Hero of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Seven ___________________________________________________________________________________
As Jacob stood caught up in the memory, he then agreed saying, "Yes perhaps you are right, you may have been only nine, and as I recall, I gave you this book as a type of a reward of sorts, because you had so splendidly, completed the assignment I had issued."
Proudly Jacob then expounded, "Yes, and mind you, I only asked you and the rest of the class to memorize one Sonnet; ONE sonnet, to recite openly, but you Vincent, you memorized, and recited FIFTY! Yes, FIFTY out of the One-hundred and fifty-four Sonnets that Shakespeare had written!"
Lovingly, Jacob then expressed, "I was so proud of you Vincent!"
Vincent then smiled to himself, as he wondered if he should share a long-kept secret with his father.
As Jacob noted his Son's pensive smile, he quizzically asked, "What is it Vincent?"
Trying now to downplay the alluring nature of this harbored boyhood secret, Vincent shook his head, and said, "Oh, it is nothing Father."
Curiously, Jacob smiled as he pleadingly demanded, "Vincent? Out with it...share."
With hesitation, Vincent revealed, "Well Father...on that day...I secretly knew them all."
Jacob stood in amazement for a moment, and then asked, "My boy, why in the world would you have kept knowing One-hundred and fifty-four sonnets a secret? You must have realized knowing them all would have made me even more proud of you."
To which Vincent humbly said, "As it became clear, Devin hadn't studied at all, well, I suppose, I didn't want to make him look any worse in your eyes at that point, than he already did."
Troubled by this point of contention, Jacob lamented, "I never could find that key I needed to unlock that boy's interest in reading!"
To which Vincent nodded, as he remembered, "I don't believe it was reading Devin had an aversion to Father...but rather to studying. As I recall he did enjoy reading old throw away magazines from above, and at times he would conceal his "MADD" magazine inside his text book, only feigning to study."
Shockingly, Jacob asked, "Devin would do what?" He then chuckled as he surmised, "Oh my, I guess I should have had a keener eye, uh? Here all this time, I just thought he couldn't retain!"
Getting back on track, as to why Jacob came back to see Vincent, Jacob explained, "At any rate...as to why I came to speak with you AGAIN...which is to ask, if there are any requests you would like to make of Lin? And as I say, she would have come and asked you herself..."
Upon thinking Lin's timing was perfect, Vincent handed Jacob his letter to Brigit, and replied, "If Lin would be so kind."
Happily seeing Vincent did take his advice of writing to Brigit, Jacob sighed, "Ah, to Brigit. Very good, very good."
A loving gentleness overtook his voice, as Vincent said, "Thank you for your guidance during this time Father. I hesitate to think, if, or when, it would have occurred to me to write her."
With a gentle loving smile, Jacob embraced his son, and with an encouraging word, said, "A step at a time Vincent...a step at a time...this is how we get through the tough moments in our lives..."
Realizing Lin was waiting on him, Jacob then waved the letter as he turned to leave, and said, "Well...remember Peter and his Mother in your prayers...and I will get this to Lin straight away."
As Jacob exited through the chamber's threshold, Vincent looked fondly at his gray-haired Father, and thought about how this man had taught him everything...everything.
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In a hurried manner, Jacob entered the kitchen, and he found the two culinary experts, Lin and William, deep in a discussion.
So as Jacob apologized for making Lin wait, she insistently said, "No worries Father, I always enjoy speaking with William."
To which William, with humor added, "Schooling you mean!"
William then turned to Jacob to say, "Lin, has given me some innovative recipe ideas for all these vegetables she brought us."
Upon stepping in further, Jacob saw the amount of produce she and her family provided them with, and thankfully said, "Ah Lin! All these vegetables are so needed. I am sure William shall transform them into delicious, and healthful meals for us."
To which William humbly said, "Thanks to Lin, I will Jacob! Yes, she has some great alternatives to my usual tried and true treasure trove of recipes. I believe the community will be in for a treat with these new methods!"
To which Jacob surmised, "Ah, some gastronomic delights uh? I dare say!"
As William gathered up the produce, he then said, "Well speaking of which, I should leave you two, I have some cooking to do!"
After William's departure, Jacob excitedly asked, "Umm, Lin, could I trouble you to place an order with Mr. Smythe for me?"
To which Lin happily replied, "Of course, Father."
Happy to hear Lin would, Jacob then said, "Good, good! Would you see if he has a copy of "Shakespeare's Sonnets"? I wish to surprise Vincent with it. I think it may raise his spirits a bit."
With a nod of concurrence, Lin eagerly said, "I better place this order right a way then."
Pleased to have such an acquiescent accomplice, Jacob smiled, as he said, "Wonderful...but I know you are busy, so if you can't make it to the book shoppe for a week or so...no worries, whenever you can."
With concern Lin then asked how Vincent was, to which Jacob said, he just needs time to adjust to the disappointment meeting Catherine had brought, and thought his duties helping the children, and others will help...
