A Gothic Lesson in Love

by Curtis Bennett

  “Like I got kicked in the chest by an angry mule,” he said braving a smile. Just inhaling was painful for him.

  “I see you had company,” she said pulling a chair up next to the bed so that she could sit next to him. “Cheating on me already, I see.”

  “He just wanted to ask a few questions,” he said smiling. “I didn’t have much to say, though.”

  “So I hear.”

  “He talked to you, I see.”

  “Yes, he did. And it’s all in the papers,” she said.

  “What’s in the papers?”

  “Missing professor found shot and near death, the headlines say, “she answered. “Look honey, perhaps you should reconsider this matter and let the inspector know what happened nine years ago. Whoever tried to take you away from me might try it again.”

  “That I cannot do,” he answered, his eyes averted momentarily. “I had an agreement and I failed to keep my end of the bargain.”

  “But darling, it’s not the kind of agreement that a court would force you to uphold. It was just a verbal agreement, and a forced one at that.”

  “That’s exactly the kind of agreement that should be upheld,” he retorted. “If a man’s word is not his word, where does that leave our society?”

  “I don’t know but for some, it will leave them six feet under,” she quipped.

  “Some things are worth dying for, Irene,” he said, his voice stronger.

  “And other things are worth living for,” she shot back as gently as she could, not wanting to upset him.

  Exasperated, she turned away and gazed outwardly at nothing in particular.

  Reaching over, he placed his hand gently, caringly, on top of her hand. She slowly gave her gaze back to him.

  “I’ll be all right,” he assured her.

  “Sure, as long as you have two guards posted outside of your door, and round the clock,” she snapped. “But what happens when you leave here?”

  “We’re moving to American, remember?”

  “We have to get to that point first, Andrew,” she stressed. “Look, I’m not here to pick a fight with you, honey. I just want you to get well so that we can be together. I have little interest in you becoming a martyr because I absolutely have no interest in becoming a widow. I want a husband, not a memory, Andrew.”

  “Look at me, Irene,” he said in a soft soothing voice, one that caressed her inner being.

  She complied.

  “Because my recovery remains uncertain, and for me to feel somewhat at peace, I have to make sure you are taken care of.”

  “Please, don’t talk like that,” she said, choked up, and near tears again.

  “It’s only prudent that we prepare for the worst, just in case,” he reiterated. “So, as a precaution, I want to marry you tomorrow, right here in this room. I’ve already arranged for a magistrate to perform the ceremony. This way you become my beneficiary in case I don’t pull through. If I do pull through, which I plan on doing, we can always have that full-fledge wedding when we go to America. What do you say? Will you marry me and become my wife tomorrow?”

  “I would love nothing more than to be your wife, Andrew, beginning now,” she answered.

  “I’m afraid there are no short cuts,” he chuckled. “You’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

  She wanted to give him a well-deserved hug, but she knew he was experiencing some level of pain, so she took his hand instead and planted kisses all over it.

  The wedding ceremony was brief and emotional. Present for the exchanging of vows were Audrey, old man Dempsey, and Mildred, the housekeeper, and several hospital staff. The bride wore a beautiful white dress she had purchase a week earlier in anticipation of going out to dinner with Andrew, which was days before he was shot. The groom remained in his hospital garb, and in bed, a white corsage pinned near his chest. There were numerous pink and white balloons and a table full of wedding gifts. Cake and ice cream were served afterwards.

  Unlike most weddings, this one had no honeymoon retreat and the marriage would have to wait to be consummated. Neither diminished the joyous occasion, though. Irene got to spend a few hours with her new husband and stayed to have dinner with him before returning to her aunt’s house.

  “I love you, professor,” she said, kissing him on his lips.

  “I love you, too,” he said. “And I must say, this is the happiest day of my life, star pupil.”

  “And this is the happiest day of my life, thanks to you, Andrew. See you in the morning, love,” she said, turning to leave. She was happy to have left him in the best of spirits; she as well. Love for that moment, in that room, and that day, was blissful.

