The Phantom Beast: One Love, One Lifetime

by Jenn Thompson

Prologue

I walked into the tunnels late one Saturday night after seeing aperformance of "The Phantom of the Opera" with Jenny. She had somehowmanaged to acquire tickets to Michael Crawford's final performancebefore he joined the company in Los Angeles.

"Come on Catherine, it will be fun. Besides, when is the last timewe got to eat lunch, much less see a show together?" Jenny pleadedover the phone a week ago.

"Alright." I said relenting. I wanted to spend some time withVincent that night, but Jenny was persistent.

The night of the show I put on my favourite formal dress. It wasan ankle-length black dress with an Empire waist and cap sleeves. Ihad been saving it for a special occasion. Finding a pair of strappyblack shoes and spritzing on some perfume I was ready for an eveningat the theatre.

"You look fantastic!" Jenny commented when she saw my dress. "Toogood to be spending an evening with me."

"I do not!" I said with a laugh. Finding our seats we sat downjust before the overture began. The sight of Michael Crawford as thePhantom took my breath away and I found myself mesmerized in themusic.

Hearing the words "You alone can make my song take flight. Help memake the music of the night." As he peered out of the angel on thetop of the roof made tears come to my eyes. Those words wereabsolutely heartbreaking.

"How do you like it?" Jenny asked me at the intermission. She hadstood to stretch for a moment.

"It's fantastic." I replied. Watching this show I couldn't helpbut think about my relationship with Vincent. But he was so much morethan just an angel of music. He was the angel of my very existence.Considering loving anyone else but him was not in my reality.

Sitting back down to watch the second act I was moved to tearsbefore it was over.

"Are you ok?" Jenny asked reaching for my hand.

*****

Taking it I smiled. "I'm fine. The music just got to me for amoment."

On the way home in the cab I decided to go straight to the parkinstead of to my apartment. I needed to tell Vincent about theshow.

"What is it?" Vincent asked after I hugged him tightly.

"I just saw the most wonderful play. It was called "The Phantom ofthe Opera." I just had to come and tell you about it." I saidexcitedly. Holding his arm I explained the plot as we walked back tohis chamber.

"It sounds wonderful." Vincent commented when I was finished.

"I just can't imagine why she went with Raoul." I said shaking myhead. "The Phantom was her true love."

"True love isn't always enough." Vincent replied earnestly.

"Well it is enough for us!" I responded looking up at him with asmile. Putting his arms around me I leaned against him and relaxed.Closing my eyes I felt myself drift off to sleep.

*****