It was then, he remembered the letter Vincent had written to Brigit!
And so Jacob quickly added, "And oh yes, Vincent has this letter to mail, if you would be so kind?"
Noticing the address, Lin excitedly said, "A letter to Brigit O'Donnell? I will be glad to mail this. I have to tell you Father, ever since Vincent lent me one of her books to read, she really is one of my favorite authors! Oh, I would love to meet her one day."
To which Jacob informatively said, "Well Lin, if she accepts Vincent's invitation to visit us, you may get your wish!"
And then Jacob thought to ask, "If she does, may we call upon you to escort her here?"
Without hesitation, Lin said, "I would be honored! Just send word when you need me."
In reply, Jacob said, "I shall, I shall...and thank you my Dear, and be sure to thank Dr. Wong for us as well!"
Smiling, Lin warmly replied, "You are most welcome! But you know Grandfather, he wants to do this. He knows he will never be able to repay you for all you had done for him. You were so kind to him when he first came to this country. He hopes in some small way, this helps to convey his gratitude to you."
Feeling quite moved by Lin's kind words, with emotion, Jacob replied, "It would appear we have a mutual admiration society going on here. Very well, very well indeed!"
Looking at her watch, Lin then said, "Well, I better be getting back before Henry, and Grandfather become worried."
Understanding, Jacob nodded, and said, "God's speed Lin."
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The days soon spanned the length of a week, and still no contact from Vincent.
Upon awakening, Catherine decided she could not face another day of prying eyes, and everyone asking if she was okay, and so she called Madge, the temporary receptionist, who was filling in for Rita, to tell her Dad she would be taking the day off.
Settling back into bed, her thoughts turned once more to Vincent, and her fantasies took her back to the night they met, and their desire to share a future together.
Catherine remembered how Vincent's embrace felt so warm and safe, and at times, in her thoughts, she allowed herself to imagine a dearer fantasy, which sustained her, only momentarily, before reality would set in, and Catherine found she felt even more empty and alone, causing her heart-wrenching sadness to force her to wonder what will become of her.
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Meanwhile, below the city, Vincent, on the edge, of that dreamy-like state, where one exists just before waking, was at peace and for the moment, was finally void of any loss, feeling or pain.
Then suddenly he was awaken by thoughts of being with Catherine. These thoughts quickly turned into sharp pangs of grief, that shot through him like a knife.
Vincent did not know these were also Catherine's feelings reaching through. Once again thinking these were solely his own sorrowful feelings, realized even in his sleep, it would seem he could not find rest.
Sitting up and with his head in his hands, he asked himself, "What is to become of me?"
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As the day off loomed before her, Catherine felt so heartbroken and lonely for Vincent, she couldn't help but to wonder how she would make it through another day without him.
She knew she had to find a way to pull herself together, and live with this loss, and so she filled her day with things she enjoyed. She read, listened to some of her favorite music, and later in the afternoon she watched a movie she loved as a young girl, called, "Enchanted Cottage".
It touched her then, being such a sensitive, impressionable child, but in watching it now, she found parallels to how she and Vincent felt about each other on the night they met, both beautiful in the other's eyes.
Even now, as Catherine thought about Vincent, and what his differences might mean, it didn't matter...not one of these common sense arguments mattered, for the way she felt about him was forever.
And so upon knowing how her broken heart was beginning to leave her feeling weak, as weak as any viable catastrophic illness would leave a person, she thought of how she had seen broken romances devastate other people through the years. However, she never believed she would be one of those people, so desperate, and inconsolable.
And though hope was fading, Catherine waited this night, as she had in past nights as well, for a possible visit from Vincent. And as each night grew late, she would go through the grieving process over and over again.
Yes, Catherine was in real pain because she missed Vincent so much, and because...he had not come to her.
The next morning, Catherine was awakened by a call from her dad. With concern he asked, "Cathy, are you coming in today?"
Catherine tried to sound matter-of-factly as she said, "Yes Dad, I may be just a little late...I just need some time to get myself organized."
Charles tried to hide his concern, as he warmly said, "Sure thing, kiddo. Come see me when you come in, Okay?"
Because her Dad wanted to see her, Catherine wondered if he had some bad news to share about Peter's Mom. And so Catherine asked, "News about Mother Alcott?"
Realizing he should have been more careful with his request, Charles quickly said, "No no, nothing like that."
Suspecting she was in for some Fatherly advice, Catherine still agreed to his request, as she said, "Sure Dad, see you in a bit."
Although, she longed to stay where it was safe, and she was free to dream of a happy life with Vincent, she knew she couldn't, so she somehow mustered the strength to get up out of bed, and she struggled to fight back the depression that was descending upon her.
Upon her arrival, Catherine greeted Madge before entering her Dad's domain, where Marilyn, Charles personal secretary, greeted her with a loving morning hug. And after some caring chit chat, Catherine then knocked as she opened the door to her Dad's office, and asked, "You wanted to see me, Dad?"
