Catherine walked out onto the street, and headed toward the upper West Side of Manhattan, toward the Lincoln Center.
As she approached the information desk, at the School of the American Ballet, she nervously said, “Hello, I am looking for Lisa Campbell, she is a teacher here, and a resident too.”
The older lady seemed irritated, and as she looked at her computer screen, she punched away at her keyboard, as if she was performing a top-secret investigation! Finally she peered suspiciously over the top of her bifocals, and said, 3rd floor, suite 3-D.
With the letters in hand, Catherine thanked the lady, and headed toward the elevator. As she hesitated at Lisa’s door before knocking, she pondered exactly what she was going to say, and sorted out what needed to be said. She then began to wonder if she was going to be well received or not.
Gathering her nerve, Catherine closed her eyes, and quickly knocked before she could change her mind!
As Lisa opened the door, the look upon her face was as if she had seen a ghost! Lisa was totally speechless! Catherine broke the silence by saying, “Hello Lisa, I am sorry to just drop in without calling first.”
Lisa motioned for Catherine to come in, and said, “Do come in Catherine.”
The two stood for an awkward moment, till Lisa asked, “May I offer you some Tea?”
Catherine nodded, “Yes, that would be nice.”
Lisa walked toward her sitting room, and welcomed Catherine to sit down in an opposing chair, which was on the other side of the coffee table. She then asked, “Would you like lemon, or cream?”
Catherine shook her head no, and politely said, “Just regular."
She then began by saying, "I suppose you are wondering what brings me here.”
Lisa elegantly poured the tea, and as she handed Catherine her Teacup she said, “Yes I am.”
Fear rushed into Lisa’s voice as it suddenly occurred to her, this may be about Vincent’s accident, so urgently she asked, “Its not about Vincent is it? He is all right isn’t he, nothing has gone wrong with his recovery?”
Catherine was stunned at the genuine concern Lisa had for Vincent, and so she hurriedly tried to calm her, by saying, “No, Vincent is fine. He recovered quickly and is already back to his regular routine as of today.”
Lisa heaved a relieved sigh, and said, “That is wonderful! It seems as if Saturday is never going to come. I promised Peter I would wait…”
Suddenly, Lisa stopped herself in mid-sentence, realizing she was saying too much, about her promise to Peter, not to interfere with Catherine and Vincent’s reconciliation.
Questionably Catherine looked at Lisa, and asked, “What did you promise Peter?”
Lisa stood up, and paced the floor of her sitting room, speechless for what her answer should be!
Catherine stood too, as she asked again, “Tell me please Lisa.”
Elegantly, Lisa turned, and explained, “It’s nothing really, it is just that when I ran into Peter at Lou’s, he told me about the cave-in, and of Vincent’s injury. When I said wanted to go below and check on him, Peter asked me, if I could wait until Saturday, since you were reconciling, he thought you didn’t need any distractions.”
Lisa felt badly, as she could see how this information upset Catherine, and felt terrible for letting it slip out. Apologetically and said, “Oh now you are angry with Peter, he didn’t mean any harm, and I believe he was right.”
Catherine corrected Lisa by saying, “No I’m not upset with Peter, but your telling me what he had said, well, that makes this visit all the more necessary. You and I need to come to some sort of understanding, so we all may co-exist. Especially since, well Lisa, I want to tell you, I am moving below to the tunnels.”
Lisa was amazed at the depth Catherine’s commitment really was to Vincent! That she would leave her plush life here for him! Lisa looked at Catherine with admiration, and wonderment, as she asked, “You really love him that much?”
Catherine nodded, and relayed, “Yes. He is my life now. I’m not sure of the exact moment I fell in love with him, it may have been the first time I heard his voice, or felt his heart speaking to mine, but I can’t exist without him. I need to be with him, and live at his side.”
Catherine’s eyes glistened with un-shed tears, as she softly went on to say, “I know you and Vincent have resolved your past problems, and I wanted to thank you for all the truths you revealed to him. Those truths helped to heal Vincent’s heart. He is a different man now. I know it could not have been easy for you, or for either of you.”
Lisa seemed to breathe easier at these kind words from Catherine, and admitted, “I am so glad to know I have helped Vincent, he in turn has helped me as well.”
Lisa looked downward, and confessed, “I do love Vincent, but not as you do. I recognize the difference now. I want you to believe me when I say, I could not be happier Vincent has found you. He deserves every happiness in his life.”
With her back to Catherine, Lisa tried to hide her emotions, as she went on to say, “I have never known Vincent to be happier. He is clearly a man in love.”