  Chapter 18

  Irene was disoriented at first, as anyone would be when awakened at two o’clock in the morning. It was her aunt telling her that the hospital had just called. Andrew had taken a turn for the worst.

  “They said we had better hurry over there,” Audrey relayed, her voice quivering. “I already called for a cab but we have to hurry, dear.”

  Hearing this, Irene felt a soft tremor pass through her body. She began to shake nervously, almost uncontrollably. As best as she could and as fast as she could, she freshened up, dressed, and put on a pair of shoes, and all in less than fifteen minutes. Their ride arrived minutes after she came downstairs. With her aunt’s assistance, they entered the cab and took off.

  Andrew was lying peaceful-like in bed. He opened his dark green eyes when she ended her approach beside him. The sparkle was still there. Leaning over she kissed him on his lips, lips that were still responsive to hers.

  Andrew smiled.

  “How are you feeling, my love?” she asked, nervously but gently stroking his hand.

  “Pretty weak but I’ll be fine,” he said, his voice trembling.

  “I know you will,” she said, tears cascading down her face. “I just want you to know that I appreciate all that you have taught me and done for me. No better teacher have I ever taken instructions from than you.”

  “And I thank you for freeing me, star pupil.”

  “I-I am lost for words, the right words to say,” she said, her hands still shaking. “I can’t think.”

  “Then let your words come from your heart, let that speak for you, my love.”

  “Right now, my heart is hardened against people of power and influence, especially those of royalty, that I can say,” she vented.

  “Irene, hate not for hate begets hate,” he said, in a benevolent tone. “And despise not those who wield power and influence for it is not power and influence that makes people bad. It’s what’s in their hearts that make them bad people. Hate not royalty for it was the misguided whims of a young and undisciplined girl that set me on this path, not the bloodline she was born into. Understand?”

  “You’re right, my love,” she said swallowing. “But how did they get to you so fast?”

  “Perhaps those young boys that trespassed on my property numerous times reported my whereabouts or perhaps the three gentlemen you met in that Nottingham bookstore were my Judases. I really don’t know.”

  “You’re probably right, as always.”

  “Now, with that said, you care to tell your husband what everyone else seems to know.”

  “The doctors say the infection has spread to your other lung,” she sobbed lightly. “God, I had hoped that we had made it over that hump but I guess we came up a little short this time.”

  Andrew swallowed and stared into the distance, his eyes sadden.

  Irene kissed him on the side of his mouth until he turned back towards her and she could smoother all of his mouth with her moist kisses.

  The two came up for air.

  “You say you have learned the ways of love, am I correct?” he asked, his breathing becoming more labored.

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Then we did not come up short Irene…we’re way ahead of the game.”

  “You’re right, as always, my dear,” she said, her eyes now red in colo
r.

  “Remember me always, star pupil, in your journey through life. I love you, Irene.”

  Tears stung her eyes as she watched him close his eyes for the last time.

  “I will always remember you, my love…my sweet prince,” she whispered as she watched him take his last breath.

  Leaning over him, she kissed his forehead. After several seconds passed, her arms beginning to flail about wildly, she broke down and cried, yelling, “Oh my God! Oh Jesus! Ooh no! God have mercy! He’s gone; oh my sweet prince is gone…”

  By now her aunt, assisted by a nurse, had rushed to her side before she collapsed and held her tightly as the two women wailed uncontrollably. The nursing staff did what they could to give comfort to Irene but they eventually had to give her a sedative.

  It was an overcast day, one fitting for a funeral and proper burial. It was as though the heavens were in mourning along with those gathered below. The assemblage of former university faculty members, colleagues, students, and the press, numbered over four hundred. And all of this for a man who practically lived his last nine years on earth alone and quite lonely.

  Irene and her aunt, both dressed in black dresses and black veils, headed for home afterwards. She had three days left to get things in order before she returned to the states. During her talks with his attorney, she discovered that two days before he died Andrew had summoned his attorney to the hospital where he modified his will, leaving Irene with everything. His net worth was well over $10 million American dollars, she discovered, and was beyond stunned. She had no inclination that he was this wealthy.

