Captor of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Ten _____________________________________
After Peter left, leaving many queries in his wake, Catherine quizzically asked again, "Why is Peter making a big deal about your last name? What was Peter talking about?"
Gingerly, Vincent took Catherine's hand in his, and thoughtfully told her, "I never had a chance to answer your question earlier when you asked what my last name was..."
And as Vincent raised his eyes to meet hers, he continued, "My last name is Wells, I am Vincent Wells."
Catherine's breath was taken away, as she in disbelief asked, "You mean...you are Mr. Wells? Peter's friend?"
To which Vincent assuredly answered, "I am."
And then Vincent found himself, dazed in amazement by Peter's connection to them both, as he clarified, "And now I know you are Peter's friend, Cathy."
To which Catherine confirmed, by softly saying, "Yes."
As Catherine played back the last 8 hours of her life, she thought of all the coincidences that contributed to this culminated end. And as her astonishment melted away, it left her, feeling warmed and thankful by all that led her to Vincent this day,
And so she sweetly told him, "You should know, that you had won my heart even before I met you tonight."
Catherine then relayed, "This afternoon I had been rushing around, and I meant to stop at my apartment for only a minute to pickup a few things, and to drop off my new book..."
Thoughtfully Catherine with a mystical tone continued, "...but I couldn't stop thinking about the poem, Peter said his friend Mr. Wells loved so much. So as I read "A Night-Piece" I felt as if I knew this kind hearted Mr. Wells who had been moved by the words of this poem. And sensed he was very lonely, like me."
Relaying his similar experience, Vincent reflectively relayed, "Peter's words piqued in myself, a mirrored interest in you. You see Catherine, Peter told me his friend Cathy was moved by "Surprised by Joy", and I was impelled to re-read this poem I knew so well."
Tenderly Vincent continued, "And after the words of this poem resonated with me, I felt a connection of sorts...a familiar feeling as if I knew this sweet woman who had been touched by tragedy...but then a feeling of immense sadness overwhelmed me, as I realized...I would never be able to really know her...as aloneness was to be my destiny."
Thoughtfully he expressed, "Still, I wondered what kind of woman would find meaning here, and why? I had an idea...a notion about her, and Catherine...you turned out to be the very Angel, I had envisioned you to be."
Loving everything Vincent had said, Catherine softly whispered, "The magic of this night Vincent..."
Catherine then recalled the prolific words Mr. Smythe last spoke to her, and so dreamily she shared, "Mr. Smythe said something magical would happen surrounding Wordsworth's works tonight."
And so Vincent solemnly acknowledged, "Yes..."
Silently they stayed, knowing that in finding each other, they were lonesome wanderers no more.
And so as the janitors began to mop around them, Vincent looked to the clock he said, "Catherine it is late, we should leave here."
To which Catherine agreed, and then excitedly, asked, "Where do you want to go?"
Suddenly feeling restless, Vincent relayed, "On this night there are no boundaries for me...I want to go anywhere...go everywhere!"
And so with an aura of enchantment, Catherine expressed, "Then Vincent...we cannot waste this night."
So with excitement in her eyes, Catherine took Vincent's outstretched hand, and followed him down the steps of the hospital.
And as they passed by a dumpster, a reminder of Vincent's tragic beginning, somehow, now, because of tonights events, this rejection no longer held the power it once had. He was able to look away, leaving his old feelings of abandonment behind him.
And so excitedly, Catherine and Vincent began their tour, visiting all the major sites of the city. Starting out on Riverside Drive to see, "Grants Tomb." They peered up at "The Empire States Building," and sat for awhile to wonder at the marvelous structure of the "Brooklyn Bridge", it was all lit up, and truly a site to behold.
It was a glorious night, and Catherine never had a more knowledgeable guide. Vincent knew facts, and interesting trivia about each and every place that they saw.
Finally ending up at Catherine's apartment building, Vincent entered the elevator with her, as he wanted to fulfill his promise to Charles...of seeing Catherine safely home.
As Catherine unlocked her door, she looked up at Vincent and asked, "Won't you come in?"
To which Vincent hesitantly replied, "I should go."
But because Catherine didn't want the night to end, she sweetly said, "No, not yet, stay."
And because Vincent didn't want the night to end yet either, he kindly conceded, and with a nod, he stepped inside.
Wanting to keep the enchantment of the night, Catherine lit some candles on the mantle, and then turning toward Vincent, she slipped off his cloak, and said, "Thank you for keeping me so warm tonight Vincent."
To which Vincent chivalrously, replied, "You are welcome."
And it was then that Vincent noticed the double doors, and so he asked, "A balcony Catherine?"
To which Catherine said, "Yes. Shall we?"
As Vincent and Catherine walked out onto the balcony and into the night, he was awe struck by the view.
