My Angel of Music

Music Lessons

I tiptoed inside the house, praying that Erik was asleep so I could wait until morning to tell him.  Unfortunately, my prayers went unheard, for Erik was standing, tall and domineering in the kitchen.  I shrunk a little in my cloak before swallowing and gathering all the courage I had to face him.  I removed my cloak and spun around to meet his angry stare.  

"What?"  I hissed, my tone icy.  His eyes only got darker when I used that kind of voice.  Suddenly, his slender hand was gripping my shoulder with unnecessary force.  I whimpered and tried to pull away, but his strength was unmovable.

"Christine, don't you dare waltz in here after sneaking off and use that kind of voice to me as if I did something wrong."  He growled quietly.  I clenched my jaw and avoided his heated gaze.  "You did do something wrong."  I mumbled, though hoping he didn't hear me.  His breath caught in his throat and his hand tightened around my shoulder, forming a bruise.  

"Providing for my family is hardly doing something wrong."  His volume was slowly getting louder.  I could take it no longer.  "I auditioned for the lead at the Opera House."  I blurted.  

I knew that I had unleashed the monster inside of him, and I trembled in fear.  When he was angry... There was nothing he wouldn't do.

His breathing got heavier and he suddenly let go of me to hunch over the counter.  I could tell he was trying to control himself, but it looked like he was losing the fight.  "Why.  Would.  You.  Do.  That without.  Telling me."  He said, his voice calm, but his body shaking with the effort.  

I swallowed and stepped back, just in case.  "I..We need money, and your job was... not okay.  So, I took matters into my own hands."  I confessed, my voice small and shaky.  Erik took a few breaths and turned around to face me.  His skin which was normally pale was beet red, and his eyes which were normally a dark yellow were now bright and flashing.  

I shivered and backed against the wall, my fear overpowering me.  "I'm sorry, I just need this."  i whispered, hoping he would understand.  But it was clear he didn't.  "Christine... How dare you go behind my back!  I made your voicce!  Your love for music spurned from me!"  his voice was so angry, I thought I would faint.  

I took a deep breath, knowing very well that arguing would only make him angrier, but chose to ignore that detail.  "Erik, I am sorry but, you did the exact same thing to me."  I argued, my voice shaking but forceful.

His face turned pale again, and his growl turned into a snarl.  "It is not the same."  He said calmly.  "Your voice is... precious.  This face is something that deserves to be shunned and laughed at."

I swallowed in remorse and pain.  He still talked that way even after all these years... I shook my head and stepped away from the wall.  "That is not true."

His eyes flickered back to me, and his anger returned.  "Christine, you are quitting tomorrow."  He commanded angrily.  My eyes widened and I set my jaw.  I stepped closer to him and clutched his shoulder.  "No, please don't make me."  I begged, my eyes brimming with tears.  I saw him begin to soften at the way I begged.

"I haven't sung on stage in years, and Erik, I need it.  If I cannot sing on stage, all of this would have been for nothing.  The Angel of Music, the Phantom of te Opera.  Everything."  

His eyes went to the floor and he frowned.  "If you really wish to disobey me... Then there is not much i can do to stop you."  He whispered.  I sighed and tried to embrace him, but he would have none of it.  Before I knew it he was gone. 

***

Later that night, after dinner, I approached Erik hesitantly.  He was at his piano, composing, and banging angrily on the keys.  i cleared my throat as I stood in the doorway, hoping he was not too angry with me.  He was.  

He scowled at me as I entered the room, uninvited.  "I was hoping you could.. teach me again, Angel of Music."  I whispered hopefully.  His face quickly went from annoyance to longing to bliss to nothing in the matter of seconds.  

"Fine, fine.  Sing this."  He fished out a composition of something he wrote and thrusted it at me.  I  gently took it and purposefully brushed his hand with my fingertips.  He shivered, but quickly composed himself before wrenching his hand to the piano.  "Begin."  He commanded coldly.  

As I sang and he played, I was once more transported to the world of music.  Darkness enveloped me and a strange sensation filled my soul.  I marevled in it. All anger and sins were forgotten and the only thing that mattered was the music.  

Suddenly, it was cut short by an annoyed voice.  "No, No!  You are much to high on that note.  And the E flat is too sharp."  Erik growled.  I sighed and nodded, ready to start again.

The lesson went on like that, stopping ever few moments so Erik could fix something.  It seemed I was a little more rusty than I thought.