| Beyond my Dreams! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Twelve |
As they parted ways with Catherine in the parking garage, Ronald and Jennifer
said, they would catch up with her and Vincent later on. Ronald would be going
to Jennifer's to help with some preparations for the House Warming Party on
Friday night.
Anxiously, Jennifer asked Catherine's opinion, "Do you think Pops will be able
to come?"
Happily, Catherine shared, "I forgot to tell you Jen! Both Father and Eric are
out of quarantine, so optimistically, he should be able to come. I know the girls
are talking about it, and are very excited."
Expressively, Jennifer said, "Oh Goody! And tell Vincent, we will toast to him
on Friday too! I mean right out of the gate, he has an architectural offer!
Unbelievable!"
She then dramatically played out for Ronald and Catherine, "I can just see the
headlines now. "Mysterious famed architect cannot be found!" Can you
imagine? Everyone will be talking about him, but in the same breath will say no
one has ever met, or seen him! He will send ripples throughout New York
City...maybe even throughout the world!"
Ronald and Catherine laughed at Jennifer's scenario, then Catherine replied,
"You certainly paint an interesting picture. Now if I can get Vincent agree to
speak with Elliot, you may have something. Well I will see you both later on."
Because of all the excitement Vincent sensed in Catherine throughout the night,
he was there waiting for her when she came home. Anxiously, he inquired,
"Catherine? What is it?"
Catching her breath, she happily told him, "You won't believe what has
happened! Elliot wants to build a building for his John Merrick Foundation,
according to your print!"
Clueless of how Elliot could have seen his blueprint, Vincent asked, "Elliot?"
Realizing she jumped ahead, Catherine backtracked a little as she explained,
"Elliot turned out to be the guest speaker who critiqued our homework tonight!
When he saw your blueprint, he said this was the design he had been searching
for his Foundation. I will play the tape for you! Its all here! He got so
excited...You can hear just what I am talking about."
After noticing the hesitant look in Vincent's eyes, Catherine said, "I thought this
would please you that a developer would want to realize your idea."
With a shifted gaze, Vincent said, "Yes, however, the problem is the developer
happens to be Elliot..."
Positively thinking, Catherine was confused, on why Elliot being the developer,
should matter to her prideful husband, and asked, "Yes...will that matter so
much?"
Shaking his head, Vincent sternly said, "I don't want Elliot to build anything of
mine, just because I am your husband Catherine! It would just be gratuitous!"
Taking his hand, she explained, "But Vincent, Elliot wants YOUR work, it has
nothing to do with me! He had no idea at the time you were even my
husband...if you could have seen him when he laid eyes on your print...I can't
explain it, but he totally connected with it. Please don't let your feelings for
Elliot, taint an honor of a lifetime...don't forget its for the John Merrick
Foundation. I know how you feel about him."
Looking down into her face, Vincent could see Catherine really wanted him to
say yes, and allow Elliot carte blanche executing his vision, after all...Vincent
DID believe Elliot had changed, and proved it by lending Catherine his
excavating equipment when he and Father were trapped in the cave in. Without
his help, they would have died there.
But something kept Vincent from saying yes, something he couldn't define and
was holding him back. Or...could he? Could he define it?
Perhaps it was because he knew if he said yes to Elliot's proposition, then they
would be forever associated with him for the rest of their lives because of this
structure they would create together. And of course, it goes without
saying...Catherine would be in perpetual contact with him as well, because she
would have to be the go between. Did he want Elliot communicating with
Catherine on a regular basis?
On the other hand, Vincent couldn't deny it would be the chance of a lifetime,
and as Catherine said, it would be such an honor to be the one who designed the
building for the foundation of John Merrick, who was such a good soul.
Ultimately Vincent reasoned, he had to be fair, and he would set his old
insecurities aside, and deal with Elliot. He should talk to him first, and then
make a decision about the whole idea.
Finally he told Catherine, who was eagerly contemplating his decision, "Perhaps
if I could speak to him, maybe then I would know if it felt right."
Clearing her throat, as she held up Elliot's extra personal cell phone, Catherine
said, "Funny you should propose that...I suggested he call you tonight at 9:00."
Tipping his head, he smiled slightly as he said, "You know me so well to know I
would consider this?"
