Peter Rakoczy: The Music of My Life

Chapter 17: Romeo and Juliet

Peter stumbled out the wagon door and into the blinding sunshine.  He found Nina and Lisbeth sitting on the wooden steps, petting the calico cat who obviously was vying for attention.  They were both cooing and talking to it while the cat rubbed against each of them purring loudly.  The girls tried to get Peter's attention, but he walked right past them showing no interest in their diversion.

"Let's go," he said gruffly.

"Are you alright?"  Nina asked, but Peter ignored her.

Baba Zara's predictions had deeply disturbed him, for obvious reasons.  He regretted having ever set foot inside the gypsy's home.  He partially blamed Nina, even though, deep inside, he knew she wasn't responsible for what Bab Zara had told him.
To Peter's relief, Vasile had already returned and was waiting for them with the carriage.  Peter strode ahead, not waiting for the girls.  He wanted to get far away from the gypsy, as quickly as possible.

"I wonder what happened," Nina whispered in Lisbeth's ear.

"I don't know, but it must have been something very bad," Lisbeth answered.

They quietly followed Peter to the carriage and sat across from him.  The entire ride was spent in silence.  Peter looked out the window, ignoring the girls.  Nina and Lisbeth found his attitude so unlike him that they decided not to push their luck.  They sat without speaking and didn't ask any questions.  As soon as they returned to Rakoczy manor, Peter jumped out of the carriage and ran up to his room, locking the door behind him.

Once in the safety of his own environment, Peter threw himself on the bed.  He kept replaying Baba Zara's words in his mind.  What did she mean by it all?  How could he possibly be a cursed soul?  He was raised a good Catholic, went to every Sunday Mass and to confession, and was an overall good person.  The gypsy's predictions made no sense.  She was probably just acting and wanted her prophecies to sound as dramatic as possible.  But the fact that she returned the gold coins disturbed him... no gypsy had ever turned down such treasure, especially when a service had already been provided for the money.

Peter buried his face in his pillow and tried to relax, but he found it impossible. He tossed and turned for what seemed like an eternity, when a thought suddenly hit him.  He remembered his violent fight with Stellian.

"Maybe that's it," he thought to himself.  "How can I call myself a good Christian when I almost killed my brother?"

He felt remorseful, but maybe that wasn't enough.  Maybe he had to atone for his sin in a more substantial way.  Peter was tormented by such thoughts when he heard a gentle knock on his door.

"Who is it?"  He asked.

"It's Lisbeth."

Peter sighed.  He didn't want to see anyone, yet he also didn't want to alienate Lisbeth.  He got out of bed and opened the door.  Lisbeth looked pale and concerned.  She hesitated before asking:

"May I come in?"

Peter nodded and allowed her to enter his room.  Lisbeth stepped in cautiously.  After Peter closed the door, she turned toward him.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Honestly... not really," Peter answered.

Lisbeth did not prod him any further.  Instead, she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him.  Her warmth was comforting and reassuring.  Peter returned her embrace and they stood like that for a while.  He then pulled back and walked her over to a window seat.  They sat down and Peter took Lisbeth's hand in his.

"I wouldn't even know where to start," he murmured.

Lisbeth caressed his cheek with her free hand.  "You don't have to tell me if you're not ready.  I was just worried and wanted to be with you."