Being a good co-pilot, Bernadette directed Catherine to her families home, which was along the Maumee River in the lovely little town of Maumee Ohio, which lies just Southwest of Toledo.
Yes, being the motherly type, Mr. Benson's attorney, Agnes wanted Catherine to stay in her home, instead of some pristine hotel.
So as they walked into Agnes's home, Bernadette called out, "Mom we’re here!"
Just as Bernadette shouted their arrival, two huge dogs came running to welcome her, wagging their tails like crazy!
As Bernadette stooped to give them a scratching, she cooed, "Hi Queeny and Waffles, how are my girls uh?"
To which Bernadette giggled, as she said, "Oh you two are so spoiled!"
And because her mother had not answered yet, Bernadette went to the base of the stairway and yelled again, "Ma, we're here!"
It was then Agnes's voice trailed up from the basement, and she replied, "Be right there!"
In reply Bernadette said, "I'll show Cathy her room!"
And so she took Catherine’s luggage, and said, "Follow me Catherine."
And because Catherine sounded so formal, Bernadette asked, "Do I have to call you Catherine, or do you go by any other name?"
Catherine smiled to herself as she thought about her name. And thought of the only people who called her Catherine was Vincent, who said it…Oh so beautifully, and the others of the tunnel community. Or thinking back as a little girl, her Mom and Dad would call her Catherine when she was in dutch! But otherwise, most of her Top-Sider friends, called her Cathy or Cath.
So thinking on that, Catherine smiled and answered, "Please call me Cathy Bernadette."
As the two girls stood at the threshold of a beautifully decorated guest room, Bernadette told her, "Well here you are Cathy. This will be your room."
Catherine politely said, "Thank you, this is a lovely room!"
Over to See Bedroom
Catherine then thought a moment, before she asked, "What about you Bernadette? Do you go by another name?"
To which Bernadette laughed as she told her, "Yea, all my friends call me Bernie, which drives my Mother crazy, since that is not my Christened name! So please call me Bernie, unless Mom is around!"
It was then Bernadette began feeling the side affects of her happy hour, and put a hand to her forehead, and pouted, "OH, I need an aspirin! Remember mums the word about my being late!"
But before Catherine could reply, it was then Agnes peaked in to say hello. Yes Agnes was a short woman, around 50 something, and very cute and feisty looking. Not quite what you would expect an attorney to look like. Yes, Agnes was a late bloomer career wise. She had raised her family of 8, and then decided to fulfill her dream to become a lawyer. So she attended the University of Toledo and earned her degree. Being a young widow she clearly dedicated her time to her career, and devoted her life to her family.
And so Agnes cheerfully said, "Hello Catherine I am Agnes."
Catherine smiled, and shook her hand as she said, "Agnes, I am pleased to meet you. It is so nice of you to put me up in your home. Thank you."
To which Agnes scoffed, saying, "I wouldn’t have it any other way Dear!"
Catherine then anxiously inquired, "When will we be able to see your client, Mr. Benson?"
In reply, Agnes lamented, "I am afraid the meeting is postponed! I was just on the phone with his daughter, and she told me her Dad had suffered a slight heart attack last night. He is at St. Lukes Hospital, and the doctor will not let him have any visitors today. Hopefully first thing tomorrow morning we can see him."
Catherine was clearly disappointed as she said, "Oh my, I was hoping to catch an early flight back home in the morning!"
Agnes apologized, as she said, "I am so sorry, I would have called you to delay your trip, but I only just now heard myself!"
It was then Bernadette butted in, and informed her Mom, "Catherine prefers to be called Cathy Ma!"
In response, Catherine smiled and said, "Either one is fine really, it is just very few people call me Catherine."
Agnes nodded knowingly, and guessed, "Let’s see…as a child you were probably called Catherine when scolded, and now, you are only called Catherine by your sweetheart!"
Surprised by Agnes's insight, Catherine gasped, "How could you know that Agnes?"
Agnes who seems to be one of those all knowing wise woman, said, "Just a hunch."
From the floor below, the three women heard, "Hey Ma, what’s for Dinner?"
Agnes smiled as she explained, "The troops are assembling, that was my youngest, my son Greg! My kids all seem to suddenly appear as dinner is about to be set on the table. I never know who is gonna show up."
Agnes yelled down the stairs, "I’m making a Pot Roast, so start peeling the potatoes will you?"
Agnes took Catherine by the hand, and said, "Come Dear, let’s get acquainted while I finish preparing Dinner."
