Vincent's appearance at Dinner was a happy event by the community, and afterwards, he and Catherine sat and talked to everyone, as they all enjoyed the Apple Coffee Cake William had prepared for dessert.
Catherine reminded Vincent that she promised to read to the children at bed time, and then she told him, the children were hoping he would be coming with her.
With hope, Catherine asked, "Will you go with me tonight? I am going to read the Velveteen Rabbit."
As Vincent, looked at Catherine, he happily replied, "Yes, I will, and shall look forward to your interpretation of the Margery Williams tale."
Thrilled Vincent consented, Catherine smiled and said, "The children will be so pleased you are with me."
Ronald then in the meantime, returned to the tunnels, and arrived at the Dining Hall just in time for dessert. He was rightfully teased by Vincent on his timing, and then Catherine anxiously asked him how the move had gone for Jennifer today.
To which Ronald, happily relayed to Catherine all about his and Jennifer's day, and of how everything went very smoothly for Jennifer.
Ronald then went on to explain, that in fact...the movers put everything in place for her, so they didn't have too much to do! And so he and Jennifer were pretty much freed up to spend the day together getting to know one another better. And oh yes...he also informed Catherine, that Jennifer had taped the radio interview for her to hear.
And because Catherine never had a chance to tell Vincent about the interview she, and Jennifer had done, apologetically Catherine glanced up at Vincent, and to her dismay, she could tell he was not pleased.
And so Vincent worriedly responded, "You were interviewed? Catherine...my concerns for your going so public still stands! I believe a low profile is for the best..."
Upon realizing the interview was upsetting to Vincent, Ronald truthfully relayed, as he laughingly said, "Vincent, believe me when I say, you have nothing to worry about. Catherine barely said a word! Jennifer did all the talking."
And then Catherine apologetically added, "I am sorry, I meant to tell you about the interview, it was so spur of the moment, but with everything else going on, I honestly forgot all about it."
Catherine then tried to justify her decision to do the interview by explaining, "The interview was taped, and on the radio...so under those circumstances, I didn't think it would be anything you would object to."
And then Ronald again reinforced, "And, as I said before, Jennifer did most of the talking!"
And as Catherine thought back, she laughed too, as she agreeably said, "That is true, the few things I tried to contribute, pretty much went by the wayside, and were over shadowed by all of Jenny's enthusiastic embellishments."
Troubled by this happenstance, Vincent heaved a sigh, and said, "Still, I wish the both of you had not done that interview. I have concerns for Jennifer's welfare as well."
Wanting to move on past this subject, Catherine, looked up at Vincent and firmly said, "Well it is done and over with. No harm done. Let us forget about it shall we?"
And it was then that Ronald turned to Jacob and on a lighter note, told him he needed to ask his permission about something on behalf of Jennifer.
Wondering what this was about, Jacob brightened up, and quizzically asked, "Hmm, I have to wonder what Jennifer could possibly need permission from me for?"
Firstly, Ronald smiled at both Catherine and Vincent before he cleared his throat, and answered, "Well, Jenny would like to contribute a Putt Putt course to the Tunnels for everyone."
Ronald then told Jacob, he believed, because of the size of the course, there to be room in the Community Chamber for it.
Once Jacob was informed more about the game of Putt Putt as a miniature golf course, he hesitated as he thoughtfully weighed his decision. But with the positive enforcement by Vincent, Catherine and Ronald, he then decided to OK Jennifer's request, to gift the Tunnels with this new activity.
Pleased that Jacob consented, Ronald said he would tell Jennifer the good news, and that either Saturday or Sunday, they would be setting it up.
As Jacob heaved a sigh, and said to Vincent, "Keep reminding me changes are good, and oft times for the better won't you? Miniature golf now, below in the tunnels! Putt Putt Indeed!"
When the time came, Catherine and Vincent walked hand in hand to the children's chamber, and as they were about to enter, Brooke happily greeted them at the threshold, and said, "Wonderful you are here, Michael is coming to visit, and I would like to fix up a little!"
To which Vincent asked, "Give Michael our regards Brooke..."
After saying she would, Catherine smiled, and then asked, "Did I hear he came by the other night too?"
Shyly Brooke looked downward, as she answered, "He did. He was so concerned when he heard of what happened with Paracelsus, that he wanted to visit Vincent. Unfortunately though, Father said it wasn't a good time. So he may be wanting to just say hello for himself tonight."
