The Phantom's Daughter

Chapter Twenty-five

I was so glad I didn’t leave her in the dressing room last night. Because I’d be even more hurt and betrayed and wallowing in my loneliness.

And she didn’t leave me, even when she looked upon my face! This sweet little angel of a child! I thanked God for her, for bringing her to me. She was my friend, she would do me no harm, never abandon me, never leave me. She needed me like I needed her.

And in the best way a child could know how, she tried telling me that Christine wasn’t worthy of me. The sweet innocence of her. But no little Rita, it was I that wasn’t worthy of Christine. What monster like me could possibly do anything with such a creature of light, and above ground? She was an angel, I was a demon.

I didn’t know how I was to go on from this point. My whole persona of Phantom of the Opera seemed pointless now. The young woman had come down and unmasked the demon, there was no way she’d want to be anywhere near me now. At least I gave her her voice to soar with. I used her father’s promise for my own gain, but at least he had gotten his dying wish to see his daughter on stage and be in a place where she could take off with her career in the theatre if she wished. If not then that was no longer my worry.

At least I still had Madeleine and Meg? And now Rita. And my horse. Perhaps this was God humbling me to not get greedy and bargain for more than I already had. I still had my music too…perhaps it was God saying I needed to get my priorities right. Yes…that was it. I had been so focused on Christine and trying to understand how Rita had gotten into my life and what to do with her that I had been neglecting my music for a fortnight now! I had neglected my prayers, and God was turning me back now, in the assertive way that He does.

I sniffed and kissed Rita on her head, tucking her head under my chin, holding her like she was about to be pulled from me. I was so thankful to have her. So thankful she was here with me.

“Oh thank you Rita,” I finally managed to get out. Those words felt foreign passing off my tongue. I never needed anyone, but it was such a relief to have this little one with me. “You are my little friend.” I told her, “And I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” It was the least I could do after coming back down for me…when she had the whole world to run to…