| All of My Life! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Five |
A bit later, above in the city, Peter greeted Lou, “Mornin'! Do you have time to take a little off the top? I have to catch a flight this morning.”
Lou looked at his friend of both worlds, and replied, “Of course, come sit down Ole friend.”
And as Lou worked on his hair, Peter told him about the cave-in.
Just as Peter finished telling the whole tale, Lisa entered Lou’s shop, saying, “Good morning Lou..."
And surprised to see Peter there, she then added, "...and to you too Peter. Good morning to you both.”
Lou welcomed Lisa warmly, by asking, "Aren’t you starting your new job today?”
Graciously, she answered, “Yes I am, in fact my first class is at noon. I must admit I am quite nervous. Actually why I am here is that I have finished some correspondence, and I thought perhaps you would deliver these letters for me when you next visit the tunnels. It may be a few days before I can. I have a letter here for Father, Samantha and one for Vincent.”
Happily, Lou promised, “Of course I will. I 'll be wanting to check on the patient later on, so..."
Alarmingly Lisa inquired, "Patient? In the tunnels? Who's ill?"
Realizing Lisa hadn't heard, Lou explained, "It's Vincent. Peter was just telling me about a sharp rock that fell on his arm, and injured him quite badly.”
Lisa looked at them both, and gasped, “Oh my, then I must check on Vincent too!”
Lisa looked to Peter, and asked, “Will Vincent be all right?”
Peter answered Lisa calmly, “Yes Lisa he will be fine. He just needs to take it easy for a couple of days because of the blood loss. But there really is no need to be alarmed and rush down there.”
Peter thinking to himself, of how Catherine and Vincent, were trying to get things righted between themselves, and that perhaps a visit from Lisa, would complicate their still fragile state of being.
Deciding it would be best to be honest, and direct with her, Peter put it on the line, and firmly said, “Going to see him may not be a good idea right now, you see Catherine is there with Vincent. They are trying very hard to put things back together.”
Lisa's first instinct, was to feel slighted by Peter's suggestion, so being on the defensive, she assuredly stated, “My concern is for Vincent’s health, nothing more.”
And though she initially felt badly by Peter's comment, deep down she knew, he had every right to be concerned about her interfering. After all the past speaks for itself!
Apologetically, she then added, “I will not interfere if that is what you are thinking Peter."
She then decided to fill both Peter and Lou in on what had transpired, and shared, "Just so you both know, we...Vincent, I and Father talked, we have all made mistakes, and we are trying to put the wrongs behind us. We have forgiven one another. And as far as Vincent is concerned, well we know we could never be anything other than family to each other. I do love him, but it is as a brother.”
Lou happily said, "Good Lisa. I am happy for you all. It sounds like your talks with both Vincent and Father went well then."
With a nod, Lisa said they had, and then waited to hear what Peter had to say.
Peter hesitated, and warmly replied, "Good Lisa. I am glad. This is good news all the way around. I think you all needed to clear the air."
He then apologetically added, "I didn't mean to butt in. I hope I didn't come on too strong there.”
Lisa understood, and said, “After all you didn't know the whole story yet. You didn't know we three have come to an understanding."
She then added, "And you are right about giving Vincent and Catherine time. I will wait till Saturday as I originally had planned. That is the day I will be returning to the tunnels for the dance class I am holding for the children.”
To which Peter replied, “A dance class for the children? Now that sounds like a great contribution.”
Lisa thoughtfully said, “I do want to contribute to the tunnels. And I want to be comfortable visiting the place I still feel as home.”
Peter nodded as he told her, “Frankly, I would like to make amends with you too. I know we adults handled the whole situation between you and Vincent badly back then. And if truth be known, I have carried a lot of regret in my heart because of it.”
Peter then continued, "So if you can...forgive me too."
Happily, Lisa replied, "Of course, nothing would make me happier than to start anew."
With a fatherly hug, Peter fondly said, "Good then, new beginnings for us all."
He then checked his watch, and urgently said, “Hey! I better go. See you both soon.”
Lisa and Lou both wished Peter a safe trip, and as Lisa teared up, Lou comforted her, and said, "It would seem today is a good day uh?"
Thankfully Lisa replied, "Yes it would seem so."
She then added, "But you Lou, I did always have you to turn to through the years. You were my life line really, and I want to thank you for always being there for me."
Lou himself had to wipe away a tear, and said, "Don't mention it. I always new you were a good kid"
Lisa then noticed the time, and cleared her voice of emotion, as she thanked Lou for taking her letters down for her. And so with a final hug, said "Wish me luck! I will be in touch."
As Lisa walked down the city street, she thought of all the changes her life had taken lately, and was so thankful for them. As her excitement returned to her, she thought of how anxious she was, to teach her first class at the School of the American Ballet!
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Meanwhile, the afternoon was filled with finalizing the plans for the renovation, and although Vincent missed Catherine as she napped, it buzzed by with visitors coming to check on him, which included the children, who brought him homemade Get Well cards.
Pascal stopped in, and showed Vincent, an interesting stone he had found by some old pipes. Rebecca, Jamie, and Laura came by, and tidied up, doing odds ‘n ends around Vincent’s chamber. While Mary helped Jacob change his bandage.
Lastly, William prepared Vincent, and Jacob, a special luncheon with one of their favorites, a cured ham and cheese sandwich, with a side bowl of the Lentil soup, which was left over from the previous meal.
