Before they travelled too far, Mouse called after Vincent, and as both he and
Catherine turned to look at him, Vincent kindly answered, "Yes Mouse?"
Excitedly, he relayed, "I almost forgot to tell you, Father said we can bring the
trolley home!"
Eager to hear about Mouse's visit with his Father, Vincent asked, "How was
Father when you saw him?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Mouse replied, "OK Fine...guess so...but the trolley,
did you hear? Father said we can bring it home!"
Realizing Mouse was very excited, and wanted to talk about the trolley and not
Father, Vincent told him, "That is good news Mouse. Look me up later on, and
we will make definite plans."
Catherine smiled as she heard this scoop, and said she was happy Father
consented to Operation Trolley, and as they continued on, Vincent admitted he
was happy too.
Seeing a somber look, cross her husband's face, she had to ask, though she
already sensed what was wrong. Lovingly, she asked, "What is it Vincent? Are
you missing Father?"
Taken aback by his wife's intuition, he asked her, "What gave me away?"
Hugging his arm as they walked, she smiled as she traced his dimpled chin, and
revealed, "When you are sad, or feeling badly about something, your chin
quivers a little bit, like a little boy who is trying not to cry."
A small breath of laughter escaped his lips, as he loved the fact, his wife knew
him so well. He then softly confessed, he did miss his Father very much. He
sorely missed being able to drop in on him on a whim for a cup of tea, and he
missed passing him in the tunnels, stopping for a conversation, and he very
much missed dining with his Father.
Vincent then ultimately admitted, "Father's absence during this quarantine, has
brought to mind what it will be like one day Catherine..."
Taking his hand in hers, she told him she understood how he felt, and said, "We
all have to die one day Vincent...yet even though I lost my Mom at such a
young age, I still thought my Dad would live forever..."
She then expanded, "But I found solace in all my Dad had accomplished, and
the good he left behind. What makes a person's death a real tragedy, is if there
was nothing memorable left proving their existence. And Father, like my Dad,
has created an honorable legacy which will live on and on."
Hugging Catherine closely to him, he sighed, and lowered his head, as he told
her, how much her words helped him, and though he so dreaded when the day
will come his Father dies, the thought of his vision living on, was a comforting
thought.
Continuing on, Vincent remained silent for a while before he teasingly asked,
"So...my chin is a beacon of my thoughts?"
Giggling, Catherine told him, "Oh yes...and you steal a piece of my heart every
time."
As they entered the Library, Catherine gathered the children's lessons, and
noticed the superb job Kipper had done on his diagram. With amazement she
showed it to Vincent and told him how bright, and current she had found all the
children to be, in all areas of study.
Feeling pleased, Catherine was impressed by the Tunnel's curriculum, Vincent
told her, "We have always tried to provide a well rounded school of knowledge
for our youth."
Admittedly, she shared, "I know...its just that, well, I'm not sure what I
expected exactly...from them or myself! But I can tell you, I have gained so
much joy from teaching them. I love my job so much."
Narrowing his eyes, Vincent earnestly said, "I can see you do...and the children
respond to you as well Catherine."
Smiling, she humbly admitted she thought so too, but then added, "At times
though, I think they miss you teaching, and reading to them, especially
Samantha."
Meekly, Catherine then asked, "I know you are busy with duties of your own,
but I was wondering if maybe you could drop in on us sometime?"
With a nod, Vincent suavely consented, and as Catherine gratefully hugged her
husband, she nudged contentedly into his massive chest, and said, "Oh good,
because I love listening to you read too. It seems we haven't had much time to
read to one another lately...not since our honeymoon."
Leaning his head on hers, he replied, "I know Catherine...it is difficult to pull
oneself away, when you are a part of so many..."
As a romantic notion came to him, Vincent took the children's papers from
Catherine's hands, and said, "Let's put those down, we're going to the chamber
of the Falls for the afternoon..."
Excitedly, Catherine posed, "Do you mean it?"
With a smile in his eyes, Vincent answered, "Yes, and you shall choose the
book."
