Peter Rakoczy: The Music of My Life

Chapter 2: My Sister, Judith

Christmas Eve arrived on the wings of a winter storm.  The wind was howling through the trees and tiny harsh snowflakes rapped against the windows of the Rakoczy manor.  It was a day for staying inside, by the warm fireplace.  Peter did just that.  He lounged in his bedroom with a book, staring at the flames crackling around the wood logs.  Transylvania was famous for its winter storms, therefore every room in the manor had its own fireplace.

His reverie was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," Peter said.

The door opened and Judith poked her head around it.  Peter smiled when he saw his older sister and gestured for her to enter.  Although she was in her mid-forties, Judith still had the slim figure of a young woman, and her dark hair barely had any grey in it.  Judith walked up to Peter and kissed the top of his head.

"Anything good?"  She looked at the book on Peter's lap.

"Yes.  It's called 'Wuthering Heights'," Peter answered.  "It's quite thrilling.  There's even a ghost in it."  His emerald green eyes widened with excitement as he described the story.

"Oh yes, I'll have to borrow it when you're finished," Judith said.  "Which will probably be by the end of the day.  You devour books, little brother."  She tousled Peter's raven black hair, making him squirm.

"Hey!  If you want my book, you better behave," Peter teased her.

"So!  Are you ready for Christmas Eve?"  Judith's almond-shaped eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Why?  You want your present?" Peter joked.

"Of course I do!"  Judith laughed.  "Don't you?"

Peter shrugged his shoulders.  "There's nothing I lack, so..."

"Oh, come on!  Aren't you a bit curious?  I wonder what Papa got for us!"  Judith walked over to the window and stared at the swirling snowflakes.  She shivered and turned around.  "What a dreadful day!"

"I actually sort of like it," Peter joined her and put an arm around her waist.  "It's beautiful, yet dangerous."

Judith smiled.  "Yes... I suppose you're right.  The snow is rather lovely."  She turned her face toward Peter, looking serious.  "How are things between you and Stellian?"

Peter scoffed.  "As wonderful as they always are... He's his usual bullying self."

"My dear," Judith caressed his cheek in a motherly way.  "I know he can be difficult, but he is your brother."

"Yours too," Peter smirked.

"Well... yes... my half brother," Judith admitted.  "But I think of you boys as..."

"Your sons?"  Peter interrupted her.

Judith nodded.  "Yes... I know it's strange..."

"Not at all," Peter interjected.  "After all, you were more of a mother to me than a sister."

They stood quietly for a while, watching the storm unfold.  Peter broke the silence.

"Do you ever wish you had children of your own?"

Judith sighed.  "We've talked of this before... Yes... I do, sometimes.  But it wasn't in the cards for me."

"Tell me more about Nicolae," Peter urged his sister.

Her eyes had a faraway look in them as she remembered.  "He was... wonderful.  So kind and sweet... so incredibly handsome..."

"More handsome than me?"  Peter joshed.