| Dreams of Gold! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Seven |
After hearing Vincent's declaration, Catherine held her hand to her heart, as she was sure it was breaking, and so in a soft whisper, Catherine said, “I long for it too.”
Vincent looked upward, as he felt the tears slide down his face. He felt so sorrowful, knowing Catherine has been waiting for him to resolve all of his foreboding inhibitions. And so he then shared, “I want so many things for us.”
Lovingly Catherine replied, “Me too Vincent..."
The silence that fell, was not because they couldn’t think of anything to say, but rather because their hearts were sharing the same vision, and desire of being together once again.
This separation was difficult on them both, and Catherine, more than ever, was firm in her resolve, to live a different life, and to reside beside Vincent below in the tunnels.
After a time, Vincent broke the silence, as he then said, “I brought you a gift, to welcome you back home.”
As Catherine held back her tears, she said, “I can't wait to open it and see what it is.”
As she snuggled deeper on top of the bed, she sweetly told him, "This is fun talking to you on the phone."
Catherine always loved his voice, and talking to him on the phone like this, brought back so many memories. It reminded her of the first time she had heard his voice, when her eyes had been bandaged, and his voice was all she had to cling to. She thought back to that time, and remembered thinking then, this man, this enigma named Vincent, her savior, had such a warm comforting voice. A voice that soothed and quieted her frightened scarred soul, when she had felt her most vulnerable.
The sound of his voice brought a contentment to her, as she thought about his beauty, his power, and his glorious spirit. His voice managed to encapsulate it all in such an elegant manor, causing her to miss him all the more for hearing it.
As she softly cried, she said, “It reminds me of when you cared for me, when all I knew of you was your voice."
To which Vincent softly replied, "Yes...when you needed me."
In reply, Catherine thoughtfully said, "I still need you...”
Privately, Vincent contemplated on what Catherine had said, and knew this was true, and his silence said more than any words could have, and after a time, Vincent thinking of her safely, asked, "Promise me you will be careful while there."
To which Catherine casually replied, "I will."
Upon hearing her carefree tone, Vincent urgently inserted, “This is important! I want you to have your mind on our bond at all times, you must! It is imperative!”
Realizing she needed to be more serious, when this topic rose up, Catherine promised, with renewed sincerity, “I will Vincent.”
Taking in a deep breath, Catherine changed the subject, and asked, “Enough about me...tell me about your day?”
To which, Vincent cleared his voice, and replied, “I am using this time to prepare your new home. It will be completed, warmly awaiting your arrival.”
Overcome with this news, Catherine softly said, “That is such a lovely thought.”
It was then, Catherine almost told Vincent her news, that after this trip, she was off the hook at the DA, but decided she wanted to tell him face-to-face, when she came home.
But so Catherine did say instead, “I have so much to tell you when I come home, and I have a surprise for you too.”
To which Vincent eagerly replied, “I shall look forward to it.”
Catherine hesitated a moment, but then added, “I hate to say it, but I should go, but there is one thing I would like to ask, could you ask Peter to take Jen to the Children’s Concert, just in case I arrive home late. Then I can just meet her there.”
To which Vincent assured Catherine he would, and would do that for her.
It was then Catherine giggled as she said, “I must admit, I wish I was there with you and Jenny. There is no telling what she might be saying!”
To which Vincent smiled as he said, “Your friend Jenny is very nice. Do not worry so. We are becoming better acquainted.”
Reluctantly, and sincerely, Catherine concluded by saying, “Don’t forget how much I miss you Vincent.”
In sweet reply, Vincent whispered, “I won’t forget Catherine.”
A silence fell once more, and then Catherine said, “Goodnight Vincent.”
To which Vincent finally responded, “Goodnight Catherine…”
And there he stood for a few moments, holding this now quieted device, that brought Catherine’s voice to him.
Looking so very sad, and forlorn, Vincent stepped to the threshold to give Jennifer back the phone.
To which Jennifer smiled, and said matter-of-factly, “Cheer up Vinny, she’ll be back soon!”
As Jennifer hung up the phone in Catherine’s bedroom, she asked, "What all did Cath have to say? Is she doing all right?"
To which Vincent shared, "Yes, but may be gone longer than expected, and if she is not back in time, she would like me to ask Peter to escort you to the tunnels Saturday, for the concert."
With an affirming nod, Jennifer was about to answer she would do that, when
meantime, there was a knock on the door. And so Jennifer mused, “Wow this is a busy place. I wonder who that could be.”
As Vincent stood back into the shadows, Jennifer waited until Vincent was out of sight, and then opened the door, and found it was Peter!
When Peter saw Jennifer, he nearly ran the other way! To which Jennifer stopped him and said, “Peter wait! You are just the guy I have wanted to talk to!”
Being on the defensive, Peter said, “Now look Jennifer, you have things between Catherine and I all wrong!”
