As they strolled through the tunnels, a group of children ran past Vincent and Catharine. The children shouted hello, and laughed as they continued on.
Vincent and Catherine smiled at one another, as they enjoyed seeing the happy young free spirits. Thinking about their upbringing, Catherine noted, “The children do grow up happy here, don’t they Vincent?”
Vincent nodded, “Yes, the closeness and warmth here from everyone, does make it a wonderful place to grow up. Yes, the children are happy here.”
Holding hands as they walked, they each tightened their grip ever so slightly, each having their own private thoughts. Catherine thinking perhaps one day they too, would be blessed with a child who would be running in these tunnels, growing up loved and happy. And Vincent, sensing Catherine's hopes, was saddened, as he knew it could never be so.
Suddenly, their tranquil walk was interrupted, when they crossed paths with Mary! Excitedly, she spewed, “My Stars Vincent! The children nearly ran me down as I turned the corner!”
Vincent looked at Mary, and with delight in his eyes he told her, “Yes they had just sped past us as well.”
Mary gave Vincent an irritated look, and told him, “I do so wish you would caution the children just once in a while. They look up to you, and they would listen to you.”
She then turned to Catherine, as she lamented, “Vincent hardly ever scolds the children!”
Vincent firmly held his ground, by reminding her, they merely had different standards on what needs to be reprimanded. And so he argued, “Now Mary, yes I do, but only when I feel it is warranted.”
Mary then spoke to Catherine, pretending for only her to hear, as she loudly whispered, “He is a big softy that’s all Catherine! He can not bring himself to scold the children!”
Catherine giggled, and nuzzled Vincent’s arm a bit, to prompt him to look down at her, as she stated, “I have heard rumors to that affect before Mary.”
Looking down at his lovely Catherine, Vincent tipped his head, in a “What can I tell you manner” and said, “They are all good children, I hardly ever see them do anything that warrants my disapproval. However, I do let them know if I am not pleased with them, and my displeasure is usually sufficient to reach a satisfactory conclusion."
Mary nodded agreeably, as she said, “Yes, I cannot deny that! The children do hate to disappoint Vincent in any way.”
The three of them continued together for a bit, as Mary relayed to Catherine, “There is a sewing circle tomorrow, right after breakfast Catherine, if you would care to join us in the Quilting Chamber. We would love to have you.”
Catherine raised her brow, as she gleefully said, “I would love that Mary.”
Vincent then inquired, “Do you sew Catherine?”
Catherine sternly assured him, “YES, I took Home Economics in high school, so I have a slight working knowledge of a needle and thread!”
Catherine embarrassingly added, “I must admit though, my skills are nothing to brag about.”
Assuredly, Mary suggested, “Perhaps tomorrows class, can be an enlightening experience for you then.”
Needing to retrieve the water for the workers at the new expansion site, Mary hesitated a moment before she left them, and shyly asked, “Catherine...err, when did Peter say he will be returning from London?”
Recalling their conversation, Catherine answered, “He has a class to teach at the university on Friday morning, and he mentioned he had to be back in time for that.”
Mary tried to hide her smile as she casually answered, “Peter has so many duties, a doctor and a professor! Oh my, how does he do it? Well, have a nice afternoon you two.”
Catherine raised her brow in wonderment, as she eagerly asked, “Vincent, is there something between Peter and Mary I have missed?”
Vincent happened to be wondering the same thing! And so whimsically, he replied, “If you have Catherine, you are not alone, for I have missed it as well.”
After getting their book, Vincent realized Catherine must be hungry, since she slept through lunch. And so he asked, “Are you up for a little espionage first?”
Excitedly, she replied, “Of course! Doing what?”
Vincent then playfully confided, “William is very particular about his kitchen, and the distribution of the food is very closely monitored by him, but don’t you agree a picnic lunch would be indeed a necessity?”
Decadently, Catherine said, “Oh yes Vincent I am starving, and sharing a picnic lunch with you does sound lovely!”
Taking Catherine by the hand, he lead her to the back entrance to the Dining Hall. He whispered, as he scouted the area, saying, “This is where we as children, would sneak in to secure an extra ration of food."
After he assessed the situation, Vincent happily declared, "We are in luck! There doesn’t seem to be any sign of William hovering about!”
Catherine smiled up at Vincent, and whispered, “Great! Lead the way!”
Vincent quickly, and silently entered the pantry, where the baked goods were stored, and he retrieved some bread, then stealthily, he opened the ice box for some ham. And with a little luck, he would find some left over cheese as well!
With his back to Catherine, Vincent was bent on one knee, as he scoured the contents, and whispered, “It looks as if the cheese is gone, sadly we must settle for ham only.”
