To which Mary alarmingly asked, "Putting the children to bed? Again? You put them to bed last night as well. I am sure it was to be Laura's and Jamie's shift tonight"
Vincent smiled at Catherine, as he kindly explained to Mary, "I know Mary, but the children requested Catherine read to them again...and Jamie and Laura said they wouldn't mind if we took their turn, and well Catherine could not say no to any of them."
Mary turned to Catherine, and forewarned her, "Don't allow the children to take advantage of you Catherine...or, as far as that goes, do not allow Jamie and Laura to take advantage either! They should not be putting you on the spot like that!"
Catherine anxiously halted any such implications by admitting, "Oh please don't look at it that way Mary, I love reading to the children...and it isn't Laura and Jamie's fault that I asked to take their turn."
Mary then scoffed, "Of course they wouldn't mind if you took their turn!"
To which Mary noted, "My main concern is teaching responsibility to Jamie and Laura, and of how they should adhere to the schedule."
As Jacob looked to Mary, he nodded in agreement with her as he verified, "Mary is right...we don't want Jamie and Laura to be void of doing their share! We must instill good work ethics into their young, developing spirits!"
Catherine looked up at Vincent, thinking her stepping in, has caused some problems. And so she asked, "Please don't be angry with the girls Mary and Father, I can see now how important a schedule is for everyone here. After tonight, I won't offer any more."
Jacob adjusted his weight to his better leg, and looked at Mary to suggest, "Perhaps...we will have to find a way of working Catherine into the schedule."
Jacob then turned to Catherine and asked, "Only if you would want to be on the schedule of course."
Loving the idea, Catherine said, "If Mary thinks its all right, I would love to be scheduled."
With an approving nod, Mary said, "Splendid solution!"
Jacob then said, "We shall see to it first thing tomorrow."
He then scoffed a good natured chuckle and rationalized, "I don't see any harm in deviating from the schedule now and then however, so tonight...you may appease the children...AND Jamie and Laura by reading to the children as planned!"
Catherine thankfully sighed and said, "Thank you Father."
Vincent then thought this may be a good time to speak with his Father about Catherine taking over the children's reading class. And so he said, "Father, as long as we are on the subject of Catherine becoming more involved, I had an idea last evening...and I want to know if you would approve of Catherine taking over the reading class?"
Catherine looked hopefully at Jacob, as he brought his hand to his chin to contemplate the idea. He then nodded approvingly and said, "Yes, if this is something that you wish to do my Dear. It is not a task to undertake lightly. Much of our focus here below is in our reading. It is our way of reaching out to the world above, you understand."
Catherine with a great conviction said, "If you allow me to do this Father, I will not let you or the children down. I do understand the importance of such a responsibility."
Mary could not contain her excitement, as she clapped, and expounded, "Oh Vincent, I think that is a wonderful idea!"
She then stopped herself as she realized she was perhaps, speaking out of turn! And so she added, "That is if Father approves..."
Jacob cleared his throat as he looked downward, trying to hide his amusement at Mary's excitement, though secretly happy to know Mary's viewpoint on the idea!
He then looked back up and around to Vincent, Mary, and then back at Catherine and mirthfully said, "Well it looks as if we may add another teacher to our roster."
Catherine's eyes glistened as she said, "Oh thank you Father."
Jacob nodded and said, "You are most welcome Catherine."
They then said goodnight, and followed the children onto their chamber, making a quick stop at Catherine's, so that she could pick up a special book along with her tape player from her wardrobe, which she wanted to play for the children.
As the last child was snugly tucked in, the children listened from their beds as Catherine read a book that she, this time chose.
She told them, "I would like to read a story to you that was inspired by a poem that had been written in 1959 by Leonard Lipton. Leonard himself had been inspired by a rhyme he had read, that had been written by Ogden Nash called "Really-O Truly-O Dragon." It is a story about the end of the magical time in every person's life...the magical time is called....childhood."
Catherine then continued, "Anyway, after Leonard had typed out his thoughts on the subject, he left this newly written poem in the typewriter of a friend. Well, this friend of his, happened to be a musician/songwriter, and his name was Peter Yarrow. He liked Leonard's poem so much that he put music to it. He ended up singing it with the other two people in his singing group, and they were a trio by the name of Peter, Paul and Mary. They made this song very well known."
Catherine then reflectively said, "...and as a small girl, my Mother would play it for me, and I liked it very much. And before I read the story to you, I will first play the song so you can understand it's magic that inspired this book. The name of the song and story is, "Puff the Magic Dragon."
After playing the song, Catherine then held them spellbound once again by her expressive reading and Vincent looked on lovingly, as he sat down on the edge of Kipper's bed.
As Jacob passed by the children's chamber, he could not help but to peak in. It was so quiet, that he had to see what mystical technique Catherine and Vincent were utilizing, to achieve such a compliant atmosphere!
As he quietly stepped inside unnoticed, he listened as Catherine read to the children.
He looked around the chamber, and saw the excitement in some of the children's eyes, and the contented sleepy droopiness in some of the others.
Clearly Catherine had them in the palm of her hand, and he could tell by her voice, that she was truly in her element with the children.
He then looked at his son, who sat watching the woman he loved, and once again a fateful sense of dread loomed over his heart. And he hoped the thought which occurred to him earlier about Catherine's need for Motherhood would not come to pass.
He then stepped back out into the tunnels, and listened for a moment longer, thinking of how Vincent was correct. Catherine did exhibit a true gift in this realm, and she will be a wonderful teacher to the children.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, as Ronald decided not to accept Lisa's invite to come in for a supposed night cap, they said a final goodnight.
Yes...Ronald did not give in! Ultimately he knew he couldn't! At least not until he took a step back in his relationship with Jennifer.