Lisa then turned to face Catherine, and relayed, “Oh my, when he speaks your name, well his love for you is like a beacon in the night. It can not be missed.”
With tears in both of their eyes, they stood and looked at one another, two women who loved Vincent. One a woman who possessed the power of his past, and the other who held the promise of his tomorrows.
As Catherine turned to leave, she realized she had not given Lisa the letters! So, with a trembling smile, Catherine embarrassingly said, “These letters are from Father, and Vincent. I told them I would deliver them to you.”
Lisa looked down at the handwriting on the envelopes. And although she was thrilled to receive a letter from Vincent, it was Jacob’s letter that really touched her heart! Gratefully, she expressed, “Thank you. This means so much to me.”
As Lisa lovingly ran her fingers over her scripted name by Jacob’s hand, she then looked back up at Catherine as she said, “Never in my fondest dreams, did I ever imagine receiving a letter from Father. Perhaps dreams can come true!”
Catherine smiled as she said, “Yes perhaps they really can.”
Opening the door for Catherine, they awkwardly stood, feeling as if they should hug or something because of the closeness they felt, being commonly united by the love of one incredible man, but somehow, they couldn’t.
Catherine finally said, “I will see you Saturday, the children are busily preparing for their encore performance.”
Graciously, Lisa replied, “Saturday then. And Catherine, thank you.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later on, as Catherine accepted the piping hot pizza from the delivery guy, she generously offered, "Keep the change Charley, and have a good night.”
Knowing they both would be starving, Catherine ordered pizza for she and Jennifer to share, hoping too, that plying her friend with food, might keep her calm, after all she needed to tell her.
Excitedly, Catherine welcomed her pal inside, when instantly, Jennifer asked, "Is that Dano's Pizza I smell?"
Laughing, Catherine said, “What a nose you have Jen! Yes it is, so let’s dig in while its hot.”
Jennifer dove at the box saying, “Oh maybe just one piece, I am dieting this week.”
After taking a huge bite, she wiggled onto the couch cross-legged, and said, “Ok give me the scoop. Tell me all about Vincent!”
Catherine poured wine into each of their glasses, and began by thoughtfully saying, “Well Jen, Vincent is different, he is not like anyone else. He is unique, and so beautiful, he is startling yet serene, he is like no other man.”
Questionably Jennifer noted, “Usually you describe a guy as handsome, cute, or hunky, but beautiful?”
Catherine smiled as she looked downward, and softly said, “Once you meet him you will know what I mean.”
Excitedly, Jennifer noted, "Which will be this Saturday! I cannot wait!"
She then looked around the apartment, and exclaimed, “I cannot believe you are going to let me sub-let this place. I have always loved this apartment! You know what? I am going to need to get some measurements!”
Catherine suggested, “Just use your key, and come and go as you like. I haven't told you this yet, but I have to go out of town on a case tomorrow. I hope to be back by Friday, Saturday morning at the very latest."
Catherine then went on to tell Jennifer about the concert, and said, "I absolutely have to be back for Saturday's concert. The kids would be crushed if I missed this one. And besides, I am anxious for you to visit the tunnels and see my new home.”
Just then, Catherine heard Vincent on the Balcony. Since he could see she had company, he almost left, but waited, as he saw her approaching. To Jennifer's confusion though, she was baffled when Catherine excitedly said, “Vincent is here.”
Jennifer questioned, “What are you talking about, I didn’t hear the door bell!”
Catherine smiled, as she said, “Not at the door Jen, on the Balcony. That’s how Vincent visits me here.”
Just before Catherine opened the doors, she turned to Jennifer to say, “Give me a moment, just please stay put. I want to be sure he is ready to meet you. Promise?”
Numbly, Jennifer nodded a totally dumb-founded yes, extremely overwhelmed by all this intrigue, and said, “I promise."
Catherine stepped out on to the balcony, and closed the doors behind her. She stood for a moment relishing the image of her Vincent standing there, bathed in the glow of the moonlight, looking so strong and magnificently gorgeous.
He opened his arms, and as he enfolded her within his massiveness, he whispered, “I have missed you Catherine.”
In reply, Catherine said, “I have missed you too. It seems as if we have been apart forever. Are you sure it was alright to come here so soon after your injury?”
He looked down at his beauty, and said, “I could not stay away. Since you left, I felt an emptiness, a longing as if I was missing a part of myself.”
Catherine hugged Vincent and said, “I know, me too.”
With a touch of melancholy, she confessed, “You know Vincent, I will miss walking out on this balcony, and seeing you standing here waiting for me.”
Vincent admitted too, “And I shall miss waiting for those doors to open.”