Sneakily, William entered the pantry, and as he brought his finger to his lips, he silently cautioned Catherine to keep quiet.
Trying to figure out if it was better to be on Vincent's good side or William's, Catherine was unsure what to do! And so she did what any girl would do, she decided to straddle the middle of the road! And so she discreetly tried to warn Vincent, by saying, “HAM IS JUST FINE VINCENT!”
He then explained, “I so wanted you to enjoy a sandwich like the one William prepared for Father and I earlier. It was very pleasing, and I fear it won’t be the same without the cheese!”
William slowly approached Vincent from behind and asked, “May I help you find something Vincent?”
Vincent froze, as he knew they had been discovered by William!
Slowly he rose to his feet, bravely standing to face the Kitchen Nazi! Hesitating for a moment, Vincent apologized, saying, “William, we are sorry, we should have come to you first I suppose. We were just seeking a light lunch to take along with us to the Chamber of the Falls.”
William stood smug, as he gleefully presented, a picnic basket from behind his back! He then confessed, “I already prepared one. I knew Catherine hadn’t eaten, and I was just on my way to give this to you."
After handing the basket over, he knew he couldn't disappoint them by not scolding them, and so he shouted, "Now go on you two! Out of my Kitchen!”
It was apparent, how the joy of feeding people fulfilled this kind man, as the prospect of filling bellies left a gleam in his eyes!
Vincent and Catherine, played their part too, as they scampered out like two guilty children, shouting their, “thank you’s” as they exited!
As they arrived at the falls, Catherine stopped in her tracks as she gazed out at the splendor. With astonishment, she marveled, “This is possibly my most favorite place of all. I can’t imagine being able to come here when ever I want!”
Vincent stopped too, but he was admiring a different site, his lovely Catherine! He loved her enthusiasm, and rallied in it. Closing his eyes he felt her joy, and thought life here with Catherine, will be wonderful. She brought the beauty of his world to his eyes anew!
He then said, “Come join me.”
Vincent held out his hand, to lead her to their favorite spot against the chamber wall.
As they sat down, Vincent gently pulled Catherine down to his side, and as they spoke of lunch, they decided to see what goodies William had prepared for them. As Vincent inspected the thickly stacked sandwiches, with a smile in his eyes, he humbly noted, “Ham AND cheese.”
To be continued
Chapter Eight
Vincent and Catherine smiled at one another, as they enjoyed seeing the happy young free spirits. Thinking about their upbringing, Catherine noted, “The children do grow up happy here, don’t they Vincent?”
Vincent nodded, “Yes, the closeness and warmth here from everyone, does make it a wonderful place to grow up. Yes, the children are happy here.”
Holding hands as they walked, they each tightened their grip ever so slightly, each having their own private thoughts. Catherine thinking perhaps one day they too, would be blessed with a child who would be running in these tunnels, growing up loved and happy. And Vincent, sensing Catherine's hopes, was saddened, as he knew it could never be so.
Suddenly, their tranquil walk was interrupted, when they crossed paths with Mary! Excitedly, she spewed, “My Stars Vincent! The children nearly ran me down as I turned the corner!”
Vincent looked at Mary, and with delight in his eyes he told her, “Yes they had just sped past us as well.”
Mary gave Vincent an irritated look, and told him, “I do so wish you would caution the children just once in a while. They look up to you, and they would listen to you.”
She then turned to Catherine, as she lamented, “Vincent hardly ever scolds the children!”
Vincent firmly held his ground, by reminding her, they merely had different standards on what needs to be reprimanded. And so he argued, “Now Mary, yes I do, but only when I feel it is warranted.”
Mary then spoke to Catherine, pretending for only her to hear, as she loudly whispered, “He is a big softy that’s all Catherine! He can not bring himself to scold the children!”
Catherine giggled, and nuzzled Vincent’s arm a bit, to prompt him to look down at her, as she stated, “I have heard rumors to that affect before Mary.”
Looking down at his lovely Catherine, Vincent tipped his head, in a “What can I tell you manner” and said, “They are all good children, I hardly ever see them do anything that warrants my disapproval. However, I do let them know if I am not pleased with them, and my displeasure is usually sufficient to reach a satisfactory conclusion."
Mary nodded agreeably, as she said, “Yes, I cannot deny that! The children do hate to disappoint Vincent in any way.”
The three of them continued together for a bit, as Mary relayed to Catherine, “There is a sewing circle tomorrow, right after breakfast Catherine, if you would care to join us in the Quilting Chamber. We would love to have you.”
Catherine raised her brow, as she gleefully said, “I would love that Mary.”
