, and after a bit of general head bashing I managed to get my hand around his precious pink neck.
I was dimly aware of Christine screaming at us as I proceeded to crush Raoul's windpipe, but when we were doused with cold water it startled me enough that I loosened my grip. Reza grabbed me and dragged me off as Christine tended to coughing, sputtering, and, sadly, still-alive Raoul.
I went upstairs to have a look at my bloody mouth. Reza followed along, berating me.
"Have you taken leave of your senses? What—"
"Reza, are you really going to follow me into the bathroom?"
"YES!"
"Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you; I'm having a bath."
"You can't just choke the life out of someone in my front hall! Erik, can't you have a little gratitude for the care he gave her when—"
"I most certainly cannot. He was looking to give her more than gratitude, and would do right now if I turned my back long enough!"
"You're forgetting Christine in this; she has a mind and will of her own," he reminded me.
"And?"
"And, if she wants…to…take what he's giving, that's her privilege!"
"It was her privilege before my son was born; she's mine now, and I'll brook no resistance on it."
"You're a lunatic," he cried, throwing up his hands. "Christine—"
The lady herself burst into the bath at that very moment.
"If you'll excuse us, please, Reza," she murmured, glaring at me. Reza vanished like a specter.
"I'm bathing, Madame, if you don't mind."
"I don't mind a bit."
"Well, I do. I want a bit of time to myself," I echoed back at her.
"When I've had my say, you can have all the time you like. For your information, Erik, I was telling Raoul goodbye. He's been pressing his case since you returned, and I told him today that there is nothing for him here. I told him once again that I want to stay with my child's father, whom I love—in spite of myself! So, thank you for being an embarrassment to me once again. You idiot!"
"Christine, how—"
"And hurry up in the bath, my baby is filthy!" She slammed the door so that the entire room vibrated.
After supper, Masson and I banged on the piano until Christine came to get him for bed.
"Could we talk after he's asleep?" I ventured.
"Why? What is there to talk about? You have some compelling arguments as to why you were perfectly justified in trying to choke the life from Raoul. I don't want to hear it."
"I thought we might talk out of small person's earshot."
"Alright," she agreed grudgingly at last.
I read until Christine returned. As she settled into the chair, she sighed. "What is it you wish to discuss?"
"Christine, you still want to keep me at a distance, and yet you expect me to be unconcerned when I see you with Raoul. How was I supposed to know that you were telling him goodbye when you don't speak to me about anything? "
"You're here with me and Masson. We're together. Why in the world would you automatically assume that there is something between Raoul and me?"
"Why don't you send him away?" I worried.
"I did, today; did you expect me to do that the moment you returned?"
"No," I grumbled.
"I want you to apologize to Raoul."
"Tell him to apologize to me!"
"You're as bad as Masson," Christine shook her head. "How much reassurance does one man need?"
"How much reassurance do you have?"
. . .
Reza was very strange at breakfast. He dragged me into the parlor with our coffee at the earliest opportuniy.
"What is this about, Daroga?"
"Um, it's about Darius," he waffled.
"What about Darius?"
"He wants to marry, and I want to keep him on."
"Of course you do," I agreed, relieved. I'd been imagining dreadful scenarios involving deportation or ill health.
"He wants to bring his bride here to live," Reza explained.
"Naturally, Daroga; I don't see the big drama."
"The big drama is he that fell head over heels in love with Anci the moment he saw her. That's where he's been spending all his time."
"He wants to marry Anci?" I squeaked.
"And bring her here."
"God help us all." To say I was stunned doesn't begin to approach it. "What does Anci say?"
"He tells me she's accepted his suit," Reza shrugged.
"Christ," I ran my hand through my hair. I thought fast. "I suppose we should move, anyway, Reza, and let you get back to normal. We've been here long enough."
"I don't want you to go; we're family."
"Right, and won't it be cozy when Anci moves in? You'd better take this up with Christine. I'm not about to."