Clarifying her position, Catherine explained, "I can't say I knew for sure, but I
hoped you would at least consider it. The choice is yours to make Vincent, and
I will respect your decision without another word said..."
He then raised a brow, and finished what he could sense Catherine was about to
add, and contemplatively said, "But..."
Guiltily laughing, she continued to encourage him by saying, "It's just that...well
it would mean your work had been recognized and realized, at the same time
honoring someone you admire so much."
Looking down at the cell phone, she could see the time was, "8:58". As she
handed Vincent the phone, she excitedly said, "Elliot should be calling any
minute now..."
Just then the phone's ring tone sounded, and the song Elliot had chosen for his
tone, was Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata! Vincent looked at Catherine and she
at him, both thinking this was a good sign...since this was one of Vincent's
favorite classical songs.
Speaking into the phone, Vincent huskily said, "Hello."
Elliot was intrigued to hear Catherine's reclusive husband's voice, finding it to be
rich in timbre, character and soul, and he was surprised to be feeling a little
intimidated, talking to the man who ultimately won Catherine! Humbly, Elliot
said, "Hello, I am Elliot Burch, is this Vincent?"
Concisely, Vincent answered, "I am."
Wanting to earn his trust, Elliot didn't really quite know where to begin! And so
he tritely said, "Thank you for talking to me."
Kindly, Vincent replied, "Yes, although we haven't met, I of course know who
you are."
Politely, Elliot replied, "Hopefully because of Catherine, you will consider me a
friend."
In reply, Vincent said, "Because of Catherine, and the faith she has in you, I do."
Elliot was moved to hear Vincent's comment, about how she felt about him.
Taking in a deep breath, he then broached the subject of Vincent's work and
said, "I gotta tell you Vincent, your print blew me away! I realize since you are
taking the class, you must be a student, but your work has techniques, of which
I have seen in only the most seasoned of architects! Have you worked
professionally anywhere?"
Modestly, Vincent told him he hadn't, but confessed he felt as if he had the
thought process of an architect for much of his life. He shared, "I have
constructed, and reconstructed many of the buildings of Manhattan in my minds
eye, and have always been fascinated by the architectural process."
Vincent's responsiveness excited Elliot, because he wanted his permission to
build his exquisite design so badly, and the fact he was willing to speak with him
at all, was a good sign.
So then when Vincent said, "Tell me why it was my design you were drawn to
Elliot."
He eagerly, and unabashedly, said, "Well, as I told Catherine, I have been
waiting to be inspired for many years by an architect, who I feel is worthy to
represent the John Merrick Foundation. The moment I saw your blueprint, I
knew this was it!"
With heartfelt emotion, Elliot tried to convey how moved he was. Continuing
on, he said, "What can I tell you, I feel there is something about your work,
which conveys his spirit, and understands his pain. I can't explain it exactly,
except your design is what I have been searching for."
Then motivated beyond desperation, he recited the poem he said would be
carved in the stone above the Foundation's threshold...
Tis true my form is something odd
But blaming me is blaming God
Could I create myself anew,
I would not fail in pleasing you
If I could reach from pole to pole
Or grasp the ocean with a span
I would be measured by the soul
The minds the standard of the man
With an open mind, Vincent listened, and felt as if the sincerity Elliot was
approaching this project was true, intense and sincere.
An instant before he replied, he looked toward Catherine, and said, "Yes
Elliot...I feel it is right."
Catherine hugged Vincent, and surprisingly on the other end of the phone, Elliot
proclaimed, "Yes! All right! Thank you!"
He then noted, "We didn't even talk any terms yet!"
To which Vincent answered, "That can come later, the only terms I want
established here and now, is you will honor John Merrick's memory, with only
the utmost integral workmanship."
Precisely, Elliot answered, "Consider it done."
He then added, "I wonder if this is a good time to petition you to..."
Pausing for a moment, he wondered if he should continue. Daringly deciding he
would, he then cautiously added, "...petition you to plan the adjacent clinic, for
Proteus Syndrome sufferers."
Proudly, Vincent said yes, he would, if it was all a part of the big picture.
Elliot next cautiously suggested, "Well, Vincent...can we shake on it?"
With a slight smile, Vincent told him, "Perhaps one day."
Tritely scoffing, Elliot knew he didn't want to push the envelope, and so he
excepted Vincent's answer without argument, and suggested Vincent keep the
phone, and he would be in touch.
