| ttt |
| I |
_______________________________________________________________
Silver Bells
After work, Catherine needed to make one quick stop at Dylan's! She wanted to pick up some marshmallows to contribute for the hot coco William would be serving tonight down in the tunnels.
So upon entering her apartment after an extremely grueling day, Catherine was astonishingly energized, knowing she would be going down to the tunnels tonight.
Stooping to plug in the lights of her Christmas Tree, Catherine straightened an ornament that was a bit akimbo, and stepped back to admire her beautiful tree, that was all glittery and golden.
Meanwhile the chiming clock reminded her, she better start getting ready for tonight, but first she wanted to call Jennifer, to thank her for her surprise.
Happy to hear her friends voice, Catherine said, "Jen, I love the photo!"
To which Jennifer teasingly said, "I knew you would...you look great in it!"
Laughing, Catherine responded, "You know I love it because I'm with Noodles. I think it's the only picture I have of him. Thank you."
Warmly, Jennifer seriously replied, "You are so welcome Cath..."
And then Jennifer noted, "And, I am so glad to know creepy Steven is off the streets!"
With a soft demeanor, Catherine replied, "Yeah...I am relieved to know he can't do any more harm to our fair city...well, I just wanted to thank you for my Noodles photo, and to touch base, I am going to see Vincent tonight...so I better get ready. Oh but before I go, how are things with Jimmy?"
Happy to give Catherine a good report, Jennifer replied, "Things are great! In fact I have a date tonight too! We are getting pizza at Poppy's!"
To which Catherine said, "Hmm sounds good, and fun!"
Signing off, Jennifer said, "Well call me tomorrow, I not only want to hear about your date with the Vin man, but hafta hear about the new job too. Love ya girl friend."
With a bit of a chuckle, Catherine replied, "Love ya too Jen."
And so now putting it into high gear, Catherine stood before her closet, and contemplated what to wear, thinking, "Hmm, what does one wear to such an event?"
Amusingly thinking that there was no one to consult concerning occasions in Vincent's world, until a thought occurred to her! And aloud she said, "Except for..."
And so Catherine picked up the phone, dialed, and then asked, "I need your advice Peter, what should I wear tonight? Is this considered a formal event, or just kind of a laid back evening?"
Laughing heartily, Peter answered, "Oh kiddo, I have been consulted about goiters, bunions and hernias, but never have I been asked for wardrobe advice!"
Taking Peter's teasing good-naturedly, she explained, "I suppose it may seem silly to you, but I just didn't want to over dress and make anyone feel uncomfortable, or just as bad, would be to under dress, and insult them!"
Trying to understand a women's point of view, Peter offered, "Well, if I really had to give a wardrobe opinion, I would say maybe a nice sweater with a skirt or slacks, or maybe a casual dress with pumps. What about a skirt and blazer with a nice blouse?"
Catherine's head began to spin with all of Peter's suggestions! And so with a laugh in her voice, she said, "Whoa Peter! For a guy who doesn't give opinions about what to wear, I must say you have quite a few ideas!"
Replaying his own words in his head, he had to laugh at himself, because he realized he did indeed sound more like "Peter Gunn, The Designer" rather than "Peter Alcott The Doctor!"
He then complimented Catherine by warmly saying, "You know Cathy, you say you want to fit in, but the truth of the issue is, you really cannot help but stand out in a crowd no matter what you wear."
Modestly, Catherine said thank you, and thought of how all through her life, Peter had always been so sweet and kind to her, looking upon her as a part of his extended family and she, looked at him that way too.
And because she appreciated Peter's help, Catherine then said, "Well thanks for some ideas..."
And then Catherine offered, "Dad is invited to the event too, do you want to meet us here and we can all go together?"
To which Peter replied, "Oh yeah we actually already talked and I'm gonna pick him up, so see you shortly kiddo."
Excited by the change in plans, Catherine realized that now since she was having company, she needed to straighten up her apartment! Yes, it seemed since her busy, but fun weekend, the Steven issue, and beginning a new job, there was little time left to do everyday chores. So a wee bit of dusting was definitely in order.
And so after doing a little house work, and getting herself together, Catherine heard the doorbell, and so aloud she said, "Perfect timing!"
Warmly greeting her Dad and Peter, with a bit of humor, Peter then noted, "Ah so you are going with the skirt and blazer suggestion, very nice choice."
Catherine laughed, at the fact Peter acknowledged their earlier wardrobe conversation, and then because she didn't want her Dad to feel out of the loop, Catherine told him of how she earlier called Peter for wardrobe advice.
Upon which Charles cocked a brow, and revealingly said, "That's not so far fetched you know. After all, Peter was a model for the SEARS and ROEBUCKS catalog!"
To which with surprise, Catherine answered, "You were?!"
Feeling embarrassed because Charles unveiled his modeling career, Peter quickly noted, "It was only to put my self through med school. Hey, I was young and tall! And it paid pretty well."
Recalling those days, Charles boasted, "Don't downplay it Peter! You were in big demand in those days...suits, casual wear, swim wear..."
But then Peter stopped Charles right there, saying, "But not underwear! I wouldn't model underwear, even though it paid triple the rate!"
Humored by his indignant prideful tone, Catherine and Charles laughed, and then Catherine expressed of how amazed she was to learn about this side of Peter! A side she had never known before!
But then she mentioned, "Of course we never knew you were a helper to a secret tunnel community either!"
Charles nodded in agreement, and said, "Peter is full of surprises!"
To which Peter then jokingly demanded, "All right already! Enough talk about me you two!"
Catherine giggled, and then she complied with Peter's wish as she asked them to make themselves at home.
And it was then Catherine served the brandy, and as she did, Peter looked around, and kindly said, "You sure do a fine job of Christmas decorating Cathy."
