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| Holiday Anyone? By Sharon Holtz Chapter Six |
As Vincent stirred the dying embers of the bonfire, he kicked up a bit of a flame! So being in agreement to revive the fire instead of putting it out, they added a few more twigs.
To which Catherine excitedly said, "Oh I love this Vincent, I really didn't want our day to end..."
Looking with awe at the spectacular night sky, Vincent warmly said, "Yes...it’s been a memorable time, in every way..."
Vincent then contemplated, "...and I don't know what to make of Father. There has been such a change in him. The way he talked to Mouse about us tonight, touched me so."
To which Catherine happily agreed, saying, “Yes...I think Father’s finally accepted my being in your life."
As Vincent leaned his head upon Catherine's, he agreeably said, "I do as well....”
As they sat contented and quiet, enjoying this time alone, they heard Jacob hesitantly ask, "Care for some company?"
Surprised to see both Jacob and Mary out and about, not to mention still up, Catherine answered, "Of course! How nice, please join us."
And so as they all gathered around the fire, Mary pulled out a thermous, and after passing out some mugs, she said, "I took the liberty of brewing us all some tea. I thought it would help warm us. Who wants some?"
As they all said a cup of hot tea sounded quite nice, Jacob shamelessly added, "Tis a pity we can't have a piece of that cobbler you are saving for breakfast Mary."
Well because they were on the same wave length, Mary smiled as she replied, "Well I did make two..."
So as she pulled out the extra cobbler, she continued, "...so I believe we could all have a sampling of this one."
So after serving everyone, they each complimented Mary, saying how good their impromtu treat was.
So as they sat chatting, Jacob cleared his throat as he asked, "Catherine, if I may be so bold talking about your Grandfather once more..."
With a tilt of her head, Catherine replied, "Of course Father..."
To which Jacob thoughtfully said, "There is something I want to share...explain, or maybe confess, yes perhaps confess is the best word for me to use..."
Looking now betwixt Mary and Vincent, Jacob began, "I never liked talking about my trial, Heavens, you both know this, and I suppose it was becasue it took place in an era, when there were so many conspiracies, and suspicions about our fellow citizens, even doubts about our next door neighbor's patriotism! I don't know if I can explain, how it felt when suddenly, it was me everyone felt this way about. Well what I want to say, is I never sensed any of those feelings from your Grandfather, or from any of his legal team...they took the edge off this humiliating experience the very best they could...and I suppose I just wished I had thanked them in a way, that trully conveyed how deeply thankful I was..."
Guiltily Jacob added, "...after the trial, and though I was exonerated, I was still so angry and bitter for a time, because of all my friends who turned away and doubted me. I hid away and never thanked my legal team. For that I am extremely sorry for. So if you permit me to thank you for your Grandfather's kindness Catherine, as it is the closest I can ever get to thanking him."
Upon taking his hand, Catherine said, "And on Granddady's behalf, You are welcome...Father, I cannot pretend to fully understand what you went through, but I bet Granddaddy did. And I bet he understood the healing which needed to take place after such a charecter focused trial...especially for a well respected Doctor such as you were, and I bet he knew how thankful you were."
With a sigh of relief, Jacob looked about his circle which completed him, and said, "I pray this is so....thank you all for listening to me...I suppose there are some life events we can never fully let go of..."
Vincent nodded, indicating he understood, and after seeing the fatigue in his Father's face, he then suggested, "Why don't we all get some sleep."
All agreed it had been a busy day, and admitted to being tired. it was then Jacob and Mary said their good-nights, while Catherine and Vincent put out the bonfire...AGAIN, this time for real.
Upon entering the cabin as quiet as they could, Vincent and Catherine embraced, and though they hated to part, said good night...
So it was about a half an hour after she had gone to bed, when Catherine got up wanting to make sure the doors were locked. Wandering quietly down the stairs, she came upon Vincent in the living room, and the light of the television was illuminating his beautiful face, while watching "Romeo and Juliet"!
To see Vincent doing some of these ordinary things, gave her such enjoyment, causing her to think, “Vincent running a VCR! How cute is that?”
Making herself known, she softly said, "Vincent?"
With concern, he asked, "Did I wake you?"
