Gastien Pt 1 (28 page)

Sometimes Nathalie took him to an afterhours club. There, the tango was danced long before the public ever knew about it. Paris had many foreigners that visited or moved there, and they brought their culture with them. The tango was one of those things. Nowhere else was such a sexual dance tolerated, except possibly Montmartre. Nathalie and he excelled at it, because it is really the enactment of a sexual power game set to music. Many times the floor cleared when they danced the tango.

Gastien turned nineteen in early November. For his birthday, Mic and Nathalie threw a party at their favorite tango club.
Vin
and whiskey flowed, hashish was passed around, and tangos were danced. Nathalie and Gastien had a particularly amorous night in bed later. During the time of orgasm it seemed to Gastien that he buried himself even deeper into her. Sex with Nathalie was always something powerful.

At dawn, he left and life went on as usual. Gastien wished the commissions to paint at a home or estate would increase, but he knew it would take a long time. At least he was being asked to come and do paintings once in awhile. He had only been in Paris a little less than a year, after all! Still, he was impatient to become independent, painting full time. He liked his job at the restaurant, but it was not how he wanted to spend his life.

One day he worked a double shift for someone that was ill at the restaurant. Gastien had not worked a day shift before. It was November, about three weeks after his birthday. As he was waiting on the tables, he suddenly froze. From the back of the kitchen he could hear his father’s voice. He was there selling vegetables to Maurice! Gastien felt ill. He never wanted to see Jean Beauchamp again. However, he had no choice. He had to go into the kitchen in order to get the soups his customers had ordered. As he did so, his father looked over. Recognition immediately dawned in Jean Beauchamp’s brain.

Gastien looked past his father unemotionally, to the man next to him. It was his brother Paul! Their eyes met and Paul cried out, “Gastien! Oh, Gastien! How wonderful to see you!”

Gastien hurried over to embrace his brother. After inquiring about each other and Gastien totally ignoring his father, Maurice came back from getting his money. “Do you know each other?” asked Maurice.

“
Oui
, this is my brother!” said Gastien. Then there was silence.

Maurice was puzzled. “Then is this not your father?” Maurice questioned.

Gastien stared levelly at his father. Turning away, he said casually, “I have no father.” Gastien proceeded to the dining room with his customer’s soups.

Jean Beauchamp cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. Embarrassed, Paul stared at the floor. Maurice, for his part, was stunned. Gastien was never ungracious. What on earth had happened to cause this family rift? Finally Jean spoke.

“
Monsieur
, please excuse my son. We had words of disagreement before he left for Paris. You know how young people are! I think perhaps the time has come to forgive. Perhaps I should try to talk to him.”

 “But of course!” Maurice agreed hastily, “Please, be my guests and have a meal. I will seat you in Gastien’s area.” I am so glad that things will improve between them, he thought.

When Gastien turned around from serving his customers, he saw that Maurice was seating Paul and his father at a table nearby. He was shaking, but he forced himself to calm down. He was not a child anymore. He had had the last say. This man meant nothing to him. Nothing. But Paul did. He was so glad to see his brother! Unfortunately, he knew his father would not let Paul talk much.

Forcing himself to appear calm, he approached the table. Maurice had discreetly moved away, thinking he was doing Gastien a favor. Maurice was out of their sightline, but could hear the conversation. He wanted to hear the reunion of Gastien and his father, once forgiveness was offered and accepted. Families were important to Maurice.

Gastien stood at the table. “Please allow me to present the specials,” he said without emotion. He looked at Paul as if to say “I wish I could talk with you”. He could feel his father’s eyes on him. Jean was in his glory.

“Well, look at what we have here! We have Gastien “the great artist” waiting on us like a common peasant! It appears he did not manage to raise himself above us after all! Why are you waiting tables, boy? Did you lose your paintbrush?” sneered Jean.

Gastien stood still, simply looking at Jean for a moment. Then he started to recite the specials. Paul, for his part, tried to show interest in order to keep his father from torturing Gastien any further. Jean would not have it.

