Why Lorie? Part II

Chapter 13: Back to Work

Following her conversation with Lorie and the rest of her family, Josette contacted Herr Schiller, the director of the Vienna Opera House.  She informed him that she was ready to return to work.  Her Schiller was thrilled with her decision and immediately shared the upcoming opera spring schedule with her.  Were she to start work immediately, Josette could star in Tosca which was set to premiere on March 1st, 1911.  She immediately agreed and signed the contract the following day.

"It's funny," Josette told Maman as she got dressed to go to her first rehearsal in six years.  "Floria Tosca was supposed to be my last role at the Paris Opera... right before I was rudely dismissed because of my pregnancy."  She gave her mother a wry smile.  "Perhaps they will read about my debut here in the papers, and regret their rash decision."

"Have you written to Viktor about it?"  Madame Foret asked her daughter.  While she was happy that Josette would once again share her exceptional voice with an adoring audience, Maman was worried that Viktor wouldn't feel the same way.

"No," Josette answered.  "I want to surprise him."

Madame Foret arched an eyebrow.  "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Josette glanced at her mother sideways.  "Of course it is.  Why?  Do you disagree?"

Madame Foret shrugged.  "I just don't know how he will react when he is faced with a fait accompli."

"You are forgetting that Viktor put me in that exact situation when he took that job in America," Josette furrowed her brow.  She was slightly annoyed with her mother.  Mostly because she feared that her mother might be right.  She had no idea what Viktor's reaction would be upon hearing of her return to work.

"That is true," Madame Foret sighed.  "Still... I am a bit worried, that is all."

"Do not fret, Maman," Josette tried to reassure her.  "I'm sure everything will be fine."

Inside though, a sense of uncertainty was beginning to creep into her thoughts.  What if Viktor would be angry with her?  What if he put his foot down and prevented her from reviving her career?  Josette looked into the mirror as she applied a bit of lipstick to her mouth.  She stared at her reflection and proudly raised her chin.  Viktor would not stop her!  After all, this was her life.  She was a grown woman and could decide for herself.

"How do I look?"  She spun around for her mother.

Josette was wearing a powder blue tailleur.  The skirt ended just above her ankles, allowing her new deer skin boots to show.  Under the form-fitting jacket, she had donned a cream-colored, long-sleeve shirt ruffled at the neck and pinned with a blue cameo brooch.  As usual, Josette piled her curly blonde hair on top of her head in a bun, allowing a few curls to frame her face.

"You look beautiful, as always," Madame Foret complimented her.

"Thank you, Maman," Josette laid a light kiss on her mother's withered cheek.  "For everything."  She took the older woman's hands into her own, and squeezed them.

"Do you want me to get Lorie up before you leave?"  Madame Foret inquired. 

Lorie had been brooding for the past few days.  She had been unhappy with her mother's decision, and was not afraid to show it.  While she no longer cried about it, she plodded around with a constant frown on her pretty little face, and huffed and puffed with every occasion.

"I'm not sure," Josette warily answered her mother.  "I don't want her to throw a tantrum today, of all days.  I have to stay calm... and I'm already nervous about meeting so many new people."

"As you wish, my dear," Madame Foret replied.  She was disheartened by Josette's answer, but did not want to upset her.  "Perhaps you're right," she murmured instead.

Josette descended the stairs quietly.  In the foyer, she donned a light tan coat on and a matching broad-brimmed hat.

"Kiss her for me," she instructed her mother as she quickly exited before Lorie could come running down to try and stop her.

Madame Foret sighed as she closed and locked the door behind Josette.  She would have to face Lorie, who would undoubtedly be upset, all by herself.  She started making her way slowly up the stairs when Lorie suddenly appeared on the landing.  She was still in her nightgown and was carrying Nono - her teddy bear.  When she saw her grandmother's grim expression, Lorie immediately widened her eyes.

"Did Maman already leave?"  She asked the older woman.

Madame Foret nodded.  "Yes, dear.  She had to get to the opera early this morning.  Rehearsals start today."

"But... she didn't come to say goodbye to me," Lorie murmured.  Her hazel eyes were starting to tear up and her voice trembled.

Madame Foret got to the landing and took the little girls in her arms.  She rocked her back and forth, trying to calm and soothe her.

"Do not be angry with her, ma petite," she whispered in Lorie's ear as she hugged her tightly.  "Sometimes, people have to put themselves first... even mothers."

"But Maman never left before without giving me a goodbye kiss," Lorie whined.  She struggled against her grandmother's grip and started to run down the stairs.  "Maybe I can still catch her," she yelled over her shoulder.

"No!  Lorie, stop!"  Madame Foret cried from the top of the stairs.  She was too old to run after her granddaughter who happened to be very fast even for children her own age.

But Lorie was already at the front door.  She twisted the knob and opened it, ready to run into the street after her mother.  To her surprise, Josette was standing right in front of her, a key poised in her hand.

"I couldn't leave without giving you a kiss," Josette crouched down and opened her arms as soon as she saw Lorie.

"Maman!"  Lorie jumped into them joyfully and wrapped her hands around Josette's neck.  She started kissing her mother's cheeks, as tears ran down both of their faces.

"Ma petite fille!  I love you so much!  I will miss you today!"  Josette cried against Lorie's face.  "Please... don't be mad at me.  I am not abandoning you.  It's just for a few hours."

"I know, Maman," Lorie nodded and wiped the tears off her mother's face with her tiny thumbs.  "I love you too!  And I want to wish you good luck!  I know it's a very important day for you!"

Madame Foret had finally made it to the bottom of the stairs.  She took in the touching sight and smiled, her eyes also filling up with tears.  She was happy that Josette didn't leave without giving her little daughter hugs and kisses.  Now, Lorie would be happy for the rest of the day.

"I have to go, my sweet," Josette whispered in Lorie's ear.  "Be good for Grandmaman and Grandpapa, alright?"

"Yes, Maman," Lorie gave her one last kiss.  "You be good too." 

Josette smiled at her daughter's advice.  It touched her heart to see the concern in Lorie's eyes.  She hugged her once more before straightening up and walking away, her conscience clear and her demeanor much improved.