After breakfast, Vincent walked Catherine to the Library, where she would be conducting her first Reading class.
As he felt her hand tighten around his, Vincent looked down at her, and he could see Catherine seemed...a little nervous.
Softly he asked, "Catherine...do you still want to take on this task? If not..."
Catherine sincerely said, "Yes, I want to Vincent...I really do want to do this."
She then looked down self consciously, and admitted, "It is silly to be so nervous I suppose, it is just that I want so much to be an effective teacher for the children."
She then added, "I promise you, I will be fine."
Vincent tipped his head, and with a knowing assuring look, he said, "I know you will be."
He then informed Catherine, "I will be crafting the stained glass window for Peter's chamber this morning, should you need anything, just..."
Catherine teasingly said, "I know...just whistle..."
Vincent frowned and said, "I don't believe that would be an advantageous way to contact me. I was going to instead give you a specific code to tap out on the master pipe if you needed me."
Catherine laughed to herself, as she realized Vincent had most likely, never seen or even heard of the classic movie, "To have and to have not." Let alone the famous line from that movie.
So she then explained, "Vincent, I was teasing when I said I would whistle. That line was from a movie with Humphrey Bogart, and Lauren Bacall. They were a couple who were wildly, and madly in love with each other, even though to others, they seemed to be as different as night and day."
Vincent softly said, "I have heard of Bogart and Bacall, and they were very different in many ways, as we too are..."
Catherine walked up to Vincent and put her arms up around his neck, and said, "Yes, but they were alike where it mattered...within their hearts."
Vincent sweetly hugged Catherine and said, "Well it is time, I will see you later."
Just as he was about to walk through the door, Catherine stopped him, and said, "Vincent, I nearly forgot to ask you something."
Excitedly, she said, "I know Jennifer is coming tomorrow night for Mary's appreciation class, but I don't think I can wait that long to tell her our news. Do you think we could go visit her tonight, and tell her together, we are to be married?"
Vincent nodded elegantly and said, "Yes Catherine, make the arrangements."
Catherine happily said, "Oh wonderful, later this afternoon, I will contact her."
Vincent then turned and left his Catherine to teach her first class.
One by one the children began to arrive, and all settled down in front of her. She smiled at them and said, "Welcome, come on in and move in closely. For our first class together, I would like us each to take a turn, and tell me something interesting about yourself, and then tell me what your favorite story, or type of story would be."
She looked firstly to Samantha and asked, "Would you like to begin Samantha?"
Samantha stood, and politely said, "I think the most interesting thing about me is that I love to dance. And one day I may be a famous Ballerina like Lisa. My most favorite story of all time is "Heidi" and the types of books I love to read, are fictional type stories about girls my age."
Catherine nodded, and thought back to her personal book collection, and knew she had a copy of "Heidi". Something to keep in mind as a gift to Samantha one day.
She then looked to Eric, and said, "You are next Eric."
Eric cleared his throat, and said, "I have many interests, and one of my most favorite things to do is to write...write about anything and everything! Father helps me sometimes. My favorite book is probly...hmm, let me see, I liked...well I don't know if I have a favorite book, but I like books about adventure, you know like well, I can't think of any right now."
Catherine smiled to herself, and said, "Adventure books, I will keep that in mind Eric."
Next was Kipper, and he was proud to say his most interesting trait, was his brilliance in the game of Chess, and he also liked adventure books.
Catherine made her rounds to every child, and made mental notes, of what type of books the children found interesting. She felt this would make the class more fun if she were to chose books from these categories.
She then asked everyone to get comfortable, and relax, and as she spanned the faces of the anxious children she smiled at them, and then she began the story, of Peter Pan In Kensington Gardens.
Meanwhile, as Vincent was walking through the Tunnel Main toward the new expansion chambers, he came upon Lisa, who had just been visiting with Jacob.
Vincent warmly said, "I didn't know you were here..."
She looked down as she explained, "I was just on my way back above, I have a class to teach in a few hours."
As the thought occurred to him, she was going to leave without seeking him out. And so he sadly said, "Then it is a good thing I crossed paths with you, or I would have missed you...unless that was your intent."
Lisa stood silent, and then with a voice full of emotion, she said, "I understand there are congratulations in order Vincent. Please accept mine."
Vincent stood steadfast too, as he lowered his head, and said, "If you are referring to Catherine and my engagement, then I shall accept them, gladly Lisa."
Slowly she walked toward Vincent, and sadly said, "I know this is silly for me to feel jealous Vincent...but for some reason...I do. I want to feel only happiness for you, but what I feel instead, is a lonesome, left behind aching, in my heart."