Upon seeing Peter so nervous, Jennifer started laughing as she said, “I know Peter…I know all about Vincent…I have met him! In fact he is here too.”
Looking out onto the balcony, Peter saw Vincent as he stepped back to the doorway.
Happily, Peter walked over, and greeted him, saying, “Well thank God you and Cathy cleared this up with Jennifer for me. She had me pretty scared I can tell you.”
In reply, Vincent put his hand on Peter’s back and said, “Yes...it was time we told Jennifer everything...and I am so pleased you had a safe trip, welcome home.”
To which Peter smiled, and said, “It is great to be back home in the good OLE USA, that is for sure!”
It was then Peter looked around, and asked, “Where’s Cathy?”
In reply, Jennifer chimed in, saying, “She’s in a town called Maumee Ohio! Don’t ask me where it is, except it is near Toledo. She has to get a deposition from some guy.”
Upon Vincent remembering Catherine’s request, he then asked Peter, “Should Catherine run late, could you escort Jennifer to the Children’s Concert on Saturday?”
As Peter looked sideways at Jennifer, he jokingly asked, “I don’t know, we do have a truce right?”
To which Jennifer gave him a grin, and said, “Yes we do Peter! Relax!”
As Peter smiled back, he then said, "If Cathy isn't back, then its a date."
Looking back toward Vincent, Peter then asked, “How is your arm healing?”
After Vincent showed the healing wound, Peter said in amazement, “Look at that! You have healed up so quickly! Of course I am not surprised! You always do!”
Vincent nodded politely, as once again his healing properties are mentioned! Peter then asked, “How are you doing with Cathy out of town?”
But then Vincent worriedly admitted, “I am keeping the faith, but it is difficult. I am counting the minutes until she is safely home, and no longer working at
the D.A.”
In reply, Peter commiserated, “I will be happy when she leaves the D.A. my self.”
Remembering the supplies Elizabeth had requested, Vincent asked Peter, “If I may ask, I need help getting some painting supplies for Elizabeth.”
As Vincent picked up the Keats Book, he showed both Peter and Jennifer the portrait. He then explained, “This is the portrait of Keats that touched Catherine so...and this evening, I asked Elizabeth to duplicate this portrait for her."
To which Jennifer, who is in the Art field, asked, "Can she do something like this? So detailed?"
With a nod, Vincent replied, "Elizabeth is quite gifted, and feels she can. However she needs a canvas and some acrylics to render this commission for me.”
Assuredly, Peter nodded, “No problem. I can bring them tomorrow. I…uh…I wanted to stop by anyway after my class at the University anyway.”
Peter then stammered a bit as he added, “I brought Mary a little…ahem something back from England. I figured I would give it to her…I think it is something she will like. It is well sort of…kinda like a …well it goes around the neck.”
To which Jennifer quizzically asked, “You mean a necklace?”
With a nod, Peter humbly conceded, “Yes I suppose you would call it a necklace!”
Getting the idea Peter was a bit embarrassed about getting Mary a gift, Jennifer thought she would rub it in, by noting, “Ahh, jewelry. Sounds personal.”
Feeling a little irritated, Peter said, “Not personal at all. I saw it, and thought it looked like something Mary might like. That’s all…that’s it! Nothing more to it than that.”
After hearing Jennifer's tone, Peter quickly added, “I was afraid of this! Now don’t start teasing me about Mary!”
As Jennifer started laughing, she said, “I won't Peter. I promise.”
And it was then, Peter stated, “Well I better go. See you tomorrow Vincent, and YOU on Saturday Jennifer.”
As Vincent prepared to leave as well, he then remembered something Catherine had said on the phone, so he turned to Jennifer and said, “I mentioned to Catherine, I brought her a gift. She told me she cannot wait to open it…however I failed to wrap it. I would like to take the book back with me and wrap it for her, and return it tomorrow night. Will you be here to place it back inside for me if I do this?”
To which Jennifer nodded, “Yeah I’ll be here Vinny, I have so much to do before I move in here!”
And then Jennifer cheerfully offered, “Or...I could wrap it for you if you like! I have this pretty wrapping paper at home with some little yellow and pink tulips on it, and then I can put a little pink ribbon around it for you!”
Hating to turn down Jennifer's kind offer, Vincent looked downward, as he explained, “I would prefer to do it myself, I am afraid such a daintily wrapped parcel, as lovely as it sounds, would not exude my essence.”
With gusto, Jennifer pointed at Vincent, as she spoke to Peter, saying, “Now that is romantic! Does he know women or what?”
Jennifer then addressed Vincent as she conceded, “You are right, a woman would rather have a “shotty” looking wrapped gift, knowing the guy wrapped it himself, then a professional gift-wrapped job!”
This revelation from Jennifer, caused Peter to state, “Shotty is appealing uh? Well I’ll have to strive for that effect in the future, thanks for the tip Jennifer!”