He held her tightly, as he recited, “With love’s light wings did I o”er perch these walls…”
Catherine smiled and cheerfully reconciled, “Other treasures await us, this was only our beginning.”
She then asked, “How do you feel about meeting Jennifer tonight?”
Vincent heaved a sigh, and said, “If you believe the time is right.”
With trepidation, she said, “I do, just a moment.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer sat still, just as she said she would, waiting, biting her nails!
When Catherine returned to her, she anxiously said, “Vincent, is waiting.”
She then cautioned her, “Now understand, his looks are different from ours, so please don’t be shocked, I would hate if his feelings were hurt.”
Jennifer butted in and sarcastically said, “Unless he looks like Quasimodo, then don’t worry about it, nothing will shock me!”
Catherine nodded, at this “all or nothing” moment, and opened the doors for them to enter the balcony.
Vincent had his back to them as he over-looked the city, hating the fact he had to worry about the effect he might have on Catherine's dear friend Jennifer.
Catherine nervously said, “Vincent I would like you to meet Jen, Jenny, Jennifer! Jenny this is Vincent.”
Vincent slowly turned with his head downward, and as he slowly looked up, he could see the astonished look on Jennifer’s face.
Jennifer in an amazed manner approached him, and held out her hand to shake his. With a trance like look, and a dumbfounded voice she said, “ Oh my goodness! You ARE beautiful!”
Taking a huge gulp, she spat out, “Hi Vincent, I am very pleased to meet you.”
In his husky velvet voice, Vincent replied, “I am pleased to meet you Jennifer.”
Catherine could see Jennifer's reaction to Vincent, and she feared she just might faint, not from fear, but rather from the effect his impressive size, voice and startlingly beautiful self had on her!
With concern, Catherine asked, “Jen are you alright?”
Jennifer nodded, and said, “I am Jen…”
Vincent bent his head smiling as Jennifer was still shaking his hand.
Catherine saw her friend, seemed to be in shock! Apologetically, Catherine smiled at Vincent, and then interceded, peeling Jennifer’s hand from his, and said, “That’s enough shaking.”
As Jennifer began to come to her senses, she said, “Oh sure, I’m sorry, did I mention my name is Jen?”
Vincent nodded and with a smile in his eyes, he replied, “Yes Jennifer, you did.”
She then laughed, looking first to Catherine, and then to Vincent and said, “Oh yes, so I have!”
Catherine cleared her throat, as she motioned to her patio table, and said, “Why don’t we sit down and relax. I’ll light the candles.”
Vincent elegantly motioned, “After you.”, to which Jennifer then stepped to the table without ever taking her eyes off of him.
Noticing Jennifer was gawking, Catherine scolded, “Jen, you are staring.”
Regaining her self-control, Jennifer said, “I am sorry, but nothing you told me, prepared me for this meeting! Vinny you are Gorgeous!”
Catherine smiled up at Vincent, who she noticed was blushing! Catherine told Jennifer as they all settled in around the table, “You are embarrassing Vincent.”
Totally ignoring Catherine, Jennifer continued to stare, as she asked him, “So tell me Vinny, what is your story, how in the world did this happen to you?!”
Catherine was flabbergasted! She couldn’t believe Jennifer asked Vincent that! On the other hand, maybe she could! As Catherine lit the last candle she said sternly, “Jen please.”
Vincent interrupted Catherine by assuring her, “Jennifer’s question is a fair one. It is all right. She can ask what ever she would like of me.”
He then turned to Jennifer, and sadly bowed his head as he told her, “I don’t honestly know. No one knows for certain. I was found by a loving woman named Anna, and she brought me down to the tunnel community, that had just been colonized. Jacob a man I know as my Father, loved, and cared for me after Anna died. I don’t know all the details, because those days are hard for Father to speak of. But I do know, I survived, and live in the tunnels with other people, and we are all a family.”
Jennifer nodded her head, mesmerized by Vincent’s story, and this man! Without looking away from Vincent, she asked Catherine, “Isn’t that Pizza getting cold? Why don’t you bring it out here to share with Vinny.”
Catherine corrected Jennifer, and said, “I don’t know if Vincent cares to be called Vinny Jen, his name is Vincent.”
Jennifer quizzically looked at Vincent, as she asked, “Do you mind Vinny? I don’t know if Vincent really suits you, it seems so restraining, and too refined. I think having a name like Vinny, loosens things up a bit, don’t you think so too?”
Vincent bent his head smiling, and agreed, “Perhaps you are right Jennifer, if you like, you may refer to me as such.”
To be continued
Chapter Twenty
| All of My Life! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Nineteen |
