Vincent then said, "I am so pleased you could share this day."
As Catherine looked upward, and with deep emotion, she replied, "There is no where else I would rather be."
They both stood for a moment, pleased to be in each other's company, thankful all their misunderstandings were behind them now, and ready to go forward to celebrate this day.
Vincent then gathered up the boxes Catherine had lowered down to him, and placed them onto the rustic wooden wheelbarrow.
And as Catherine handed the bag of apples to Vincent too, he quizzically asked, "For the children?"
Guiltily, Catherine answered, "I suppose they should be, but I actually brought them for Mouse's pet Raccoon. Arthur likes apples doesn't he?"
To which Vincent, with a smile in his eyes, answered, "Yes...apples and most any other fruit or vegetable he can swindle."
Warmly he then turned to Catherine, and said, "Thank you, such a kind gesture to reach out to Mouse in this way."
Thoughtfully, Catherine then shared, "I could be wrong, but I kind of sense that maybe he doesn't like my taking up so much of your time, and I just hoped this small token would help him see, I want to be his friend too."
With a gaze quite piercing, Vincent with a nod, showed he appreciated her insight, in the character of his complex little pal.
And as he lifted the handles of the wheelbarrow, they began their trek to the tunnel main, while Vincent playfully raised a brow in speculation, and shared, "There has been much excitement this morning, especially amongst the children. I am not certain if they are more anxious about this joyously celebrated Holiday, or by the news you are visiting today."
Catherine smiled and affectionately said, "Well I am excited to see all of them again too."
Vincent then informed her, "After we take your contribution to the kitchen, we will stop by Father's chamber...he asked to bring you by when you arrive."
Warmed by the fact Jacob suggested meeting up before the Thanksgiving Dinner, she sweetly said, "That would be nice Vincent."
As they ventured through the tunnels, they were about to pass by one of Vincent's favorite places. And so he thought it may be a good time to stop before the festivities began, And so he covertly said, "Come Catherine, I wish to take you somewhere."
And because the mischievous look in Vincent's eyes, intrigued Catherine, she realized she was about to be let in on a secret. So, as Vincent took her hand, Catherine smiled and cautioned, "Just so this diversion won't keep Jacob waiting!"
Vincent assured her they would not be late, and then walked but a little way, before they came to a big cavernous area, a place that revealed the several various levels of the old subway structure from days gone by, and it was The Whispering Gallery.
Vincent entered first, so he could light the torches mounted on the rocky chamber wall, and then returned to the threshold, where Catherine stood waiting, and he guided her out on to the bridge.
As Catherine followed, the depth and the echoing qualities of this place, struck her so, and she whispered in awe, "Vincent...this is a wondrous place..."
Vincent then walked the narrow bridge, and asked, "Sit with me."
As they sat down, they stayed silent, as they listened to the sounds filtering down from the busy city street above.
They heard the honking horns of impatient roving motorists, they could hear people excitedly talking as they hustled about, and in the background, the Holiday music being transmitted throughout the city could be heard as well.
And the longer they listened, the better it was to pick up on some distinct voices, talking about Thanksgiving plans, and they could audibly isolate the voice of a child, talking to his parents, about their impending visit to Grandma.
As Vincent looked upward, he was totally enmeshed in what he was hearing.
Catherine smiled as she looked up at him, and by the flickering torch flames, she could intermittently detect. the wonder in his eyes.
As Vincent listened, after a moment, he revealed to her, "I came here often as a child, imagining what it must be like to walk freely, living a life...living my life in the wide open world."
Vincent tipped his head as he further disclosed, "There were times, I could hear people arguing, gangs fighting, or children crying. And when I was a young boy, l felt helpless and longed to intercede to solve their problems for them."
Wondering, Catherine quizzically asked, "Have you ever interceded?"
In reply, Vincent turned his eyes to Catherine, as he steadfastly answered, "Yes, I have."
