| Sweet Dreams! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Seven |
And as the girls returned to their dates, they found them inspecting one of
Catherine's statuettes she had yet to take below to her chamber.
The statue they were looking at, was her beloved "End of the Trail" depiction,
her Dad had given her.
Yes, her Dad loved the glory of the Native Americans, and ever since Catherine
was a little girl, he emphasized their honor to his daughter.
Thinking on the beautiful Native American Chief stained glass window, Vincent
had installed in Peter's chamber, she realized this statue would be a perfect
Chamber warming gift.
Not only would it be an heirloom from her Dad, Peter's sorely missed friend,
but it would also represent the Native American Lineage, Peter also admired so
much.
And so to contribute to the subject, Jennifer spoke up saying, "I noticed you
haven't taken your statues yet."
To which Catherine nodded, and said, "Maybe I will take them with me tonight."
Looking up at Vincent, she ardently said, "I would like to give, "The End of the
Trail" statue to Peter, as a Chamber warming gift."
With a slight approving nod, Vincent agreeably said, "This would be a perfect
gift for Peter."
Ronald holding the other statuette, noted, "I once had a replica of this statue, it
is named, "Trail of Tears."
Catherine looked at Ronald, and said, "Dad gave that one to me when I
graduated Law school, and it had once been my grand-daddy's."
Warmed by the fact his heritage is very much revered by his friends, he looked
back at the pewter statuette and said, "It is beautiful...really beautiful."
Jennifer looking at the image of the man on the horse, whose head was bent in
defeated anguish, mentioned, "It must break your heart even more than it does
mine, to see how your ancestors must have suffered."
Ronald nodded, and said, "Yes it is tragic to see the broken hearted spirit of this
warrior, but I look past this moment frozen in time, and see more...I see a man,
who was strong enough to give in, for the salvation of his people. Otherwise
because of the weaponry of the soldiers, it was clear they would have been
wiped out, and I, most likely would not be standing here right now."
Jennifer silently stood, and reached over to hold Ronald's hand, as a gesture of
her understanding the meaning of his history. Seeing the tears in her eyes, he
accepted her token, and with a sadness expressed, "I am stunned this also
touches you so Jenny."
With an understanding nod, she simply answered, "Well it does..."
The four stood silent for a moment, each one thinking of the sacrifices made by
the native American's who loved and occupied this country, long before their
ancestors had.
Vincent cleared his voice of emotion, when he turned to Catherine, and
reminded her they should extend Jennifer an invitation to join them tomorrow
night for supper.
Catherine wiped away a tear, as she excitedly said, "Oh that's right Vincent..."
She then looked to Jennifer, and said, "Jenny...Father would like you to come
for supper tomorrow night, Peter is invited too."
Jennifer warmed by Jacob's invitation, asked, "What's the occasion?"
Ronald offered, "We have been working hard on completing Peter's chamber
for him, and we want to surprise him tomorrow night, and show it to him before
Mary's Reading Appreciation class."
Remembering she and Ronald had plans for tomorrow night, Jennifer
disappointedly pouted, "Tomorrow night? What about our plans Ronny? I was
going to cook for you, and then we were going to deliver the Putt Putt course to
Pops!"
Ronald, smiled and said, "Well, if you come for supper tomorrow night, then I
would insist on a rain-check Jenny. These stuffed mushrooms are delicious, you
are a good cook!"
On behalf of her friend, Catherine confirmed, "Oh she is Ronald."
Turning to Jennifer, Catherine impressively said, "I really love the Cheese
soufflé you make Jen, oh and the Chocolate, and Vegetable soufflés too!"
Turning to Catherine, Jennifer said, "Well as long as Ronald accepts a
rain-check, tell Pops, I would love to come."
As the four settled in to enjoy their evening, they discussed Catherine and
Vincent's wedding plans, they talked about the fact, Pratt would be starting in a
week, and they also spoke about Mary's class tomorrow night, admitting that
none of them have studied for the discussion!
Since it wasn't all that late, an idea struck Ronald, that perhaps it would be fun
to deliver and set up the Putt Putt course tonight!
They all loved the idea, and as they mapped out the plan, Vincent agreed to be
at the basement threshold, to receive the Putt Putt course as Ronald lowered it
down to him.
And so they did, piece by piece, lowered the entire miniature golf course down
to Vincent, and with the rest of the community unawares, they excitedly entered
the Community Chamber, and arranged the putting trails, which was in a cute
Zoo-like motif, with a different fiber-glass animal, for each hole.
As Vincent looked down at the course that trailed through the chamber, he
suggested, "So...shall we have a go round at this game of miniature golf?"