So often Vincent would venture high above this city he loved, to gaze down on it from the rooftops, and imagine all that went on below. He would sit for hours, as he imagined living a different kind of a life.
Upon noticing Vincent's pensiveness, Catherine asked, "Do you like it here?"
To which Vincent huskily replied, "Yes Catherine...it makes you aware of all the possibilities..."
Thinking she understood, Catherine knew there was nothing to add, and so she stayed silent at his side.
Realizing she was a bit hungry, Catherine then asked Vincent if he was too.
To which Vincent agreed, saying, "I think I am."
Excited to prepare something for them to share, Catherine, then promised, "I'll fix us something right after I change. Are you all right out here...or would you rather..."
Vincent remained steadfast looking over the city, and then replied, "I am fine here..."
As Catherine stepped up into her apartment, she turned once more to verify she was not dreaming. Vincent was really standing there, so majestically stoic, looking over their fine city.
And so upon entering her bedroom, she removed her long hair extensions, and brushed through her own lovely shoulder length hair. She then popped on some sweats, and a Bruce Springsteen T-shirt, thinking, "Ahhh, this is more like it."
As Catherine peaked out to make sure Vincent was still there, she then stealthily dashed around her kitchen, as she prepared the nachos, and after she put them in the oven, she set the timer.
As Catherine re-joined him, Vincent kindly asked, "More comfortable Catherine?"
With a sigh of relief, Catherine answered, "Oh Yes, much better."
Upon noticing Catherine’s hair had changed, he in wonder whispered, "Catherine your hair..."
Self-consciously Catherine brought her hand up to it, and said, "Yes, this is actually my real hair, are you disappointed?"
Mindfully, he tenderly said, "How could I be? Everything about you is so lovely."
Humbly, Catherine replied, "Thank you Vincent."
And then also, after noticing the logo on her tee, Vincent inquired, "Are you a fan?"
Looking downward, Catherine smiled as she answered, "I confess, I am, I love his music so much."
Wondering if Vincent was a fan as well, Catherine asked, "And what about you Vincent?"
To which Vincent answered, "Oh Yes, and it was quite remarkable, experiencing his last concert he performed in the park."
With a tone of astonishment Catherine said, "I was at that concert too. Where were you?"
Dreamily Vincent then explained, "There is a place, below in the tunnels, directly under the bandstand, where I am able to hear all the concerts."
Contentedly, Vincent added, "Ahh, it is a wonderful place to listen to the music."
Catherine listened totally spellbound, as Vincent described a part of his world. And so she softly said "It sounds so perfect."
Liking the fact Catherine found his box seat inviting, Vincent then asked, "Would you join me there sometime?"
To which Catherine happily replied, "Definitely! And although the symphony is a far cry from Rock n Roll, I do happen to know The Winston-Salem Symphony is going to be performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 19 for the Winter Concert Series coming up…if you like that sort of genre'."
Pleased to know Catherine would enjoy such a concert too, with an affirmative nod, Vincent promised, "I do so very much...we shall attend, and I will show you this place."
Feeling so happy to have a date in the future planned, Catherine invited Vincent back inside, knowing the nachos should be about ready.
As they stepped in, Vincent took note of a painting Catherine had hanging, and so he pleasantly noted, "A Paul Klee...Crystal Gradation...stunning."
Since Catherine was so proud of this acquisition, thanks to Jennifer, she, confirmed, "Yes! So you are familiar with Paul Klee?"
To which Vincent nodded, and said, "Indeed...during his career, he had been a leading force in the expressionism, cubism, and surrealism movements..."
Stunned by both his knowledge, and appreciation of fine art, Catherine replied, "Yes...not as well known as some of his fellow artists maybe, but just as talented to be sure..."
So as they settled in, since Catherine now knew Vincent appreciated symphonic music, she went to her player, and said, "I hope you will enjoy one of my favorites..."
And as the concerto began, Catherine couldn’t help but smile to herself, as she heard Vincent say, "Ahh, Bach."
Prompting Catherine to note to herself, "Hmmm, literature, art, AND music...a trifecta! Vincent is definitely a Renaissance Man."
Just then the timer went off, and Catherine said, "Ah the nachos...I'll be right back."
And so as Catherine took the pan out of the oven, she managed to slightly burn her finger, and it wasn't but a second later, Vincent came in and worriedly inquired, "Are you all right Catherine?"
Embarrassed by her clumsiness, Catherine answered, "Oh yes, its nothing, I just burnt my finger taking out the pan."
But because she was discreet, knowing she didn't want to advertise her lack of cooking skills, she wondered what alerted him to her culinary injury!
And so she then asked, "What made you ask?"
Catherine's question caused Vincent himself to then wonder how he knew.
And so he contemplatively answered, "It was nothing audible, I...I cannot really explain it...I just knew you were hurt in some fashion..."