Catherine nodded, and though she wanted to know more, she for some reason, couldn't ask.
As Vincent dreamily stared off, he continued, "There were other times too, I could hear the other side of human nature. The excitement of a child, asking his parent, question after question, and the child, being patiently and lovingly answered."
Vincent thought for a moment before he went on any further, but because he felt so close, and securely open to Catherine's bond, he continued, "There have been times too, I could hear lovers in the lair of the alleys."
Vincent then lowered his gaze, and said, "I would listen to their words of love to one another...and pondered what it would be like..."
Catherine through misted eyes, found she could not breathe and she wasn't sure how to respond.
Catherine wanted to tell him, she longed to say how she felt about him, and hoped, even though she didn't say it out loud, through their bond, he would know.
And because he did, Vincent returned her gaze, then humbly looked downward, before he revealed too much.
With a soft regretful tone, Vincent finally said, it was time to venture onward, and so he stood, and helped Catherine to her feet, leading her out to the tunnels.
As they walked, Catherine accepted Vincent's guiding arm, and after a little while, said, "The whispering gallery...even with the echoes from the world above, was one of the most private, and peaceful places I have ever been to."
Vincent nodded, feeling so pleased Catherine sensed, what he too sensed about this special place, and so as he intently looked over at her, and in conjunction with her, simply replied, "Yes."
Suddenly from behind Mouse yelled, "Vincent, Catherine, Father is looking for you and wondering where you are!"
Catherine looked up at Vincent, and worriedly said, "Oh no!"
And out of concern Catherine asked, "Are we in trouble Mouse?"
To which Mouse shook his head, and said, "No, not in trouble, well it's just that..."
And because he was told not to tell Catherine, Mouse then whispered to Vincent, "The children have a surprise for Catherine."
Vincent tipped his head, and with a glimmer in his eyes, said, "Ah, I see! Will you take Catherine's contribution to William for us, and we shall go directly to Father's chamber?"
Mouse happily replied, "OK fine, I will take this to William, and you hurry!"
And just before Mouse left Catherine said, "Oh Mouse, this bag of apples on top, they are for Arthur."
To which he with surprise asked, "Arthur?"
With a nod, Catherine smiled and said, "Yes! I thought Arthur could have his own little Thanksgiving feast of sorts, and it's okay if Arthur shares them with you too."
With a smile so big, he was like a beacon shining, as he said, "Arthur will like these! Thanks Catherine! Now hurry Vincent, or Father will think I didn't find you!"
And so as Vincent took Catherine's hand, they picked up the pace a bit, and quickly arrived at Jacob's threshold.
And as they stood there, they stayed silent, as not to interrupt, because they could see the children sitting around Jacob, as he was filling the time with a short story.
As Jacob finished, he looked up and saw the pair waiting, and said, "Look children, Catherine and Vincent have FINALLY arrived."
The children all stood and ran over to them, excitedly squealing hellos.
Catherine smiled up at Vincent, and then to all the children.
Giggling, she mirrored their excitement as she echoed a greeting in return, saying, "Hello children, Happy Thanksgiving!"
Looking up over them, she smiled at Jacob, and sweetly said, "Hello Jacob, Happy Thanksgiving to you too."
Jacob beamed at his special individualized attention he contracted from Catherine, and as he stood and with the aid of his cane, he hobbled over to her and said, "Welcome my Dear, welcome."
The children all happily pounced around Jacob, and asked his permission to now give Catherine their surprises.
In answer to the children, Jacob first calmed them down by saying, "Children, children, yes of course you may, but first we must have a little decorum."
Turning to Catherine, Jacob informed her, "The children each have something to present to you. If you would be so kind to be seated here, I believe gaging by their excitement, they are ready to proceed."
Catherine smiled and gleefully complied with Jacob's instruction, and sat down in the chair he had pulled out for her.
