He Calls Forth the Better Feelings of my Heart

Chapter 1: Comfort

Tears stained the envelope as I proceeded to stamp with a wax seal. I was not, of course, disheartened by the termination of our eventual union. In fact, now that I had written my feelings to Elizabeth, I felt more free than ever. However, the thought of the way my dear cousin may react to the unusual news was enough to bring tears to my eyes. As I placed the envelope upon the edge of an oak desk, a subtle, familiar, and comforting touch pressed my shoulder.

"Frankenstein," began Henry, applying a reassuring squeeze to my shoulder, "do not despair, my friend. I have grown with you, I have come to know Elizabeth nearly as well as you have. She will take it in her stride and come to acceptance by Christmas." Henry smiled upon me with the most charming of smiles, forming dimples on his freckled, sun-kissed cheeks.

Oftentimes, I found myself wondering why my dear friend had not yet found a woman to love. It was moments like the present one that threw these questions upon me. Henry was dashingly beautiful of body and mind, and he could surely pick from any woman in the world to marry.

As these thoughts grazed my mind, I realized that I had not yet replied, and instead had been staring at him for an awkward few seconds. Placing my pale hand upon Henry's own, I replied thus, "I surely hope, dear Henry, that you speak the truth. Would Elizabeth not be doomed, chained forever in a loveless marriage if I had not written her?"
"Certainly. But you forget yourself, Victor. You are too preoccupied with Elizabeth's happiness so that you do not realize your own. You are no longer doomed to a loveless marriage, as you have said."

Every time my dearest friend spoke, it was akin to poetry. He had a convincing nature about him that rendered all of his assurances true in my mind. Perhaps, then, Elizabeth and I would together be happiest apart. Perhaps my cousin would not despair at the news. This alone lifted my spirits substantially.

"The credits are to you, my friend. Alone, I scarcely would have been able to realize these feelings, let alone put them into words so eloquently as you have. Thank you, Henry."
Henry's hand released from my shoulder, leaving behind a hopeless feeling of void in its place. Though his hand was gone, tingles danced upon my shoulder, begging to be touched once more. My own hand fell to my side, though it called again for physical touch, and I rose from the desk chair with better spirits than I previously had. My hands, stained with ink, clasped together in front of my frame. There was no doubt that I looked quite unsightly.

Henry's handsome frame came to a halt just as he reached the room's door. Swiftly, my friend turned around, face bearing a large smile. His steps were swift yet smooth, coming back towards me. "Victor!" He began, an air of excitement permeating the air around him, "I have been hit with a perfect solution to lift your dampened spirits. You and I should make a venture to the park. We could take a slight stroll in nature, perhaps we could even have a picnic. Is it not a lovely idea, my friend?"

I stared at him, analyzing the emotion expressed on his face. Clerval's excitement, despite my lack of enthusiasm, was simply contagious. It seemed every emotion my dear friend felt was reflected within myself. In seconds, my heavy heart was lifted of some of its burden, my shoulders relaxing. It was as if Henry alone could clear the clouds that drifted lazily above my head, clearing the way for the most beautiful sunshine. It would not have been the first time that an outing in nature with Clerval cured a portion of my anxieties. Reaching out a tentative hand, I grasped onto my friend's arm with a wide grin. "Yes! Yes, of course! Dearest Henry, you truly are a genius."