Vincent took a few steps closer too, and then said, "I thought we resolved all those feelings we shared on that level."
Lisa tearfully said, "I know, I thought we had as well...I thought I had...forgive me for this selfish childish display."
Vincent tenderly said, "I believe we will both always remember what we had once meant to each other during our childhood."
Lisa turned her back to Vincent and asked, "Promise you won't hate me if I tell you something Vincent?"
Vincent softly said, "I could never hate you...no matter what you were to tell me."
Lisa hesitated a moment, and then said, "I secretly loved knowing you adored me when we were those adolescent kids. It made me feel wonderful to know that someone as smart, and as kind as you, could see something good and appealing in me."
Theorizing, she then said, "I suppose this news of you and Catherine, has made me feel bad because, now it is official..."
Turning to look up at Vincent, she then added, "I no longer hold that place in your life, or heart now...Catherine does...yet, there has been no one who has replaced you in mine. I have to wonder if anyone ever will."
Vincent stepped closer, and searchingly, yet carefully said, "Lisa, it is true the love I have for Catherine consumes my whole being...however my love for her, has not nullified the feelings I have for others...for you."
Vincent then brought his hand up to his heart, and said, "I will always have a place for you here Lisa...always."
Teasingly Lisa between her tears, smiled at Vincent as she place her hand on his chest, and specifically asked, "Right here Vincent, is this my dwelling place within your heart?"
Vincent held her hand in place, and huskily said, "Yes for always Lisa."
As she looked at his massive hand that covered hers, she then reached up and smoothed it with her other hand, and a smile crossed her lips, thinking about this unique man she calls her friend. She then looked up, and sweetly kissed him on the cheek, and said, "Thank you for that Vincent. It is nice to know there is someone who will always accept me, no matter what."
Vincent then said, "One day someone will fill your heart Lisa, as Catherine has mine."
Embarrassingly she then shared, "I have to wonder...I am afraid I have made a fool out of myself with Ronald, with my arrogant self assurance. He is so very nice, and was not receptive to my usual way of charming a man. Vincent...I may have lost my chance with him, and have permanently turned him away."
Vincent recalled Ronald telling him about his confusion of how he felt about both Lisa, and Jennifer, confidentially, he then relayed, "Ronald has made no commitments to anyone."
Wistfully Lisa said, "Then maybe, I shouldn't give up."
She then looked at her watch, and said, "Well Vincent, I better go. I shall see you tomorrow night for Mary's class."
Vincent stood silent, as he watched Lisa leave. He could not deny these ties that bound them together from their childhood, nor did he want to.
Thinking on his childhood ties, there was one tie, which has never been broken, not once through the years, and that was with Pascal. And so Vincent felt this would be a good time to ask Pascal...to stand up for him as his best man.
And so as he entered the pipe chamber, he called out for Pascal, who replied, "Be there in a minute Vincent!"
As he came into view, he explained how he was monitoring a pipe from 84th street, Pascal then said, "Turned out to be nothing..."
Wondering what Vincent was doing there, he asked, "So what's up?"
Warmly Vincent replied, "Of all the people in my life, besides Father, you have been my one constant...I want you to know what our friendship means to me."
With a humble nod, Pascal replied, "I do...and I feel the same about you my friend."
As Vincent stepped closer, he then asked, "This is why, I would like to ask you to be my best man at my wedding."
Pascal stood silent for a moment, because although there was no doubt Vincent was on the top of his list, he wasn't so sure he was on Vincent's. Because their activities were so much in contrast with one another's, Pascal assumed perhaps, Ronald would be asked. They after all did so much together, and well, Pascal was so very pleasantly surprised to be asked. And so he replied, "Of course I will Vincent, of course I will."
With a brotherly embrace, Vincent thanked him, and said, "Good Pascal...you honor me."
As he departed from Pascal's 14 gauge tubular oubliette, feeling so good for the camaraderie he felt with him, Vincent then met up with Mouse in Peter's chamber, and they worked together through the late morning.
A while later, Ronald stepped inside Peter's chamber too, and asked, "Hey Mouse, I just finished clearing that debris, do you and Vincent need some extra help in here?"
Mouse said they could use his help, and it was then Vincent said the window was ready, and needed help lifting it into place."
It took all three to gingerly lift the window, and then Vincent secured it with the grouting he had mixed. Ronald and Mouse both said it was outstanding, and Peter should be very much impressed with it.