Vincent then inquired, “Do you sew Catherine?”
Catherine sternly assured him, “YES, I took Home Economics in high school, so I have a slight working knowledge of a needle and thread!”
Catherine embarrassingly added, “I must admit though, my skills are nothing to brag about.”
Assuredly, Mary suggested, “Perhaps tomorrows class, can be an enlightening experience for you then.”
Needing to retrieve the water for the workers at the new expansion site, Mary hesitated a moment before she left them, and shyly asked, “Catherine...err, when did Peter say he will be returning from London?”
Recalling their conversation, Catherine answered, “He has a class to teach at the university on Friday morning, and he mentioned he had to be back in time for that.”
Mary tried to hide her smile as she casually answered, “Peter has so many duties, a doctor and a professor! Oh my, how does he do it? Well, have a nice afternoon you two.”
Catherine raised her brow in wonderment, as she eagerly asked, “Vincent, is there something between Peter and Mary I have missed?”
Vincent happened to be wondering the same thing! And so whimsically, he replied, “If you have Catherine, you are not alone, for I have missed it as well.”
After getting their book, Vincent realized Catherine must be hungry, since she slept through lunch. And so he asked, “Are you up for a little espionage first?”
Excitedly, she replied, “Of course! Doing what?”
Vincent then playfully confided, “William is very particular about his kitchen, and the distribution of the food is very closely monitored by him, but don’t you agree a picnic lunch would be indeed a necessity?”
Decadently, Catherine said, “Oh yes Vincent I am starving, and sharing a picnic lunch with you does sound lovely!”
Taking Catherine by the hand, he lead her to the back entrance to the Dining Hall. He whispered, as he scouted the area, saying, “This is where we as children, would sneak in to secure an extra ration of food."
After he assessed the situation, Vincent happily declared, "We are in luck! There doesn’t seem to be any sign of William hovering about!”
Catherine smiled up at Vincent, and whispered, “Great! Lead the way!”
Vincent quickly, and silently entered the pantry, where the baked goods were stored, and he retrieved some bread, then stealthily, he opened the ice box for some ham. And with a little luck, he would find some left over cheese as well!
With his back to Catherine, Vincent was bent on one knee, as he scoured the contents, and whispered, “It looks as if the cheese is gone, sadly we must settle for ham only.”
Sneakily, William entered the pantry, and as he brought his finger to his lips, he silently cautioned Catherine to keep quiet.
Trying to figure out if it was better to be on Vincent's good side or William's, Catherine was unsure what to do! And so she did what any girl would do, she decided to straddle the middle of the road! And so she discreetly tried to warn Vincent, by saying, “HAM IS JUST FINE VINCENT!”
He then explained, “I so wanted you to enjoy a sandwich like the one William prepared for Father and I earlier. It was very pleasing, and I fear it won’t be the same without the cheese!”
William slowly approached Vincent from behind and asked, “May I help you find something Vincent?”
Vincent froze, as he knew they had been discovered by William!
Slowly he rose to his feet, bravely standing to face the Kitchen Nazi! Hesitating for a moment, Vincent apologized, saying, “William, we are sorry, we should have come to you first I suppose. We were just seeking a light lunch to take along with us to the Chamber of the Falls.”
William stood smug, as he gleefully presented, a picnic basket from behind his back! He then confessed, “I already prepared one. I knew Catherine hadn’t eaten, and I was just on my way to give this to you."
After handing the basket over, he knew he couldn't disappoint them by not scolding them, and so he shouted, "Now go on you two! Out of my Kitchen!”
It was apparent, how the joy of feeding people fulfilled this kind man, as the prospect of filling bellies left a gleam in his eyes!
Vincent and Catherine, played their part too, as they scampered out like two guilty children, shouting their, “thank you’s” as they exited!
As they arrived at the falls, Catherine stopped in her tracks as she gazed out at the splendor. With astonishment, she marveled, “This is possibly my most favorite place of all. I can’t imagine being able to come here when ever I want!”
Vincent stopped too, but he was admiring a different site, his lovely Catherine! He loved her enthusiasm, and rallied in it. Closing his eyes he felt her joy, and thought life here with Catherine, will be wonderful. She brought the beauty of his world to his eyes anew!
He then said, “Come join me.”
Vincent held out his hand, to lead her to their favorite spot against the chamber wall.
As they sat down, Vincent gently pulled Catherine down to his side, and as they spoke of lunch, they decided to see what goodies William had prepared for them. As Vincent inspected the thickly stacked sandwiches, with a smile in his eyes, he humbly noted, “Ham AND cheese.”
To be continued
Chapter Eight
| All of My Life! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Seven |