With a flaying out of his hands, Vincent replied, "Well, you know where to find me."
With a sincere thank you, Brooke ran off, leaving the task of quieting the children and settling them into their beds for Catherine and Vincent. Not that they minded...in truth, they enjoyed it so, not considering it a task at all.
With a look of determination, Catherine pushed up her sleeves on her sweater, looked at Vincent and said, "Well, this could be a challenge. Ready?"
Vincent with a smile in his eyes nodded, he was!
And so as they stepped in, and looked about the room, and there was joyful chaos in progress, because the children had yet to notice the changing of the guards!
It was but a moment or two, before Vincent spoke out, "Children, I trust you are ready to hop into your beds."
And as Vincent's voice rang out, they all looked up. and were so excited and happy to see Vincent had come along with Catherine!
And because they were so happy, they all ran up to hug him, and all the while, Catherine stood back smiling as she watched Vincent's tenderness with them.
After they got them all settled into bed, Catherine sat in the middle of the dorm like chamber, and began to read "The Velveteen Rabbit".
The children listened quietly and all very intently as Catherine so beautifully read to them.
As Vincent finished tucking in some of the smaller children, he intently stood, listening to Catherine too.
And as Vincent listened, he mindfully looked downward, and then back up at her again, thinking how beautifully she read, exhibiting her calming manner and her caring comeliness.
In fact, Vincent found himself enjoying the children's tale it as much as they, as her reading tapped into the boyish spirit inside of him.
As they said goodnight to the children, and put out all but the night candle, Catherine smiled up at Vincent as he whispered her name, wanting to softly say, "Catherine...your reading is captivating..."
To which Catherine humbly said, "I enjoy it Vincent."
With a thoughtful nod, Vincent whispered huskily, "Yes...I see you do."
As Vincent then escorted Catherine to her chamber, they crossed paths with Michael and Brooke.
With a heart felt embrace, he told Vincent he was so glad Paracelsus didn't kill him! He then turned to Catherine, to express his gladness she was o.k. too.
Fondly they all walked together, asking Michael how he was getting by, to which he said things were going great, and was enjoying college immensely.
Brooke listened with wide eyed wonder, both anxious for her day to come when she can go to college, and also, because of the affection she had for Michael!
Well as they came to the crossroads, Vincent asked Michael to come back soon, so he could go into more detail about his classes with him, as he was most proud of his accomplishments.
Michael feeling bolstered, and relieved that his hero was both proud and healthy, he bade them both a goodnight.
Catherine turned to watch Brooke with Michael, and saw as Michael reached for Brooke's hand! To which Catherine said, "Awe sweet Vincent. They are holding hands."
To which prompted Vincent to reach for Catherine's, and teasingly said, "Hmm, good idea."
As they came to Catherine's threshold, Vincent who had been contemplating something, asked Catherine if she would consider something.
Wondering what Vincent had in mind, Catherine curiously asked, "Such as?"
And so he replied, "Would you consider taking over the reading class for the children?"
Taken aback by this request, Catherine contemplated Vincent's suggestion, and thoughtfully told him, "You know I have been searching my heart for a way to contribute here since my move below...and this may be the way...so yes, I would love to."
Pleased by Catherine's answer, Vincent nodded, and said, "I will inform Father of this in the morning then."
As Catherine hugged Vincent, she said, "Thank you for suggesting it."
Vincent held Catherine lovingly to him, and said, "Goodnight Catherine."
And because Vincent was leaving, Catherine looked up, and sorrowfully asked, "Aren't you going to come in?"
But because Vincent knew Catherine did not have the best sleep last night,watching over him in the chair within his chamber, he thought for her welfare, he would decline her invitation.
And so regretfully, Vincent answered, "I must say goodnight Catherine. You won't sleep if I stay, I will see you tomorrow morning and escort you to breakfast."
With a disappointed sigh, Catherine conceded, saying, "All right Vincent, goodnight."
Vincent then embraced her, and lovingly said, "Goodnight Catherine."
The next day, Peter rushed down to the tunnels early the next morning with the results of the substance in the vile.
As he entered Jacob's chamber, he said, "Oh good Jacob, up are up."
Startled a bit by Peter's appearance, Jacob stood, and adjusted his glasses, as he inquired, "What brings you by so early on a Saturday morn Peter?"
