Vincent stood as Lisa approached them, and welcomed her to sit with them, politely offering, “Lisa join us.”
Sweetly, Lisa smiled at Vincent and then at Catherine, as she declined, saying, “Thank you, but Father and Mary have a seat waiting for me. I only came by to say thank you for your help this morning.”
Lisa addressed Catherine next, as she told her, “The children must have spoken your name a hundred times this morning. They are most anxious to perform for you today.”
Catherine smiled back as she could feel the eyes, of many of the curious tunnel residents observing their meeting. And so in trying to show, the past is in the past, Catherine continued to smile as she appreciatively expressed, “I am so excited to see their performance too Lisa. Do you think they are ready?”
Lisa said, “Oh yes, their rehearsal certainly shows me, they have worked very hard this past week. From what I hear from the other children, Samantha kept them quite busy.”
Lisa proudly relayed, “Samantha is a natural born leader, and a very talented girl. Well I better go, or Father will wonder where I am.”
Ronald cleared his throat, as a signal to Vincent to introduce them. Turning to Ronald, then back to Lisa, he said, “Pardon me Lisa. I have been negligent in my manners.”
Vincent then politely said, “I would like to introduce you to Ronald, Ronald this is Lisa."
Ronald walked around the table to shake her hand, and said, “I am so pleased to meet you Lisa.”
Lisa nodded, and ever so slightly curtsied, as she raised her eyes to look back up at this handsome newcomer, she had never met! Elegantly she said in reply, “And I am pleased to meet you Ronald.”
Vincent turned to Jennifer next, and said, “I would like you to meet Catherine’s good friend Jennifer as well. Jennifer this is Lisa.”
Jennifer nodded and said, “Hello Lisa. Cathy just told me you were the ballerina in the ballet she took me to about four years back. It was the uh, the…the…Nutbreaker!”
Catherine quickly jumped to Jennifer's aid by correcting her friend's faux paux, by saying, “You mean The Nutcracker Jen?”
To which Jennifer replied, “Yes, that's it Cath, The Nutcracker!"
And in realizing her lack of culture was showing, Jennifer tried to sound more distinguished by adding, "...as it were.”
Lisa smiled as she replied, “I am pleased to meet you as well. And yes Catherine mentioned the ballet the other day to me. Realizing we had crossed paths in some manner before we met through Vincent."
And then Jennifer inserted, "Well I sure am honored to meet the star! I had never been to a ballet before."
Kindly, Lisa replied, "I hope you enjoyed it. That is one of my most favorite of the Ballets to perform!”
Jennifer nodded as she said, “I did! And I can tell you one thing…Cathy and I couldn't get over the guys in their tights!”
Catherine astonishingly, said, “Jen!”
Vincent looked downward, as he hid his smile, not to mention the whole table was amused by Jennifer's lighthearted comment! And a few giggles could be heard from Brooke as she nudged Rebecca!
Catherine had tears in her eyes as she helplessly shook her head, totally speechless!
And because Lisa could see Catherine’s discomfort, she saved the moment, as she politely answered Jennifer, “Yes, Jennifer, the human form is very much on display during the performance of a ballet. However as a professional, honestly you become quite accustomed to the dress. As a performer, you cannot be self conscious. You must have only the dance on your mind, and to give your finest.”
With sincere interest, Jennifer nodded as she appreciated the insight, and replied, “Oh that is so interesting to hear some behind the scenes mental aerobics a dancer goes through!”
And although Lisa secretly found Jennifer amusing, she felt it was time to move on, and so she warmly said, “Well, I see Mary calling me over, so I better go. It was very nice meeting you Jennifer and you Ronald. Goodbye everyone.”
In response, Catherine said a weak goodbye, and slumped down into her seat, and as she gave Rebecca a shaky smile, and as she looked past Rebecca, she could see Brooke, was still giggling into her hands.
Meantime, Rebecca gave Catherine an understanding pat on her back and whispered, “Catherine, your friend Jennifer is quite outspoken isn’t she?”
Catherine nodded and under her breath she observed, “Yes she is Rebecca, but somehow I didn’t notice it as much, I mean I noticed, but it didn't matter so much before!”
Rebecca shared a warm smile with Catherine and said, "Well, we like her! She's fun. Don't be too embarrassed."
