As Catherine and Jennifer climbed down the ladder into the tunnels, Vincent was there to greet them, and graciously said to Jennifer, “Welcome."
Catherine beamed as she looked up at the man she loved, and then looked to her dear friend. This was a dream come true for her. Catherine would now be able to share this side of her life with Jennifer, who had been more like a sister to her all through her life.
Catherine knew there would be no more need to compartmentalize, with Jennifer, and no more secrets. Her life need no longer be segmented, but rather, whole again.
As Vincent then greeted his beautiful Catherine, her heart jumped, as he cast his loving blue eyes her way. His gaze never ceased to affect her in ways that made her stomach flutter, and her heart quicken, and when he spoke her name, it was pure magic, “Catherine…”
Vincent then continued, “...shall we tour your chamber before we escort Jennifer to the Guest Chamber?”
To which Catherine excitedly answered, “Oh yes Vincent, I would love that.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer looked around, and as they walked, she asked about everything she saw! And as Vincent answered her many questions about the tunnels, Catherine actually found out a few things, she hadn’t known before!
And then next, Jennifer inquired, “So Vinny, if you have always had that opening in Cathy’s apartment building, what was it’s purpose, and who else used it before Cath did?
To which Vincent informatively replied, “We have many accessible thoroughfares available for all of our people, residents of the tunnels, and helpers alike. Many of the main buildings in New York City have an access route of some kind. We have used them all at one time or another. Catherine’s apartment building is one of them.”
After hearing Vincent's explanation, Catherine turned to Vincent, and asked, “I often wondered how you knew exactly where to take me, when I had to re-enter my world after my attack. How did you know that particular opening, led to my apartment?”
Upon hearing Catherine's question, Vincent felt embarrassed, because he so clearly recalled Catherine's surprise of his knowledge of the basement threshold entry on that day she returned to her world
So, soberly, Vincent looked downward, as he gathered his thoughts, taking his time to give Catherine an answer to her question. This subject was something he, and Catherine never delved in, and as time passed, it seemed too late to mention it.
But before Vincent could answer, Jennifer abruptly butted in, and pleadingly asked, “Oh, do we have to talk about that dreaded incident. I hate to even think about it! It gives me the eebey-jeebeys!”
With a sigh, Vincent, felt grateful for the reprieve, and he said, “Yes of course Jennifer, let us proceed to Catherine’s chamber.”
With question, Catherine looked at Vincent as they walked, and thought to her self, it seemed as though Vincent was reluctant to answer her question...and she had to wonder why.
As the trio continued on, they entered the renovation tunnel, leading to Catherine’s new chamber.
Traveling onward, they could see candle light flickering, from Laura’s chamber, and both Laura and Jamie were busily signing to each other, as they finished organizing Laura’s chamber.
So stealthily, Vincent and Catherine peered in from the threshold for a moment, watching their girlish excitement. Vincent looked down at Catherine and smiled, and as he cleared his throat he asked the two, “Why are you both still awake at this late hour?”
To which Jamie squealed an excited hello, and both girls pulled on Vincent and Catherine’s hands, to come into Laura’s chamber.
Excitedly, Laura waved her hand, presenting her chamber to them. Earlier, Mary had helped them with some finishing touches too, and the result was as homey and as enchanting as Catherine’s chamber.
Happily, Jamie chimed in, "Mary helped us with some of the stuff, she is great!"
As Catherine looked around, she excitedly signed as she said, “Your chamber is lovely Laura!”
With approval, Vincent nodded and said, “Ahh yes, very nice Laura. Do you think you will be happy here?”
In reply, Laura signed, “Yes Vincent, very happy.”
And then Jamie eagerly said, “Catherine and Vincent, you gotta come over and see mine too. I am all moved in.”
Meanwhile, Vincent finally had the chance to introduce Jennifer, and so he looked back to the threshold where Jennifer stood, and said, “Jamie, Laura, we have a guest with us. I would like you to meet Catherine’s friend…actually...she's our friend…and her name is Jennifer.”
So humbly, Jennifer stepped inside this darling chamber room, as if she was in a dream. Vincent then said, “Jennifer, this is Laura and Jamie.”
In a precise manner, Jennifer said, “Hi, I am Jennifer, or as I am known in my world, Jenny. I am from the world above and I live in a city known as Manhattan, which is the city just above you. It is one of the 5 boroughs of New York City. I am very pleased and honored to meet you…and I… ”
Finding her friend Catherine teasingly finished her sentence, by mechanically saying, “And I come in Peace!"
Everyone laughed at Catherine, and she then sweetly teased her friend, "The girls are not aliens Jen! They know all about New York City. They go above quite often.”
To which Jennifer surprisingly said, “They do? Great! I don’t have to explain then!”
Catherine chuckled as she replied, “These two girls probably know New York City better, than you or I do!”
Apologetically, Jennifer said, "I am sorry, I guess I don’t know how to act! I am in culture shock here!”
Laura and Jamie started laughing, and as Jamie welcomed Jennifer, she said, “We are glad to meet you Jenny, and just relax, we Love Catherine and if you are a friend of hers, then you are ok with us!”