Vincent sincerely thanked them for their kind words about his craftsmanship, and said, "I hope Peter will be pleased."
As they stood looking at the Window, Mouse went back over to the job he was working on, previous to Ronald's arrival.
Vincent took this moment to say to Ronald, "I saw Lisa this morning, she is concerned she may have appeared foolish in your eyes. She seems to be quite enamored with you, and hopes she has a chance to make amends."
Ronald confessed he had been a little taken aback by their encounter a few nights back, but still there was something...yet...he enjoys his time so much with Jennifer. He really was at a loss, of how he should explore his feelings for both of these women.
They both happened to enter his world at the time, when he finally felt emotionally ready, to go forward with his life.
He truly was clueless how to handle two relationships, let alone one.
Just then the lunch announcement rang through the pipes, and they each commented and wondered why lunch would be early today. They then cleaned up, and readied themselves for the walk to the Dining Hall.
Because Vincent was steps ahead, Mouse asked, "Hungry Vincent?"
To which Ronald suggested, "Either that Mouse, or...he is eager to see Catherine!"
Vincent slowed his pace, to fall back with his friends, and confessed, "I am eager to hear how Catherine's class went with the children. She wants so much to contribute here in some fashion, and impact them with the astute Literary appreciation, Father has initiated. And when I left her, she seemed a little on edge as well."
Ronald smiled, as he shook his head and said, "The kids love her, what could go wrong?"
The three rounded the corner just in time to see Catherine coming their way, and so Vincent shouted, "Catherine, I was just coming to find you."
But as she got closer,she continued past them, and the guys could see she was crying!
And so Vincent asked again, "Catherine? Are you coming with us? It is time for lunch."
To which she tearfully cried, "No its not!!!"
Vincent looked at his two friends, and as he raised his brow, he noted, "Hmmm, she is contrary and trite, I better see what is troubling her."
Ronald nodded, and said, "Remember tenderness my friend...tenderness!"
Mouse then said, to Ronald as they continued onward, saying, "Women sure do cry a lot don't they?"
Ronald slapped Mouse on the back and said, "Well Mouse...women look at things differently than men do, I suppose from their view point, there is much to cry about."
To be continued
Chapter Three
As he felt her hand tighten around his, Vincent looked down at her, and he could see Catherine seemed...a little nervous.
Softly he asked, "Catherine...do you still want to take on this task? If not..."
Catherine sincerely said, "Yes, I want to Vincent...I really do want to do this."
She then looked down self consciously, and admitted, "It is silly to be so nervous I suppose, it is just that I want so much to be an effective teacher for the children."
She then added, "I promise you, I will be fine."
Vincent tipped his head, and with a knowing assuring look, he said, "I know you will be."
He then informed Catherine, "I will be crafting the stained glass window for Peter's chamber this morning, should you need anything, just..."
Catherine teasingly said, "I know...just whistle..."
Vincent frowned and said, "I don't believe that would be an advantageous way to contact me. I was going to instead give you a specific code to tap out on the master pipe if you needed me."
Catherine laughed to herself, as she realized Vincent had most likely, never seen or even heard of the classic movie, "To have and to have not." Let alone the famous line from that movie.
So she then explained, "Vincent, I was teasing when I said I would whistle. That line was from a movie with Humphrey Bogart, and Lauren Bacall. They were a couple who were wildly, and madly in love with each other, even though to others, they seemed to be as different as night and day."
Vincent softly said, "I have heard of Bogart and Bacall, and they were very different in many ways, as we too are..."
Catherine walked up to Vincent and put her arms up around his neck, and said, "Yes, but they were alike where it mattered...within their hearts."
Vincent sweetly hugged Catherine and said, "Well it is time, I will see you later."
Just as he was about to walk through the door, Catherine stopped him, and said, "Vincent, I nearly forgot to ask you something."
Excitedly, she said, "I know Jennifer is coming tomorrow night for Mary's appreciation class, but I don't think I can wait that long to tell her our news. Do you think we could go visit her tonight, and tell her together, we are to be married?"
Vincent nodded elegantly and said, "Yes Catherine, make the arrangements."
Catherine happily said, "Oh wonderful, later this afternoon, I will contact her."
Vincent then turned and left his Catherine to teach her first class.
One by one the children began to arrive, and all settled down in front of her. She smiled at them and said, "Welcome, come on in and move in closely. For our first class together, I would like us each to take a turn, and tell me something interesting about yourself, and then tell me what your favorite story, or type of story would be."
She looked firstly to Samantha and asked, "Would you like to begin Samantha?"