  The evening before she was scheduled to fly home, she took her scooter for a final spin. It would be shipped to her in Virginia in a few weeks. Along the way, she stopped by the Seabrook residence and parked her bike in its usual spot one last time. Yellow police tape blocked the driveway entrance.

  Walking through the tall green hedges and down the winding narrow graveled path towards the cottage she entertained memories of her time spent there. Rounding the side of the cottage she gazed upon the beautiful landscape and the mountain range in the far distance. A Hummingbird paused briefly in front of her before taking off again. Nearby sat a large and lazy Chinese Dragon near a rock.

  Smiling, she turned to walk away but stopped and looked towards the direction of the music hall. Yes, she could imagine him sitting at his pipe organ playing her favorite classical Bizet tune. And yes, it was going to be very difficult for her to leave this beautiful piece of paradise behind.

  The following morning a Mercedes limousine pulled up to her aunt’s place. The driver placed her luggage inside the wide trunk. Her aunt had decided to accompany her for the ride down to London and Heathrow International Airport.

  As the limo left the suburban area and entered the expansive countryside, Irene’s eyes remained glued on the beautiful scenery outside the tinted car window as it moved along a wide mountainous road. In her possession was a large brown package containing a painting of the cottage, a wrapped gift from her aunt, the photos her and Andrew had taken together, and in her hand she held the silver veil he had worn over his face over the years. Andrew was right, she thought. Once you find true love you can never lose it. It was a truth she would remember for the rest of her life.

  “The Pearl Fishers” - The Opera

  By George Bizet (1863)

  The Plot

   Act I - Zurga is elected as king by the pearl fishers. They all await the arrival of a veiled priestess, who is to protect them. Nadir, Zurga’s childhood friend, arrives. At one time both Zurga and Nadir had been in-love with the same girl, Leïla. They both agree to put aside their past love for Leïla and swear upon their friendship. The priestess arrives and is received by the high priest, Nourabad. She is reminded that she must keep her identity hidden and that she is not to take a lover. Nadir hears her and recognizes her as his love Leïla.

   Act II - The Pearl Fishers return to the beach in Ceylon safely. Leïla tells the high priest a story about a time when she once rescued a man. The man she saved gave her a necklace, which she still has today. Nadir overhears this story and is convinced this is the girl that he and Zurga used to fight over. Now alone, Leïla senses that Nadir is near, and when she does see him, their affair is instantly rekindled. She begs him to leave, as she knows that they cannot be caught together. At that moment, Nourabad catches them and identifies Nadir. The fishers all call for both of their deaths. Zurga replies that only he can order them to death. Nourabad rips off Leïla’s veil revealing her identity to all. Zurga, sees that he has been betrayed by Nadir, condemns them both to death by fire.

   Act III - That evening, Zurga is having regrets about his decision. When Leïla appears before dawn, he cannot help but reveal his own love for her. She begs him to spare Nadir and only take her life, pleading that their meeting was only by chance. Zurga tells her that he can do no such thing, because she still loves Nadir. She curses him and as the sun is coming up, the time for the execution is announced. As she is ready to die, she reveals her necklace and asks that it be given to her mother after she dies. Zurga recognizes the necklace as the one that he gave her when she rescued him. Leïla and Nadir say their final farewell. Zurga, thinking better of his actions, has lit a fire in the village as a distraction. This fire sends the Pearl Fishers scattering in fear and allows the lovers to escape, much to the displeasure of Nourabad.

  Characters in the Opera Pearl Fishers:

   Zurga, (baritone) – King of the Pearl Fishers/Divers

   Nadir, (tenor) – A Hunter & Childhood Friend of Zuriga and a Pearl Fisher

   Leïla, (soprano) – A Brahmin Priestess

   Nourabad, (bass) – An Elderly Fisherman & High Priest

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