Happy to see his Daughter had finally come in, Charles with concern, said, "Yes Catherine Ann, come in."
As she heard the use of her middle name again, Catherine slithered in, knowing she was right to have anticipated a "Fatherly Advice Talk" from her dad. And so she then expectantly seated herself in the chair in front of Charles's desk, as if she were a client awaiting a consultation.
Carefully Charles began, "Catherine, now I didn't say anything yesterday when you didn't come in, but if Vincent is sincere, he will send word to you. If not, then he must NOT have been the man you and I thought he was. I know you're in pain, but somehow you must rise above it. I know it isn't an easy thing to do, and it hurts me not being able to help you."
Catherine realizing her pain, was causing her Dad grief too, agreeably said, "I know you are right, Dad."
Charles looked at his daughter, who was the world to him, and lovingly said, "Catherine, I think it is time, and you must try to move on."
Tearfully Catherine said, "I am trying, Dad."
And so with a loving fatherly hug, Charles suggested, "Sometimes it is simply a matter of just putting one foot in front of the other...and then the rest will come..."
Catherine learned a long time ago, it was much easier to agree with her Dad during a lecture, than to argue. So today she agreed, and honestly decided to try to somehow find her way for her Dad's sake.
Catherine wanting to take the focus off of herself, with concern, asked, "Still nothing from Peter?"
To which Charles solemnly answered, "Nothing yet...I will let you know if I do..."
So as Catherine turned to leave, she then looked back to say, "Thanks for the pep talk Dad...you have made me feel better already..."
Feeling happy this was so, Charles nodded at his daughter, and said, "That's my job kiddo."
Catherine had barely sat down at her desk, when Jennifer knocked and then peeked in.
Surprisingly, Catherine asked, "Jen, what are you doing here?"
Innocently she said, "I was in the building delivering a painting for the lobby, and I was hoping you could have an early lunch. I'm on this new diet where you eat one huge meal before noon and then nothing else the rest of the day. I should lose fifteen lbs. before the holidays!"
Quizzically, Catherine asked, "What about the combination lunch and supper diet you were trying? No results?"
To which Jennifer expounded, "One pound in a lousy week and a half! So what do you say...Lunch?"
As Catherine spanned over her desk top, Catherine sorrowfully said, "Oh Jen, I just got here. I doubt Dad would appreciate me taking a lunch so soon!"
Prodding, Jennifer pleaded, "Oh come on, you know he can't say no to us! Let's go ask him."
Becoming a bit suspicious, Catherine looked hard at her dear old friend, and could tell she was up to something. And so Catherine asked, "Dad called you, didn't he?"
With guilt written all over her face, Jennifer asked, "Can't a friend ask a friend to lunch?"
With a knowing look, Catherine replied, "Jen..."
Catherine's look caused Jennifer to cave, as she confessed, "Okay, your Dad called me. He told me you didn't come in yesterday, and you were coming in late today! Cathy this isn't healthy! Remember the old days, when you never waited around for any guy to call?"
Giving into her feeling of tragic fate, Catherine softy replied, "None of those guys were Vincent..."
In trying to be a good friend, Jennifer commiserated with her as she said, "I know how you feel about him, but what if it turns out he's really not worthy? And what about this Brigit? Is something going on between Vincent and her? You must consider that possibility too Cath! Maybe that is why he didn't push you to have sex, he was already getting plenty from her!"
Not wanting to hear any of this about Vincent, Catherine said, "Oh Jen...please stop..."
Realizing she came on too strong, Jennifer softened her tone, as she said, "I guess I don't really get how great this guy can be! Look at all the heartache he has caused, after only one date! Is it really so tragic loosing Vincent this early in the game?"
Turning to look back at her friend, and with the weakest of smiles, Catherine said, "Losing someone like Vincent is tragic..."
Still trying to give her friend a well meaning dose of reality, Jennifer reminded Catherine, "Yea well you gave it a good shot, and you waited well over a week to hear from him."
And with a helpless shrug, Catherine told her friend, "I will wait forever and a day if I need to."
Catherine then fought her emotions, as she confessed, "You know Jen, I really am lousy company, please understand if I don't go to lunch today."
Giving in, Jennifer gave her friend a hug, and knowingly said, "Okay Cathy, I really do understand...I mean I have been there before myself. But for what it's worth, I prescribe for you to have a good cry, and then shake it off...don't wallow too long. Uh...I miss ya."
Appreciating her friend so much, Catherine gave Jennifer a hug back, and replied, "I'll talk to you soon Jen, and thanks for caring."
As soon as the door closed behind her, Catherine let go of her emotions, as she couldn't help but ask herself, the same question Jennifer had posed, which was, "Yes, what of Brigit?"
Without any answers it was so hard for Catherine to go forward with her day, and with her life!
And so as Catherine gazed out of her high-rise office window, watching the city buzzing below her, a thought occurred to her, and she considered, if she doesn't hear from Vincent in the next couple of days, she would place that order with Mr. Smythe...