Monster

Chapter 3 - Secrets

I woke up on the morning that changed everything to the sound of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. I lay there for a few minutes, letting the gentle swells of the piano wash over me. My Goddess loves this song, and each time I hear it, my heart fills, each sluggish beat dense with sweet emotion like thick molasses.

She once danced for me during the Adagio sostenut. Then we played during the Allegretto. I worshiped Her during Presto agitato.

I turned off the alarm as the second movement began, and sat up, reaching for the eye drops I keep on my nightstand. My eyes never crust in my sleep; that would require properly working tear ducts.

I set the bottle back in its place and scratched my scruffy chin, yawning. I grimaced at my morning breath. Perpetually dry secondhand eyes aside, at least I wake up like a normal human. I stood from the bed my Goddess no longer shares with me and entered the en suite bathroom to look at myself in the mirror. My hair was a mess, my beard stubble too long, my eyes red.

I ran my finger along the razor-thin welt at my hairline and under my chin. Why had we never had it removed? My other scars had been seared away by lasers decades ago. Perhaps She wants to forever remind me that She gave me this face, that She chose it for me. She wanted a beautiful man to love and adore Her, to keep Her bed and heart warm.

And I have. For fifty-three years.

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After taking a deliciously hot shower and dressing in jeans and a soft sweater (a tactile joy that never gets old), I padded to the kitchen to make breakfast. My morning routine complete, I knocked on the door to Her study.

"Francesca? Breakfast is ready," I smiled as I opened the door. I felt the smile tighten slightly when I saw the man sitting across from Her.

"Victor," She stood and beamed warmly at me. "Come in. This is Dr. Clerval, my young protégé. He has asked me to be an advisor to a project on which he is working."

I walked across the spacious room to the dark cherry desk and held my hand out to the man in front of it. He had turned around when I entered and now he stood to shake my hand politely. He was shorter than I by about five inches, stocky, and balding. His smile was as false as mine felt, his nearly black eyes calculating.

"I'm not young nor your protégé anymore," he chided, a slight hint of annoyance lacing the attempted joviality. I had met the man before, many years ago, but he would not – and should not – know that. He was in his mid fifties, barely older than I.

"Clerval," Francesca smiled at him, "regardless how many degrees and accolades you earn, I will always remember you as the bright young medical student who interned in my lab. No matter how much hair you lose or inches your waist gains, I will always see your inquisitive eyes and passion for science."

Dr. Clerval's eyes narrowed slightly. "We don't all remain thin and lovely as we age," he commented with an appreciative look at my Goddess's graceful figure and shining eyes. Age had not stolen an ounce of Her beauty or brilliance.

She winked at me then said to Clerval, "We can continue our discussion later. For now, let's have breakfast. I haven't figured out what sorcery Victor uses to make his eggs so addictive, but I want to eat before they get cold."

They followed me out of the room and I grinned and answered over my shoulder, "I sprinkle some elixir of life into them just before they set." My Goddess chuckled Her warm, throaty laugh and Clerval attempted a polite murmur.

She led him to the sitting room, and I brought them coffee, fresh orange juice, scrambled eggs, and avocado toasts. I placed the tray on the coffee table and sat down on the sofa next to Francesca. I filled a plate with food and handed it to Her. Dr. Clerval was seated in a chair opposite us, and he pulled it closer to the table and spooned eggs onto a plate. I poured myself a large mug of coffee and took a toast.

"So what results did you get when you tried to transplant cryopreserved organs into a living body?" Clerval asked while pouring himself some juice.

Francesca's eyes were closed as She savored a bite of eggs. "Oh Clerval, don't ruin breakfast with talk of work. Eat your eggs. They really are magical." She glanced at me with the secretive smile She reserved for me.

Clerval took a bite and nodded appreciatively. "These really are good. What's in them?"

"Just cream, butter, and leeks. The secret is really good cultured butter," I replied. "I went to culinary school years ago, but decided it wasn't really what I wanted to do and switched to sports medicine."

"Medicine of some sort runs in the family, I suppose," he said thoughtfully. "Your father is doctor, isn't he? I met him a couple times, many years ago. What's he doing now?"

"Yes, he was a cardiologist," I answered. "He went to Africa with Doctors without Borders twelve years ago. He died five years ago, sadly."

Clerval's eyebrows went up. "I'm very sorry to hear that." Then he turned to Francesca. "Henry was your nephew, am I correct?"

"Second cousin, actually," She smiled. "But I loved him as a son. His father was like a brother to me. And now Victor is almost like a grandson." She reached over to squeeze my hand and She smiled with the affection of a grandmother, but Her eyes sparkled with vixen-like mirth.

She created me, but She had never seen me as a grandson, son, or brother. In public we pretended to be relatives, but in private we were lovers.

Clerval looked back at me and I sat back to drink my coffee. "You look remarkably like your father," he said, staring at me intently.

"Henry's hair and eyes were brown, remember?" Francesca cut in. "Victor has his grandfather's coloring."

"What about your mother? I never met her."

"My mother met my father during his first stint with Doctors without Borders. She was an obstetrician. They divorced when I was young. My mother remarried when I was ten and I haven't seen nor heard from her since. My father went back to saving lives overseas when I graduated high school."

Dr. Clerval nodded, still clearly lost in thought. I decided to end the difficult interrogation and stood to clear the dishes. They returned to Francesca's study while I cleaned up and changed into my work clothes.

On my way out I peeked into the study to let them know I was leaving for the gym. I could tell that I'd interrupted an argument. As I closed the door, Clerval's voice rang through the wood, desperate and begging.

"Please, Dr. Von Stein! Your research in cryobiology could be the key I need to unlock-"

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(Word count: 1,195)