Jennifer laughed and said, "Yes let's!"
Just then...at the entrance of the chamber, stood Pascal, Mouse, Jamie, Laura,
Mary, Rebecca, and...Jacob!
What had happened, was, as they were all still working away in Peter's
chamber, word arrived via a sentry, that Vincent and the others returned to the
Tunnels, hauling with them some... huge animals!
Jacob quizzically asked, "What in Hades are you four up to?"
As he came forth, he began to laugh, as he saw they had put up the Putt Putt
course Jennifer told him about.
Vincent with a Putter resting on his shoulder said, "We were just going to try it
out Father, perhaps you could grab a putter as well."
Jacob chuckled, and said, "You know as a young Doctor, I dabbled with the
game of Golf, and quite enjoyed it. Yes, Perhaps I shall play!"
Pretty soon everyone was choosing a colored golf ball, along with a putter, to
try out this new game!
Jacob followed behind Jennifer and Ronald, Vincent trailed Catherine, and the
rest fell in line. They all had a wonderful time learning to play this game Jennifer
gifted the Tunnels, and all agreed this will certainly be good exercise for the
children...and beneficial for the adults too.
As they each approached their last hole, Catherine stood talking to Jennifer, and
then looked over to watch Vincent.
She was very much struck by his manner, when he eyed the course, to calculate
his stroke...and Vincent being wonderful at everything he does, made the shot in
one attempt.
With a modest pride, he bent to retrieve his golf ball, and Catherine couldn't
help but to smile as she watched him. She loved his way, he was never boastful,
he just owned a quiet elegance, in contrast to everyone else hooping and
hollering about the wonderful shots that they were making, he instead...just held
a spark of satisfaction in his eyes.
As he stepped up to her, Catherine impressively said, "Vincent that was a
wonderful shot...you are a natural at this game..."
Vincent smiled slightly as Catherine's flattery bolstered him, and he said, "Thank
you Catherine."
The hour grew late, and before everyone said goodnight, they thanked Jennifer
for her wonderful gift to the tunnels. and she told them she was glad to give it to
her wonderful new friends.
Ronald offered to see Jennifer home, and before she left she told both Catherine
and Vincent how thrilled she was with their wonderful news.
Only Vincent and Catherine remained, and as Vincent put out the last of the
torches, he took Catherine's hand in his, and walked her home to her chamber.
Because he seemed a little quiet, Catherine with concern spoke his name, and
asked him what was on his mind.
Hesitantly, he told her, "I didn't want to say anything earlier at Jennifer's,
Catherine...however, I am having second thoughts about taking the
Correspondence Architectural course at Pratt..."
Catherine with concern, disappointedly asked, "Why Vincent?"
Softly he answered, "I have to wonder what will it prove...what will it matter?"
Frowning Catherine expounded, "What will it matter? Vincent...whenever we
talked about doing this...you always seemed so excited about the prospect of
getting a degree! You must go...you must! You are too brilliant not to challenge
yourself! You have to reach for this, you just have to!"
Vincent turned to Catherine and profoundly said, "You make me feel as if I
really can achieve all of my dreams..."
Smiling up at Vincent she said, "You can...you only have to reach out for
them...they are there waiting for you..."
Vincent tipped his head, and taking her hand in his, he pulled her close to
embrace his Catherine.
She then walked backward the few feet more toward her chamber, and pulled
Vincent along behind her, and as she turned around to light a candle within, she
realized Vincent had stopped at her threshold! And so she asked him, "You
can't stay for a while Vincent?"
Reluctantly he said, "I should say goodnight..."
Walking back up to him, she softly said, "Well it has been a wonderful day..."
Laying her head against his heart, she wantonly sighed, "...I can't wait until we
are married, and we needn't ever say goodnight at all. We can just fall asleep
within each other's arms."
Vincent wistfully said, "Yes..."
With one last embrace, he then said goodnight.
As Catherine watched Vincent until he was out of sight, she realized she had left
her statues in a bag inside the Community Chamber.
Since she was eager to set her statue out on the table in her reading room, and
dust off Peter's statue before she gave it to him, Catherine decided to run and
get them.
As she grabbed a torch from the wall, outside of the Community Chamber, she
heard a voice from behind call her name...knowing it was Paracelsus, she turned
to look him in the eyes, and yelled, "Stay away from me..."
Slowly he strolled around her, and said, "I will not harm you girl...I only want to
ask you for a favor...that is all. After all I could have killed you when you were
in my grasp. I could have killed all of you!"