Anxiously, Catherine ran over to her desk for her book choice, and said, "All
right! I am ready."
As she came toward him, Vincent laughed with abandon, when he saw that the
coveted tome within her grasp, was The Designs of Frank Lloyd Wright!
Knowing this was more like HIS book of choice, Vincent scolded, "Catherine...I
really wanted you to pick a book which would please you, not me."
Surprised she needed to explain, Catherine said, "I have grown to love and
admire Wright's techniques too. This IS my choice."
Grabbing his hand in hers, she began to lead the way, saying, "Let's go, I can
hardly wait to get there."
They had a lovely time alone at the falls. This was always one of their favorite
places to go since when they first met, and being there now, as a married
couple, caused a sweet nostalgia to sweep over them, prompting them to speak
of those early days when they realized they were in love.
After a time, Vincent then opened their book, and as he poised to read, he
waited for Catherine to settle in, snuggled into his arms before he began.
As they looked at some of the structures depicted on the pages, Vincent grew
introspective, as he gazed at a picture of the familiar Guggenheim Museum,
which is located on Fifth Avenue, between 88th and 89th Streets.
Yes, familiar because in the deep dark night, Vincent would often sit spellbound
and amazed as he gazed at the mammoth inverted ziggurat, mentally
re-constructing this unique structure, which was a building, decades before its
time.
Warmly Catherine smiled, as she relayed the story of when she had first gone to
the Guggenheim. It was on a field trip with her 2nd grade class, and she told of
how they all sat outside in the grass, looking up at this extraordinary
structure...the likes many of her class mates had never seen before. And their
assignment was to make a sketch of the building. She then dreamily concluded,
"...I wonder if I still have that drawing?"
With a blinking of his eyes, he looked at Catherine, and questionably tipped his
head as he asked, "Drawing?"
Giggling, Catherine said, "You didn't hear a word I said...did you? What were
you thinking about?"
Beginning with an apology, Vincent admitted he was off daydreaming about the
spectacular Guggenheim, saying, "Can you imagine being the architect of
such a building? Serving people by designing space, in which they can work,
and live in? Being able to tangibly look at it, and walk through it?"
Listening to Vincent excited Catherine thinking about the whole designing
process, and she tried to imagine such a feeling.
And so in reply, she honestly said, "I never thought of it that way Vincent. No I
guess I can't imagine achieving such a feat!"
Pensively, he replied, "I can...I have, I mean I have dreamt of it many times..."
Shifting his eyes, he now looked at Catherine as he thoughtfully added,
"...yes...I have secretly dreamt of being the designer of such a wondrous
structure since my boyhood."
He then humbly looked downward, and asked, "Do you feel I am a dolt for
dreaming such dreams?"
Catherine smiled as she looked up, and said, "No Vincent, I don't..."
Then with an assuring manner, Catherine settled Vincent as she added, "...if you
have a vision, anything is possible."
After a loving squench, she then added, "I believe in you with all my heart, and
if this is a dream you have for yourself...then I believe you really can make it
happen."
Taking in the scent of her hair, he kissed her silken tresses before leaning his
head on hers, and sweetly sighed at the thought of such fame...and wondered if
this dream really could be his to behold.
As he snapped back to reality, Vincent suggested they head back. And in
agreement, Catherine said, he was right, and she had a few things to prepare
before class tonight.
And so immediately after supper, Vincent walked with Ronald and Catherine to
the threshold. With a controlled level of excitement, he bade them safe travels,
and was eager for their return, so he could hear all about the courses, and get
started on his own studies.
Catherine hugged him, and said, "I have my trusty tape recorder Vincent, so
you won't miss a thing. I am so pleased the Instructor consented to letting me
tape his lectures."
Ronald then teased Vincent, by wisely saying, "Look at this guy...oh yeah he's
excited tonight, but next week, you're gonna be yellin' at him to get his
homework done!"
To which Vincent firmly replied, "I cannot imagine becoming board, nor defiant,
no matter how arduous the assignment."