To be continued
Chapter Eight
Vincent looked upward, as he felt the tears slide down his face. He felt so sorrowful, knowing Catherine has been waiting for him to resolve all of his foreboding inhibitions. And so he then shared, “I want so many things for us.”
Lovingly Catherine replied, “Me too Vincent..."
The silence that fell, was not because they couldn’t think of anything to say, but rather because their hearts were sharing the same vision, and desire of being together once again.
This separation was difficult on them both, and Catherine, more than ever, was firm in her resolve, to live a different life, and to reside beside Vincent below in the tunnels.
After a time, Vincent broke the silence, as he then said, “I brought you a gift, to welcome you back home.”
As Catherine held back her tears, she said, “I can't wait to open it and see what it is.”
As she snuggled deeper on top of the bed, she sweetly told him, "This is fun talking to you on the phone."
Catherine always loved his voice, and talking to him on the phone like this, brought back so many memories. It reminded her of the first time she had heard his voice, when her eyes had been bandaged, and his voice was all she had to cling to. She thought back to that time, and remembered thinking then, this man, this enigma named Vincent, her savior, had such a warm comforting voice. A voice that soothed and quieted her frightened scarred soul, when she had felt her most vulnerable.
The sound of his voice brought a contentment to her, as she thought about his beauty, his power, and his glorious spirit. His voice managed to encapsulate it all in such an elegant manor, causing her to miss him all the more for hearing it.
As she softly cried, she said, “It reminds me of when you cared for me, when all I knew of you was your voice."
To which Vincent softly replied, "Yes...when you needed me."
In reply, Catherine thoughtfully said, "I still need you...”
Privately, Vincent contemplated on what Catherine had said, and knew this was true, and his silence said more than any words could have, and after a time, Vincent thinking of her safely, asked, "Promise me you will be careful while there."
To which Catherine casually replied, "I will."
Upon hearing her carefree tone, Vincent urgently inserted, “This is important! I want you to have your mind on our bond at all times, you must! It is imperative!”
Realizing she needed to be more serious, when this topic rose up, Catherine promised, with renewed sincerity, “I will Vincent.”
Taking in a deep breath, Catherine changed the subject, and asked, “Enough about me...tell me about your day?”
To which, Vincent cleared his voice, and replied, “I am using this time to prepare your new home. It will be completed, warmly awaiting your arrival.”
Overcome with this news, Catherine softly said, “That is such a lovely thought.”
It was then, Catherine almost told Vincent her news, that after this trip, she was off the hook at the DA, but decided she wanted to tell him face-to-face, when she came home.
But so Catherine did say instead, “I have so much to tell you when I come home, and I have a surprise for you too.”
To which Vincent eagerly replied, “I shall look forward to it.”
Catherine hesitated a moment, but then added, “I hate to say it, but I should go, but there is one thing I would like to ask, could you ask Peter to take Jen to the Children’s Concert, just in case I arrive home late. Then I can just meet her there.”
To which Vincent assured Catherine he would, and would do that for her.
It was then Catherine giggled as she said, “I must admit, I wish I was there with you and Jenny. There is no telling what she might be saying!”
To which Vincent smiled as he said, “Your friend Jenny is very nice. Do not worry so. We are becoming better acquainted.”
Reluctantly, and sincerely, Catherine concluded by saying, “Don’t forget how much I miss you Vincent.”
In sweet reply, Vincent whispered, “I won’t forget Catherine.”
A silence fell once more, and then Catherine said, “Goodnight Vincent.”
To which Vincent finally responded, “Goodnight Catherine…”
And there he stood for a few moments, holding this now quieted device, that brought Catherine’s voice to him.
Looking so very sad, and forlorn, Vincent stepped to the threshold to give Jennifer back the phone.
To which Jennifer smiled, and said matter-of-factly, “Cheer up Vinny, she’ll be back soon!”
As Jennifer hung up the phone in Catherine’s bedroom, she asked, "What all did Cath have to say? Is she doing all right?"
To which Vincent shared, "Yes, but may be gone longer than expected, and if she is not back in time, she would like me to ask Peter to escort you to the tunnels Saturday, for the concert."
With an affirming nod, Jennifer was about to answer she would do that, when
meantime, there was a knock on the door. And so Jennifer mused, “Wow this is a busy place. I wonder who that could be.”
As Vincent stood back into the shadows, Jennifer waited until Vincent was out of sight, and then opened the door, and found it was Peter!
When Peter saw Jennifer, he nearly ran the other way! To which Jennifer stopped him and said, “Peter wait! You are just the guy I have wanted to talk to!”
Being on the defensive, Peter said, “Now look Jennifer, you have things between Catherine and I all wrong!”
Upon seeing Peter so nervous, Jennifer started laughing as she said, “I know Peter…I know all about Vincent…I have met him! In fact he is here too.”