Turning to keep her eyes on him, Catherine asked, "Are you alone?"
Nodding Paracelsus said, "Yes...I am alone."
She then breathed a little easier, and then said, "What is it you want?"
With a tragic tone to his voice, he asked, "A copy of the picture of Anna you
and Vincent found within her desk..."
Though surprised at his request, Catherine tried to hide her angst as she asked,
"You haven't any pictures of her?"
He told her, "No...they had all been destroyed in the fire...".
To which she then said, "I will do what I can. I will ask Vincent and Father for
their permission first of course."
Paracelsus expelled a resigned sigh, and said, "Of course...you will be hearing
from me...CATHERINE!"
He then slipped away into the darkened tunnel behind her. Quickly, she grabbed
the bag, and then began to head back to her chamber, when Vincent called out
to her.
She turned around and acknowledged, "Vincent..."
Vincent ran up to her and asked, "Are you all right? I sensed you were in
danger."
She looked downward, and carefully said, "Yes I am all right."
To which Vincent then asked, "What were you doing here alone?"
Carefully, she replied, "I wanted to get my statues I left here."
In reply, Vincent expounded, "You came here alone? After all we have been
through with Paracelsus? Catherine, I thought you understood the dangers he
and his drones still pose to our community. Not to mention other evil top-siders
who have been known to infiltrate the tunnels from time to time. We mustn't
ever travel alone!"
Calming down a bit, Vincent then asked, "What was it that DID frighten you
just now?"
Hesitantly, Catherine confessed, "Paracelsus...I just spoke to him."
Angry all over again, Vincent shouted, "Paracelsus? He was here?"
Catherine calmed him by saying, "Yes, but he only wanted to speak to me. He
didn't harm me, he wanted to ask a favor of me."
In disbelief, Vincent asked, "A favor?"
Nodding Catherine then explained, "Yes...he would like to have a picture of
Anna, and wondered if I could get him a copy of the picture you have of her."
Heaving a relieved breath, Vincent shook his head, and asked, "Do you believe
this is really all he wanted?"
Thoughtfully Catherine said, "Yes I do...I told him I would ask you and Father
first for your approval."
Taking Catherine's hand, he picked up their pace, as they walked to her
chamber, and said, "I am staying nearby for the night. With Paracelsus
lurking...I don't wish to take any chances."
To be continued
Chapter Eight
Catherine's statuettes she had yet to take below to her chamber.
The statue they were looking at, was her beloved "End of the Trail" depiction,
her Dad had given her.
Yes, her Dad loved the glory of the Native Americans, and ever since Catherine
was a little girl, he emphasized their honor to his daughter.
Thinking on the beautiful Native American Chief stained glass window, Vincent
had installed in Peter's chamber, she realized this statue would be a perfect
Chamber warming gift.
Not only would it be an heirloom from her Dad, Peter's sorely missed friend,
but it would also represent the Native American Lineage, Peter also admired so
much.
And so to contribute to the subject, Jennifer spoke up saying, "I noticed you
haven't taken your statues yet."
To which Catherine nodded, and said, "Maybe I will take them with me tonight."
Looking up at Vincent, she ardently said, "I would like to give, "The End of the
Trail" statue to Peter, as a Chamber warming gift."
With a slight approving nod, Vincent agreeably said, "This would be a perfect
gift for Peter."
Ronald holding the other statuette, noted, "I once had a replica of this statue, it
is named, "Trail of Tears."
Catherine looked at Ronald, and said, "Dad gave that one to me when I
graduated Law school, and it had once been my grand-daddy's."
Warmed by the fact his heritage is very much revered by his friends, he looked
back at the pewter statuette and said, "It is beautiful...really beautiful."
Jennifer looking at the image of the man on the horse, whose head was bent in
defeated anguish, mentioned, "It must break your heart even more than it does
mine, to see how your ancestors must have suffered."
Ronald nodded, and said, "Yes it is tragic to see the broken hearted spirit of this
warrior, but I look past this moment frozen in time, and see more...I see a man,
who was strong enough to give in, for the salvation of his people. Otherwise
because of the weaponry of the soldiers, it was clear they would have been
wiped out, and I, most likely would not be standing here right now."
Jennifer silently stood, and reached over to hold Ronald's hand, as a gesture of
her understanding the meaning of his history. Seeing the tears in her eyes, he
accepted her token, and with a sadness expressed, "I am stunned this also
touches you so Jenny."
With an understanding nod, she simply answered, "Well it does..."
The four stood silent for a moment, each one thinking of the sacrifices made by
the native American's who loved and occupied this country, long before their
ancestors had.