Slyly, Catherine looked back at Vincent, and said, "Something tells me Ronald,
Vincent will be putting us all to shame."
Humbly Vincent looked downward, and with an emergent smile, he told them
goodbye, and be careful.
Assuredly, Ronald replied, "Don't worry, I will take care of the girls."
After arriving at the campus, Jennifer and Ronald went to their class of History
of Art and Architecture, and Catherine went to the class she and Vincent chose,
which was the study of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Catherine turned on her recorder, and after an entertaining introduction and
lecture about the course, they were given an intense assignment. Which was to
create a building design, using some for Wright's cantilever techniques!
After hearing a few groans, the instructor reminded everyone, they had two
days to work on their blueprints, and as a special treat, a well known developer
would be critiquing the designs for them. It was a great class, and everyone left
in a high mood, talking about the course.
Afterwards, Catherine met up with Jennifer and Ronald, and they were all so
pleased, they couldn't wait to tell Vincent, all about their interesting, and thought
provoking Pratt experiences!
Not surprisingly, Vincent was there to meet them at the basement threshold, and
after Catherine hugged her husband hello, they all at once, began to tell Vincent
how great their night was!
Catherine then happily relayed, "Oh Vincent...our Instructor, John Lobell is
wonderful! He's interesting and so bright...well, you will understand what I
mean, when you listen to the tape. Oh, I have to tell you guys about this exciting
thing...Mr. Lobell told us, there will be a well known developer, who will be
critiquing our prints! Everyone began speculating who it might be, but no one
had been able to guess who! Well at least he said no one had guessed."
Suspiciously, Jennifer noted, "Well we know it won't be Frank Lloyd Wright
don't we, cuz he's dead...isn't he?"
To which Vincent respectfully replied, "Yes, Jennifer he died in 1959 before the
Guggenheim was completed. He never got to see it finished."
They all agreed, that was a very sad and tragic happenstance, before Catherine
excitedly mentioned, "Well who ever it is, our instructor said he was very well
known, and it will be quite a treat for us to be able to meet him."
After they gabbed at the threshold for awhile, Jennifer sweetly asked Ronald,
"Are you coming over for a while? I made a Chocolate Soufflé?"
In reply, he enthusiastically expounded, "How can I say no? But you do know
Jenny...with or without the soufflé, I was a sure thing anyhow."
Jennifer extended an unsuccessful invitation to the Well's to also join them, but
kindly they said a thank you, and then a goodnight, because it had been quite a
day.
After giving hugs all around, Jennifer and Ronald headed above, and Vincent
and Catherine sweetly strolled home.
As they walked hand in hand through the tunnels, Catherine reverted back to
the earlier conversation, and said, "I can hardly wait until our next class Vincent!
I wonder who this famous developer could be?"
To which Vincent suggested, "Perhaps C. Virginia Fields, or maybe Thomas
Duane? The list of successful developers in New York is quite extensive."
She then regretfully expressed, "I only wish You could actually be there too
Vincent."
Warmly, he replied, "I will be Catherine. Through you, I will be there."
Regretfully Catherine overlooked the power of their bond, and replied, "I know
you have told me that, but still...I guess I don't fully get what you can sense
through me."
As Vincent halted his gliding gait, he turned to Catherine and said, "I wish I
could explain so you could truly understand...however realize this Catherine,
your lack of conceptual awareness, does not lessen its power."
With a questioning tip of his head, his magnificent main of hair rustled about his
shoulders, as he raptly added, "I cannot say I fully understand it myself...I only
know our connection cannot be destroyed, for we are a part of each other now,
and always, until my last breath, I shall fight to preserve it."
Tearfully she looked up at her great noble knight, and told him how much she
loved him for his decree, and of how safe he made her feel, now they are truly
together, within his fortification.
Taking her into his embrace, he held her tightly, and huskily whispered, "I will
always protect what we have become Catherine...always."
Reaching up to touch his cheek, Catherine lovingly said, "Let's go home."