“Well, don’t worry, boy. Maybe in about twenty years, when you find your paintbrush again, you will be able to paint as great as the artist who did the paintings on these walls. Then again, I doubt you could paint anywhere close to that skill level. These are quite fine! You are quite common.” He laughed. To his surprise, Gastien laughed too.

“What can I get you two?” Gastien asked. Jean ordered a large meal, since Maurice was paying. Paul only had a light lunch special. He was embarrassed that his father would take advantage of the owner.

“Maybe if you beg, the artist who painted these will let you apprentice,” Jean continued. “That is, if you do him favors. I bet you would not mind that, with your long hair. I always knew you were a girl!” taunted Gastien’s father.

Gastien just smiled, then went to place the order. When he walked back out, a man and his wife stopped him within earshot of his father’s table.

“Excuse me. I understand that you painted these paintings on the walls, is that correct?” the man inquired.

Jean Beauchamp’s mouth dropped open. Beaming, Paul looked at Gastien and winked.

“
Oui
, actually I did,” said Gastien simply.

“Well, we think they are fabulous! Maurice tells me you can be hired for portraits. Could I hire you to come to our estate and paint my wife? I would like a portrait done for our dining room.”

Gastien looked at the woman. “She is very lovely. I would be honored,
Monsieur
.”

“Great! How do we set it up?”

“Well, generally I am paid fifty percent of the price up front, which will help to buy the supplies. We set up the days, and you have your man bring the carriage to pick me up.”

“Excellent!” Fees were agreed upon quickly, the amount surprising Jean. They made arrangements as the man handed Gastien the down payment. “I will see you Sunday then!” he said pleasantly.

“
Oui, Monsieur
, and
merci
.
Madame
? I look forward to painting your loveliness for your husband.” Gastien kissed her hand.

After the couple left, Gastien turned to give his father a sarcastic half smile. He went, got their food, and brought it to them. 

“Why didn’t you tell me these were your paintings?” Jean said angrily.

“Oh, it was much sweeter this way,” admitted Gastien. “Besides, you saying these paintings are good means nothing. You would not know good art if it bit you on the balls. Enjoy your meal.” He walked away.

Jean hurriedly ate his meal while Paul tried not to laugh. When finished, Jean hurried out, not even bothering to say goodbye to the owner. Paul, though, hugged Gastien tightly. Paul whispered “
Mon
Dieu
, I have missed you. I can’t wait to tell Mother about this! I knew you would make it.”

“Not yet, little brother, but I am on my way. Look for me in Montmartre in a few years.”

“I promise I will. I have great news, Gastien. I am engaged!” Paul announced happily.

“Paul, oh how wonderful for you! Who is the lucky woman?” It turned out to be Matt’s daughter, Rebecca. Gastien was very happy for Matt and Rebecca, too. “Congratulations, Paul. You will make a perfect couple. I remember how cute she is!”

“
Oui
. I Iove her very much,” stated Paul simply.

They hugged again. Paul sought out Maurice to thank him for both of their meals, explaining that his father had not felt good and needed to leave in a hurry.

Maurice had heard all of the conversation since seating Gastien’s father and brother. When Gastien walked by, he put a hand on his arm. “Gastien, I had no idea your father would treat you that way. I am sorry I sat them there.”

Gastien looked at him and grinned. “Oh, that is all right. I rather think my father enjoyed his crow.”

Maurice grinned, too. “I am not sure he did. He left in a hurry.” Then he turned serious. “If you wish, I won’t buy from him anymore. You are too valuable to me.”

“
Non
! Please do continue to buy. My brother Paul will soon run the farm. Please don’t stop doing business with them, Paul works very hard and is a good man.”

“Agreed. I will continue to buy.” Then he laughed. “
Mon Dieu
! The look on your father’s face when you admitted that those were your paintings!”

“
Oui
! That was sweet,” agreed Gastien. He continued working, happy to know he had a painting appointment that Sunday.

Around the first part of December, Gastien paid a visit to Father Fournier at
Notre Dame
. It had been several months since they had seen each other, although they did keep in touch by letters. Father had been very happy to hear about how Gastien's life had turned for the better. Gastien wrote asking to see him for an evening. Father wrote back right away, inviting him to dinner.