Assuredly, she replied, "No, not at all. Watching Romeo and Juliet?"
To which Vincent answered, "Yes...this movie is magnificent...the players are absolutely perfect in their roles. And for me to hear Shakespeare come to life like this, is beyond words."
With a smile, Catherine said, "Oh I so agree.”
Catherine then cozied in next to him, and together they enjoyed watching an encore showing of this great film. They had fun critiquing Zeffirelli's interpretation, disagreeing on a few points on why he directed a line this way or why that way. Finally, conceding in the end Shakespeare really did know everything. He was brilliant, and so was Zefferelli!
They sat by the dying fire, long after the movie ended, and as Catherine ran her hand over the thick soft comforter, which covered her, she, reminisced about its origin. And so she explained, “Dad had given this comforter to my Mom as a Christmas gift…she was always so cold, and he hoped it would keep her warm.”
As Catherine stared off into the mesmerizing embers, she said, "It was to be her last Christmas."
Saddened by the finality the story had, Vincent asked, "You celebrated her last Christmas here?"
Catherine snapped out of her all consuming memory and smiled as she told him, "Yes. Dad had brought in a beautiful fern tree, and we adorned it with all of Mom's favorite decorations. She watched on as Dad and I hung the old familiar ornaments, although Mom couldn’t help with the main decorating, she was able to string the popcorn with me. We sat for hours listening to Christmas Carols, as we threaded this 15-foot long popcorn string, and when we were done, Dad wound it around the tree. We still have it packed away in the attic.”
As the smile faded from her lips, she then added, “We had a family tradition where we would set up the Nativity together and it was always my job to lay Baby Jesus in the manger. Well this particular year, I handed Jesus to Mom and I asked her to do it. Her hand shook as she laid him in his place, and then we lit the little star that shone above the stable. I remember we all sat and looked at that beautiful Nativity and never said a word. I think maybe we all knew."
Softly, Vincent responded, "What a profound memory to have."
Nodding, Catherine thoughtfully said, “Yes.”
Catherine realizing she had been going on and on as she shared her bittersweet Christmas memory, looked up at Vincent, and was surprised to see his eyes brimming with tears.
With awe, she took his hand, and said, “Vincent, I didn’t mean to…”
He then cut in to say, "You have had so much sorrow. I wish I could lessen it for you."
To which she told him, "You listening, and sharing in my sorrow does help me."
In reply, Vincent simply nodded, feeling pleased this was so.
She then cleared her voice of emotion, and asked him, "What’s Christmas like for you? Do you have a tree, decorations? Tell me...tell me everything..."
Vincent nodded, as he began, "We do have a tree, and we do decorate...and food? Oh Catherine, we have food of all kinds. Our helpers are always very generous during the holidays. And...we also give gifts in honor of the Christ Child, like you do above, and are most times handmade....then on Christmas morning, we have our holiday breakfast, which William prepares for us. Oh the aromas that fill the tunnels. He bakes sweet breads, rolls, and perhaps a ham, and some sausages he had cured. Then we go to the Great Hall, where Father passes out the gifts."
Catherine watched Vincent as he told her of this magical sounding existence, wanting more than anything to be a real part of it all. Dreamily she replied, "It all sounds so lovely."
With a nod, he answered, "Yes, it is full of so much good cheer. I am hopeful you will be sharing the festivities with us this year."
Smiling, Catherine replied, "I would love that."
Dreamily, Vincent thinking outloud said, "Perhaps even Devin will come home as well..."
Catherine sadly smiled, thinking of Devin, and the stories she has been hearing about him. And so she said, "Devin seems to have been quite a force in the tunnels as you and the others grew up. Hearing Pascal talk of him, he speaks with such fondness of those times."
Vincent nodded, and with a smile in his eyes, said, "Funny you would use the word "Force" when describing him Catherine...on a GOOD day, Father would say Devin was a "Force of Nature" always coming up with brilliant schemes and exciting ideas."
And because Vincent specified on a GOOD day, Catherine asked, "And on a BAD?"
With a bit of a twinkle in his eyes, Vincent replied, "Then...Devin was a "Force to be Reckoned" with..."