To be continued
Chapter Eleven
Catherine turned to look at him, Vincent kindly answered, "Yes Mouse?"
Excitedly, he relayed, "I almost forgot to tell you, Father said we can bring the
trolley home!"
Eager to hear about Mouse's visit with his Father, Vincent asked, "How was
Father when you saw him?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Mouse replied, "OK Fine...guess so...but the trolley,
did you hear? Father said we can bring it home!"
Realizing Mouse was very excited, and wanted to talk about the trolley and not
Father, Vincent told him, "That is good news Mouse. Look me up later on, and
we will make definite plans."
Catherine smiled as she heard this scoop, and said she was happy Father
consented to Operation Trolley, and as they continued on, Vincent admitted he
was happy too.
Seeing a somber look, cross her husband's face, she had to ask, though she
already sensed what was wrong. Lovingly, she asked, "What is it Vincent? Are
you missing Father?"
Taken aback by his wife's intuition, he asked her, "What gave me away?"
Hugging his arm as they walked, she smiled as she traced his dimpled chin, and
revealed, "When you are sad, or feeling badly about something, your chin
quivers a little bit, like a little boy who is trying not to cry."
A small breath of laughter escaped his lips, as he loved the fact, his wife knew
him so well. He then softly confessed, he did miss his Father very much. He
sorely missed being able to drop in on him on a whim for a cup of tea, and he
missed passing him in the tunnels, stopping for a conversation, and he very
much missed dining with his Father.
Vincent then ultimately admitted, "Father's absence during this quarantine, has
brought to mind what it will be like one day Catherine..."
Taking his hand in hers, she told him she understood how he felt, and said, "We
all have to die one day Vincent...yet even though I lost my Mom at such a
young age, I still thought my Dad would live forever..."
She then expanded, "But I found solace in all my Dad had accomplished, and
the good he left behind. What makes a person's death a real tragedy, is if there
was nothing memorable left proving their existence. And Father, like my Dad,
has created an honorable legacy which will live on and on."
Hugging Catherine closely to him, he sighed, and lowered his head, as he told
her, how much her words helped him, and though he so dreaded when the day
will come his Father dies, the thought of his vision living on, was a comforting
thought.
Continuing on, Vincent remained silent for a while before he teasingly asked,
"So...my chin is a beacon of my thoughts?"
Giggling, Catherine told him, "Oh yes...and you steal a piece of my heart every
time."
As they entered the Library, Catherine gathered the children's lessons, and
noticed the superb job Kipper had done on his diagram. With amazement she
showed it to Vincent and told him how bright, and current she had found all the
children to be, in all areas of study.
Feeling pleased, Catherine was impressed by the Tunnel's curriculum, Vincent
told her, "We have always tried to provide a well rounded school of knowledge
for our youth."
Admittedly, she shared, "I know...its just that, well, I'm not sure what I
expected exactly...from them or myself! But I can tell you, I have gained so
much joy from teaching them. I love my job so much."
Narrowing his eyes, Vincent earnestly said, "I can see you do...and the children
respond to you as well Catherine."
Smiling, she humbly admitted she thought so too, but then added, "At times
though, I think they miss you teaching, and reading to them, especially
Samantha."
Meekly, Catherine then asked, "I know you are busy with duties of your own,
but I was wondering if maybe you could drop in on us sometime?"
With a nod, Vincent suavely consented, and as Catherine gratefully hugged her
husband, she nudged contentedly into his massive chest, and said, "Oh good,
because I love listening to you read too. It seems we haven't had much time to
read to one another lately...not since our honeymoon."
Leaning his head on hers, he replied, "I know Catherine...it is difficult to pull
oneself away, when you are a part of so many..."
As a romantic notion came to him, Vincent took the children's papers from
Catherine's hands, and said, "Let's put those down, we're going to the chamber
of the Falls for the afternoon..."
Excitedly, Catherine posed, "Do you mean it?"
With a smile in his eyes, Vincent answered, "Yes, and you shall choose the
book."
