My Blue Rose (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 20 - Kid's Group

Carly's POV:

I hurried down the street toward my car. It was dark and I hated the dark. Well, this kind of dark. Erik's kind I loved. After two years of marriage I had grown to love it more and more.

I unlocked the car as I was walking toward it but stopped when I saw a group of kids playing football in an ill-lighted parking lot. I watched them for a moment before walking over. They stopped and look at me. I was worried for their safety. The darkness was dangerous. I smiled at them.

“Good evening, why are you out here? It could be dangerous.” The oldest boy walked over to me. He looked to be about fifteen and was several inches taller than myself. He stopped a little ways from me.

“We have no where else to go. Its either here or home and we don't want to go home.” I looked at the boy carefully. There were scars on his cheeks and a resent bruise around one eye. I thought about it for a moment.

“Isn't there somewhere you could go?” He shrugged his shoulders and tossed the football back at the rest.

“No, no one cares what happens to us.” He folded his arms and I thought about it for a moment. I had an idea. I didn't know what Erik would think but I would try.

“If you had somewhere to go other than here would you?” He nodded.

“I would. I don't like the dark but its the only place I have.” I smiled at him warmly.

“Well, I shall work on that. Erik might just like this idea.” He gave me a weird look. I laughed.

“My husband. He might just like the idea I just had.”

“What idea, Ma'am?”

“I think I shall start a shelter for children like you. A place where you can play, eat, and even sleep if you need to.” The boy's eyes lit up.

“You mean it, Ma'am?” I nodded.

“If my husband will help me. Without him I doubt the idea will get off the ground. By the way, my name is Carly Destler.” I extended my hand. He carefully wiped his off and said,

“Charlie Smith. Thank you so much, Mrs. Destler.” I waved it off.

“Don't thank me yet.” I turned to go but then stopped. I had to tell the boy something.

“Charlie,” I said. He had turned to go but stopped when I called his name.

“Yes, Mrs. Destler.” I had to tell him about Erik. I didn't know how easily frightened he was but a man in a mask would always strike a little fear into anyone.

“I need to tell you something about my husband. He is deformed and wears a mask because of it. Would that bother you?” Charlie shook his head.

“No, Ma'am. I wouldn't care if he looked like the devil himself. I would still be grateful for a place other than this parking lot.” I smiled and patted him on the arm.

“Then I will talk to him. I don't know how long it will take but I will try my hardest.” Charlie grinned and went back to playing. I drove home and slipped through the door and into the music room. Erik was sitting at the piano, lost in his music. I knew that I couldn't creep up on him unless he was lost like that. I laid down my purse and crept up behind him. I laid my hands on his shoulder and kissed his ear. He tensed then turned around to look at me. I laughed and said,

“Got ya.” He laughed and pulled me in front of him, kissing all my energy out of me. He finally pulled away, leaving gasping for air. He loved doing that to me.

“Correction, I got you.” I laughed and kissed him again, pulling the mask off. I hated that thing. He didn't wear it much because of my persuasion. He growled slightly against my lips and I pulled away and stood to my feet.

“Erik, I need to talk to you about something.” He stood up and watched me as I sat down in a chair. He raised his eyebrows.

“What about?” I smiled and look him over. I never knew why he wouldn't admit to being handsome. He was. But that was beside the point of this conversation.

“Erik, I met some teens in a parking lot. They have no where to go. They live on the streets because they don't want to go home. Would it be okay if we build a shelter for them? Somewhere they could come play games, eat, even sleep if necessary.” Erik looked at me in shock.

“You mean that don't you?” I nodded. Erik paced up and down the music room and I could tell he was debating with himself. We hadn't ever talked about his opinion of kids so I wasn't sure what he would think about his. He finally stopped and looked at me.

“You really want this don't you?” I nodded. I had a soft spot for kids. I wanted to help the homeless children.

“Well, then we will do what we can. Looks like I am to be an adopted father to a bunch of kids I haven't ever met. What fun!”