He Calls Forth the Better Feelings of my Heart

Chapter 6: The Christmas Feast

The lengthy and quite tiresome train ride was halted by our arrival in Geneva. With every mile that brought me closer to my own lovely hometown, a horrid pit of fear formed in my chest. Its deathly grip twisted around my lungs and gripped at my ribcage like a prisoner holding onto a jail cell's bars. One worry prevailed in my mind above all, the fear of the response my father might give to me. He had always been quite the kind man, especially toward his children. Even so, the possibly irrational fear ate away at my soul once Henry and I arrived in Geneva.

My dear friend, unsurprisingly, seemed to notice that something weighed heavy on my heart. Henry had always been the most kind, benevolent soul. He maintained a level of empathy that I myself had never once possessed. It came as no surprise when, just as we had exited the train station, Clerval placed that increasingly familiar hand upon my shoulder. His sun kissed cheeks dimpled as he smiled, excitement sparkling in his gaze. "Are you not excited, Frankenstein? Soon, we will be in the presence of your family! It is a shame, how long it has been since I have visited with them."

Admittedly, my mind had only registered half of Clerval's words. It was as if my brain was split down the center, pulled apart into two separate worlds; the fear of my father, and the warm comfort of Henry. "Yes... yes..." Were the only words mumbled from my mouth, quieter than a whisper. My consciousness had been placed somewhere else, far away from here.

Then, however, Henry's grip tightened and he pulled me a slight closer. His benevolent gaze turned concerned as he looked upon me. I had never been proficient at deciphering the emotions of others, but it was clear that I must have looked sightly. It seemed that I often wore my emotions plainly, unable to hide them in most scenarios. "Victor..." My friend began, handsome eyes searching my face as if seeking some semblance of a positive emotion. " ... what distresses you? You must be excited to see everyone, are you not?"

"Of course I am, Clerval-'' Looking up, my gaze reluctantly met my friend's. Eye contact was often a scary endeavor, and this exchange was no exception. Yet, I had found over time that meeting my dear Clerval's gaze was the easiest. "I am ecstatic to see my family! It feels like years since I have visited with them. Only..." A soft, shuddering sigh escaped me, one that I did not control in the slightest. "... The marriage, Clerval, or rather lack thereof. I fear my father's judgment." My voice escaped me broken, cracked and tired. That horrid sound surprised even myself. I could hardly believe how utterly pathetic I must have seemed.

But, as always, Clerval reassured me. He squeezed my shoulder for a moment, giving me little response aside from a chuckle. "Your anxieties have taken hold again, my friend. Alphonse has been nothing but kind and loving in the time I have known him. And Victor, I have known him nearly as long as you have. I have little doubt that he will be nothing but kind during the festivities!" And with his reassurances completed, my dear Henry removed his grip from myself and began to walk once more.

—

A short stroll to my family home later, and Henry and I had arrived on the front doorstep. Though the home was, in a way, my own, Henry paid my family the courtesy of knocking upon the front door, rather than simply allowing ourselves inside. My friend looked to me with an excited sort of gaze, his hands firmly gripping his luggage in front of himself. My own luggage was held in one hand, limply to my side. I returned his gaze with a smile, one that required a slight bit of force. A tightness formed in my chest for a moment, though it was calmed near immediately simply by Clerval's benevolent gaze.

It was no longer than thirty seconds before my family home's large front door was opened. Standing in the doorway was none other than Justine, the family's servant, and one of the kindest and most grateful people that this world had to offer. She smiled upon both Henry and I with her pretty, gentle smile. "Greetings, Victor; greetings, Henry! And a very merry Christmas, as well! Allow me to take your luggage, if you please?" Justine took a step forward, hands extended and ready to snatch our luggages the moment we held them out. Both my friend and I surrendered our suitcases to her, and she met our gazes with that same gentle smile.