Re: lakeside mansion; hugh c. & dietre a.
The Dietre he was becoming around Hugh was quite close to the one he had been that Halloween in the corn maze. Playful, a bit flirty, and innocent. He had to keep himself in check, though, this Dietre could never be as optimistic. He might pretend to be, or even trick himself into thinking he could be, but once he was alone with his own dark thoughts he’d be envisioning heartbreaking outcomes for himself in no time. He had too many bad things happen to him, suffered too many losses, his psyche was covered in scars that probably would never heal fully.
For now, though, warm, sleepy, and content, Dietre felt safe from harm. He smiled as Hugh spoke. “My guess that the first film I’ll hate will be something disgustingly modern. So I suggest you steer clear of anything like that for as long as you’re able.” Anything about business, cars, or computers was sure to bore or annoy Dietre. He knew already that he’d prefer period pieces, which Beauty and the Beast was to some degree. He wondered, idly, if there were any good renditions of Wuthering Heights out there. Or Jane Eyre. They were both romances, so he was sure Hugh would know.
Before he could ask, Hugh requested some ever listening, phantom program, to play The Carnival of Animals. He listened for a moment, then nodded, “Yes, this is it. You may recognize some of the movements yourself. The Swan is particularly beautiful and popular, I’d be surprised if you never heard it before.”
He had the idea that he could name each movement for Hugh as they began, but as the music played he found himself too drowsy to bother. Perhaps it was his imagination, but Dietre thought he felt Hugh’s breathing slowing into the rhythm of sleep. Listening was so calming, so soothing, that he too began to drift off. Any dreams they might have would be touched by music, who could ask for a better night’s rest?