Vincent then kindly said, “We understand Jennifer. This is a very different existence from the one you are used to. I hope you will become comfortable here however, and you will want to visit us often.”
In reply Jennifer assuredly said, “I am certain I will Vinny! It’s just this foot of mine keeps ending up in my mouth! That is my problem!”
Catherine signed to Laura as Jennifer spoke, and she and Jamie both cracked up laughing at what Jennifer had said!
Vincent in his gracious manner noted, “At times, I myself have felt as you do when I am in the world above.”
Vincent then turned to Jamie, and asked, “I wonder, may we visit your chamber tomorrow Jamie? I was just escorting Catherine to see her chamber, and then we must take Jennifer to the guest chamber.”
To which Jamie disappointedly, said, “Oh all right Vincent, but you will come and see my chamber first thing tomorrow, right? Do you promise?”
Vincent nodded and said, “Of course.” Vincent then turned to Catherine, and Jennifer as he asked, “Shall we?”
Catherine took Vincent’s hand and said, “Yes, lead the way. Good night Laura and Jamie.”
(Visit Catherine’s chamber)
As they stepped to the threshold, Vincent lit a flint from one of the tunnel torches, and stepping inside Catherine’s chamber, he then one by one, methodically lit the candles that were set about her chamber-room.
As the chamber became illuminated, Catherine gasped in surprise. “Vincent, oh my! It is so charming! What can I possibly say? It's beautiful!”
Vincent smiled, a smile, that revealed his safely guarded teeth, a trait that made him feel so very self-conscious, however in times of pure joy, his smile would widen enough to show them, and this was one of those moments.
Catherine then excitedly said, “Oh my look Jen, a stained glass floral window!”
To which Jennifer expounded, “Oh I love it! Come here and look, at this tiffany lamp! Mom would kill for this, wouldn’t she?”
Catherine laughed, and agreed, saying, “Yes, and nearly did once! Remember that time, we had to take your Mom Garage Sale-ing? Your Mom and another lady went for this gorgeous tiffany lamp at the same time? The other lady let go of it quickly, once she saw the look in your Mom’s eyes!”
Jennifer laughed as she said, “Oh yeah, and that lamp has held a sacred place of honor, in Mom’s entry-way ever since!”
Amused as he listened to the two friends reminisce, cementing what he felt in his heart to be true, that Catherine does need to have Jennifer involved in her new life, because they share a bond as well.
Check out Catherine’s Reading Alcove
As Catherine looked around, she noticed the reading alcove, and saw the other window Vincent had installed for her. With complete astonishment, she said, “Oh Jen, here’s another window, and it is of New York City!”
Jennifer turned to check out what Catherine was talking about, and shouted, “Oh my God it is! How cool!”
Vincent stood back with his hands behind his back, and softly informed them, “It is a design by Jennifer Merrill named “Moon Man”.
Catherine approached Vincent, and with a touch of emotion in her voice, and a glistening tear on her lashes, she said, “Now I can have the city I love so much with me always. What can I say? I absolutely love it!”
Giving her Vincent a hug around his waist, she said, “You have made my homecoming so special, by having my home ready for me. You make me feel so very spoiled. I love everything you have done here for me.”
Vincent held Catherine tightly, as he said, “Welcome home Dear Catherine.”
Vincent then added, “Mary helped to decorate here as well. She rather enjoyed arranging many of the “Finishing touches” as she called them, and the quilt...the quilt is also a gift from Mary. She wanted it to be in place, for when you first walked into your chamber."
Catherine smiled, and said, "I will have to thank Mary for her kindness Vincent, the first chance I get."
Vincent said, "There is an alcove sitting room I would like to show you, but I think we should show Jennifer to the guest chamber first, as the hour is quite late.”
As Catherine looked at Jennifer, who was yawning, she agreed, saying, "I think you are right."
Catherine then said "Jen, you have had a lot of excitement tonight! First you guarded the Deposition within an inch of your life, and now visiting here for the first time too.”
Jennifer admitted, “You know all of the sudden I think I could drop off to sleep standing straight up! I am ready for bed. Vinny...my Super hero…show me to my chamber!”
As Catherine and Vincent made certain Jennifer was comfortable in the Guest Chamber, they then headed back to Catherine’s.
Silently they walked for a moment, as Catherine approached the subject Vincent seemed reluctant to talk about earlier. And so guardedly, she turned to him and asked, “I have been curious, how you seemed to know, right where I lived, as you lead me directly to the basement of my apartment building. How could you have known where I lived?”
Hesitantly, Vincent said, “I knew because I had seen you departing from your apartment’s foyer, the very night you were injured.”
Catherine stood still as she astonishingly asked, “You did?”
Vincent quietly revealed, “Per chance, when you entered the limousine, I was standing in a darkened postern nearby. You were so…so beautiful....”
Vincent's compliment humbled Catherine, and shyly, she replied, “I had no idea, I don’t know what to say.”
Humbly, Vincent took Catherine’s hand in his, as he continued, “I am grateful for that brief moment when I saw you...I believe that was the moment our bond had been seeded, and formed my connection to you. It was because of that connection, I found you in the park. I felt an inexplicable pull in the darkness, and I had a sense of you lying helpless, alone, and silent in the night.”
