Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 35: Josette Makes a New Friend

Before leaving for work, Viktor had one last suggestion to make:

"Perhaps you should take Lorie to the park today," he told Josette. "She knows how to get to the area where the children tend to aggregate. Who knows... you might meet a few mothers there too. It would be good for both of you to make some new friends."

He then kissed Josette on the forehead :

"Until tonight, my love," he whispered in her ear before walking out the door.

Josette considered Viktor's words while she ate breakfast in bed. Once again, she had rung for Ana and asked for eggs, waffles and fruit, along with a strong cup of coffee. She was almost finished when Lorie burst in the room:

"Maman! Can we go to the park together? Please!!!"

Josette beckoned to her. Lorie jumped up on the bed and settled in next to her mother.

"First of all," Josette said. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"Yes," Lorie replied. "I went to the kitchen when I woke up, and Ana made me some porridge with boysenberry preserves. It was delicious!"

"Good. Second of all... there's something I need to discuss with you before we make any plans," Josette sounded serious. Lorie froze and her eyes widened.

"Uh-oh... is it something bad?" Lorie's voice trembled as she spoke. It was obvious that the stress of the past few days still had a negative impact on her.

"No, ma cherie... it isn't," Josette reassured her. She took a deep breath before continuing. "You know how Peter wanted to show me the Opera House when he took us on that first tour of Vienna?"

"Yes," Lorie answered very softly.

"Well," Josette said. "Yesterday, when Papa took you to the park... and you met Delphine," she tried to soften the blow, "...Peter and I went back to the Opera.... and he introduced me to the director."

"What's a director?" Lorie asked.

"He is the big boss at the Opera. He decides who should work there and what productions to include in each season, among other things," Josette explained. "His name is Herr Schiller and he is a very nice man."

"Okay," Lorie murmured. She knew where the conversation was going.

"And guess what?" Josette asked excitedly.

'What?" Lorie echoed, with much less excitement in her voice.

"Herr Schiller offered me a position... as leading soprano. Isn't that wonderful?" Josette attempted to sound incredibly pleased. She watched her daughter's face expectedly.

Lorie didn't say anything.

"Well? Aren't you happy for me?" Josette inquired.

Lorie shrugged her shoulders. "I guess... if it's what you really want..."

"It is," Josette replied.

"But... does that mean you won't be home much anymore?" Lorie asked.

"It means that I will go to work for rehearsals and such... and then for performances," Josette said. "But during off-season, when we aren't working on an opera, I will be home all day."

"And how often will that be?" Lorie raised her eyes sadly. They were starting to tear up.

"Oh, ma petite," Josette took her in her arms. "I will have a better idea once I go over the schedule with Herr Schiller. You know, I don't have to appear in every single production."