Anxiously, Catherine ran over to her desk for her book choice, and said, "All
right! I am ready."
As she came toward him, Vincent laughed with abandon, when he saw that the
coveted tome within her grasp, was The Designs of Frank Lloyd Wright!
Knowing this was more like HIS book of choice, Vincent scolded, "Catherine...I
really wanted you to pick a book which would please you, not me."
Surprised she needed to explain, Catherine said, "I have grown to love and
admire Wright's techniques too. This IS my choice."
Grabbing his hand in hers, she began to lead the way, saying, "Let's go, I can
hardly wait to get there."
They had a lovely time alone at the falls. This was always one of their favorite
places to go since when they first met, and being there now, as a married
couple, caused a sweet nostalgia to sweep over them, prompting them to speak
of those early days when they realized they were in love.
After a time, Vincent then opened their book, and as he poised to read, he
waited for Catherine to settle in, snuggled into his arms before he began.
As they looked at some of the structures depicted on the pages, Vincent grew
introspective, as he gazed at a picture of the familiar Guggenheim Museum,
which is located on Fifth Avenue, between 88th and 89th Streets.
Yes, familiar because in the deep dark night, Vincent would often sit spellbound
and amazed as he gazed at the mammoth inverted ziggurat, mentally
re-constructing this unique structure, which was a building, decades before its
time.
Warmly Catherine smiled, as she relayed the story of when she had first gone to
the Guggenheim. It was on a field trip with her 2nd grade class, and she told of
how they all sat outside in the grass, looking up at this extraordinary
structure...the likes many of her class mates had never seen before. And their
assignment was to make a sketch of the building. She then dreamily concluded,
"...I wonder if I still have that drawing?"
With a blinking of his eyes, he looked at Catherine, and questionably tipped his
head as he asked, "Drawing?"
Giggling, Catherine said, "You didn't hear a word I said...did you? What were
you thinking about?"
Beginning with an apology, Vincent admitted he was off daydreaming about the
spectacular Guggenheim, saying, "Can you imagine being the architect of
such a building? Serving people by designing space, in which they can work,
and live in? Being able to tangibly look at it, and walk through it?"
Listening to Vincent excited Catherine thinking about the whole designing
process, and she tried to imagine such a feeling.
And so in reply, she honestly said, "I never thought of it that way Vincent. No I
guess I can't imagine achieving such a feat!"
Pensively, he replied, "I can...I have, I mean I have dreamt of it many times..."
Shifting his eyes, he now looked at Catherine as he thoughtfully added,
"...yes...I have secretly dreamt of being the designer of such a wondrous
structure since my boyhood."
He then humbly looked downward, and asked, "Do you feel I am a dolt for
dreaming such dreams?"
Catherine smiled as she looked up, and said, "No Vincent, I don't..."
Then with an assuring manner, Catherine settled Vincent as she added, "...if you
have a vision, anything is possible."
After a loving squench, she then added, "I believe in you with all my heart, and
if this is a dream you have for yourself...then I believe you really can make it
happen."
Taking in the scent of her hair, he kissed her silken tresses before leaning his
head on hers, and sweetly sighed at the thought of such fame...and wondered if
this dream really could be his to behold.
As he snapped back to reality, Vincent suggested they head back. And in
agreement, Catherine said, he was right, and she had a few things to prepare
before class tonight.
And so immediately after supper, Vincent walked with Ronald and Catherine to
the threshold. With a controlled level of excitement, he bade them safe travels,
and was eager for their return, so he could hear all about the courses, and get
started on his own studies.
Catherine hugged him, and said, "I have my trusty tape recorder Vincent, so
you won't miss a thing. I am so pleased the Instructor consented to letting me
tape his lectures."
Ronald then teased Vincent, by wisely saying, "Look at this guy...oh yeah he's
excited tonight, but next week, you're gonna be yellin' at him to get his
homework done!"
To which Vincent firmly replied, "I cannot imagine becoming board, nor defiant,
no matter how arduous the assignment."