And because Peter's compliment prompted Catherine to glance around herself, she privately agreed, thinking it did look nice, despite her whirlwind decorating technique this year!
And so Catherine smiled as she replied, "Thank you, I do love decorating for Christmas, and I wanted everything looking festive for when Gerty and Robby came to visit."
And then Charles himself thoughtfully added, "Yes you have the knack all right, just like your Mother! Oh boy did she like to decorate for Christmas, I don't think she left a corner unadorned! She added the special little touches everywhere, candles, Poinsettias, ribbons, bows, Angel doodads and bulbs! And of course there was always a designated place for the nativity."
As Charles sipped his brandy, he then added, "Looking around your place takes me right back to those days...nice job honey."
Happy to know she emulated her Mother in such a fashion, Catherine tenderly said, "Mom sure did love the special touches...especially Christmas Angels..."
Sitting down on the arm of her Dad's chair, Catherine shared, "...I remember during Christmas time, following Mom around the house, plugging in all the Christmas lights. It seemed like there were a million twinkle lights, oh it was so beautiful, and she wanted to make sure they were all lit for when you got home."
With a tip of his head, Peter smiled firstly at Catherine, and then to his friend and said, "You know I sure loved coming over, at Christmas time especially. Oh and what a great cook Caroline was! Not to mention she was a real beauty...and always smiling. You know, I don't think I ever heard her say a harsh word about anyone."
In agreement, Charles nodded and then said, "No never did..."
Peter then teasingly added, "I remember thinking what a lucky man you were that Caroline agreed to marry you!"
Charles thoughtfully smiled, and said, "Yes, I sure was a lucky man, err I should say, AM a lucky man...I was blessed with a great wife and I've got my best little girl here, and a good pal..."
After a solemn moment or two passed, Catherine then cleared the sentiment from her voice, as she relayed, "Changing the subject a bit, Dad I wanted to show you where Clem and I hung the painting Brigit gave me. Come see it too Peter..."
And upon seeing the Fairy Tulip Painting, the two gents said it was a great gift she received from a gal Catherine couldn't at first claim as a friend.
With a nod, Catherine agreed, but then shared, "Well, I think maybe now, I can call her a friend...she sent me this really nice Christmas Card, with a heartfelt message, telling me all about her new children's book she had written, and in fact, I already placed a book order for it with Mr. Smythe. I thought Brigit's book would make wonderful Christmas gifts for each of the tunnel children."
And it was then Catherine remembered to show her Dad the Fairy Tulips book too. And so she went over to her hope chest, and said, "Oh and speaking of books, remember you wanted to see your old story book again Dad?"
So setting his brandy down, Charles said, "Well yes...and how do you like that....my old story book..."
Explaining to Peter the significance of this family heirloom, he then admired it too, thinking it was a great keepsake to have.
And then Peter noted the photograph of Catherine with Noodles, and mentioned, "Hey hey, lookey here!"
To which Catherine explained, "Oh yes, that was from Jenny! Oh Dad, you wondered what her surprise was, well it was that framed photo of me and Noodles."
Catherine then expressed, "I know I didn't have Noodles very long, but I really miss him...I hope he doesn't feel I abandoned him..."
With an understanding nod, Peter consoled, saying, "Well I know you miss him, but you didn't abandon him...look...maybe it will make you feel better if you think of it this way, you were meant to bring him this far, so he could end up where he was really meant to be. I saw Mrs. Aranson this morning for a check up, and she wouldn't stop talking about that little fella, I think Noodles has changed her life. She is not so consumed thinking about her ailments anymore."
Happy to hear this from Peter, Catherine shared, "Knowing that, does make me feel better."
To which Peter said, "Well good, then mission accomplished."
Changing the subject to the Tunnels Shindig, Charles sincerely shared, "Ya know, I felt kinda honored to be invited tonight."
Charles then searched for the words he wanted to use to define what he felt about the tunnel world. And so he expressed, "I mean what is it about that place exactly? The ambiance, the people, the doctrine? What is it?"
With a nod, Peter said, "Yeah maybe all of those things, but then more, it's a feeling, a virtuous feeling to know there's a place, a safe haven, where people can go and be a part of a community where they are accepted and protected. A place where each person knows, their new-found family will stand by them, when maybe up here, their kith and kin, had not."
Nodding, Charles thoughtfully agreed saying, "Yeah maybe that's it. A protective interaction with societies lost humanity."
Thoughtfully, Catherine intently listened to Peter and her Dad talk about Vincent's world, and then thought of how she herself had felt an instant connection upon her first visit there, amidst all the curious artifacts, vintage books, burning candles, and quaint homey chambers.
And knowing Vincent lived in this world which had existed below the city all of her life, was really unfathomable. A place only select helpers knew about. Yes, she felt privileged to be in on this gargantuan secret, which so few were privy to. And felt a deep satisfaction within her heart, to know both Peter and her Dad perceived what she had too.
So meantime Peter noticed the time, and so he started tapping his watch, and said, "Okay you two, that's enough philosophizing, we better go so we're not late!"
And it was then, that Charles noticed Catherine's vintage snow globe, the one she had received from her Great-Grandmother.
After acknowledging it was the very one, Catherine knew she didn't have time to go into the long story of the snow globes right then, said, "Boy do I have a story to tell you both, but it will have to wait, you are right Peter, we don't want to be late..."
So as Catherine gathered the bag which hosted a treat for the community, she happily said, "Follow me!"
And so Catherine led the way to the basement, and once they were sure that no one was near by, the three of them slipped through the basement's entrance into the nether tunnel under world.
To be continued
Chapter Six
: }
| Destiny of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Five |