Vincent cleared his voice of emotion, when he turned to Catherine, and
reminded her they should extend Jennifer an invitation to join them tomorrow
night for supper.
Catherine wiped away a tear, as she excitedly said, "Oh that's right Vincent..."
She then looked to Jennifer, and said, "Jenny...Father would like you to come
for supper tomorrow night, Peter is invited too."
Jennifer warmed by Jacob's invitation, asked, "What's the occasion?"
Ronald offered, "We have been working hard on completing Peter's chamber
for him, and we want to surprise him tomorrow night, and show it to him before
Mary's Reading Appreciation class."
Remembering she and Ronald had plans for tomorrow night, Jennifer
disappointedly pouted, "Tomorrow night? What about our plans Ronny? I was
going to cook for you, and then we were going to deliver the Putt Putt course to
Pops!"
Ronald, smiled and said, "Well, if you come for supper tomorrow night, then I
would insist on a rain-check Jenny. These stuffed mushrooms are delicious, you
are a good cook!"
On behalf of her friend, Catherine confirmed, "Oh she is Ronald."
Turning to Jennifer, Catherine impressively said, "I really love the Cheese
soufflé you make Jen, oh and the Chocolate, and Vegetable soufflés too!"
Turning to Catherine, Jennifer said, "Well as long as Ronald accepts a
rain-check, tell Pops, I would love to come."
As the four settled in to enjoy their evening, they discussed Catherine and
Vincent's wedding plans, they talked about the fact, Pratt would be starting in a
week, and they also spoke about Mary's class tomorrow night, admitting that
none of them have studied for the discussion!
Since it wasn't all that late, an idea struck Ronald, that perhaps it would be fun
to deliver and set up the Putt Putt course tonight!
They all loved the idea, and as they mapped out the plan, Vincent agreed to be
at the basement threshold, to receive the Putt Putt course as Ronald lowered it
down to him.
And so they did, piece by piece, lowered the entire miniature golf course down
to Vincent, and with the rest of the community unawares, they excitedly entered
the Community Chamber, and arranged the putting trails, which was in a cute
Zoo-like motif, with a different fiber-glass animal, for each hole.
As Vincent looked down at the course that trailed through the chamber, he
suggested, "So...shall we have a go round at this game of miniature golf?"
Jennifer laughed and said, "Yes let's!"
Just then...at the entrance of the chamber, stood Pascal, Mouse, Jamie, Laura,
Mary, Rebecca, and...Jacob!
What had happened, was, as they were all still working away in Peter's
chamber, word arrived via a sentry, that Vincent and the others returned to the
Tunnels, hauling with them some... huge animals!
Jacob quizzically asked, "What in Hades are you four up to?"
As he came forth, he began to laugh, as he saw they had put up the Putt Putt
course Jennifer told him about.
Vincent with a Putter resting on his shoulder said, "We were just going to try it
out Father, perhaps you could grab a putter as well."
Jacob chuckled, and said, "You know as a young Doctor, I dabbled with the
game of Golf, and quite enjoyed it. Yes, Perhaps I shall play!"
Pretty soon everyone was choosing a colored golf ball, along with a putter, to
try out this new game!
Jacob followed behind Jennifer and Ronald, Vincent trailed Catherine, and the
rest fell in line. They all had a wonderful time learning to play this game Jennifer
gifted the Tunnels, and all agreed this will certainly be good exercise for the
children...and beneficial for the adults too.
As they each approached their last hole, Catherine stood talking to Jennifer, and
then looked over to watch Vincent.
She was very much struck by his manner, when he eyed the course, to calculate
his stroke...and Vincent being wonderful at everything he does, made the shot in
one attempt.
With a modest pride, he bent to retrieve his golf ball, and Catherine couldn't
help but to smile as she watched him. She loved his way, he was never boastful,
he just owned a quiet elegance, in contrast to everyone else hooping and
hollering about the wonderful shots that they were making, he instead...just held
a spark of satisfaction in his eyes.
As he stepped up to her, Catherine impressively said, "Vincent that was a
wonderful shot...you are a natural at this game..."
Vincent smiled slightly as Catherine's flattery bolstered him, and he said, "Thank
you Catherine."
The hour grew late, and before everyone said goodnight, they thanked Jennifer
for her wonderful gift to the tunnels. and she told them she was glad to give it to
her wonderful new friends.
Ronald offered to see Jennifer home, and before she left she told both Catherine
and Vincent how thrilled she was with their wonderful news.
Only Vincent and Catherine remained, and as Vincent put out the last of the
torches, he took Catherine's hand in his, and walked her home to her chamber.