Appreciating Rebecca's assurances, Catherine took a deep breath, and finally looked up, and as she looked on from the sidelines, she saw Lisa and Ronald exchange one last smile. And she watched as Ronald then sat back down never taking his eyes off Lisa as she walked away. Yes, Catherine thought she definitely detected something in the air between them!
Then as Catherine looked over at Jennifer to see if she too noticed, she could tell she had, for how her face had fallen.
Meanwhile, Vincent sat back down next to Catherine, and as he discreetly held her hand under the table, he gave an extra little understanding squeeze. Humbly, Catherine looked up at him with an apologetic smile, where he kindly held her gaze, he noted, “You mentioned to me once you took ballet..."
With a reminiscent smile, Catherine replied, "Yes, but only until my teacher kindly recommend I switch to jazz!"
They laughed, and then Catherine asked, "And what of you Vincent? I remember you telling me, you would practice with Lisa."
Vincent thought back, and relayed, “Yes, when Lisa and I were children, and she would practice her dancing, I would play the role of the male counterpart. She taught me a few movements necessary to execute the lifts, and the spins as well.”
"I see." And then Catherine privately added, “You move like a dancer...you have an elegance about you when you walk, and I thought so too last night as we danced. You are a natural.”
Vincent huskily answered, “Only with you Catherine…for you inspire me so.”
Later, the tunnels were busy, with everyone coming and going from their chambers, getting ready for the concert. The girls retrieved Jennifer's things from the Guest Chamber, as they decided to get ready together in Catherine’s.
As Jennifer sat at the little vanity brushing her hair, she looked into the mirror, and hesitantly asked, “Cath, did you notice how Ronny looked at Lisa today? I don’t see how I can stand a chance with him now that she has appeared! She is so beautiful, and nice too. I mean I didn't wanna like her, but she was nice, and I like her.”
Catherine tried to bolster her friend, by telling her, “I know what you mean, she is, but so are you! And you’re pretty too Jen.”
Seeing, Jennifer didn't believe what she said, Catherine took the brush from Jennifer’s hands, and began to comb out the tangles. Sweetly she continued, “Honestly you are pretty Jen. Look at all this curly hair you have, and you have the prettiest of smiles. Besides, beauty isn’t everything. Beauty can fade with time, it is what’s in your heart that counts Jen, and you have such a giving heart. Ronald is too smart a man not to know that.”
Catherine smiled as she added, “Come on now…let’s not jump to conclusions. I don’t believe Lisa would be Ronald’s type, anyway!”
Feeling she got through to Jennifer...just a little bit, Catherine hugged her, and cheerfully said, “Ronald and Vincent will be coming for us shortly, so let’s finish getting ready.”
As Catherine slipped on her white sweater, she confided, “You know to be totally honest…having Lisa around makes me a bit self-conscience too. But I am working on getting past that.”
Jennifer turned to look at Catherine and said, “Oh Cath, you have nothing to fear…believe me! The power of your love for each other, is so riveting! I can feel something magical in the air when you are near each other!”
Then Jennifer turned back around, and as she looked back into the mirror, she said, “I hope I find a love like that one day.”
Assuredly, Catherine answered, “You will Jen. It will happen when you least expect it! Who knows maybe you’ll meet a fellow paleontologist at that class you are going to take.”
Jennifer rested her chin on her hands, and as she dreamily gazed, she said, “I already found my fellow paleontologist, and his name is Ronny!”
It wasn't long before Vincent, arrived, and asked, “Shall we go?”
Catherine happily greeted Vincent as she said, “Yes Vincent, we are ready. Isn’t Ronald with you?”
To which Vincent replied, “No, he will meet us there. Lisa needed some additional help with the scenery, and since I had assisted earlier, Ronald insisted on helping.”
Catherine shared a look with Jennifer after receiving this info! However, she tried not to show her disappointment, as she said teasingly, “So Vinny, do you think you can handle the two of us?”
Replying with a confident level of certainty, Vincent said, “I believe so Jennifer. It is one task I am more than happy to be tested on. Shall we?”
Each of the girls took an arm, and Vincent gallantly escorted them through the threshold, when suddenly Jennifer screeched, “Wait, I forgot my Pez machine!”
As Jennifer ran back inside the chamber, Catherine explained to Vincent, “She is hooked on Pez’s!”