After sharing a lighthearted moment, Vincent then shared, “Devin was my brother in every sense of the word, even despite our differences. I was always included in all of his wild adventurous plans, and it never occurred to him I could not be at his side for them."
He stopped for a moment as a thought of familiarity crossed his mind, and he said, "You are much like him in that respect Catherine...you make me feel as if anything is possible for me..."
Happy she faired well in this comparison, Catherine softly said, "Because it's what I believe..."
With a raised brow, Vincent looked at Catherine and replied, "I know you do...AND...I know Devin did...I hope you meet him one day."
To which Catherine thoughtfully said, "I do too..."
Seeing the look in Vincent's eyes, it was clear to Catherine, he had endured profound tribulations because of his brother leaving the tunnels. And so with compassion, she said, "In light of your close relationship, I don't see how he could possibly stay away for very long, and certainly not for Christmas."
Appreciating Catherine's optimistic view, Vincent tipped his head, thinking and hoping she may be right.
As they realized the hour was quite late, with a loving embrace, they once again, said goodnight.
The next morning, Catherine awoke to voices outside, so Catherine quietly stepped to the window. Pulling back the lacy Priscilla curtains, she looked out and saw Vincent, Mouse, Pascal and Peter, and they were getting her father's fishing boat out of the shed! So as Catherine watched them put down the boat, Vincent uncharacterisically pushed his hair behind his ears. And when he did, Catherine noticed something shining in his ear, and so she wondered aloud, “Is that an earring? I cannot believe it, Vincent has an earring!"
Upon hearing Catherine's gasp, a sleepy Jamie, grumpily asked, "What did you say?"
To which Catherine apologetically said, "I am sorry Jamie, go back to sleep."
To which Jamie rolled over and asked, “What's goin' on?"
Explaining, Catherine said, "Well, it seems Peter may be taking the guys out fishing."
And then Catherine wanting to find out what Jamie knew about Vincent's earring, and so she asked, "Did you know Vincent has an earring? I saw it, just now! It looks like a gold hoop!"
To which Jamie sleepily answered, "Oh yeah, he’s had that. You never noticed it before?"
Catherine admitted, "I have never seen Vincent's ears before!"
Jamie then told Catherine, that Vincent and Devin pierced each other's ears when they were quite young, and continued, “I heard stories about it, and the story goes, Father was not thrilled with either of them! Especially Devin, cuz he was older. And it didn’t matter much when they explained to him, they had to, because they were gonna be Viking warriors!”
As the girls shared a giggle over Devin and Vincent's boyhood story, Vincent happened to look up at them.
Upon which Catherine opened the window to wave, while Jamie asked, “Hey where are you going?"
As he stepped up, Vincent explained, "Peter has offered to take us fishing."
With a smile, Catherine said, "Be careful, it’s far too lovely of a day, for a Viking funeral!"
Vincent, thought it was curious Catherine would be using a word which conjured up a past boyhood fantasy. Then he realized, by the look on Jamie’s face, she must have told Catherine about his Viking past! So upon shaking his finger at Jamie, both girls laughed, and then Catherine in a sing song tone, waved and said, “Talk to you later Vincent."
As Catherine pulled the window shut, she said, "Let's see if anyone else is up."
So as the two girls bounded down the stairs, they said good morning to both Mary and Jacob who were enjoying some coffee. To which Mary kindly replied, "Good morning, are you two ready for breakfast and some hot coffee? Father and I have eaten with the others, but I would love to whip you girls up something."
Well since the anglers have not quite pushed off yet, Jamie said no thank you, cuz she was going to see if there was room on the boat for her to go fishing too. She then grabbed a slice of toast, and headed out the door.
Catherine poured herself a cup of coffee, and as she saw the half eaten cobbler, she noted, "I see the cobbler was a hit!"
To which Mary happily said, "Indeed! I dare say, I had another small square myself!" And then Mary asked, "Can I fix you something Catherine? An egg perhaps?"
To which Catherine said, "Hmmm, I'll fix something later on, right now this coffee sure tastes good. Oh, I was wondering though, what time will we be leaving today Father?"
With a bit of a chuckle, he informatively said, "Everyone would like to stay as late as possible. What about you Catherine?"
Pleased to stay as long as they can, Catherine replied, “If we leave late that is fine with me too."