To which Peter handed Jacob the envelope and said, "It is the test results of the medicine John was giving to Anna. I got them back very late last evening by currier. Jacob, I think you should sit down."
As Jacob looked to his friend with great expectation, he obediently prepared to sit back down, and tried to read Peter's expression, as to whether this was good news or incriminating findings.
And so Jacob sat, as he scoured the printout. He then looked up at Peter and said, "Synthetic Estrogen! What do you make of that?"
To which Peter expounded, "I believe John poisoned Anna with this fertility drug, along with her use of the other fertility drug which Anna had taken years before...Diethylstilbestrol."
As Jacob stood, he in disbelief asked, "Do you think he did it deliberately?"
In reply, Peter said, "There is one way to find out Jacob. I would like to confront him with these findings before we inform Vincent."
As Jacob took up his walking stick, he in agreement said, "Let's go Peter."
As they entered the outer tunnels, Jacob wanted to be far enough into the exterior tunnels to be sure no one else would pick up the coded message, he sent to Parcelsus. And just in case Pascal did hear the tapping, Jacob used an old code, which no one of the second generation would know.
In the message he informed Paracelsus that he and Peter would like a meeting with him in the alcove above the Catacombs. He asked him, to meet them there.
As the two approached the alcoves archway, Paracelsus was there waiting.
With a drone standing guard for protection, he coldly said, "So you wanted to see me..."
Jacob took a moment to catch his breath, as Peter began, "The vile's contents have been tested John, it shows it held a synthetic hormone."
John lowered his head, and admitted, "So now you know."
With anger Peter asked, "Why John? Why did you kill her?"
With a form of disbelief, John asked, "You believe I killed her deliberately with this drug?"
To which Jacob asked, "You didn't?"
In reply, John sorrowfully admitted, "Its true I did kill her, but it wasn't murder. Anna so wanted to have a child of her own. I did not know this man-made estrogen could be detrimental along with the previous use of DES! I did not know..."
Jacob looked compassionately at John, and then at Peter, both now realizing, it was accidental.
And so softly Jacob then said, "No one else knew it back then John...
Peter looked downward, and also thoughtfully added, "That is true, no one knew until years later..."
The three doctors stood, silent and sadly thoughtful until it was John who spoke and said, "Well now you know the whole truth. Technically, I DID kill Anna."
Jacob looked up and stated, "But accidentally John...accidentally."
John shamefully replied, "None the less...So what will you do now? Will you tell Vincent?"
Jacob vehemently told him, "We must...he has a right to know...he needs to know it was an accident."
John then said in a rare humane moment, "Yes...I suppose you are right...it will give the boy peace to know. Tell him for me...it was a murder of ignorance and I loved her. I meant her no harm."
John then looked at Jacob, and said, "I know you loved her as I did...you two shared something...but she was my wife Jacob...she was my wife."
Jacob quietly said, "I did love her John. She was there for me when I needed her. I was just a shell when Margaret left me. With Anna's help and then Vincent's presence here, my heart was revived. And it is true she was your wife. A devoted faithful wife in every way. Your jealousies were always unfounded. We had a love between us that only a true friendship could spawn."
Peter then quietly admitted, "I loved her too. She was a noble beautiful woman...and I loved her too."
The men stood in among one another in an understanding acceptance for the first time in over three decades.
John turned to walk away, knowing this eventful information came too late in his life to change anything for him. Yet knowing ironically, his life was indeed changed, because of the information which unraveled the truth behind Anna's death.
Causing him to take the rode he had chosen many, many years ago. Isolating himself in his hateful, world of vengeance and darkness. He then sadly turned, as he said, "Now that you know...do not seek me out again."
And into the dark tunnels he walked away, flanked by his droned protector.
Peter and Jacob returned, only to find the community in an uproar, getting ready to search for them.
As it happened, a diligent Pascal had picked up a faint tapping in some strange code, and he then informed Vincent.
It took a while for Jacob and Peter, to calm everyone, assuring them all was well and secure. After everyone's relief was palpable, Jacob thanked them for their concern, but to please go about their day.
After the community thinned out, he then discreetly summoned Vincent to his chamber, he and Peter wanted to speak with him.
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-four
| A Dream Within a Dream! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Twenty-Three |