Vincent started to nod as if he understood, but then tipped his head in wonderment. As he opened his mouth to inquire, he took a deep breath and closed his lips...deciding not to ask!
As the concert was about to begin, excitement was in the air, and everyone was finding a seat. Peter arrived just in time, and sat down behind Jennifer, Catherine, and Vincent. Tapping Catherine on the shoulder, he said, “Hey Kiddo, how’s it going?”
So happy to see him, Catherine stood to hug him, and said, "You finally made it! I was looking for you."
Both Vincent and Jennifer turned in their seats to greet Peter too.
And then, Peter impressively, said, “Hey, I read about you two in the newspapers today! The article said you girls, took out three drug dealers last night! Unbelievable!”
In disbelief, Jennifer asked, “You mean Cath and I are celebrities? How cool! Oh no…wait until Mom hears about this one! Her blood pressure will shoot through the roof!”
Catherine then quickly explained to Peter, “Welllllllll…we had to embellish a little! You see Peter, we couldn’t tell the police the whole story…Vincent actually rescued us! We had to take the credit!”
Peter laughed, and slapped Vincent on the back, and said, “So he's our Hero, uh?”
Vincent modestly answered, “No not a hero Peter, just thankful I was there in time, before any danger befell Catherine or Jennifer.”
To the side of the stage, Mary and Ronald were talking to Lisa, when Mary suddenly caught site of Peter! She gave Lisa a good luck, “Break a leg” hug, and walked over to say hello to him, leaving Ronald with Lisa alone for a moment, before the concert began.
And so Ronald kindly said, “Well, I want to wish you and your troop here, good luck Lisa.”
As Lisa looked back at the children, she said, “They are all so beautiful aren’t they? Thank you for your help, Ronald. Will I see you after the show?”
In reply, he said, “Yes I hope so, we are planning on a picnic and a swim at the Falls later. I hope you will come.”
Lisa’s eyes sparkled as she said, “Oh Yes Ronald. I would love to go swimming along with everyone. We used to dive from the cliffs there when we were children. Thank you for the invitation.”
Ronald nodded and said, “I will look forward to seeing you after the show.”
Meantime, Mary walked over to Peter, and softly said, “Hello Peter, how are you?”
With a smile, Peter stood and answered thoughtfully, “I am fine, and you?”
Glancing downward, Mary proudly said, “I am wearing my cameo you gave me. Oh the words of praise I am receiving, truly are overwhelming! I feel like a bit of a showoff wearing it!”
With a nod, Peter replied, “I hoped you would enjoy it Mary. Please won’t you sit with me?”
To which she answered, “Why yes I would like to!”
It was then, Jacob finally entered the Hall, and as he glanced around the room for Mary, he beamed when he spotted her. Luckily, he noticed there was a vacant seat next to her, which he decided to occupy!
Suavely, Jacob asked, “Mary, may I?”
To which Mary gushed, “Oh yes Father, please sit. The show is about to begin!”
Smugly, Peter leaned forward in his seat on the other side of Mary, and sternly said, “It’s about time Jacob, you almost missed the opening!”
And becasue Jacob didn't know Peter was coming, Jacob with a note of surprise replied, “Peter? I am surprised to see you! I mean to say, since you saw the performance already, I naturally assumed you wouldn't come and hog a seat again!”
With a spark, Peter answered, “Well, I don't feel as though being here last week should count! I was so worried about Catherine’s where-abouts at the time, that I couldn’t enjoy it! Today, I am going to sit back in the seat I am hogging, and enjoy the show…”
And then Peter glanced at Mary, as he added, “…AND enjoy the company!”
Jacob brought his hand to his chin, as he said, “I see, yes well of course. It is always nice when you visit us Peter. No matter how often!”
Meanwhile, Mary seemed to be oblivious to the two bantering back and forth, as she was busy watching the children set up the stage.
Wanting to chide Jacob a little more, Peter asked, “Have you seen Mary’s cameo I brought back from Jolly OLE England?”
To which Jacob raised his brow without looking at Peter, and said, “The what…oh the cameo? Yes, I believe so…yes in fact I did. I suppose if you have seen one plastic cameo you have seen them all!”
Peter corrected Jacob by saying, “Oh not so Jacob, this one is made from a Queen conch shell! Quite rare!”
Curtly, Jacob held his finger to his lips, hushing Peter, as the show was just about to begin!