Looking out onto the balcony, Peter saw Vincent as he stepped back to the doorway.
Happily, Peter walked over, and greeted him, saying, “Well thank God you and Cathy cleared this up with Jennifer for me. She had me pretty scared I can tell you.”
In reply, Vincent put his hand on Peter’s back and said, “Yes...it was time we told Jennifer everything...and I am so pleased you had a safe trip, welcome home.”
To which Peter smiled, and said, “It is great to be back home in the good OLE USA, that is for sure!”
It was then Peter looked around, and asked, “Where’s Cathy?”
In reply, Jennifer chimed in, saying, “She’s in a town called Maumee Ohio! Don’t ask me where it is, except it is near Toledo. She has to get a deposition from some guy.”
Upon Vincent remembering Catherine’s request, he then asked Peter, “Should Catherine run late, could you escort Jennifer to the Children’s Concert on Saturday?”
As Peter looked sideways at Jennifer, he jokingly asked, “I don’t know, we do have a truce right?”
To which Jennifer gave him a grin, and said, “Yes we do Peter! Relax!”
As Peter smiled back, he then said, "If Cathy isn't back, then its a date."
Looking back toward Vincent, Peter then asked, “How is your arm healing?”
After Vincent showed the healing wound, Peter said in amazement, “Look at that! You have healed up so quickly! Of course I am not surprised! You always do!”
Vincent nodded politely, as once again his healing properties are mentioned! Peter then asked, “How are you doing with Cathy out of town?”
But then Vincent worriedly admitted, “I am keeping the faith, but it is difficult. I am counting the minutes until she is safely home, and no longer working at
the D.A.”
In reply, Peter commiserated, “I will be happy when she leaves the D.A. my self.”
Remembering the supplies Elizabeth had requested, Vincent asked Peter, “If I may ask, I need help getting some painting supplies for Elizabeth.”
As Vincent picked up the Keats Book, he showed both Peter and Jennifer the portrait. He then explained, “This is the portrait of Keats that touched Catherine so...and this evening, I asked Elizabeth to duplicate this portrait for her."
To which Jennifer, who is in the Art field, asked, "Can she do something like this? So detailed?"
With a nod, Vincent replied, "Elizabeth is quite gifted, and feels she can. However she needs a canvas and some acrylics to render this commission for me.”
Assuredly, Peter nodded, “No problem. I can bring them tomorrow. I…uh…I wanted to stop by anyway after my class at the University anyway.”
Peter then stammered a bit as he added, “I brought Mary a little…ahem something back from England. I figured I would give it to her…I think it is something she will like. It is well sort of…kinda like a …well it goes around the neck.”
To which Jennifer quizzically asked, “You mean a necklace?”
With a nod, Peter humbly conceded, “Yes I suppose you would call it a necklace!”
Getting the idea Peter was a bit embarrassed about getting Mary a gift, Jennifer thought she would rub it in, by noting, “Ahh, jewelry. Sounds personal.”
Feeling a little irritated, Peter said, “Not personal at all. I saw it, and thought it looked like something Mary might like. That’s all…that’s it! Nothing more to it than that.”
After hearing Jennifer's tone, Peter quickly added, “I was afraid of this! Now don’t start teasing me about Mary!”
As Jennifer started laughing, she said, “I won't Peter. I promise.”
And it was then, Peter stated, “Well I better go. See you tomorrow Vincent, and YOU on Saturday Jennifer.”
As Vincent prepared to leave as well, he then remembered something Catherine had said on the phone, so he turned to Jennifer and said, “I mentioned to Catherine, I brought her a gift. She told me she cannot wait to open it…however I failed to wrap it. I would like to take the book back with me and wrap it for her, and return it tomorrow night. Will you be here to place it back inside for me if I do this?”
To which Jennifer nodded, “Yeah I’ll be here Vinny, I have so much to do before I move in here!”
And then Jennifer cheerfully offered, “Or...I could wrap it for you if you like! I have this pretty wrapping paper at home with some little yellow and pink tulips on it, and then I can put a little pink ribbon around it for you!”
Hating to turn down Jennifer's kind offer, Vincent looked downward, as he explained, “I would prefer to do it myself, I am afraid such a daintily wrapped parcel, as lovely as it sounds, would not exude my essence.”
With gusto, Jennifer pointed at Vincent, as she spoke to Peter, saying, “Now that is romantic! Does he know women or what?”
Jennifer then addressed Vincent as she conceded, “You are right, a woman would rather have a “shotty” looking wrapped gift, knowing the guy wrapped it himself, then a professional gift-wrapped job!”
This revelation from Jennifer, caused Peter to state, “Shotty is appealing uh? Well I’ll have to strive for that effect in the future, thanks for the tip Jennifer!”
To be continued
Chapter Eight
