Diva

Chapter 5

I didn’t know what they thought I could do about either of those problems.

Greta stood up, walked over to a desk in the corner, and returned with a file folder, which contained several legal-looking forms. “’We’d like to offer you, with Madame Bernard’s tacit agreement, a job working as her personal assistant for the duration of the show. The Santa Fe Opera would technically handle the paperwork, and we would pay you. Of course, she will set the terms according to her needs. Your obligation to the company is to provide the support service, which will enable her to perform consistently and safely. Of course, we understand you cannot guarantee that. We would also expect you to sign a confidentiality agreement. If you’re interested in this position, Thad will take you over to meet with her to be sure you’re both in agreement. Would you like to look over the forms?”

Are you kidding me? A chance to work with Nicole Bernard...every day. This would be a dream come true. My heart thudded so loudly I was sure they could hear it up in the pavilion. “I’m flattered and completely at a loss. This is an incredible opportunity, but I have to be honest. I really have no experience being anyone’s assistant, and my nursing experience has been primarily with schoolchildren. If she has a serious medical problem—”

“Yes, we understand, it’s for safety. We know you worked with her when she did La Sonnambula several years ago, so you have the advantage of knowing how our programs work.”

This got better and better. They wanted to pay me money to spend three months with Nicole Bernard. I thought my head would explode. “Well if Madame is agreeable, I would love the opportunity.”

Greta sighed loudly and slumped back in her chair. “Right now nothing is more important than the safety of my biggest star. Her happiness and well-being are paramount, and you will earn my undying gratitude.”

Thad beamed at both of us. “Shall I’d take her over to see Ms. Bernard?”

“By all means. Let me call her to make sure it’s all right. Will that work for you, Margaret?”

“Sure. I only wish I had time to go and buy a new outfit.”

“Don’t worry about that. It’s more important you both feel comfortable.”

Thad jabbered as he navigated an all-terrain vehicle up through the back lot to the main road and then turned west into a nearby gated community. “One of our biggest benefactors owns a home in this community and he makes it available for Ms. Bernard and her family whenever they come to New Mexico.”

“The streets, they’re all named after musical things,” I said. The first street sign read La Scala, the next La Traviata. “What fun names.” During my two years as an apprentice, I never saw this little gem.

He turned right onto Camino Caruso, which wound up into the hills overlooking vast open areas surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. The view amazed me. At the end of a cul-de-sac sat a very large modern adobe home. He parked and we started walking up the concrete squares curving to the entrance. I marveled at the hand-carved wooden door and heavy iron fittings. Thad lifted the knocker once and dropped it with a resounding clank.

The large door swung open to reveal the amazing Nicole Bernard. She smiled warmly and nodded as she listened to Thad’s introduction. She laughed as Thad regaled her with the story of finding me. More than once, she touched his arm as though they were lifelong friends. No wonder people loved her. I stood stock-still and stared with a stupid grin on my face.

She looked wonderful. It had been years since I had seen her in person. Her light blond hair was shorter and pulled back in a loose ponytail. I had forgotten she was a couple inches shorter than I, probably five foot five, and slim. Perhaps she had lost weight? She had on white cotton drawstring pants and a tight white tank top. Her eyes had not changed a bit. They were still large, intense, peacock blue gems looking directly at me.

Thad put his hand on my elbow and moved me closer as Nicole carefully took my hand and held it.

“I think I remember you, you were in La Sonnambula with me, the lovely mezzo soprano. But there was something else…ah, it was so long ago, such a nice surprise to see you again. Please come and sit down.” Her soft French accent turned words into silky syllables.

She led me by the hand to a large seating area in what must have been the main living area. The walls were off-white plaster with a couple of large windows overlooking the mountains. I quickly scanned the open space with the kitchen off to the right. The back of my bare knees brushed the front of the plush leather sofa that faced the fireplace.

Open your mouth, Ellis. You need to respond or she will think you are retarded.

“Madame Bernard, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to see you again and to be offered an opportunity to work with you. This is something many people would love to do…It’s a privilege…” Shut up, Ellis. You’re blithering.

Fortunately, Thad intervened so I didn’t have to kill myself. They were discussing Greta’s earlier phone call and the fact I had agreed to take the position, if Madame was agreeable.

“Thad, is it possible for you to leave us for an hour, so I can talk more with Ms. Ellis?” Nicole’s soft voice and delicious accent would render almost any human being helpless, doubly so her biggest fan.

“Of course, Madame. I have some things to check on and will return in an hour, unless you call.” Before I could take a breath, she had escorted him to the door and was standing in front of me.