Happy to see he made his point, Peter sat back into his seat, as a half grin came to his lips.
Leaning over toward Catherine, Jennifer whispered, “I wonder where Ronny is Cath?”
Overhearing Jennifer’s query, Mary answered, “Oh he is talking with Lisa. I sense a little chemistry between those two. I am not usually wrong about these things!”
Jennifer’s brows knitted together a bit, as her heart sank. Mary’s words hit her hard, partially because she knew Mary was right, because she sensed it too!
Sadly, Jennifer sighed, as she decided to just forget it! Maybe she and Ronny just were not meant to be.
Just then, Ronald walked over and asked, “Jenny is this seat for me?”
Matter-of-factly, Jennifer replied, “If you like.”
Noticing a change in Jennifer, Ronald asked, “Is everything all right?”
Jennifer raised her head, and as she looked forward, she said, “Yes Ronald, everything is just fine. Why do you ask?”
Thinking it sounded strange to hear Jennifer call him Ronald, instead of Ronny, he carefully stated, “I don’t know, maybe I'm wrong, but you sound a little downhearted that’s all.”
Jennifer looked down into her hands, and thought she really had no right to be hurt. She had just met the man, and he certainly had not made any passes, or overtures toward her, indicating he might be interested on a romantic level.
So after reconciling the whole situation, Jennifer ultimately decided, she had better lighten up, or she may blow any hope of a friendship too.
With a smile, Jennifer looked at Ronald, and said, “Oh, I suppose I am a little disappointed about having to leave right after the concert. I am having such a wonderful time here.”
Soothingly he reminded her, “Well, didn’t you say you will visit us again on Tuesday for Mary’s Reading Appreciation meeting? That is only a few days away.”
She nodded and said, “You are right. I am just being silly.”
As Ronald shifted in his seat to unintentionally lean toward her, Jennifer felt her heart jump at his closeness. As she closed her eyes for a moment, she let herself imagine…they were a couple.
As Jennifer shook the fantasy from her mind, she reached in her pocket, and asked him, “Care for a Pez Ronny?”
Ronald burst out laughing as it had been years since he had seen a Pez machine! He answered, “Jenny...I would love one!”
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sweetly, Lisa smiled at Vincent and then at Catherine, as she declined, saying, “Thank you, but Father and Mary have a seat waiting for me. I only came by to say thank you for your help this morning.”
Lisa addressed Catherine next, as she told her, “The children must have spoken your name a hundred times this morning. They are most anxious to perform for you today.”
Catherine smiled back as she could feel the eyes, of many of the curious tunnel residents observing their meeting. And so in trying to show, the past is in the past, Catherine continued to smile as she appreciatively expressed, “I am so excited to see their performance too Lisa. Do you think they are ready?”
Lisa said, “Oh yes, their rehearsal certainly shows me, they have worked very hard this past week. From what I hear from the other children, Samantha kept them quite busy.”
Lisa proudly relayed, “Samantha is a natural born leader, and a very talented girl. Well I better go, or Father will wonder where I am.”
Ronald cleared his throat, as a signal to Vincent to introduce them. Turning to Ronald, then back to Lisa, he said, “Pardon me Lisa. I have been negligent in my manners.”
Vincent then politely said, “I would like to introduce you to Ronald, Ronald this is Lisa."
Ronald walked around the table to shake her hand, and said, “I am so pleased to meet you Lisa.”
Lisa nodded, and ever so slightly curtsied, as she raised her eyes to look back up at this handsome newcomer, she had never met! Elegantly she said in reply, “And I am pleased to meet you Ronald.”
Vincent turned to Jennifer next, and said, “I would like you to meet Catherine’s good friend Jennifer as well. Jennifer this is Lisa.”
Jennifer nodded and said, “Hello Lisa. Cathy just told me you were the ballerina in the ballet she took me to about four years back. It was the uh, the…the…Nutbreaker!”
Catherine quickly jumped to Jennifer's aid by correcting her friend's faux paux, by saying, “You mean The Nutcracker Jen?”
To which Jennifer replied, “Yes, that's it Cath, The Nutcracker!"
And in realizing her lack of culture was showing, Jennifer tried to sound more distinguished by adding, "...as it were.”
Lisa smiled as she replied, “I am pleased to meet you as well. And yes Catherine mentioned the ballet the other day to me. Realizing we had crossed paths in some manner before we met through Vincent."
