Catherine and Lin both smiled at one another, and Lin then walked over to where Catherine and Jennifer were sitting, to say hello.
Catherine happily greeted her in turn, as she said, "Hello Lin, we certainly seem to be crossing paths a lot!"
To which Lin smiled, and sincerely said, "Oh yes, that must mean we are meant to be friends Catherine."
It was then, Catherine motioned to Jennifer. and said, "I would like you to meet Jenny Aranson, Jenny this is Lin Pai."
The two shook hands, as they said hello to one another, and then Catherine invited Lin to join them.
Disappointedly, Lin declined because she was in a hurry, but said, she would like to invite them both to lunch at their restaurant tomorrow.
In reply, Jennifer regretfully said, "Oh I can't! I have to take Mom to the bunion doctor during lunch tomorrow. And I assure you, a better way to spend a coveted lunch hour, cannot be found!"
The three girls laughed, and Lin then turned toward Catherine to say, the invitation still stood for her, if she was not tired of their food.
In reply, Catherine told Lin she would love to come, and then said, she would see her at noon tomorrow.
Happily, Lin responded, "Tomorrow then Catherine. Goodbye Jenny, please promise you will come another time."
To which Jennifer said she would, and it was after Lin left, that Jennifer quizzically asked Catherine, "What did she mean if you are not tired of her food?"
In reply, Catherine explained, "Well, I ordered food from Lin's restaurant last night for Vincent and I...and Lin was the one who made the delivery. But the funny thing was, that as it turned out, she and Vincent are good friends."
To which Jennifer squealed, "So "THIS" Lin, knows "THE" Vincent?"
Realizing she maybe shouldn't have mentioned Lin's connection to Vincent, Catherine cautiously answered, "Yes, as I say, they are old friends."
So as Catherine tried to downplay the friendship, she then casually, mentioned, "Lin's Father is a naturalistic doctor, and he supplies Vincent's Father, and family with herbs and things."
Realizing she missed an opportunity, Jennifer disappointedly said, "Boy I wish I would have known all this when I was talking to her. I would have liked to have grilled her for some information! I would have asked her, if she knew, if her Grandfather was supplying Vincent with an anti-aphrodisiac herb, or something!"
Oh boy, Catherine dreaded when Jennifer started talking SEX...or rather, the lack there of between her and Vincent!
And so as Catherine started to say, she better not ask Lin any such thing, Jennifer suddenly gave Catherine a quizzical look, and then looked at her again.
Then in a catatonic state, she sat back in her seat...her mouth dropped open as she astonishingly said, "Oh my! I don't know why I didn't see it before...you and Vincent have done "IT" haven't you?"
Embarrassed by this subject, Catherine scolded, "Jennifer! What's wrong with you? You shouldn't go around asking people questions like that?"
To which Jennifer declared, "You're not "people"...you are Cathy, my bestie, and so I wanna know, and YOU are gonna tell me!"
And so Catherine took a deep breath, and softly shared, "All I will say, is yesterday, we were the closest we have ever been."
To which Jennifer astonishingly asked, "So you're not gonna tell me anything more?"
With a frustrated sigh, Jennifer looked at her watch, and nervously said, "Oh my gosh, I really have got to run."
Trying to get Jennifer off track, Catherine with a chuckle, said, "Honestly, there isn't more to tell....
Looking at her watch once more, Jennifer said, "Oh I wish I had more time...I really have to run...but I do want to hear more about Vincent...You are not off the hook my friend!"
To which Catherine said goodbye, and hugging her dearest friend, she told Jennifer she would be talking to her later.
Knowing she had to run along too, Catherine for a moment, sat there alone, and thought about how there really wasn't anything more to tell, because her time with Vincent, she would keep private, and those moments were not open for conversation, not even with Jenny.
Catherine then smiled to herself thinking when it came to Jennifer, this was nearly an impossible expectation to have.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Vincent busy at work in his world, had just finished the poetry class segment with the children, when William sounded the luncheon break announcement, then suddenly, another announcement rang over the pipes, coming from the sentry on duty.
The message was specifically for Vincent, informing him, that Lin had just arrived via the Park entrance, and she would meet him in the Dining Hall.
Meantime, Mary arrived at the library chamber, just in time to join Vincent and the children, for the walk to the Dining Hall. She knew it was nice to have a little help, when it came to escorting the children to, and fro.
And so Vincent appreciatively said, "Thank you Mary."
To which Mary waved her hand and said, "Of course."
And then in response to Lin visiting, Mary turned to Vincent, and commented, "Perhaps Lin is here to bring us the tea she spoke about wanting us to try."
In reply, Vincent tipped his head, and in a preoccupied manner said, "Perhaps so."