Catherine with tears in her eyes said, “Vincent you never told me this before. Why?”
Vincent tipped his head, and said, “I didn’t want to frighten you, and I felt ashamed.”
With concern, Catherine questioned, “Ashamed, why?”
Vincent displayed a hint of melancholy, as he answered, “You were so vital and so…beautiful in your world above, and myself, I was an intruder there, like a voyeur in the night, watching from the shadows.”
Catherine paused a moment, as she touched his face, and said, “You shouldn’t have felt ashamed. I love knowing you were attracted to me, before my attack, and your first impression of me took place, before I was at my most needy, and in such a state of dependency.”
To which Vincent assuredly said, “I never viewed you in such a manner Catherine, I could always feel your determination, and your strength within you…”
As they neared Catherine’s chamber, Vincent mentioned how tired she must be, and though she was, Catherine still asked, “Vincent won’t you stay with me, just for a little while. After all, you did promise to show me the other alcove.”
Vincent looked down at Catherine, and without hesitation, he huskily whispered, “Yes Catherine.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer lay cozily in the big wide bed, with just a night candle burning. She was just about to drift off to sleep, when suddenly she heard someone enter the Chamber! She sat up and nervously asked,“Catherine? Vincent? Is that you?”
And as Jennifer raised her bedside candle, she was surprised to see a very handsome man, who happened to be as surprised as she was!
Finally, Ronald said, “I am sorry, I didn’t realize the Guest Chamber was occupied! I am sorry if I frightened you.”
Meanwhile, though Jennifer didn't know who it was, she could see the person was upset, and crying! And so she reached out, saying, “Wait please, don’t go away...I am Jenny, Catherine's friend...”
Upon hearing the kind voice calling out to him, Ronald stopped and lowered his head, as he said, “And I am Ronald. I really am sorry I disturbed you.”
And because Ronald felt so awkward, Jennifer got out of bed, and tried to ease him, by saying, “You haven't disturbed me...hmmm, Ronald you say? Oh yes, Catherine told me about you! YOU were going to be a Paleontologist!"
Meanwhile, Ronald was still trying to hide his distraught demeanor, said, “Yes, and full disclosure, Catherine told me about you too Jenny. I didn't think you were coming until tomorrow.”
To which Jennifer explained, “Yes that was the plan, but after some thugs visited Cathy’s apartment tonight, The plans changed!"
Jennifer then excitedly explained, "These mobsters tried to get the depo she went to Ohio for, and...well thank goodness Vinny can read Catherine’s mind, because he knew she was in trouble and he flew into the room and knocked the 3 guys out cold! I thought for sure Cathy and I were going to go down in the line of duty, but then Vinny came and rescued us. It was so exciting.”
In response, Ronald nodded, and said, “Thankfully you both are all right..."
Ronald then continued, "...well, I will let you rest now.”
But before he could leave, Jennifer hurriedly pleaded, “Stay. Look, I can see you are upset. Sometimes it is good to talk to a stranger. Then you don’t have to feel self conscience. Believe me I know! One day at the Laundry Mat, I poured out my heart, telling this old lady the whole history of my miserable love life, and I felt wonderful afterwards. It purged my soul! So if you want, you can try it out on me Ronald feel free! I am a great listener.”
Ronald hesitated before he turned around and said, “You are very kind Jenny, yes I would like to talk to someone.”
Jennifer lit another candle on the writing table, and instructed, “Sit here with me Ronald…do you always go by Ronald, or can I call you Ron or better yet Ronny?"
Ronald sadly smiled, as he said, “Ronny is what my late wife called me.”
Jennifer quickly apologized, and said, “Oh my God, I am sorry! I will just call you Ronald then.”
Thoughtfully, Ronald stopped her, and said, “Actually Jenny, the more I think about it, your calling me Ronny is just fine.”
Jennifer nodded, and said, “Then Ronny it is. So tell me Ronny, what brings you here to the guest chamber tonight.”
As the candle flickered upon Ronald’s face, Jennifer noticed, what a good-looking man he was! So darkly handsome, clearly he was of Indian descent, with all his long dark shiny hair, flowing loose and carefree.
Suddenly because he was so cute, Jennifer felt a bit self-conscious! As she smoothed her eyebrows into place, and tried to finger comb her hair, she looked on as Ronald started to explain, “You see Jennifer I come here often, I lost my family in a tragic accident, and as I told Catherine once…I feel close to them when I am here. This is where I stayed when I first came to the tunnels to live, before I moved into my own chamber. Today marks the 10th anniversary since I lost them.
Jennifer sincerely said, “Oh Ronny, I am very sorry. I’ll tell you what, you stay here for the night, and just let it all out of your system, and maybe then, you can start to put all the sadness behind you. Maybe it is time to look forward after a good night of looking back! I am sure your wife would want that. I can bunk with Catherine. I am sure she won’t mind.”
Ronald said, “No Jenny, you stay, I just needed to be here for a moment, and you are right, maybe it is time."
To be continued
Chapter Sixteen
| Dreams of Gold! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Fifteen |