Gastien arrived with a large parcel in his arms. He presented Father with a painting he had done that showed the two of them at the table the night Father had found him in the cathedral. In the painting, Gastien was looking up at Father with a spoon halfway to his mouth, while Father cut him more bread. Gastien had captured both the compassion in the Father’s face and the fear in his own. When the Father saw it, he cried. Brushing at his tears, he spoke. “Gastien, this painting is stunning! How you capture emotion on the face is truly a gift.
Merci
beaucoup
for this.”

“You are very welcome, Father. You saved my life, you know.”

“Nonsense! You saved your own, with the help of God, or since you don’t believe, just by sheer determination and wit. I only gave you a minimal amount of help.”

“Father, I see it quite differently. I will always consider you a highly regarded friend. I also want to give you this money,” said Gastien, handing the priest a respectable sum from the money he had In the bank.

“Gastien, non – “

“Father! Do you remember what you told me about allowing someone to give? Please allow me that pleasure now. Use this money for other homeless who come to the cathedral looking for shelter. I don’t care if you use it for meals, for warm blankets, or what. Just use it to help others like you helped me.”

“
Merci
beaucoup
, Gastien. I will make sure it is put to good use.”

“I am sure you will. Now, please! Feed me! I am, as usual, starving!”

They spent a pleasant evening talking, promising to continue keeping in touch.

Almost before Gastien knew it,
Noël
was arriving. He spent the holiday with Mic and Mic’s new love, Clarrisa. Nathalie was at home with her family. After the holidays she would be traveling for a few weeks, so Gastien would not see her until mid January. Mic and Clarrisa were together quite a bit now, but Gastien doubted it would last. Already there was bickering, because Clarrisa wanted Mic to “settle down” and give up his “hobby” to make a living so that they could have a family. Gastien knew that would not happen. He truly wondered when Mic would learn that love was just not worth the effort.

Finally, in mid January, he received a letter that Nathalie would be in town that weekend. She asked him to meet her at her apartment Sunday, since that was his day off. He looked forward to finally seeing her again! He enjoyed many women, but Nathalie had become a very close friend. It was always nice to share great sex with someone who you also knew and liked immensely. He bought a good bottle of merlot from Maurice on Saturday to bring with him.

On the way to Nathalie’s, he impulsively stopped at a florist to buy her flowers. That would surprise her, he thought, because he was not generally very romantic. Nor did he fool himself that he was in love with her. He was simply glad to see her again. It had been over a month! They had a lot of catching up to do, both in and out of the
boudoir
.

He ran up the steps at noon, rapping at the door. Nath answered almost immediately. Gastien grinned at her, then handed her the flowers and the
vin
. “Nath! It is wonderful to see you again!” he cried, “Happy New Year!”

She smiled at Gastien, but somehow the smile seemed a little less luminous than he was used to. As she reached for the flowers and
vin
, he could not help but notice the huge diamond on the ring finger of her left hand. One would have to be blind to not see that rock! He suddenly felt queasy. He stared at it a moment. Puzzled, he looked up at her.

“Nath?” he asked in a hurt voice, “Nath? What’s going on?”

Nathalie was trying hard to maintain composure but one tear slid down her face. “Oh, Gastien! Come in, please. We need to talk.”

Suddenly Gastien wished he was anywhere but where he was. This was not going the way he had planned! It appeared that things were about to change in regard to their relationship. He followed her into her front room, where they sat on a sofa.

Nervously, Nath asked, “Gastien, would you like a drink? I have whiskey, or we can open the
vin
.”

“Nath, stop! Please. Just tell me what is going on!” He reached out to touch her. She did not stop him, but neither did she reach for him. Suddenly her shoulders started shaking. Nath started to cry. She flew into his arms and sobbed, burying her face in his neck. She clung to him for dear life as the sobs reached their crescendo and finally ebbed. Gastien simply held her, keeping her close. He knew that she would get to the details when she was ready. Right now she needed him to just let her be.