And then Jennifer inserted, "Well I sure am honored to meet the star! I had never been to a ballet before."
Kindly, Lisa replied, "I hope you enjoyed it. That is one of my most favorite of the Ballets to perform!”
Jennifer nodded as she said, “I did! And I can tell you one thing…Cathy and I couldn't get over the guys in their tights!”
Catherine astonishingly, said, “Jen!”
Vincent looked downward, as he hid his smile, not to mention the whole table was amused by Jennifer's lighthearted comment! And a few giggles could be heard from Brooke as she nudged Rebecca!
Catherine had tears in her eyes as she helplessly shook her head, totally speechless!
And because Lisa could see Catherine’s discomfort, she saved the moment, as she politely answered Jennifer, “Yes, Jennifer, the human form is very much on display during the performance of a ballet. However as a professional, honestly you become quite accustomed to the dress. As a performer, you cannot be self conscious. You must have only the dance on your mind, and to give your finest.”
With sincere interest, Jennifer nodded as she appreciated the insight, and replied, “Oh that is so interesting to hear some behind the scenes mental aerobics a dancer goes through!”
And although Lisa secretly found Jennifer amusing, she felt it was time to move on, and so she warmly said, “Well, I see Mary calling me over, so I better go. It was very nice meeting you Jennifer and you Ronald. Goodbye everyone.”
In response, Catherine said a weak goodbye, and slumped down into her seat, and as she gave Rebecca a shaky smile, and as she looked past Rebecca, she could see Brooke, was still giggling into her hands.
Meantime, Rebecca gave Catherine an understanding pat on her back and whispered, “Catherine, your friend Jennifer is quite outspoken isn’t she?”
Catherine nodded and under her breath she observed, “Yes she is Rebecca, but somehow I didn’t notice it as much, I mean I noticed, but it didn't matter so much before!”
Rebecca shared a warm smile with Catherine and said, "Well, we like her! She's fun. Don't be too embarrassed."
Appreciating Rebecca's assurances, Catherine took a deep breath, and finally looked up, and as she looked on from the sidelines, she saw Lisa and Ronald exchange one last smile. And she watched as Ronald then sat back down never taking his eyes off Lisa as she walked away. Yes, Catherine thought she definitely detected something in the air between them!
Then as Catherine looked over at Jennifer to see if she too noticed, she could tell she had, for how her face had fallen.
Meanwhile, Vincent sat back down next to Catherine, and as he discreetly held her hand under the table, he gave an extra little understanding squeeze. Humbly, Catherine looked up at him with an apologetic smile, where he kindly held her gaze, he noted, “You mentioned to me once you took ballet..."
With a reminiscent smile, Catherine replied, "Yes, but only until my teacher kindly recommend I switch to jazz!"
They laughed, and then Catherine asked, "And what of you Vincent? I remember you telling me, you would practice with Lisa."
Vincent thought back, and relayed, “Yes, when Lisa and I were children, and she would practice her dancing, I would play the role of the male counterpart. She taught me a few movements necessary to execute the lifts, and the spins as well.”
"I see." And then Catherine privately added, “You move like a dancer...you have an elegance about you when you walk, and I thought so too last night as we danced. You are a natural.”
Vincent huskily answered, “Only with you Catherine…for you inspire me so.”
Later, the tunnels were busy, with everyone coming and going from their chambers, getting ready for the concert. The girls retrieved Jennifer's things from the Guest Chamber, as they decided to get ready together in Catherine’s.
As Jennifer sat at the little vanity brushing her hair, she looked into the mirror, and hesitantly asked, “Cath, did you notice how Ronny looked at Lisa today? I don’t see how I can stand a chance with him now that she has appeared! She is so beautiful, and nice too. I mean I didn't wanna like her, but she was nice, and I like her.”
Catherine tried to bolster her friend, by telling her, “I know what you mean, she is, but so are you! And you’re pretty too Jen.”
Seeing, Jennifer didn't believe what she said, Catherine took the brush from Jennifer’s hands, and began to comb out the tangles. Sweetly she continued, “Honestly you are pretty Jen. Look at all this curly hair you have, and you have the prettiest of smiles. Besides, beauty isn’t everything. Beauty can fade with time, it is what’s in your heart that counts Jen, and you have such a giving heart. Ronald is too smart a man not to know that.”