With curiousity, Mary turned to Jacob, and asked, "Aren’t you anxious to get back home?"
To which Jacob answered, "Honestly...perhaps a little, however I am confident the Elders are handling things just fine without us...still I do miss everyone."
To which Mary commiserated, saying, "I miss the others too."
As Vincent entered the cabin, Jacob surprisingly asked, “Haven’t you left yet?"
Explaining, Vincent said, “Jamie was quite excited at the thought of going out on the boat, so I gave her my seat. I hoped perhaps later we could go Father, along with Mary and Catherine.”
He then looked around to everyone to see if he had any takers, but Mary declined straight away because of her water phobia, and Jacob said he was fine as well. But encouraged his son and Catherine to go for a row.
So as Vincent asked Catherine, she happily said it sounded fun, and would love to.
Meanwhile, as Jacob noted the time, he then further explained, "Truth be told, Mary and I already have plans."
Jacob then looked to Mary and asked if she was ready for their expedition. To which she said she was, and excitedly explained, "Peter told us of a lovely field of wildflowers up over the hill, so we are going to investigate."
In reply, Vincent said, "Sounds lovely, and very much worth the trek."
As they all bade each other a nice morning, Vincent watched his father as he ambled out the door, and a melancholy came over him. Catherine noticing, with concern asked, “Is anything wrong Vincent?"
With a glance in her direction, and then back to his Father again, Vincent relayed, "There have been times lately, when I see Father in a different light. Most times he seems so strong and spirited, but then there are other times like this, when he seems so vulnerable."
With a sad thoughtful look, Catherine admitted, "I know what you mean, I have had those same feelings about my dad too lately."
Standing together watching until Jacob, and Mary were out of sight, they shared a knowing look, and with a sigh, Catherine asked, "Hungry, may I make you some breakfast?"
Saying he was, but then added a stipulation, "Only if you allow me to do the cooking this time."
To which Catherine asked, "You cook, Vincent?"
Nonchalantly, Vincent relayed, "There are times William will allow others into the kitchen, and I have picked up a few skills from him."
So with Vincent at the helm, he made omelets, with ham, and cheeses, prompting Catherine to marvel how delicious it was.
Just then, the first group of anglers walked in, and with a smile, Catherine excitedly asked, "Catch anything?"
Peter who was notorious for having bad-luck fishing, answered, “Well let me just say, my reputation is still in tact."
With a shocked manner, Mouse added, “Didn't know Peter knew the same bad words William does!"
And though Jamie tried not to laugh, she couldn't help herself. And so meantime, Pascal in an effort to say an encouraging word for Peter's fishing efforts, said, "You almost had that last one. Boy, he must have been a big one!"
With a tone of wonder, Jamie added, "Yeah! I bet he would've yanked you into the lake if you hadn't let go of your fishing pole!"
To which Mouse quizzically inquired, "Wonder if that big fish still has your eighty dollar pole hooked to his mouth! Probly swimming all around with it."
And then with another question on his mind, Mouse asked, "And I still don't get it...how did eighty dollors go down the toilet, when the pole went in the lake?"
With an irritated tone, Peter asked, "Could we just drop the whole supject PLEASE!"
After the final comments were made, and the teasing died away, Jamie, Mouse and Pascal decided they wanted to go swimming, so after checking on Rocky, they grabbed their towels, and headed for the water.
As Peter noted the great looking breakfast, Vincent offered, "There is plenty left, allow me to prepare you a plate."
Happy to oblige, the three then sat while Peter enjoyed his delicious breakfast, and they spoke about the great Holiday they've had.
So after kitchen cleanup was completed, Vincent turned to Catherine, and asked, “Ready to go out on the boat Catherine? Tis our turn."
With a raised brow, Catherine teased, "I don't know, is it safe? Sounds like there's a pretty big fish out there!"
With a wave of his hand, Peter surmised, he would not be living this fishing trip down any time soon. And so he said, "Despite the story, I promise it is safe. So go and have some fun. I will catch you later, I'm gonna do some stuff over at my place."
So after Peter left, Vincent and Catherine took his advice, and climbed into the boat...ready for one last adventure.
To be continued
Chapter Seven Final Chapter