AH Yes, and all throughout the early part of the day, the lovely sling Vincent wore out of pure devotion for Mary, received comments by one and all!
Since Vincent was doing so well, Jacob told him, “I should join Mouse, and Ronald in executing the plans you have mapped out for the expansion.”
Inquisitively, Vincent asked, “Ronald Father? He will trust working with Mouse even after…”
Jacob butted in and finished Vincent’s sentence for him, and said, “Yes, yes, even after he hit him in the head with that timber last Fall!”
Vincent shook his head, and simply said, “Remarkable!”
Jacob patted Vincent on the back, as he complimented him, “Yes, Ronald does have a forgiving nature, but its your knowledge, and input for this renovation, is what's remarkable my boy.”
Jacob chuckled, as he reminisced thinking of when Vincent, was in his teens, he was so captivated by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He scoured, and devoured, any article, or book Peter could find above for him to read! Jacob mused that for a time, he had trouble getting Vincent to read the other books he had required of him.
Vincent was most fascinated by the thought of building a structure, using only cantilever techniques, and counter-balance and organic architecture, as Frank Lloyd Wright had introduced the world to.
Impressively, Jacob added, “I suppose reading all those architectural books has paid off my boy! As per your suggestion, I believe some of the methods Wright developed, can most certainly work here below in the tunnels.”
Vincent nodded in agreement, and feeling so frustrated he was unable to help, he then lamented, “I believe so too, and I WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO BE THE ONE TO EXECUTE THESE TECHNIQUES!”
Apologetically, he then said, “I am sorry Father, it is just I can envision it all so clearly, and I know much of this work is heavy and very difficult. No one can lift what I can. I only hope no one injures themselves, because I am not there to help! And I want to do this for Catherine.”
Jacob touched Vincent’s arm to calm him, as he said, “There will be plenty left for you to help with. However, for now, this is your time to concentrate on Catherine, and make amends with her. Women need a lot of assurances you know. A lot of soothing and reminders! Oh yes, just when you think you are on track, they blind-side you, and you are in the doghouse again, or so to speak, and you wonder what you could possibly have done wrong, and ask yourself, "What in Hades did I do now!”
With a smile in his eyes, Vincent looked at Jacob, and questioned him, “Do you speak from experience Father?”
Jacob chuckled a bit, and licking his grinning lips, he stammered modestly, “I suppose you wouldn’t know looking at me now Vincent, but I had been quite the lady's man in my day.”
Vincent nodded, as he envisioned a much younger, suave Jacob, and assured him, “Oh I believe it Father, you are still a very striking figure of a man. Catherine has mentioned it herself.”
Jacob was flabbergasted by this compliment, and as he asked for clarification, his voice unexpectedly squeaked, as he said, “She Does? uh, uh, she does? Oh my well there you have it!”
In reply, Vincent agreed, "Yes, there you have it Father."
Standing to leave, Jacob tried to stifle his bolstered ego, as he adjusted Vincent's sling, which was a bit akimbo, around his neck. And as he did so, Jacob could not help but to tease him too, as he said, “You know Vincent, it’s not every man who feels secure enough in his manhood to wear a Rose bud patterned garment! Yes it takes a virile man indeed!”
Vincent looked at his Father from the top of his eyes, as he tried to take all this ribbing he has been receiving all day long, in a good-natured manner.
In a very blasé voice, Vincent stated, “Is that how you see it Father?”
Jacob cleared his voice, as he chuckled, saying, “You know what they say Vincent, the nut does not fall far from the tree…er…so to speak!”
Vincent lifting a distinguished brow said, “Well that must be it then Father, and in this analogy, you would be the…”
Jacob proclaimed, “The tree of course!”
Vincent smiled and said, “Of course.”
Jacob then continued to smile to himself, as Catherine’s compliment still resonated with him. Leaving with perhaps a bit more pep in his step, Jacob bade Vincent a good day for now.
As Vincent sat quietly he was able to sense a sadness from his Catherine. As he made his way to the guest chamber he found her on her bed softly crying.
Vincent hurriedly approached, and sat down on the bed beside her. As he gathered her up within his embrace, he gently asked, “What is it Catherine?”
Catherine told Vincent, that when she awoke, she was struck by all the sad memories of her last stay there within the Guest Chamber. Perhaps it was too soon after her Father’s death to lie within these walls, where all her sorrow had erupted. “I feel my grief for Dad so strongly here. I am sorry to alarm you. You should be resting.”
Vincent looked down at Catherine, and as he pulled her close, he silently held her wishing he could lift this sadness and bare it for her.
Catherine tugged at Vincent’s heart, as he felt her embrace tighten, and gain intensity as she hugged him around his neck. He knew Catherine needed his strength right now, and he gladly gave it, to help her through her time of pain.
As he felt her tears subside, he looked down at her. Affectionately he dried her tears and told her, "I understand, the memories of that time are strong for me here as well. Perhaps it would be best if tonight you joined Rebecca in her chamber.”
Catherine agreed, “As long as I am near you, I would like that.”
Vincent assured her lovingly, “I will see to it for you.”
As Catherine took a deep breath feeling better for having Vincent near her, she smiled, and told him, “You always make me feel better. I don’t know if you knew it then, but the last time I slept here, I wanted you to remain with me, I didn’t want you to leave.”
Vincent catching his breath, closed his eyes and confessed, “If you only knew how badly I wanted to stay.”
To be continued…
Chapter Six