And because Mary had something else on her mind, it was then Mary cautiously mentioned, "Vincent...we missed you at Supper last evening. We were all hoping, both you and Catherine, would have joined us. We would all love to get to know her better."
To which Vincent raised a brow in reply, as he said, "I am sorry to have disappointed everyone Mary."
As Mary waited for further explanation, and wasn't getting one, she realized Vincent was not going to fill her in on their activities.
And so in an effort to get him to open up to her, Mary lovingly offered, "I just want you to know, I am here...if you need anything...advice, or...or anything at all...in Father's absence, I am here."
Vincent privately smiled to his self, as he sensed, Mary was wanting to know how he and Catherine had spent their time. Yes, Mary wanted DETAILS!
And so Vincent turned to Mary, and kindly said, "Yes Mary, and I thank you."
And so cruelly perhaps, Vincent decided to have a bit of fun by baiting Mary, as he added, "Well you know, there is something I would like to ask you..."
Then in a mock shy demeanor, he added, "...how ever...it is difficult to speak about something so personal. It could prove embarrassing."
Thinking Vincent was about to confide in her, Mary stopped in her tracks, and gripped his arm and said, "Well don't be shy! You can certainly ask me Dear, I mean I am practically a nurse!"
And so Vincent looked downward, and said, "Well, you see yesterday...as I was putting away my own laundered items, I found a support bandeau..mixed in with my things. And as I recognized your crocheted handy work, I thought it may be yours. As you can imagine, I was unsure how to broach this issue, being as it is such a, well personal garment as it were. Well I am sure you understand my angst! So what I am asking, is...are you missing such an item?"
As Mary brought her hand to her face, she said, "Oh my yes! So you have my foundation! I didn't know where to begin to look for it. Today I had to go without!"
Vincent nearly looked downward, however being the controlled gentlemen that he is, he did not. Instead, Vincent realizing Mary needed all the support she can get, offered, "Then Mary...after breakfast, I shall make certain it is returned to you directly."
To which, Mary thought better of waiting, anxiously said, "I think it would be for the best, if I retrieve it now Vincent. Where is it in your chamber?"
To which Vincent replied, "It is draped over "Venus de Milo. I thought she may as well utilize it until I found the rightful owner."
To which Mary annoyingly giggled, and said, "Oh Vincent!"
And so Mary headed directly to Vincent's chamber, and was thrilled to find her missing item, and couldn't help but to chuckle at the site too!
To be continued
Chapter Eighteen
Catherine happily greeted her in turn, as she said, "Hello Lin, we certainly seem to be crossing paths a lot!"
To which Lin smiled, and sincerely said, "Oh yes, that must mean we are meant to be friends Catherine."
It was then, Catherine motioned to Jennifer. and said, "I would like you to meet Jenny Aranson, Jenny this is Lin Pai."
The two shook hands, as they said hello to one another, and then Catherine invited Lin to join them.
Disappointedly, Lin declined because she was in a hurry, but said, she would like to invite them both to lunch at their restaurant tomorrow.
In reply, Jennifer regretfully said, "Oh I can't! I have to take Mom to the bunion doctor during lunch tomorrow. And I assure you, a better way to spend a coveted lunch hour, cannot be found!"
The three girls laughed, and Lin then turned toward Catherine to say, the invitation still stood for her, if she was not tired of their food.
In reply, Catherine told Lin she would love to come, and then said, she would see her at noon tomorrow.
Happily, Lin responded, "Tomorrow then Catherine. Goodbye Jenny, please promise you will come another time."
To which Jennifer said she would, and it was after Lin left, that Jennifer quizzically asked Catherine, "What did she mean if you are not tired of her food?"
In reply, Catherine explained, "Well, I ordered food from Lin's restaurant last night for Vincent and I...and Lin was the one who made the delivery. But the funny thing was, that as it turned out, she and Vincent are good friends."
To which Jennifer squealed, "So "THIS" Lin, knows "THE" Vincent?"
Realizing she maybe shouldn't have mentioned Lin's connection to Vincent, Catherine cautiously answered, "Yes, as I say, they are old friends."
So as Catherine tried to downplay the friendship, she then casually, mentioned, "Lin's Father is a naturalistic doctor, and he supplies Vincent's Father, and family with herbs and things."
Realizing she missed an opportunity, Jennifer disappointedly said, "Boy I wish I would have known all this when I was talking to her. I would have liked to have grilled her for some information! I would have asked her, if she knew, if her Grandfather was supplying Vincent with an anti-aphrodisiac herb, or something!"
Oh boy, Catherine dreaded when Jennifer started talking SEX...or rather, the lack there of between her and Vincent!
And so as Catherine started to say, she better not ask Lin any such thing, Jennifer suddenly gave Catherine a quizzical look, and then looked at her again.
