HeroOfMyHeartBySharonHoltzChapterFourteen

As their plane landed at the airport, Charles agreed to get the rental car, while
Catherine picked up their luggage.

So, as Catherine headed for the baggage terminal, she saw the handsome
old-fashioned looking older man from the plane. And as he walked along with a
cane, he seemed to be a bit at a loss, on where to go. And after she saw his
futile attempt to ask a few rushing people where baggage claim was, Catherine
thought she would step in to assist.

So, unbeknownst to Catherine who the older fella was, she, because of her kind
heart, asked Jacob, "Excuse me Sir, but I think I am going in the right direction,
Baggage Claim is this way isn't it?"

Surprised by the fact this nice young lady initiated a conversation, Jacob smiled
back at Catherine, as he confessed, "You know I am not certain, however,
perhaps together we can find our way."

As Catherine smiled back, she cheerfully said, "Sounds good, let's head this
way."

So as they walked, Catherine asked, "Did you have a pleasant trip?"

To which Jacob exclaimed, "Oh my yes Dear, everyone has been so kind,
perhaps it's because of my age, so I dare say, seniority does pay off at times, I
even received two bags of peanuts!"

Catherine giggled a bit at the older man's joking, and then because she didn't get
any peanuts, she noted, "Hmmm peanuts? They must have came by when I
was sleeping."

Upon seizing another chance to be witty, Jacob chuckled as he said, "As they
say, you snooze you loose!"

To which Catherine laughed as she responded, "Literally, and I have proven it!"

Meanwhile, as the two turned the next corner, they came upon the Baggage
Claim, to which Catherine noted, "That was pretty painless, here we are."

Agreeing, Jacob then chuckled as he accusingly said, "Yes indeed, almost as if
you knew right where to go..."

Jacob's observance, caused Catherine to blush, as she guiltily asked, "You saw
right through me uh?"

In response, Jacob nodded as he responded, "Afraid so my Dear...but may I
say, you are very kind to reach out, to help this lost old soul. I must have
looked pretty clueless..."

And then in keeping with the emphasis on his age, Jacob chuckled as he added,
"...or was it because I looked that old?"

Hating for this man to think he looked either way, Catherine replied, "No not at
all, not clueless or old! It's just I have been here before, and airports can be so
confusing, everyone rushing, no one to ask, well, I hope you don't mind."

Kindly, Jacob looked back at Catherine with genuine gratitude, and said,
"Anyone who goes out of their way to help another as you have, is very kind,
very kind indeed, and I thank you."

Catherine in reply, simply said with a smile, "You are most welcome."

As they waited on their baggage to roll by, Catherine could not deny she was
drawn to this man, and for some reason, her heart went out to him...a reason
she could not explain.

Looking over at him once more, Catherine smiled a shy smile, which warmed
the older gentleman's heart. Yes, Jacob was quite taken with the beauty and
kindness of this young woman, and smiled back in turn.

Making a little small talk, Catherine then asked, "Are you here for business or
pleasure."

Thoughtfully Jacob answered, "Neither, I am afraid. I am here to support a dear
Friend. And what about you? I have to wonder if it safe for a lovely young lady
such as yourself to travel alone this day and age."

To which Catherine explained, "I am travelling with my Dad, and have come to
be with a friend of ours too. Unfortunately, we will be attending a funer..."

But because their luggage circled out in front of her, Catherine's sentence was
cut short, and she had to scramble for their bags. So with luggage now in hand,
Catherine wondered how this older man would do retrieving his. And so she
turned back to see, and happily, he already grabbed his too!

So as Catherine approached him, she said, "I see you are all set too."

To which Jacob replied, "Yes...yes, this is all I have..."

And then Catherine reluctantly said, "Well, I suppose this is goodbye."

To which Jacob replied, "I enjoyed talking to you my Dear."

With true affection, Catherine replied, "Me too, safe trip."

Meanwhile, Charles, who had been waiting out by the rental car for Catherine,
saw her coming, rolling their luggage by herself, And so as Charles rushed
forward to help her, he asked, "Couldn't you get a porter to help you?"