“Would you care for something to drink? I am supposed to drink juice at regular intervals, but I’m sure they told you all about my spells.”

“No, thank you, Madame. I’ve just finished some iced tea.” I hoped she didn’t notice my perspiration.

“I think, if we work together, you should please call me Nicole.” She was already in the kitchen pouring something from the refrigerator.

“Thank you, yes, of course. I will. My friends call me Meg.” I took another breath and shook my tingling arms and fingers to loosen them. My God, I was stammering.

Nicole returned to the sofa with a tall glass and a file folder, both of which she placed on the glass coffee table. The sofa cushions sank slightly as she sat down next to me. I could smell the faintest hint of lilies of the valley. Without makeup, she looked even younger than her forty years. Once again, she was staring at me.

“You are so familiar.” She smiled again. “I must tell you this whole idea of hiring an assistant is rather silly. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I understand the concern because of liability problems, but I am not certain I need a babysitter.”

She reached for the file folder and pulled out several papers. “Greta told me you are a nurse, so I think these papers from my doctor will mean more to you than to me. You may take them with you to read.” She leaned back. “What happens is I get very lightheaded and sometimes faint.” She laughed. “It is amusing to see everyone running around like chickens. It would not be so funny if it would happen during a performance, I think.” Nicole stood up and walked over to the wide fireplace. Her manner changed as though some grave thought intruded.

“Greta believes we can avoid this if I have someone help me monitor my blood sugar and remind me to drink. Perhaps so, I am not convinced. Do you think she is right, Meg? Is this an important problem? Is it something you could do?”

Nothing brought me back to my comfort level better than talking about my profession or music. Of course, I needed to read her doctor’s explanation, but if this were straightforward hypoglycemia, no problem. “Yes, I’m quite sure I could help, and it might take a worry off your mind so you could concentrate on your job and give us another brilliant performance.”

The cloud seemed to vanish. “All right. I suppose there is no harm, and I certainly could use reminding.” The relief faded slightly. She was leaning back against the low mantel on both elbows and it was impossible not to notice the absence of a bra. I tried hard to focus on her eyes, which looked worried and darker suddenly.

“There is another matter, which you must know about if you work with me. It is private and serious. I need to know you will not talk about this with anyone.”

“Nicole, since I will be working for you, anything you tell me is confidential except those things your doctor needs to know.”

She returned to the seating area and sat in a companion chair to my left. She tucked her legs beneath her and fidgeted with the drawstring on her pants. I waited.

“For several years, my husband Mario and I have arranged our travels schedule in order to help one another for performances.”

I had heard this from more than one source. Her husband, the rising new tenor Mario De Luca, accompanied her whenever she traveled, and she returned the favor. Greta had just told me he would not be joining her.

“Mario is not able to be here this year because he has chosen other…obligations. Mario would normally help me to rehearse. This year is different, as he has more important things to occupy him,” she said with a clear note of bitterness.

Nicole didn’t look at me but clenched her hands in her lap. “You know, one of my favorite reasons for coming to Santa Fe is all the time I am allowed to create the role while working with the director and this wonderful company.”

She looked up at me but she wasn’t quick enough to hide the sadness I saw in her eyes. “That is another reason they wanted to choose a former apprentice, because you understand the rehearsal schedule and the demands of a new role. Greta told me you also can play piano.”

I wanted to laugh, but settled for a polite smile. “She was being kind. I can read music, but I’m not a pianist. I can certainly help you rehearse and I would enjoy it. Working with you would be an honor, Nicole.”

Her face broke into a smile, and mine did the same.

“Well then, Meg, I think we will work together. Tell me, do you live far away?”

“No, actually. I live on the west side of Santa Fe so it doesn’t take very long to get here. Do you have any idea of what kind of a schedule you’d like me to work?”

She draped her right arm across the back of the chair and c****d her head to one side. “I suppose you do need some sort of plan, don’t you? I did not think too far ahead. We start rehearsal Monday. I have been working a little with Lars, our incredible director. You know, I don’t really have a daily schedule yet. Generally I do my yoga first thing in the morning, then I run for a short while.” Her laugh bubbled up like water in a brook rippling over stones. “In spite of what the interviewers tell you, it takes me a long time to get used to the altitude here. I run to increase my stamina, not for any athletic reason.”

The sun returned to her bright eyes and I could tell I was going to be in a lot of trouble working so closely with this beautiful woman. Stamina. I swallowed and tried to keep my mind on the subject of her well-being and not my juvenile fantasies. Her public persona blossomed when she spoke with such joy and animation.