The Beginning

Ch. 56 - The viper

Back in the kitchen...

"Your sister is getting in over her head, yes?"

Inga spat the accusation out just like that, as casually as if she were commenting on the weather. She went straight to the point, then lifted her after-dinner espresso to her lips and settled in, waiting for her youngest to give her the inside information.

Inga recognized the look in Sandra's eyes this morning, it was as though she were staring into a mirror. Once upon a time, she was the young, beautiful, up-and-comer with the world at her fingertips. Her opera career was taking off and she had offers around the world. She also had a handsome, kind boy overseas in the United States. They met while working on a show in Vienna and fell fast and hard in love. Forty years and she still has that look in her eyes whenever James Bullock enters the room.

She has no regrets. Well, maybe one regret, if she were being honest: she didn't accept the offer to stay in Vienna long-term. She couldn't bear the thought of being away from James that long, and he didn't have a visa allowing him to stay in Europe more than ninety days at a time. His stint on their shared opera was coming to a close and he wasn't sure when he'd have another opportunity to work in Europe. He encouraged Inga to take the long-term role, hoping the hitch in his throat was hidden.

She smiled that bright smile that set his heart afire every time, kissed him sweetly, then tapped him lightly on the nose. "No!" Her thick German accent underlined her curt reply.

James knew Inga, and he knew there would be no changing her mind. So he did what he could, he applied for every position he could find wherever he could find one, and she auditioned for roles in American operas.

They finally settled on a back-and-forth plan: her taking shorter term roles, him traveling along as her vocal coach. In between operas they'd return to the states. Soon they were engaged, then married. It took much longer for the spousal visas on both sides to be solidified, and then she was able to take on longer-term roles without having to be away from the only thing keeping her heart alive.

But as the years passed, her rising star began to lose its shine, for even in the opera world, women weren't allowed to gain the life experience that comes with age. Before long, she was pregnant with Sandra, and resigned to her muted career.

Now Sandra is starting her rise and she can see it all happening again.

"How long has this been going on?" Inga presses.

Gesine knows their mother is only trying to protect Sandra, but she can't remember the last time she saw her sister so happy. It takes a colossal force to put a crack in Sandra's wall, but the light is shining through, Gesine knows it. She has a good read on people, she always has. *When she first saw Raymond across the train tracks a few years ago, she'd known in that instant her life would never be the same. He was someone she needed in her world.

She has that same feeling when she watches Keanu with Sandra. Her sister needs someone like that in her life. She doesn't agree with their mother's prediction that he would only interfere. So she took a sip of her espresso, looked her solemnly in the eyes, and lied.

"Not long. They've hung out here and there after promotions. It's a nice friendship."

She takes another drink from her espresso, this one a solid gulp, then she fights the urge to spit it out as the scalding liquid coats her tongue. She owes me big time, she thinks, noting the loss of sensation in the singed area of her taste buds. She tries to change the subject. "What time is your flight tomorrow?"

Igna waves her away as though she is a fly landing on her sandwich. "Early, far too early to worry about."

"Why don't you let us take you, ma?" She knows it is a futile question. Inga never lets her children take her to the airport after a visit.