Catherine smiled as she added, “Come on now…let’s not jump to conclusions. I don’t believe Lisa would be Ronald’s type, anyway!”
Feeling she got through to Jennifer...just a little bit, Catherine hugged her, and cheerfully said, “Ronald and Vincent will be coming for us shortly, so let’s finish getting ready.”
As Catherine slipped on her white sweater, she confided, “You know to be totally honest…having Lisa around makes me a bit self-conscience too. But I am working on getting past that.”
Jennifer turned to look at Catherine and said, “Oh Cath, you have nothing to fear…believe me! The power of your love for each other, is so riveting! I can feel something magical in the air when you are near each other!”
Then Jennifer turned back around, and as she looked back into the mirror, she said, “I hope I find a love like that one day.”
Assuredly, Catherine answered, “You will Jen. It will happen when you least expect it! Who knows maybe you’ll meet a fellow paleontologist at that class you are going to take.”
Jennifer rested her chin on her hands, and as she dreamily gazed, she said, “I already found my fellow paleontologist, and his name is Ronny!”
It wasn't long before Vincent, arrived, and asked, “Shall we go?”
Catherine happily greeted Vincent as she said, “Yes Vincent, we are ready. Isn’t Ronald with you?”
To which Vincent replied, “No, he will meet us there. Lisa needed some additional help with the scenery, and since I had assisted earlier, Ronald insisted on helping.”
Catherine shared a look with Jennifer after receiving this info! However, she tried not to show her disappointment, as she said teasingly, “So Vinny, do you think you can handle the two of us?”
Replying with a confident level of certainty, Vincent said, “I believe so Jennifer. It is one task I am more than happy to be tested on. Shall we?”
Each of the girls took an arm, and Vincent gallantly escorted them through the threshold, when suddenly Jennifer screeched, “Wait, I forgot my Pez machine!”
As Jennifer ran back inside the chamber, Catherine explained to Vincent, “She is hooked on Pez’s!”
Vincent started to nod as if he understood, but then tipped his head in wonderment. As he opened his mouth to inquire, he took a deep breath and closed his lips...deciding not to ask!
As the concert was about to begin, excitement was in the air, and everyone was finding a seat. Peter arrived just in time, and sat down behind Jennifer, Catherine, and Vincent. Tapping Catherine on the shoulder, he said, “Hey Kiddo, how’s it going?”
So happy to see him, Catherine stood to hug him, and said, "You finally made it! I was looking for you."
Both Vincent and Jennifer turned in their seats to greet Peter too.
And then, Peter impressively, said, “Hey, I read about you two in the newspapers today! The article said you girls, took out three drug dealers last night! Unbelievable!”
In disbelief, Jennifer asked, “You mean Cath and I are celebrities? How cool! Oh no…wait until Mom hears about this one! Her blood pressure will shoot through the roof!”
Catherine then quickly explained to Peter, “Welllllllll…we had to embellish a little! You see Peter, we couldn’t tell the police the whole story…Vincent actually rescued us! We had to take the credit!”
Peter laughed, and slapped Vincent on the back, and said, “So he's our Hero, uh?”
Vincent modestly answered, “No not a hero Peter, just thankful I was there in time, before any danger befell Catherine or Jennifer.”
To the side of the stage, Mary and Ronald were talking to Lisa, when Mary suddenly caught site of Peter! She gave Lisa a good luck, “Break a leg” hug, and walked over to say hello to him, leaving Ronald with Lisa alone for a moment, before the concert began.
And so Ronald kindly said, “Well, I want to wish you and your troop here, good luck Lisa.”
As Lisa looked back at the children, she said, “They are all so beautiful aren’t they? Thank you for your help, Ronald. Will I see you after the show?”
In reply, he said, “Yes I hope so, we are planning on a picnic and a swim at the Falls later. I hope you will come.”
Lisa’s eyes sparkled as she said, “Oh Yes Ronald. I would love to go swimming along with everyone. We used to dive from the cliffs there when we were children. Thank you for the invitation.”
Ronald nodded and said, “I will look forward to seeing you after the show.”
Meantime, Mary walked over to Peter, and softly said, “Hello Peter, how are you?”
With a smile, Peter stood and answered thoughtfully, “I am fine, and you?”