To which Catherine explained, "I didn't ask Dad, there was only one porter on
duty, and there were others who needed the help. Oh Dad, I had the nicest
conversation with this very interesting older man. There is something about
him...very vintage...in fact that's him over there. It looks like he is having
trouble getting a cab."

Thoughtfully she then asked, "Could we offer him a ride Dad?"

So in wanting to check him out, Charles glanced over at the gentlemen and said,
"Well I suppose he looks harmless..."

To which Catherine giggled and said, "He's walking with a cane Dad! How
dangerous could he be?"

With a knowing nod, Charles teasingly supposed, "Well, he could hit me with it!"

And then after receiving a perturbed look from his daughter, Charles offered,
"OK, OK, I suppose as long as it isn't too far off the beaten path from Mother
Alcott's...wait here, and I will go talk to him."

Meanwhile, Catherine stood outside of the car, as her Dad approached the
gentleman. And after Charles introduced himself, he then went on to explain his
daughter was wondering if he needed a ride.

As the older man looked over to where Charles directed, wondering who his
daughter was, he tipped his head in a hello fashion, once he saw it was
Catherine!

Sweetly, Catherine smiled back, when just then, a Taxi pulled up. The British
sounding Gentleman, thanked Charles for his generous offer, and added,
"Please tell your lovely daughter I thank her for her concern. Quite a rare trait in
the young these days."

With a grateful nod for the compliment, Charles then assured him, "I will tell
her."

Walking back to the rental car, Charles relayed the message from the older
gentlemen to Catherine, saying, "Your buddy was able to get a Taxi after all.
But he said you are most lovely, and he said to tell you thanks for your
concern."

Charles then jokingly looked around, and asked Catherine, "Do ya see anyone
else you wanna rescue?"

Feigning to be serious, Catherine looked around too, and said, "Hmm, let me
see, nope, looks like everyone else is good."

They both shared a chuckle, and then Charles hopped into the drivers seat, and
suggested, "Well, shall we?"

But before Catherine got in the car, she looked back one last time, and watched
as the gentleman hobbled to the taxi, and it tugged at her heartstrings a bit,
knowing she would never see him again.

Meanwhile, as Charles and Catherine rode along, it wasn't too long before they
pulled up to Mother Alcott's home. They immediately noticed the house was
dark, except for a porch light that was left on for them.

To which Charles surmised, "You don't think Peter would be asleep already,
knowing we were coming do ya?"

Wondering the same thing, Catherine excused this possibility by saying, "I
wouldn't think so, although, I wouldn't be surprised if he was sleeping. He is
most likely exhausted."

In reply, Charles then said, "Well I have my key, so we can sneak in quietly.
Let's get unloaded Cathy."

And so as Charles opened the trunk to get the luggage, the lights of an oncoming
car, shined on them, and then it came to a stop. And they could now see it was
a taxi.

So as the door opened, much to Catherine and Charles' surprise, the older
Gentleman from the airport stepped out.

The three exchanged surprised looks and smiles, and as Jacob paid the Cab
driver, Charles walked over to assist him in getting his satchel out of the cab.

Charles then asked with ironic surprise, "So you're a friend of Peter's?"

To which Jacob answered, "Yes indeed, and you are as well? Imagine that!"

Glancing over at Catherine, Charles explained, "Yes My Daughter Cathy and I,
are here for Peter's Mother's funeral."

Jacob nodded, and said, "Yes, me too, such a sad occasion, by the way, permit
me to introduce myself, I am Jacob."

As Charles shook his hand, he then said, "Hi ya Jacob, and well, I am Charles
and this is my daughter Cathy. I understand however, you and Cathy are
already fast friends."

To which Jacob warmly said, "Indeed we are, all due to Cathy's kindness."

As Jacob gallantly shook Catherine's hand, with a pleasant smile he said, "It is a
pleasure to meet you Cathy, officially that is!"

Catherine beamed at this enchanting older man, as she replied, "The pleasure is
mine Jacob."