Seeing how this proposition, influenced her husband, Catherine happily
responded, "I am so proud of you Vincent. I think we should tell Father."
Nodding, Vincent agreed, and said, "Yes, I would like to tell him what has
happened."
Entering Jacob's chamber, they found Father busily scanning through his books.
The moment he saw them, he asked Vincent to help him find the book, "The
memoirs of Dr. Frederick Treves!"
Anxiously, Jacob said, "I need to find some information regarding his research
on chicken pox and shingles!"
Knowing Frederick Treves was the physician who tended to John Merrick, both
Catherine and Vincent looked at one another, thinking this was quite a bazaar
coincidence!
With ease Vincent found the book for his Father, and then explained what has
transpired.
Cautiously enthused, Jacob asked, "What will happen when people ask about
the architect of the foundation? What if this jeopardizes your safety Vincent?"
Frustrated by his Father's intrinsic sense of doom, Vincent told him, "Father, I
haven't considered those issues yet."
Catherine then added, "I know there are plenty of anonymous contractors and
professionals out there working Father, and as a lawyer, I would be able to over
see any such issues for Vincent."
Hobbling up to his son, he first looked at him then Catherine, and proudly
noted, "I know I worry about things which may seem frivolous, however, its
because I always needed to do so, as far as your security was concerned. I only
want what is best for you Vincent."
With steadfastness, Vincent replied, "Father...what is best, may not always be
the safest...not if I want to experience life like any other man...it may mean I
have to take some chances when opportunities arise."
Shifting his gaze to his son's wife, warmly Jacob conceded, "Through you
Catherine, the world has opened up for Vincent. You have provided him
avenues, I could not, and his talent is no longer confined exclusively to our
tunnels."
Sincerely Catherine replied, "Father, Vincent's brilliance would have flourished
with or without me, and the world would have benefited from his talent
somehow on his own. I am just happy to be at his side."
Jacob then with tears in his eyes, embraced his son, and with much
encouragement said how proud he was of him...of both of them.
They then went home where Vincent could listen to the lecture, and in the
brightened den chamber, Vincent worked on his next design.
To be continued
Chapter Thirteen
said, they would catch up with her and Vincent later on. Ronald would be going
to Jennifer's to help with some preparations for the House Warming Party on
Friday night.
Anxiously, Jennifer asked Catherine's opinion, "Do you think Pops will be able
to come?"
Happily, Catherine shared, "I forgot to tell you Jen! Both Father and Eric are
out of quarantine, so optimistically, he should be able to come. I know the girls
are talking about it, and are very excited."
Expressively, Jennifer said, "Oh Goody! And tell Vincent, we will toast to him
on Friday too! I mean right out of the gate, he has an architectural offer!
Unbelievable!"
She then dramatically played out for Ronald and Catherine, "I can just see the
headlines now. "Mysterious famed architect cannot be found!" Can you
imagine? Everyone will be talking about him, but in the same breath will say no
one has ever met, or seen him! He will send ripples throughout New York
City...maybe even throughout the world!"
Ronald and Catherine laughed at Jennifer's scenario, then Catherine replied,
"You certainly paint an interesting picture. Now if I can get Vincent agree to
speak with Elliot, you may have something. Well I will see you both later on."
Because of all the excitement Vincent sensed in Catherine throughout the night,
he was there waiting for her when she came home. Anxiously, he inquired,
"Catherine? What is it?"
Catching her breath, she happily told him, "You won't believe what has
happened! Elliot wants to build a building for his John Merrick Foundation,
according to your print!"
Clueless of how Elliot could have seen his blueprint, Vincent asked, "Elliot?"
Realizing she jumped ahead, Catherine backtracked a little as she explained,
"Elliot turned out to be the guest speaker who critiqued our homework tonight!
When he saw your blueprint, he said this was the design he had been searching
for his Foundation. I will play the tape for you! Its all here! He got so
excited...You can hear just what I am talking about."
After noticing the hesitant look in Vincent's eyes, Catherine said, "I thought this
would please you that a developer would want to realize your idea."
With a shifted gaze, Vincent said, "Yes, however, the problem is the developer
happens to be Elliot..."