Bernadette, Greg, and Catherine all sat around the huge kitchen table, and sipped some Iced Tea, as Agnes orchestrated the evening meal. Clearly the kitchen was the meeting place for the family. One by one more kids arrived, Jim, Gary and Douggie, and then came the next wave of children, Danny, Paulette, and Virginia.
Catherine being an only child, secretly got a kick out of blending in, as one of the masses. They all treated her presence casually, and she was like one of the clan! They all laughed and talked all through dinner, and loved asking Catherine what life was like in an exciting place like New York City! She was surprised to find she was enjoying herself, even though she missed Vincent with all her heart!
Dinner was delicious, and Catherine told Agnes, she could not remember the last time she had mashed potatoes with gravy! After an Apple Crisp dessert, the girls helped with clean up, (including Catherine) and the guys turned on the tube to watch and critique, "Seinfeld!"
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Meanwhile, Vincent started to walk back to Catherine’s chamber to continue the renovation, when he suddenly had a change of heart. He decided to get cleaned up and go topside. He felt the need to visit Catherine’s balcony, and perhaps leave a note for her to find when she returned home tomorrow. After his visit to the bathing chamber, he sat at his writing table to construct his words, and he wrote:
Dearest Catherine,
As I left you last night, I thought my heart would burst from all the sadness and worry it carried. Since then, I have talked to both of my good friends, Pascal, and Ronald, and their words help to sooth my worry, and put my trust in your strengths and to keep my faith. I am open to our bond, and I sense a contentment within you. This pleases me more than I can say. I know you are safe and happy.
It will not be long and soon you will be home. I wanted these words professing my undying love for you, to precede our long awaited embrace. Hopefully, they shall precede me only by a little.
Catherine, I can think of little else, other then our last night together. Holding each other as we had, keeps penetrating my thoughts. You beguile me so. I long for the moment we may embrace each other so sweetly again.
Till then Catherine Be well
Vincent
Vincent stood, and as he folded the note, he noticed the book Catherine enjoyed so. The John Keats Biography, still laid where Catherine had placed it. As Vincent sacredly lifted it, he flipped through the pages Catherine had read, and he thought of the portrait inside.
It then occurred to him, to ask Elizabeth if she could duplicate it on canvas for him, so he could present it to Catherine. He would stop and ask the tunnel's artist, on his way out.
As he entered her tunnel space, Elizabeth warmly asked, "Vincent what brings you here this time of the evening?"
Vincent approached the small woman, and with a smile in his eyes, he answered softly, "I wanted to ask you for a favor Elizabeth."
Vincent opened the book to the page with the portrait, and asked, "Could you paint a copy of this portrait? Catherine so admired it, and I hoped…"
Elizabeth interceded, "Well let me look at it a little better Vincent, bring it over here."
So by the light of the torch, Elizabeth scrutinized the techniques, and said, "Well I will need a fresh supply of acrylics Vincent, and a canvas. But yes, I do believe if you can get me the supplies, I can recreate this lovely portrait."
Vincent put his arm around the little woman, and asked, "How soon could you start?"
Elizabeth stated, "Well, I just finished the mural I was working on, and am currently waiting for an inspiration to strike me for my next! So perhaps you are the spark I had been waiting for Vincent!"
Vincent looked around and said, "This place, truly is remarkable. Elizabeth, you have done something truly inspiring here. As I look around, I can barely detect any of the damage that occurred during the construction of Birch’s tower."
Elizabeth noted, "Well thanks to you and some of the others for repairing the walls, it left me a beautiful surface to re-paint what had been destroyed."
Vincent then said, "I will try to deliver the supplies in the next few days. Shall I leave this book with you?"
Elizabeth shook her head no, "I looked at it, that’s all I need to do. How do you suppose I painted all of these murals? From my memory of course! I dare say, this OLE noggin holds a lot of pictures, and I can see each ones details so vividly still. So Vincent, you take your book, I won't be needing it, and just bring those supplies so I can get started."
Vincent smiled as he looked downward, and sincerely said, "Good night, Elizabeth, and thank you."
Vincent tucked his letter to Catherine inside the pages of Keats, thinking he would leave this book for her as well. As he exited the tunnels, he headed for Catherine’s balcony.
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"Where are those &^%$ keys?" Spouted a frustrated Jennifer!
She always has a problem finding, and keeping track of her keys! As she finally found them, she opened the door to Catherine’s apartment. She turned on the light, and twirled around out of excitement, and said, "Soon this is going to be my apartment! How exciting!"
Jennifer dug out her tape measure and with a pad and pencil poised and ready, she began to measure and record her calculations.
To be continued
Chapter Five
| Dreams of Gold! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Four |