While Charles grabbed an armload of luggage, he suggested, "Well, shall we get
settled?"

To which Jacob in agreement, kindly said, "Yes of course."

In the meantime, Catherine could not have been more delighted that this nice
older man, happened to be a friend of Peter's, giving credence once more to the
old adage of what a small world it was.

But...little did our Catherine know...it was about to get even smaller!

Meanwhile, as Charles unlocked the door, he found a note there from Peter,
saying:

                 Dear, Jacob, Charles, and Cathy,
                      The only flight my sister could get on such short notice,
                 was a standby seat. It is hard to say how long I will be.

                       Please make yourselves at home.

                       Cathy and Charles, your usual rooms are ready for you,
                 and the last room on the right is ready for Jacob.

                       I am truly sorry I am not there to welcome you all.
                                                                        Be back soon.
                                                                            Peter

As Charles put down the note, he looked over at Catherine and then Jacob, and
said, "Looks like the inmates are in charge of the asylum uh?"

Because Catherine was afraid her Dad's joking might have offended Jacob,
Catherine scolded, "Dad!"

But as she was scolding, Jacob was chuckling away at Charles comment, and
said, "Oh my, I dare say!"

Picking up on Catherine's concern, Charles then recanted saying, "Oops, I
suppose I should speak for myself."

To which Jacob pshawed, saying, "Ah, we all need a little levity now and then,
do we not?"

Upon seeing he had a friend in Jacob, Charles gave Catherine an "I told you so"
look as he replied, "I think so too Jacob!"

Just then as Charles opened the door, Peter's Mother's poodle came dashing
out, and started jumping all over Catherine! Yes, Noodles was truly happy to
see her.

Excitedly Catherine gushed over the little dog, saying, "Noodles, oh Noodles,
how are you."

She then bent down to give Noodles a good belly itching, and then looking
upward, she smiled widely at both Jacob and at her Dad as she said, "Oh isn't
he adorable?"

Suddenly Noodles ran into the house and brought Catherine a ball to throw, to
which Catherine sadly reminisced, "Oh Dad remember how Mother Alcott
would throw the ball for Noodles all the time? Noodles must miss her so much."

While Jacob stood back, and enjoyed the playfulness in Noodles, he then
shared, "I had a Poodle once, it was a champagne color just like Noodles. Ah he
was a good dog. His name was, if you pardon the silliness of it, was..."Bubbles!"

To which Catherine slyly asked, "Did you name him Jacob?"

Looking down embarrassingly, Jacob admitted, "Why yes, yes, I confess that I
did."

The three of them shared a chuckle, as Catherine threw the ball for Noodles a
few more times, while the two men finished carrying in the luggage.

As Charles and Jacob, put the luggage into the perspective rooms, they then
stood in the hall, looking over the numerous family photographs Mother Alcott
had hanging, and when they spotted a very young Peter with a crew cut, they
both laughed, seeing their skinny, knock kneed, pimply faced friend.

The two men then talked about the sadness of Peter's Mother's death, and as
they came out into the living room area, they found Catherine on the couch
holding Noodles, sound asleep.

To which Jacob sighed, "Ah look Charles, your Cathy is asleep. May I say, she
is such a beautiful kind girl."

As Charles covered Catherine with an afghan, he then tiptoed quietly away, and
began to explain, "Yes, she is kind, and that may be to her disadvantage! She
has been going through a terrible time. It turned out the fella she fell for, is a bit
of a two timing CAD! She hasn't been able to eat or sleep, and her only peace is
when she can dig into her work. In fact she ran into him tonight and he was
with the other woman. Poor kid. Instead of her heartache healing it seems to be
worsening. There is so little I can do, except just be there for her. And to top it
all off, she says she still cares for him."

As Jacob listened, he then gave Charles an understanding nod, and
commiserated with him as he sadly shared, "My son too is going through
heart-ache as well. The woman he has affection for, never gave him the gift of
closure! And he found out she has turned her affections toward another! Oh
my, he has been beside himself, and his only joy, is in teaching the children."