And so as he descended the steps of Lisa's apartment, he passed by Jennifer on the sidewalk!
Oh my! What timing! As it so happened, Jennifer had just left a Birthday Party at Dano's, which was up the street.
Feeling stunned, they both stopped, and looked at one another, both being caught so totally off guard crossing paths, of all places, in front of Lisa's apartment!
So as the two stood there, Jennifer then looked up the stairs toward Lisa's apartment door, and with a hurtful look, she finally said, "Hello Ronny."
Ronald guiltily looked downward and stammered, "I...I was just seeing Lisa safely home..."
With aplomb, Jennifer reached up to wipe the lipstick from Ronald's cheek and said, "Hopefully your mission was accomplished."
Instinctively, Ronald touched his cheek, as he realized the kiss Lisa had given him, must have left it's mark! And so he tried to sound nonchalant, as he said, "Yes, she is home safe and sound."
But then as Ronald recalled his and Catherine's conversation, he then with hesitancy asked, "Jenny...can we talk?"
With tears in her eyes, Jennifer sternly said, "No we can't Ronny! Not if you are going to tell me how nice and wonderful I am, but you are not ready for a commitment..."
Ronald lowered his eyes, knowing that was exactly what he had planned to say. However, as he heard Jennifer say it, he knew it sounded so contrite, lame and cliché-ish!
And then as Jennifer looked up toward Lisa's apartment, she sadly added, "...at least not ready for a commitment with me..."
Upon knowing what Jennifer was assuming, Ronald then professed, "Jenny, nothing has happened between me and Lisa."
Ronald then with sincerity, looked at her and softly said, "I want you to know that."
To which Jennifer tearfully asked, "Why? So I can know how noble you are to defy your throbbing libido by resisting someone as beautiful as Lisa?"
With a tone of respect, and affection, Ronald answered, "No, so you can know how important you are to me. It is true, I am confused. I cannot deny that. I only hope you can understand Jenny."
To calm herself, Jennifer took a deep breath, knowing she was letting her childishness show! But she has heard it all so many times before, as she was being passed over for the prettier girl.
So as Jennifer answered, she with a tragic smile, sadly said, "I do understand Ronny...I understand better than you could know."
With a humbleness, Ronald then asked, "Have I destroyed our relationship with my confusion Jenny?"
To which Jennifer weakly answered, "No Ronald..."
And then upon thinking back about all she had said, Jennifer humbly asked, "...but have I? I mean with my immature throbbing libido expletive?"
Feeling a bit relieved by Jennifer's question, Ronald nervously laughed and said, "No Jenny, and you were right, I deserved that."
Feeling their friendship was in the very least, not in tatters, Ronald then questioned, "Sooo, are we alright?"
With with a tone of regret, Jennifer looked downward as she sadly answered, "We are...and so I guess we...we are what we have been from the very start...we are friends."
To which Ronald stated, "I know this is confusing, but I need to say, that though I want to take a step back from becoming too serious with any one person, I do want to still see you...I am just trying to figure this all out..."
With her heart on her sleeve, Jennifer softly admitted, "I still want to see you too Ronny. Let's just take things slowly, and yes...see other people too if we want, and we will see where things take us...take both of us."
With relief of sorts, Ronald agreeably answered, "All right Jenny, all right."
And because Jennifer wanted to leave Ronald on a light note, she asked, "Well this may be changing the subject a little...well maybe changing the subject a lot...but I wondered if you have had the chance to ask Pop's about the Putt Putt course?"
A relieved laugh escaped Ronald's lips, as he felt a sense of normalcy return to their conversation, and he told her, "Yes Jenny, Jacob agreed to us setting up the course anytime!"
To which Jennifer praised, "I am so glad you were able to get him to accept it!"
In reply, Ronald explained, "Well, I can't take any credit, I think once he rationalized it would be a great form of exercise and sportsmanship for the kids, that he conceded it would be a good thing..."
To which Jennifer expounded, "OH that is so great!"
With a nod, Ronald then hopefully asked, "Do you want to set it up tomorrow..."
But not wanting to sound too presumptuous, he added, "...unless you have other plans..."
Although Jennifer was so happy about setting up the Putt Putt course, she at the same time, could feel her heart breaking. So as she tried to hold back her tears, she waved down a passing Taxi, and with a quivering smile, replied, "I do have plans Ronny...so...maybe it would be best if we plan it for Tuesday, when I come below for Mary's reading class..."
Feeling a bit brushed off, Ronald replied, "Ok, what ever you say Jenny..."
And as the Taxi stopped, even though she was crying, Jennifer tried to sound cheerful, as she said goodbye, and wanting to escape, she quickly opened the door.
Well a very astute Ronald could tell Jennifer was hurt, and wondered what to do! Should he acknowledge her tears, or just let her go.
And so Ronald decided to hop into the taxi with her! As he sat beside her, he questioned, "Jenny?"
Feeling overcome, Jennifer put her face into her hands, and cried, "Just leave Ronny please! I don't want you to see me crying!"
And because the Taxi driver felt obligated to help, he turned around and asked, "Hey lady, is this guy hassling you?"
To which after collecting her emotions, Jennifer regrouped enough to say, "No, no he's not..."
And so with affection, Jennifer looked into Ronald's eyes as she continued, "...he is my friend, and we are just sorting things out."
Feeling satisfied Ronald wasn't a creep, the driver then demanded, "Where to then lady?"
But before Jennifer could answer, Ronald lovingly looked at Jennifer and asked, "May I see you home Jenny? I can't leave you like this."
With a nod to Ronald, Jennifer then recited her address, and asked him to drive them there.
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-seven
| A Dream Within a Dream! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Twenty-Six |