Positively thinking, Catherine was confused, on why Elliot being the developer,
should matter to her prideful husband, and asked, "Yes...will that matter so
much?"
Shaking his head, Vincent sternly said, "I don't want Elliot to build anything of
mine, just because I am your husband Catherine! It would just be gratuitous!"
Taking his hand, she explained, "But Vincent, Elliot wants YOUR work, it has
nothing to do with me! He had no idea at the time you were even my
husband...if you could have seen him when he laid eyes on your print...I can't
explain it, but he totally connected with it. Please don't let your feelings for
Elliot, taint an honor of a lifetime...don't forget its for the John Merrick
Foundation. I know how you feel about him."
Looking down into her face, Vincent could see Catherine really wanted him to
say yes, and allow Elliot carte blanche executing his vision, after all...Vincent
DID believe Elliot had changed, and proved it by lending Catherine his
excavating equipment when he and Father were trapped in the cave in. Without
his help, they would have died there.
But something kept Vincent from saying yes, something he couldn't define and
was holding him back. Or...could he? Could he define it?
Perhaps it was because he knew if he said yes to Elliot's proposition, then they
would be forever associated with him for the rest of their lives because of this
structure they would create together. And of course, it goes without
saying...Catherine would be in perpetual contact with him as well, because she
would have to be the go between. Did he want Elliot communicating with
Catherine on a regular basis?
On the other hand, Vincent couldn't deny it would be the chance of a lifetime,
and as Catherine said, it would be such an honor to be the one who designed the
building for the foundation of John Merrick, who was such a good soul.
Ultimately Vincent reasoned, he had to be fair, and he would set his old
insecurities aside, and deal with Elliot. He should talk to him first, and then
make a decision about the whole idea.
Finally he told Catherine, who was eagerly contemplating his decision, "Perhaps
if I could speak to him, maybe then I would know if it felt right."
Clearing her throat, as she held up Elliot's extra personal cell phone, Catherine
said, "Funny you should propose that...I suggested he call you tonight at 9:00."
Tipping his head, he smiled slightly as he said, "You know me so well to know I
would consider this?"
Clarifying her position, Catherine explained, "I can't say I knew for sure, but I
hoped you would at least consider it. The choice is yours to make Vincent, and
I will respect your decision without another word said..."
He then raised a brow, and finished what he could sense Catherine was about to
add, and contemplatively said, "But..."
Guiltily laughing, she continued to encourage him by saying, "It's just that...well
it would mean your work had been recognized and realized, at the same time
honoring someone you admire so much."
Looking down at the cell phone, she could see the time was, "8:58". As she
handed Vincent the phone, she excitedly said, "Elliot should be calling any
minute now..."
Just then the phone's ring tone sounded, and the song Elliot had chosen for his
tone, was Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata! Vincent looked at Catherine and she
at him, both thinking this was a good sign...since this was one of Vincent's
favorite classical songs.
Speaking into the phone, Vincent huskily said, "Hello."
Elliot was intrigued to hear Catherine's reclusive husband's voice, finding it to be
rich in timbre, character and soul, and he was surprised to be feeling a little
intimidated, talking to the man who ultimately won Catherine! Humbly, Elliot
said, "Hello, I am Elliot Burch, is this Vincent?"
Concisely, Vincent answered, "I am."
Wanting to earn his trust, Elliot didn't really quite know where to begin! And so
he tritely said, "Thank you for talking to me."
Kindly, Vincent replied, "Yes, although we haven't met, I of course know who
you are."
Politely, Elliot replied, "Hopefully because of Catherine, you will consider me a
friend."
In reply, Vincent said, "Because of Catherine, and the faith she has in you, I do."
Elliot was moved to hear Vincent's comment, about how she felt about him.
Taking in a deep breath, he then broached the subject of Vincent's work and
said, "I gotta tell you Vincent, your print blew me away! I realize since you are
taking the class, you must be a student, but your work has techniques, of which
I have seen in only the most seasoned of architects! Have you worked
professionally anywhere?"
Modestly, Vincent told him he hadn't, but confessed he felt as if he had the
thought process of an architect for much of his life. He shared, "I have
constructed, and reconstructed many of the buildings of Manhattan in my minds
eye, and have always been fascinated by the architectural process."
Vincent's responsiveness excited Elliot, because he wanted his permission to
build his exquisite design so badly, and the fact he was willing to speak with him
at all, was a good sign.
