After The Phantom

Chapter 8: I Dreamed a Dream

10 years later....

Today was like any other day it seems like these ten years have been pointless I do the same things but slower. Raoul picked up gambling a few years ago and his drinking problem is worse than ever. Thankfully he has never hurt Gustave with his hands but with his words it's always the same thing "not now Gustave" and as for me he deals with me almost everyday beats me up for no reason slapping me hundreds of times until he leaves for the saloon. I have learned to not speak to high or low to always look perfect for him. Now and then I sit with his sisters and my so called rich friends drinking tea and talking about how rich we are. Every weekend we go to balls drink and dance and try to convince everyone how happy we are. But we're not I live in hell everyday that I'm with him I suffocate I just want to breath.

I want a divorce but I can't get one because I'm a woman besides Raoul would never agree to it. Not unless he asks for it himself which he will never do. So this is my life. I'm stuck in a marriage to a man I don't love anymore and a son who is my only happiness in this world and I have not been singing for years at least not in concert although I was considering going to Mr Hammerstein in America and sing for him but I got another invite to New York Coney Island from someone named Mr Y and he gave me a much higher offer than Mr Hammerstein gave so Raoul said I should accept of course the money would pay our debts until he drinks them up again but it will be a chance for me to leave this place and finally go out and see the world also as a treat for my son. So here I am writhing a letter to Mr Y saying I accept.

Dear Mr Y

I thank you for choosing me to come to America and sing for you but I must warn you I have not sung in years and I may not be as good as I once was but either way I hope I'll please you and I am most delighted to accept your offer. Tree months until we meet.

Sincerely Vicomptess Christine De Chaney

There. That should do it. I sent the letter and walked out to the balcony for some air. Suddenly my mind floated back to him again.

There was a time when men were kind

And their voices were soft and there words inviting

And the world was a song and the song was exiting

Their was a time...then it all went wrong

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living

I dreamed that live would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving

Then I was young and I afraid some dreams were used and waisted

There was no ransom to be paid no sung unsung no wine untasted

But the tigers come at night with their voices soft as thunder as they tear you hope apart as they turn your dream to shame

He slept a summer by my side he filled my days with endless wander

He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when athum came

And still I dream he'll come to me that we would live the years together

But there are dreams that cannot be and there are storms we cannot wether

I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I'm living so different now from what it seem'd

Oh Erik I miss you

Now life has killed the dream I dreamed