Jacob, then intently told Charles, "Oh he loves the children! So Charles I can
sympathize with you. It is hard when your kids suffer through a broken heart.
The sensitive ones do suffer the most."

Charles nodded in total agreement, and then lamented, "Ya know, you try to
teach your children to be kind, caring and sensitive to the feelings of others, but
then it makes them vulnerable themselves. Cathy hurts so much because she
loves so much. I am so glad you understand what I am dealing with."

Jacob raised his brow, and said, "Yes, It is Hell when your child is in pain!"

Jacob then continued, "I am hoping the visit from an old friend will help my son
through his pain. Heaven knows I have tried, but it is times like these that a
parent cannot fill the void."

As Charles said, he wished the best for his son too, and then suggested they put
on some coffee, while waiting up for Peter.

To which Jacob hopefully requested, "Would you mind if I have tea instead? It
is a part of my daily constitution, and I am in need of a cup."

Accommodatingly, Charles who at the time was playing host, said, "Of course,
let's see if we can find a tea bag or two."

And so luckily finding a tin with the tea, Charles put on the kettle for the water,
and as Jacob dipped his tea bag, Charles stirred in a scoop of instant coffee, and
the two men settled into the kitchen.

As Peter's two friends, were becoming better acquainted, they discussed their
children, the way of the world these days, and after realizing the late hour, they
both agreed perhaps, they should head on to bed.

And so Charles stepped up to wake Catherine, telling her it was time to go to
bed.

To which Catherine, sleepily asked, "Would you mind if I wait up for Peter. I
would really like to see him yet tonight."

Understandably, Charles said, "Of course Cathy, I am sure Peter would like
that. Are you warm enough?"

Appreciatively, Catherine answered, "Oh yes Dad, Noodles is keeping me
warm, and he is so fun to snuggle with. So you two are calling it a night?"

To which Charles said, "Yeah, starting to get the yawns, but if I hear Peter and
Pauline come in, I'll get up."

With a warm smile, Jacob added, "Yes, these old bones are a bit weary after
such a long day. However if I should hear any activity, I shall get up too. Well,
Good night Cathy, I must say, even though we met under these sad
circumstances, I feel very fortunate my path hath traversed with yours."

As Catherine got up to give her Dad a hug goodnight, she for some reason, felt
inclined to give Jacob one too.

And because Jacob was very moved by this gesture, he so clumsily responded,
saying, "Well, thank you, it has been a while since a young lady has so kindly
given this old man a hug."

To which Catherine smiled, and said, "Now that is hard to believe Jacob."

As Charles headed toward his room, he informatively said, "Oh and by the way
kiddo, the kettle is still on if you want some coffee, or tea. Goodnight now."

To which Catherine, replied, "Thanks Dad, good night."

And because Catherine got her second wind, she decided she would make a cup
of tea. And as she poured in the hot water, to prepare her tea, she thought she
would get her book.

And so quietly, Catherine ventured down the hall to her room, and with Noodles
at her side, she sat on her bed for a moment, to recall all the fun times she has
had there. The visits with her Mom and Dad, and the many vacations she and
her Dad would spend there after her Mom died, and the few times she tagged
along with just Peter. Not to mention there was a spring break with Jennifer and
a few college buds! Yes through the years, Mother Alcott had always been
welcoming.

And as Catherine looked around this sweet room, with the pink rosebud papered
walls, pink quilted bedspread with curtains to match. She had to smile, knowing
it was decorated with her in mind.

Yes, Pauline had confided in Catherine many years ago, of how much fun she
and her Mom had in picking out the girlie decor for her room. And so with a
bittersweetness, Catherine smiled thinking back on how special they all made
her feel there, as a young girl.

As she came up out of her memories, Catherine realized her tea was getting
cold! So she dug around into her carry-on, and brought out her beloved
Wordsworth.

Yes, happy to have her book in her hands, Catherine thought tonight, William
Wordsworth, would be very good company indeed.

To be continued
Chapter Seventeen

Hero of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Sixteen
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