Because he seemed a little quiet, Catherine with concern spoke his name, and
asked him what was on his mind.
Hesitantly, he told her, "I didn't want to say anything earlier at Jennifer's,
Catherine...however, I am having second thoughts about taking the
Correspondence Architectural course at Pratt..."
Catherine with concern, disappointedly asked, "Why Vincent?"
Softly he answered, "I have to wonder what will it prove...what will it matter?"
Frowning Catherine expounded, "What will it matter? Vincent...whenever we
talked about doing this...you always seemed so excited about the prospect of
getting a degree! You must go...you must! You are too brilliant not to challenge
yourself! You have to reach for this, you just have to!"
Vincent turned to Catherine and profoundly said, "You make me feel as if I
really can achieve all of my dreams..."
Smiling up at Vincent she said, "You can...you only have to reach out for
them...they are there waiting for you..."
Vincent tipped his head, and taking her hand in his, he pulled her close to
embrace his Catherine.
She then walked backward the few feet more toward her chamber, and pulled
Vincent along behind her, and as she turned around to light a candle within, she
realized Vincent had stopped at her threshold! And so she asked him, "You
can't stay for a while Vincent?"
Reluctantly he said, "I should say goodnight..."
Walking back up to him, she softly said, "Well it has been a wonderful day..."
Laying her head against his heart, she wantonly sighed, "...I can't wait until we
are married, and we needn't ever say goodnight at all. We can just fall asleep
within each other's arms."
Vincent wistfully said, "Yes..."
With one last embrace, he then said goodnight.
As Catherine watched Vincent until he was out of sight, she realized she had left
her statues in a bag inside the Community Chamber.
Since she was eager to set her statue out on the table in her reading room, and
dust off Peter's statue before she gave it to him, Catherine decided to run and
get them.
As she grabbed a torch from the wall, outside of the Community Chamber, she
heard a voice from behind call her name...knowing it was Paracelsus, she turned
to look him in the eyes, and yelled, "Stay away from me..."
Slowly he strolled around her, and said, "I will not harm you girl...I only want to
ask you for a favor...that is all. After all I could have killed you when you were
in my grasp. I could have killed all of you!"
Turning to keep her eyes on him, Catherine asked, "Are you alone?"
Nodding Paracelsus said, "Yes...I am alone."
She then breathed a little easier, and then said, "What is it you want?"
With a tragic tone to his voice, he asked, "A copy of the picture of Anna you
and Vincent found within her desk..."
Though surprised at his request, Catherine tried to hide her angst as she asked,
"You haven't any pictures of her?"
He told her, "No...they had all been destroyed in the fire...".
To which she then said, "I will do what I can. I will ask Vincent and Father for
their permission first of course."
Paracelsus expelled a resigned sigh, and said, "Of course...you will be hearing
from me...CATHERINE!"
He then slipped away into the darkened tunnel behind her. Quickly, she grabbed
the bag, and then began to head back to her chamber, when Vincent called out
to her.
She turned around and acknowledged, "Vincent..."
Vincent ran up to her and asked, "Are you all right? I sensed you were in
danger."
She looked downward, and carefully said, "Yes I am all right."
To which Vincent then asked, "What were you doing here alone?"
Carefully, she replied, "I wanted to get my statues I left here."
In reply, Vincent expounded, "You came here alone? After all we have been
through with Paracelsus? Catherine, I thought you understood the dangers he
and his drones still pose to our community. Not to mention other evil top-siders
who have been known to infiltrate the tunnels from time to time. We mustn't
ever travel alone!"
Calming down a bit, Vincent then asked, "What was it that DID frighten you
just now?"
Hesitantly, Catherine confessed, "Paracelsus...I just spoke to him."
Angry all over again, Vincent shouted, "Paracelsus? He was here?"
Catherine calmed him by saying, "Yes, but he only wanted to speak to me. He
didn't harm me, he wanted to ask a favor of me."
In disbelief, Vincent asked, "A favor?"
Nodding Catherine then explained, "Yes...he would like to have a picture of
Anna, and wondered if I could get him a copy of the picture you have of her."
Heaving a relieved breath, Vincent shook his head, and asked, "Do you believe
this is really all he wanted?"
Thoughtfully Catherine said, "Yes I do...I told him I would ask you and Father
first for your approval."
Taking Catherine's hand, he picked up their pace, as they walked to her
chamber, and said, "I am staying nearby for the night. With Paracelsus
lurking...I don't wish to take any chances."
To be continued
Chapter Eight
