Chapter 6
As the day ended and Gustave got ready for bed, I washed up the plates form that night's meal.
"Christine?" I heard Erik's voice come from the living room.
"Yes?" I shouted.
"Have you seen this?" He asked walking into the kitchen with sheet music in his hands.
"What is it? Something you've written?" I asked drying my hands.
"No, It looks like something our son's written."
I took the music from him and read on it the most beautiful lullaby.
"You had better put it back before Gustave finds it missing." I said.
He walked back and put the music on the piano and sat down just as Gustave came out of the bathroom.
"Mother, Dinner was lovely. Thank you so much." he said leaning against the bench.
"Thank you darling but it wasn't my recipe." I said putting the plates in the cupboard.
"It was mine." Erik said, getting a class of water.
Gustave didn't say anything but just stood there while Erik and I finished cleaning up.
"How would you like a sing-a-long Gustave, You play and I'll sing. Like we did on your eighth birthday?"
"That sounds like fun!" He said and ran into the living room to make sure all the music he needed was there.
"I should go home. I don't want to be here if you and Gustave are having family time."
"Erik, You're his dad. Family time means we're ALL here. Together. That includes you."
"No. Gustave wouldn't like it and I don't want to upset him."
"I don't care if he wants you to go home or not. You're staying even if I have to tie you to the chair." I said.
Erik laughed slightly and said "Sounds a bit savage if you ask me."
"Coming from the one who dropped me down a trap door almost ten feet in the air." I said moving my head to one side.
"That was ten years ago."
"I don't care." I said in a sing-song voice.
"Mother are you coming?" Gustave shouted from the living room.
"I'm coming!" I said. "Go home if you want but I would rather you stay."
He stood there and thought for a minute.
"Okay." he said walking to the living room door. "I'll stay."
"Yes!" I mumbled under my breath.
We walked into the living room together and sat down on the couch.
"Gustave." I said standing up and walking over to the piano. "Erik is going to stay and watch."
Gustave didn't say anything but looked unhappy.
"What are you going to play first Gustave?" Erik asked trying to make conversation with his son.
"I'm not sure yet." He said looking down at the piano like he was trying not to look at his father.
"Gustave." I said in a hushed tone.
"Yes Mother?"
"Could you at lest pretend to like Erik for five minutes for me?"
"Why?"
"Because he's your father" I said louder.
"Raoul's been a better father to me then he's been." He mumbled with his arms crossed.
"I'm going." Erik said standing up.
"No, Erik, sit down." I said looking at him. "Please?"
He sat back down and looked at the floor.
"Christine, I'm not welcome."
"That's right." Said Gustave.
"Gustave, please!" I said and I could feel tears welling up in my eyes.
"But I don't want him here!" Gustave said.
"Could you please just stop!" I yelled. "I'm sick of people fighting!"
There was a long silence. I have never yelled at Gustave before in my life. I could see he was upset and I felt bad for it but Gustave had to know that I was upset with him and the way he was treating Erik, His own father, was not acceptable.
"Mother are you angry?" Gustave asked.
"Yes, actually I am." I said sitting down on the couch.
"Why?"
"Because I'm sick to death of you saying stuff to Erik. I'm sick of everything right now. I just need a little bit of peace and quiet but all I get is fighting."
Gustave looked down at the keys on the piano and I saw a small tear slide from his check.
"Are you made at me?" He asked.
"I'm mad at everyone."
"But are you even more mad at me?"
"Gustave, You're not helping at the moment can you just please be quiet for a few seconds?"
He fell silent again and it stayed like that for a little while. All of a sudden, I felt Erik stand up.
"Where are you going?" I asked grabbing his hand.
"Just to the kitchen to get some water. Would you like some?"
"Yes please." I said looking at him for the first time since the fight started and let go of his hand.
"Would you like some orange juice Gustave?" Erik asked.
Gustave didn't say anything he just looked out the window.
"Gustave?" Erik said.
I looked from Gustave to Erik and back again. "Gustave, answer your father."
"No." He said.
"Gustave if you don't answer your father you can go back and live with Raoul." I said without looking at him.
"W-what?"
"If you don't start showing him some respect then you can go back to Paris."
"With you?"
"No. By yourself." I said looking at him and I saw the tears well in his eyes.
"Why?"
"Because I am sick of you fighting with Erik all the time! He loves you Gustave and he loves me to. Why can't you see that?"
He remand silent and sat for a few more minutes thinking and then stood up and walked out. Erik came back and saw Gustave had gone. When he turned to me, I was crying.
"Hey, Sweetheart it's okay. It'll be okay." He said warping me in his arms.