Then in a catatonic state, she sat back in her seat...her mouth dropped open as she astonishingly said, "Oh my! I don't know why I didn't see it before...you and Vincent have done "IT" haven't you?"
Embarrassed by this subject, Catherine scolded, "Jennifer! What's wrong with you? You shouldn't go around asking people questions like that?"
To which Jennifer declared, "You're not "people"...you are Cathy, my bestie, and so I wanna know, and YOU are gonna tell me!"
And so Catherine took a deep breath, and softly shared, "All I will say, is yesterday, we were the closest we have ever been."
To which Jennifer astonishingly asked, "So you're not gonna tell me anything more?"
With a frustrated sigh, Jennifer looked at her watch, and nervously said, "Oh my gosh, I really have got to run."
Trying to get Jennifer off track, Catherine with a chuckle, said, "Honestly, there isn't more to tell....
Looking at her watch once more, Jennifer said, "Oh I wish I had more time...I really have to run...but I do want to hear more about Vincent...You are not off the hook my friend!"
To which Catherine said goodbye, and hugging her dearest friend, she told Jennifer she would be talking to her later.
Knowing she had to run along too, Catherine for a moment, sat there alone, and thought about how there really wasn't anything more to tell, because her time with Vincent, she would keep private, and those moments were not open for conversation, not even with Jenny.
Catherine then smiled to herself thinking when it came to Jennifer, this was nearly an impossible expectation to have.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Vincent busy at work in his world, had just finished the poetry class segment with the children, when William sounded the luncheon break announcement, then suddenly, another announcement rang over the pipes, coming from the sentry on duty.
The message was specifically for Vincent, informing him, that Lin had just arrived via the Park entrance, and she would meet him in the Dining Hall.
Meantime, Mary arrived at the library chamber, just in time to join Vincent and the children, for the walk to the Dining Hall. She knew it was nice to have a little help, when it came to escorting the children to, and fro.
And so Vincent appreciatively said, "Thank you Mary."
To which Mary waved her hand and said, "Of course."
And then in response to Lin visiting, Mary turned to Vincent, and commented, "Perhaps Lin is here to bring us the tea she spoke about wanting us to try."
In reply, Vincent tipped his head, and in a preoccupied manner said, "Perhaps so."
And because Mary had something else on her mind, it was then Mary cautiously mentioned, "Vincent...we missed you at Supper last evening. We were all hoping, both you and Catherine, would have joined us. We would all love to get to know her better."
To which Vincent raised a brow in reply, as he said, "I am sorry to have disappointed everyone Mary."
As Mary waited for further explanation, and wasn't getting one, she realized Vincent was not going to fill her in on their activities.
And so in an effort to get him to open up to her, Mary lovingly offered, "I just want you to know, I am here...if you need anything...advice, or...or anything at all...in Father's absence, I am here."
Vincent privately smiled to his self, as he sensed, Mary was wanting to know how he and Catherine had spent their time. Yes, Mary wanted DETAILS!
And so Vincent turned to Mary, and kindly said, "Yes Mary, and I thank you."
And so cruelly perhaps, Vincent decided to have a bit of fun by baiting Mary, as he added, "Well you know, there is something I would like to ask you..."
Then in a mock shy demeanor, he added, "...how ever...it is difficult to speak about something so personal. It could prove embarrassing."
Thinking Vincent was about to confide in her, Mary stopped in her tracks, and gripped his arm and said, "Well don't be shy! You can certainly ask me Dear, I mean I am practically a nurse!"
And so Vincent looked downward, and said, "Well, you see yesterday...as I was putting away my own laundered items, I found a support bandeau..mixed in with my things. And as I recognized your crocheted handy work, I thought it may be yours. As you can imagine, I was unsure how to broach this issue, being as it is such a, well personal garment as it were. Well I am sure you understand my angst! So what I am asking, is...are you missing such an item?"
As Mary brought her hand to her face, she said, "Oh my yes! So you have my foundation! I didn't know where to begin to look for it. Today I had to go without!"
Vincent nearly looked downward, however being the controlled gentlemen that he is, he did not. Instead, Vincent realizing Mary needed all the support she can get, offered, "Then Mary...after breakfast, I shall make certain it is returned to you directly."
To which, Mary thought better of waiting, anxiously said, "I think it would be for the best, if I retrieve it now Vincent. Where is it in your chamber?"
To which Vincent replied, "It is draped over "Venus de Milo. I thought she may as well utilize it until I found the rightful owner."
To which Mary annoyingly giggled, and said, "Oh Vincent!"
And so Mary headed directly to Vincent's chamber, and was thrilled to find her missing item, and couldn't help but to chuckle at the site too!
To be continued
Chapter Eighteen
| Protector of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Seventeen ________________________________________ |