To be continued
Chapter Nineteen
As Catherine looked upward, and with deep emotion, she replied, "There is no where else I would rather be."
They both stood for a moment, pleased to be in each other's company, thankful all their misunderstandings were behind them now, and ready to go forward to celebrate this day.
Vincent then gathered up the boxes Catherine had lowered down to him, and placed them onto the rustic wooden wheelbarrow.
And as Catherine handed the bag of apples to Vincent too, he quizzically asked, "For the children?"
Guiltily, Catherine answered, "I suppose they should be, but I actually brought them for Mouse's pet Raccoon. Arthur likes apples doesn't he?"
To which Vincent, with a smile in his eyes, answered, "Yes...apples and most any other fruit or vegetable he can swindle."
Warmly he then turned to Catherine, and said, "Thank you, such a kind gesture to reach out to Mouse in this way."
Thoughtfully, Catherine then shared, "I could be wrong, but I kind of sense that maybe he doesn't like my taking up so much of your time, and I just hoped this small token would help him see, I want to be his friend too."
With a gaze quite piercing, Vincent with a nod, showed he appreciated her insight, in the character of his complex little pal.
And as he lifted the handles of the wheelbarrow, they began their trek to the tunnel main, while Vincent playfully raised a brow in speculation, and shared, "There has been much excitement this morning, especially amongst the children. I am not certain if they are more anxious about this joyously celebrated Holiday, or by the news you are visiting today."
Catherine smiled and affectionately said, "Well I am excited to see all of them again too."
Vincent then informed her, "After we take your contribution to the kitchen, we will stop by Father's chamber...he asked to bring you by when you arrive."
Warmed by the fact Jacob suggested meeting up before the Thanksgiving Dinner, she sweetly said, "That would be nice Vincent."
As they ventured through the tunnels, they were about to pass by one of Vincent's favorite places. And so he thought it may be a good time to stop before the festivities began, And so he covertly said, "Come Catherine, I wish to take you somewhere."
And because the mischievous look in Vincent's eyes, intrigued Catherine, she realized she was about to be let in on a secret. So, as Vincent took her hand, Catherine smiled and cautioned, "Just so this diversion won't keep Jacob waiting!"
Vincent assured her they would not be late, and then walked but a little way, before they came to a big cavernous area, a place that revealed the several various levels of the old subway structure from days gone by, and it was The Whispering Gallery.
Vincent entered first, so he could light the torches mounted on the rocky chamber wall, and then returned to the threshold, where Catherine stood waiting, and he guided her out on to the bridge.
As Catherine followed, the depth and the echoing qualities of this place, struck her so, and she whispered in awe, "Vincent...this is a wondrous place..."
Vincent then walked the narrow bridge, and asked, "Sit with me."
As they sat down, they stayed silent, as they listened to the sounds filtering down from the busy city street above.
They heard the honking horns of impatient roving motorists, they could hear people excitedly talking as they hustled about, and in the background, the Holiday music being transmitted throughout the city could be heard as well.
And the longer they listened, the better it was to pick up on some distinct voices, talking about Thanksgiving plans, and they could audibly isolate the voice of a child, talking to his parents, about their impending visit to Grandma.
As Vincent looked upward, he was totally enmeshed in what he was hearing.
Catherine smiled as she looked up at him, and by the flickering torch flames, she could intermittently detect. the wonder in his eyes.
As Vincent listened, after a moment, he revealed to her, "I came here often as a child, imagining what it must be like to walk freely, living a life...living my life in the wide open world."
Vincent tipped his head as he further disclosed, "There were times, I could hear people arguing, gangs fighting, or children crying. And when I was a young boy, l felt helpless and longed to intercede to solve their problems for them."
Wondering, Catherine quizzically asked, "Have you ever interceded?"
In reply, Vincent turned his eyes to Catherine, as he steadfastly answered, "Yes, I have."
Catherine nodded, and though she wanted to know more, she for some reason, couldn't ask.
