Angel Of Music

The Voice

Gustave's point of view 🌹

Two years after Christine's death

"Father," I said, "Can I go to visit the cemetery?"

He turned to me, his mask gleaming in the light. "Of course, Gustave. Don't be too long, it is a school night."

I smiled. "Thank you."

I grabbed a rose, and headed off to the cemetery.

I did miss America, Coney island was a nice place. We couldn't bear it though, so father sold Phantasma, and we moved back to Paris.

The opera house was closed, but I did visit it occasionally.

I made my way to mother's grave.

I lay down the rose, and sat on the bench beside her marker.

"School is going well mother." I said, as if she was listening.

"My twelfth birthday is coming up, another birthday without you. I do rather miss you."

I sighed. "The years come, the years go, still you don't walk through the door ..."

I trailed off. She was never coming back. When was I going to realize that? Never.

"Till I hear you sing once more..." I whispered.

'Look with your heart... And not with your eyes... The heart understands... The heart never lies.. ' a voice on the breeze whispered.

I gasped, and started crying.

'Gustave please don't cry!' It pleaded.

I crushed my face into my hands, and sobbed.

I became aware of a presence beside me.

"Who is that... Please stop. I can't understand this."

'Child. I am your Angel of Music!'

This can't be happening...

'Silly child. Its your mother. I've been with you and Erik since that day, but neither of you hear me...'

"This isn't possible..."

She sounded hurt. I felt arms wrap around me, and sank into them.

'Gustave. You hear me. You feel me. Why are you denying me?'

"Mother. You're dead! Why would I believe this?"

'Understandable. Farewell, my young Gustave.'

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I woke up with a start.

Father rushed into my room. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"I had a dream... Of mother. She visited me when I was in the cemetery. She said... She said she was my Angel of Music."

Fathers face paled. I noticed that he wasn't wearing his mask, so he must have been sleeping.

"I apologize for waking you father." I said, upset.

"What else did she say to you?" He asked, frantic.

"She sang me a bit of my lullaby, she said that she had been with us... And then she said goodbye."

I searched his eyes for understanding of why he was so shaken.

"What ever is the matter?" I asked him.

"I had a similar dream, but instead of a lullaby... It was our duet. What does this mean?"

"Perhaps it was actually mothers spirit..."

"Perhaps, Gus. You should get ready for school now."

I did as he said.