Vincent soberly followed his Father and Peter into Jacob's chamber and angrily asked them both, "Why did you go to see Paracelsus...and why would you take such a chance by going alone?"
Jacob heaved a sigh as he sat down in a chair at his table, and Peter wearily sat down too, and joined him.
Both men were both physically and mentally exhausted from this fact finding mission, and it was hard coming face to face with John. An old friend who was brilliant and gifted, but because of his drive, he chose an evil path in life to follow.
And, although his heart has turned cold, they realized how much he did love Anna, and today...he revealed he had concern for Vincent's welfare too.
Peter not feeling that it was his place to tell Vincent what all they knew, waited for Jacob to speak first.
Jacob, clearing his throat, searchingly began, "Vincent...Peter and I wanted to speak with John before we..."
As Jacob handed the laboratory's findings to Vincent, he softly continued, "...before we showed you this, and told you Anna had died as a result of the combination of medications she had been given in an effort to correct her infertility."
Vincent read, as his Father spoke, and as this information registered with him, he anxiously began to pace.
Then with a questioning tipping of his head, he looked at them, and asked, "What did Paracelsus have to say?"
Jacob softly relayed, "That he didn't know the two medications Anna had been given, were a volatile combination. He also said he wanted you to know he loved Anna, and meant her no harm. Vincent...John seemed sincere when he said he hoped this information could bring you some sort of peace."
Vincent narrowed his eyes, and thoughtfully asked, "I see...and you both believed him?"
Jacob without hesitation nodded and said, "In this instance...yes, I believed him."
Peter seeing the faraway look in Vincent's eyes, concernedly asked, "Vincent...you understand that Anna's death was an accident? Back then, the whole medical community was in the dark about these new synthetic estrogens."
Vincent nodded, and began to pace again, and as his pacing gained an edginess, he questionably bellowed, "Anna's journal entries stated how badly she was feeling. Why didn't Paracelsus discontinue these medications, knowing Anna was growing weaker?"
Jacob looked to Peter, and Peter searchingly looked back at him. Jacob then spoke for them both as he surmised, "Because...before she found you she had just lost a child, and she was so depressed."
A faraway look came over Jacob's face, as he sadly relayed, "Anna so badly wanted to have a child Vincent. It is true that you fulfilled her need for Motherhood, but John in his drug induced paranoia feared he was losing Anna. John said, he was hopeful his experimentation would be successful...and that together he and Anna would have another child. Bringing them closer together...as they once had been."
Vincent interrupted Jacob as he shouted, "And for the sake of medical science...Anna had to pay with her life?"
The silence within the chamber said it all. It was true Anna's death was accidentally caused by these new experimental drugs.
Vincent then walked up the stairs to leave Jacob's chamber. Remembering himself, he stopped, and turned to Peter and said, "Thank you Peter for getting the testing done so expediently..."
Jacob worriedly hobbled toward the stairs, and anxiously asked, "Vincent where are you going?"
Vincent brushed past Catherine as she was about to enter Jacob's chamber, and without acknowledging her, he sadly answered, "I need to be alone Father..."
Catherine looked worriedly up at Vincent and watched him leave, and she then looked over at Jacob and Peter, wondering what was wrong!
Jacob tragically looked downward and Peter then spoke up and told Catherine, "Cathy. We just received the results of the vile's substance, and John's explanation of what had happened to Anna all those years ago. Vincent has a lot to think about."
As they filled Catherine in on everything, she also agreed Vincent needed his space right now, and she would give him the time he needed to sort things out.
Meanwhile, Lisa arrived below in the tunnels to teach her Dance class to the children.
She found them ready and raring to go in the Community center, and she also found Ronald there as well.
He was half-heartedly doing his workout, missing the inspiration of his good friend spurring him along, exercising at his side.
As Ronald heard Samantha squeal a cheerful hello to Lisa, he rose up from the floor after completing his push-ups, to find Lisa looking at him with a very elegantly charming smile.
She lowered her eyes as she said, "Good morning Ronald, I hope we are not interrupting your routine."
Ronald feeling a little unnerved from all that has transpired between them, said, "Not at all Lisa, I was just finishing up."
Lisa then stepped closer to Ronald and flirtatiously asked, "Must you go? I could use some help setting a few things up. Vincent originally promised to help me with what ever I may need, However since he is still recovering from his injuries, well under the circumstances, it appears that I must elicit another's assistance."
Lisa's eyes then traveled down Ronald's pumped up biceps, and amorously asked, "Or would you rather I ask Mouse?"
Ronald looked downward at Lisa, and held her gaze with his dark mysterious eyes, and he in turn managed to unnerve her! He then compliantly said, "I'll stay and help you Lisa, there is no need to ask anyone else."
Lisa then said, "It shouldn't take long. Then you can go to...the hot springs chamber I imagine?"
Ronald smiled and said, "No, actually, I thought I would take a swim at the Falls. It is an invigorating way to start the day. So often Vincent and I go there after our work out..."