So then when Vincent said, "Tell me why it was my design you were drawn to
Elliot."
He eagerly, and unabashedly, said, "Well, as I told Catherine, I have been
waiting to be inspired for many years by an architect, who I feel is worthy to
represent the John Merrick Foundation. The moment I saw your blueprint, I
knew this was it!"
With heartfelt emotion, Elliot tried to convey how moved he was. Continuing
on, he said, "What can I tell you, I feel there is something about your work,
which conveys his spirit, and understands his pain. I can't explain it exactly,
except your design is what I have been searching for."
Then motivated beyond desperation, he recited the poem he said would be
carved in the stone above the Foundation's threshold...
Tis true my form is something odd
But blaming me is blaming God
Could I create myself anew,
I would not fail in pleasing you
If I could reach from pole to pole
Or grasp the ocean with a span
I would be measured by the soul
The minds the standard of the man
With an open mind, Vincent listened, and felt as if the sincerity Elliot was
approaching this project was true, intense and sincere.
An instant before he replied, he looked toward Catherine, and said, "Yes
Elliot...I feel it is right."
Catherine hugged Vincent, and surprisingly on the other end of the phone, Elliot
proclaimed, "Yes! All right! Thank you!"
He then noted, "We didn't even talk any terms yet!"
To which Vincent answered, "That can come later, the only terms I want
established here and now, is you will honor John Merrick's memory, with only
the utmost integral workmanship."
Precisely, Elliot answered, "Consider it done."
He then added, "I wonder if this is a good time to petition you to..."
Pausing for a moment, he wondered if he should continue. Daringly deciding he
would, he then cautiously added, "...petition you to plan the adjacent clinic, for
Proteus Syndrome sufferers."
Proudly, Vincent said yes, he would, if it was all a part of the big picture.
Elliot next cautiously suggested, "Well, Vincent...can we shake on it?"
With a slight smile, Vincent told him, "Perhaps one day."
Tritely scoffing, Elliot knew he didn't want to push the envelope, and so he
excepted Vincent's answer without argument, and suggested Vincent keep the
phone, and he would be in touch.
Seeing how this proposition, influenced her husband, Catherine happily
responded, "I am so proud of you Vincent. I think we should tell Father."
Nodding, Vincent agreed, and said, "Yes, I would like to tell him what has
happened."
Entering Jacob's chamber, they found Father busily scanning through his books.
The moment he saw them, he asked Vincent to help him find the book, "The
memoirs of Dr. Frederick Treves!"
Anxiously, Jacob said, "I need to find some information regarding his research
on chicken pox and shingles!"
Knowing Frederick Treves was the physician who tended to John Merrick, both
Catherine and Vincent looked at one another, thinking this was quite a bazaar
coincidence!
With ease Vincent found the book for his Father, and then explained what has
transpired.
Cautiously enthused, Jacob asked, "What will happen when people ask about
the architect of the foundation? What if this jeopardizes your safety Vincent?"
Frustrated by his Father's intrinsic sense of doom, Vincent told him, "Father, I
haven't considered those issues yet."
Catherine then added, "I know there are plenty of anonymous contractors and
professionals out there working Father, and as a lawyer, I would be able to over
see any such issues for Vincent."
Hobbling up to his son, he first looked at him then Catherine, and proudly
noted, "I know I worry about things which may seem frivolous, however, its
because I always needed to do so, as far as your security was concerned. I only
want what is best for you Vincent."
With steadfastness, Vincent replied, "Father...what is best, may not always be
the safest...not if I want to experience life like any other man...it may mean I
have to take some chances when opportunities arise."
Shifting his gaze to his son's wife, warmly Jacob conceded, "Through you
Catherine, the world has opened up for Vincent. You have provided him
avenues, I could not, and his talent is no longer confined exclusively to our
tunnels."
Sincerely Catherine replied, "Father, Vincent's brilliance would have flourished
with or without me, and the world would have benefited from his talent
somehow on his own. I am just happy to be at his side."
Jacob then with tears in his eyes, embraced his son, and with much
encouragement said how proud he was of him...of both of them.
They then went home where Vincent could listen to the lecture, and in the
brightened den chamber, Vincent worked on his next design.
To be continued
Chapter Thirteen