Slyly, Catherine looked back at Vincent, and said, "Something tells me Ronald,
Vincent will be putting us all to shame."
Humbly Vincent looked downward, and with an emergent smile, he told them
goodbye, and be careful.
Assuredly, Ronald replied, "Don't worry, I will take care of the girls."
After arriving at the campus, Jennifer and Ronald went to their class of History
of Art and Architecture, and Catherine went to the class she and Vincent chose,
which was the study of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Catherine turned on her recorder, and after an entertaining introduction and
lecture about the course, they were given an intense assignment. Which was to
create a building design, using some for Wright's cantilever techniques!
After hearing a few groans, the instructor reminded everyone, they had two
days to work on their blueprints, and as a special treat, a well known developer
would be critiquing the designs for them. It was a great class, and everyone left
in a high mood, talking about the course.
Afterwards, Catherine met up with Jennifer and Ronald, and they were all so
pleased, they couldn't wait to tell Vincent, all about their interesting, and thought
provoking Pratt experiences!
Not surprisingly, Vincent was there to meet them at the basement threshold, and
after Catherine hugged her husband hello, they all at once, began to tell Vincent
how great their night was!
Catherine then happily relayed, "Oh Vincent...our Instructor, John Lobell is
wonderful! He's interesting and so bright...well, you will understand what I
mean, when you listen to the tape. Oh, I have to tell you guys about this exciting
thing...Mr. Lobell told us, there will be a well known developer, who will be
critiquing our prints! Everyone began speculating who it might be, but no one
had been able to guess who! Well at least he said no one had guessed."
Suspiciously, Jennifer noted, "Well we know it won't be Frank Lloyd Wright
don't we, cuz he's dead...isn't he?"
To which Vincent respectfully replied, "Yes, Jennifer he died in 1959 before the
Guggenheim was completed. He never got to see it finished."
They all agreed, that was a very sad and tragic happenstance, before Catherine
excitedly mentioned, "Well who ever it is, our instructor said he was very well
known, and it will be quite a treat for us to be able to meet him."
After they gabbed at the threshold for awhile, Jennifer sweetly asked Ronald,
"Are you coming over for a while? I made a Chocolate Soufflé?"
In reply, he enthusiastically expounded, "How can I say no? But you do know
Jenny...with or without the soufflé, I was a sure thing anyhow."
Jennifer extended an unsuccessful invitation to the Well's to also join them, but
kindly they said a thank you, and then a goodnight, because it had been quite a
day.
After giving hugs all around, Jennifer and Ronald headed above, and Vincent
and Catherine sweetly strolled home.
As they walked hand in hand through the tunnels, Catherine reverted back to
the earlier conversation, and said, "I can hardly wait until our next class Vincent!
I wonder who this famous developer could be?"
To which Vincent suggested, "Perhaps C. Virginia Fields, or maybe Thomas
Duane? The list of successful developers in New York is quite extensive."
She then regretfully expressed, "I only wish You could actually be there too
Vincent."
Warmly, he replied, "I will be Catherine. Through you, I will be there."
Regretfully Catherine overlooked the power of their bond, and replied, "I know
you have told me that, but still...I guess I don't fully get what you can sense
through me."
As Vincent halted his gliding gait, he turned to Catherine and said, "I wish I
could explain so you could truly understand...however realize this Catherine,
your lack of conceptual awareness, does not lessen its power."
With a questioning tip of his head, his magnificent main of hair rustled about his
shoulders, as he raptly added, "I cannot say I fully understand it myself...I only
know our connection cannot be destroyed, for we are a part of each other now,
and always, until my last breath, I shall fight to preserve it."
Tearfully she looked up at her great noble knight, and told him how much she
loved him for his decree, and of how safe he made her feel, now they are truly
together, within his fortification.
Taking her into his embrace, he held her tightly, and huskily whispered, "I will
always protect what we have become Catherine...always."
Reaching up to touch his cheek, Catherine lovingly said, "Let's go home."
To be continued
Chapter Eleven
| Beyond my Dreams! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Ten |