Lisa sensing the lonely tone in his voice sweetly offered, "Well, if you wait for an hour or so, I would love to go with you."
Ronald nodded and said, "That would be nice Lisa. I will wait."
Lisa smiled and said, "Good...well let's get started shall we?"
Ronald moved what Lisa needed out of the way, and he began thinking he felt confused about his feelings! He also felt a little guilty as well, as he felt himself respond to Lisa's blatant sex appeal.
Meanwhile, Vincent walked and walked, and as he traveled through the tunnels, he was unsure of where he wanted to go.
Then suddenly he realized what he wanted, and who he needed was Catherine. He knew she would help to clear his mind with her sound insights.
He went to her chamber, where she herself had just sadly returned to wait for him, hoping he would seek her out.
She looked up happily from her writing table when he appeared at her chamber's threshold.
She stood and spoke his name, "Vincent."
He silently walked in and stood before her and said, "Catherine...I feel lost...unsure what is expected of me. Has the culmination of all of this newly compiled information been set before me, to merely do nothing? I feel so unsettled!"
Catherine worriedly said, "Vincent, I was hoping this information would bring you peace, not produce vengeance. Think of what Anna would wish for you."
A tear rolled down Vincent's cheek, and said, "It is so hard to do what is right Catherine, to find the right path. I am not sure what Anna would wish me to do."
Catherine nodded knowing Vincent's confusion was well founded. She then said, "I know Anna loved you and she loved Paracelsus too. Somehow if you listen to your heart, Anna will speak to you and then you will know what you should do."
Vincent nodded knowingly and huskily whispered, "Something you suggested, keeps cycling in my heart..."
Vincent then took Catherine's hand in his, and as he looked down at her small hand, he mindfully continued, "You spoke of my offering a tribute to Anna. Perhaps an honorable tribute commemorating Anna's life... will bring a peace to all of us."
As an idea came to him he told Catherine, "The Limestone that had been found, I recall Ronald saying it can be ground up, and when combined along with water, may form a cement..."
He then resignedly said, "I wish to make her a honorable tombstone...with a verse I will write for her."
Catherine smiled and warmly said, "Vincent that sounds very nice."
Vincent brought Catherine to him, and as he gently held her, he told her, "Catherine...I knew your good heart would guide me to see things clearly."
Vincent took a deep breath, and as he expelled it, he rested his cheek against her hair, and said, "I went to think things out alone, as I have done all of my life, then...I remembered...I don't have to do that anymore. I now had you to turn to."
Catherine tearfully said, "I understand you sometimes may need time alone Vincent, we all do."
Vincent kissed her hair, and said, "Still forgive me for the fact...I had forgotten."
And so as they headed to the renovation chamber, Vincent set up his project, while Catherine worked on Vincent's desk, and Rebecca's sanded down bookcase.
As they worked, Mouse brought the last batch of the limestone that Pascal helped dig out for Vincent, so he could grind it up to create the cement.
Mouse then said he would be back with the needed water too. As Mouse returned, he looked up at his friend, and said, "Vincent...I can stay in case you need anything..."
Vincent thanked him and said, "Mouse, tomorrow I shall need your assistance. Tomorrow I wish to place it at Anna's grave. Will you help me take it to the catacombs?"
Mouse proudly nodded, and said, "Yes, I will help tomorrow."
Vincent understood Mouse's need to be helpful, and knew too, that it especially pleased him when He himself, would ask for Mouse's assistance.
Vincent placed his hand on Mouse's shoulder and said, "Thank you Mouse, you have been a great help to me. Please tell Father where I am, and not to worry about me."
Mouse proudly said, "I will tell him. Bye Vincent and Catherine."
And so Mouse immediately headed for Jacob's chamber, and told him all about Vincent's tribute to Anna. Feeling proud and pleased with the path his son decided to travel Jacob thanked Mouse for the information.
And so as Jacob's interest in this project piqued, he decided to stop by the renovation chamber, to check it out. Back when he had first heard about the limestone discovery, and its possible uses, he has been curious about the cement feature.
As Jacob stepped in, he was very impressed with the cement Vincent had been able to make using the limestone. They then in a light discussion, talked about other possible uses for this material.
Jacob then said he would be going, but before he left, he concernedly asked his son, if there was anything that he could do for him.
Vincent heaved a sigh, and assured his Father he was fine now. And knew a tribute would honor Anna more, than seeking vengeance against Paracelsus. Vincent then looked at Catherine and said, "Catherine helped me see this was so Father."
Jacob nodded in approval, and then thought of how in the past, it would take Vincent sometimes days to resume his serene demeanor after a soul-searching journey.
Jacob then looked fondly to Catherine, knowing it was due to her strengths, that Vincent was so quickly able to find his.
He then proudly looked back up at his son, happy to see he has found his bearings, and appeared to be genuinely at rest within his heart.
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-Five
| A Dream Within a Dream! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Twenty-Four |