Glancing downward, Mary proudly said, “I am wearing my cameo you gave me. Oh the words of praise I am receiving, truly are overwhelming! I feel like a bit of a showoff wearing it!”
With a nod, Peter replied, “I hoped you would enjoy it Mary. Please won’t you sit with me?”
To which she answered, “Why yes I would like to!”
It was then, Jacob finally entered the Hall, and as he glanced around the room for Mary, he beamed when he spotted her. Luckily, he noticed there was a vacant seat next to her, which he decided to occupy!
Suavely, Jacob asked, “Mary, may I?”
To which Mary gushed, “Oh yes Father, please sit. The show is about to begin!”
Smugly, Peter leaned forward in his seat on the other side of Mary, and sternly said, “It’s about time Jacob, you almost missed the opening!”
And becasue Jacob didn't know Peter was coming, Jacob with a note of surprise replied, “Peter? I am surprised to see you! I mean to say, since you saw the performance already, I naturally assumed you wouldn't come and hog a seat again!”
With a spark, Peter answered, “Well, I don't feel as though being here last week should count! I was so worried about Catherine’s where-abouts at the time, that I couldn’t enjoy it! Today, I am going to sit back in the seat I am hogging, and enjoy the show…”
And then Peter glanced at Mary, as he added, “…AND enjoy the company!”
Jacob brought his hand to his chin, as he said, “I see, yes well of course. It is always nice when you visit us Peter. No matter how often!”
Meanwhile, Mary seemed to be oblivious to the two bantering back and forth, as she was busy watching the children set up the stage.
Wanting to chide Jacob a little more, Peter asked, “Have you seen Mary’s cameo I brought back from Jolly OLE England?”
To which Jacob raised his brow without looking at Peter, and said, “The what…oh the cameo? Yes, I believe so…yes in fact I did. I suppose if you have seen one plastic cameo you have seen them all!”
Peter corrected Jacob by saying, “Oh not so Jacob, this one is made from a Queen conch shell! Quite rare!”
Curtly, Jacob held his finger to his lips, hushing Peter, as the show was just about to begin!
Happy to see he made his point, Peter sat back into his seat, as a half grin came to his lips.
Leaning over toward Catherine, Jennifer whispered, “I wonder where Ronny is Cath?”
Overhearing Jennifer’s query, Mary answered, “Oh he is talking with Lisa. I sense a little chemistry between those two. I am not usually wrong about these things!”
Jennifer’s brows knitted together a bit, as her heart sank. Mary’s words hit her hard, partially because she knew Mary was right, because she sensed it too!
Sadly, Jennifer sighed, as she decided to just forget it! Maybe she and Ronny just were not meant to be.
Just then, Ronald walked over and asked, “Jenny is this seat for me?”
Matter-of-factly, Jennifer replied, “If you like.”
Noticing a change in Jennifer, Ronald asked, “Is everything all right?”
Jennifer raised her head, and as she looked forward, she said, “Yes Ronald, everything is just fine. Why do you ask?”
Thinking it sounded strange to hear Jennifer call him Ronald, instead of Ronny, he carefully stated, “I don’t know, maybe I'm wrong, but you sound a little downhearted that’s all.”
Jennifer looked down into her hands, and thought she really had no right to be hurt. She had just met the man, and he certainly had not made any passes, or overtures toward her, indicating he might be interested on a romantic level.
So after reconciling the whole situation, Jennifer ultimately decided, she had better lighten up, or she may blow any hope of a friendship too.
With a smile, Jennifer looked at Ronald, and said, “Oh, I suppose I am a little disappointed about having to leave right after the concert. I am having such a wonderful time here.”
Soothingly he reminded her, “Well, didn’t you say you will visit us again on Tuesday for Mary’s Reading Appreciation meeting? That is only a few days away.”
She nodded and said, “You are right. I am just being silly.”
As Ronald shifted in his seat to unintentionally lean toward her, Jennifer felt her heart jump at his closeness. As she closed her eyes for a moment, she let herself imagine…they were a couple.
As Jennifer shook the fantasy from her mind, she reached in her pocket, and asked him, “Care for a Pez Ronny?”
Ronald burst out laughing as it had been years since he had seen a Pez machine! He answered, “Jenny...I would love one!”
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-Three
| Dreams of Gold! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Twenty-Two |