As Vincent dreamily stared off, he continued, "There were other times too, I could hear the other side of human nature. The excitement of a child, asking his parent, question after question, and the child, being patiently and lovingly answered."
Vincent thought for a moment before he went on any further, but because he felt so close, and securely open to Catherine's bond, he continued, "There have been times too, I could hear lovers in the lair of the alleys."
Vincent then lowered his gaze, and said, "I would listen to their words of love to one another...and pondered what it would be like..."
Catherine through misted eyes, found she could not breathe and she wasn't sure how to respond.
Catherine wanted to tell him, she longed to say how she felt about him, and hoped, even though she didn't say it out loud, through their bond, he would know.
And because he did, Vincent returned her gaze, then humbly looked downward, before he revealed too much.
With a soft regretful tone, Vincent finally said, it was time to venture onward, and so he stood, and helped Catherine to her feet, leading her out to the tunnels.
As they walked, Catherine accepted Vincent's guiding arm, and after a little while, said, "The whispering gallery...even with the echoes from the world above, was one of the most private, and peaceful places I have ever been to."
Vincent nodded, feeling so pleased Catherine sensed, what he too sensed about this special place, and so as he intently looked over at her, and in conjunction with her, simply replied, "Yes."
Suddenly from behind Mouse yelled, "Vincent, Catherine, Father is looking for you and wondering where you are!"
Catherine looked up at Vincent, and worriedly said, "Oh no!"
And out of concern Catherine asked, "Are we in trouble Mouse?"
To which Mouse shook his head, and said, "No, not in trouble, well it's just that..."
And because he was told not to tell Catherine, Mouse then whispered to Vincent, "The children have a surprise for Catherine."
Vincent tipped his head, and with a glimmer in his eyes, said, "Ah, I see! Will you take Catherine's contribution to William for us, and we shall go directly to Father's chamber?"
Mouse happily replied, "OK fine, I will take this to William, and you hurry!"
And just before Mouse left Catherine said, "Oh Mouse, this bag of apples on top, they are for Arthur."
To which he with surprise asked, "Arthur?"
With a nod, Catherine smiled and said, "Yes! I thought Arthur could have his own little Thanksgiving feast of sorts, and it's okay if Arthur shares them with you too."
With a smile so big, he was like a beacon shining, as he said, "Arthur will like these! Thanks Catherine! Now hurry Vincent, or Father will think I didn't find you!"
And so as Vincent took Catherine's hand, they picked up the pace a bit, and quickly arrived at Jacob's threshold.
And as they stood there, they stayed silent, as not to interrupt, because they could see the children sitting around Jacob, as he was filling the time with a short story.
As Jacob finished, he looked up and saw the pair waiting, and said, "Look children, Catherine and Vincent have FINALLY arrived."
The children all stood and ran over to them, excitedly squealing hellos.
Catherine smiled up at Vincent, and then to all the children.
Giggling, she mirrored their excitement as she echoed a greeting in return, saying, "Hello children, Happy Thanksgiving!"
Looking up over them, she smiled at Jacob, and sweetly said, "Hello Jacob, Happy Thanksgiving to you too."
Jacob beamed at his special individualized attention he contracted from Catherine, and as he stood and with the aid of his cane, he hobbled over to her and said, "Welcome my Dear, welcome."
The children all happily pounced around Jacob, and asked his permission to now give Catherine their surprises.
In answer to the children, Jacob first calmed them down by saying, "Children, children, yes of course you may, but first we must have a little decorum."
Turning to Catherine, Jacob informed her, "The children each have something to present to you. If you would be so kind to be seated here, I believe gaging by their excitement, they are ready to proceed."
Catherine smiled and gleefully complied with Jacob's instruction, and sat down in the chair he had pulled out for her.
To be continued
Chapter Nineteen
| Keeper of my Heart! Chapter Eighteen By Sharon Holtz __________________________________________ |
