CHAPTER 22
There was a lot going on inside of Erik that he wasn't accustomed with. But the one thing he did recognize was the feeling it set off inside of him when Lisa entered the room. It was very close to those tender feelings he'd experienced with his angel. Erik had nearly hyperventilated when the painfully familiar sensation floated into his mind one evening.
He was able to blame the following coughing fit on indigestion and even enjoyed the injured look on Kara's face. Erik never missed the suspicious glare she often tossed his way. Although he didn't believe Lisa had relayed any of his sins to her she still didn't trust him.
Erik had expected some change in Lisa's demeanor after his confessions. Though she did seem a little more reticent than before she remained open and welcoming towards him. She continued to join him each evening and they still talked as comfortably as they ever had, but they did not speak of what he'd disclosed, or of Christine.
Whether they were chatting or just sitting companionably in the dark night, Erik and Lisa were been growing closer together every passing day. He'd excused the incident in the garden as just a fluke. The thought that she'd actually be affected by him was just an unwelcome fantasy the he had to dispel as quickly as possible. Thankfully there time at the mansion was coming to a close.
As the second week of their sojourn was coming to an end Dr. Gillis declared Gustave recovered enough to go home. From then on the mood of the household began to grow somber. Being as generous and eager to please as any person Lisa had ever known, Gustave surprised everyone at dinner one night by announcing his desire to give them all a grand concert of his own compositions as a final farewell on their last night. There was no way anyone could disagree. The boy rattled off his list of required attendees. His father, Lisa, Momma Aguilar, Kara, Dr. Gillis, Mr. Gangle, Miss Fleck, Squelch and Madam Giry. They would all have 3 days to prepare for what he promised would be the highlight of the year.
Although it was Lisa's preference not to leave the manor, it fell on her to handle her parent's estate and holdings. Once a month she kept appointments with the family lawyers and business partners to review the status of their accounts and investments.
Lisa took her responsibility very seriously and even though she was reticent of leaving her guests, she left mid-morning one day to satisfy her duty. Erik also took the opportunity to make a trip to Coney Island to assess the status of its operation and address some management issues. Gustave was left in the company of Mrs. Aguilar in the music room where he could prepare his upcoming performance.
The day dragged on for Lisa as she listened to the droll yammering of the men who were employed to oversee her family's wealth. Most had known her a long time and knew better than to talk to her like she was one of the silly women they were accustomed to dealing with, but they would sometimes relapse and treat her like a simpleton.
The American market was showing signs of faltering since the war, and although they wanted to talk to her as if there was nothing to worry about she had already formulated her plan and expected them to carry out her instructions without question. Over the next few years the money directed to stocks and the exchange would be shifted into more stable investments, both domestic and foreign. Lisa had been well educated in finance and wanted to be sure her family's wealth would always be healthy, robust and secure.
By the time she was freed from the trade halls night had already descended. Lisa found a taxi that took her to the mansion's front gate. The house was dark, not surprising since it was well past 11 pm. She climbed the stairs languidly and headed to Gustave's room where she expected to find Erik waiting with a hot cup of tea.
When she slowly opened the door, she was surprised not to see Erik. Instead it was Gustave's very awake face that greeted her. He sat in the center of his bed on top of the coverlet with a pile of music sheets in front of him and a pencil in his hand. He looked up and smiled widely to see her.
"It's very late. Shouldn't you be sleeping?" She asked as she entered and took a seat across from him on the bed. He just stared at her for several moments with a quizzical look. "What are you staring at?" she asked.
"Oh, sorry, it's just I've never seen you looking so normal before; the dress, shoes, and even your hair done so properly."
"Well that's one way of telling me I normally look like a slob. I prefer comfort to style thank you very much."
"I didn't mean it like that, just that you look different. You're very beautiful and would be even if you were wearing a potato sack." He amended.
"That would be very itchy I think." She said with a giggle. "Now stop trying to change the subject and explain why you're up so far past your bed time."
"I was waiting for father so that I could ask his advice on this music, but I don't think I can keep my eyes open a minute longer anyway." On queue the boy yawned wide. Lisa reached over and ruffled his hair affectionately, then collected the music into one neat pile and put it on the night stand.
Gustave crawled to the head of the bed, tucked his legs and body under the blanket to settle back against the pillows. Lisa leaned over and gave him a peck on the forehead as she did every night before turning to exit, but this time the boy called her back. She sat down next to him and waited to hear what he needed. Gustave looked at her expectantly for several seconds before he spoke.
"Lisa, can I ask you something?" he probed tentatively.
"Anything dearest." She replied. He smiled up at her, relishing the warmth of such an endearment.
"My mother used to sing me to sleep most nights when I was little. Would you sing me a song? It doesn't have to be anything grand, just a lullaby will do, please." Lisa's heart leapt at the thought of exercising such a liberty, even considering how close they'd all become, and the expectant look on Gustave's face left no room for refusal.
She chose an English ballad that had always been one of her favorites. She started nervously, but as each verse flowed into the next her voice filled with feeling.
Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need.
I say love; it is a flower and you its only seed.
It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes a chance.
It's the one who won't be taken, and cannot seem to give.
And the soul afraid of dying the never learns to live.
When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
and it seems that love is only for the lucky or the strong
just remember that in the winter far beneath the bitter snow
lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose.
Lisa held the last note as long as she could and let it die slowly. Gustave looked up at her with a bright smile that lasted even after his eyes fluttered closed. She watched him several minutes as he slipped into a satisfied slumber, his breathing the deep and even rhythm of a happy child. She stood slowly, feeling envious of such an untroubled rest and thinking she was fatigued enough to try it for herself. When she turned to reach the door she realized she'd had more of an audience.