Samantha stood, and politely said, "I think the most interesting thing about me is that I love to dance. And one day I may be a famous Ballerina like Lisa. My most favorite story of all time is "Heidi" and the types of books I love to read, are fictional type stories about girls my age."
Catherine nodded, and thought back to her personal book collection, and knew she had a copy of "Heidi". Something to keep in mind as a gift to Samantha one day.
She then looked to Eric, and said, "You are next Eric."
Eric cleared his throat, and said, "I have many interests, and one of my most favorite things to do is to write...write about anything and everything! Father helps me sometimes. My favorite book is probly...hmm, let me see, I liked...well I don't know if I have a favorite book, but I like books about adventure, you know like well, I can't think of any right now."
Catherine smiled to herself, and said, "Adventure books, I will keep that in mind Eric."
Next was Kipper, and he was proud to say his most interesting trait, was his brilliance in the game of Chess, and he also liked adventure books.
Catherine made her rounds to every child, and made mental notes, of what type of books the children found interesting. She felt this would make the class more fun if she were to chose books from these categories.
She then asked everyone to get comfortable, and relax, and as she spanned the faces of the anxious children she smiled at them, and then she began the story, of Peter Pan In Kensington Gardens.
Meanwhile, as Vincent was walking through the Tunnel Main toward the new expansion chambers, he came upon Lisa, who had just been visiting with Jacob.
Vincent warmly said, "I didn't know you were here..."
She looked down as she explained, "I was just on my way back above, I have a class to teach in a few hours."
As the thought occurred to him, she was going to leave without seeking him out. And so he sadly said, "Then it is a good thing I crossed paths with you, or I would have missed you...unless that was your intent."
Lisa stood silent, and then with a voice full of emotion, she said, "I understand there are congratulations in order Vincent. Please accept mine."
Vincent stood steadfast too, as he lowered his head, and said, "If you are referring to Catherine and my engagement, then I shall accept them, gladly Lisa."
Slowly she walked toward Vincent, and sadly said, "I know this is silly for me to feel jealous Vincent...but for some reason...I do. I want to feel only happiness for you, but what I feel instead, is a lonesome, left behind aching, in my heart."
Vincent took a few steps closer too, and then said, "I thought we resolved all those feelings we shared on that level."
Lisa tearfully said, "I know, I thought we had as well...I thought I had...forgive me for this selfish childish display."
Vincent tenderly said, "I believe we will both always remember what we had once meant to each other during our childhood."
Lisa turned her back to Vincent and asked, "Promise you won't hate me if I tell you something Vincent?"
Vincent softly said, "I could never hate you...no matter what you were to tell me."
Lisa hesitated a moment, and then said, "I secretly loved knowing you adored me when we were those adolescent kids. It made me feel wonderful to know that someone as smart, and as kind as you, could see something good and appealing in me."
Theorizing, she then said, "I suppose this news of you and Catherine, has made me feel bad because, now it is official..."
Turning to look up at Vincent, she then added, "I no longer hold that place in your life, or heart now...Catherine does...yet, there has been no one who has replaced you in mine. I have to wonder if anyone ever will."
Vincent stepped closer, and searchingly, yet carefully said, "Lisa, it is true the love I have for Catherine consumes my whole being...however my love for her, has not nullified the feelings I have for others...for you."
Vincent then brought his hand up to his heart, and said, "I will always have a place for you here Lisa...always."
Teasingly Lisa between her tears, smiled at Vincent as she place her hand on his chest, and specifically asked, "Right here Vincent, is this my dwelling place within your heart?"
Vincent held her hand in place, and huskily said, "Yes for always Lisa."
As she looked at his massive hand that covered hers, she then reached up and smoothed it with her other hand, and a smile crossed her lips, thinking about this unique man she calls her friend. She then looked up, and sweetly kissed him on the cheek, and said, "Thank you for that Vincent. It is nice to know there is someone who will always accept me, no matter what."
Vincent then said, "One day someone will fill your heart Lisa, as Catherine has mine."
Embarrassingly she then shared, "I have to wonder...I am afraid I have made a fool out of myself with Ronald, with my arrogant self assurance. He is so very nice, and was not receptive to my usual way of charming a man. Vincent...I may have lost my chance with him, and have permanently turned him away."
Vincent recalled Ronald telling him about his confusion of how he felt about both Lisa, and Jennifer, confidentially, he then relayed, "Ronald has made no commitments to anyone."
Wistfully Lisa said, "Then maybe, I shouldn't give up."
She then looked at her watch, and said, "Well Vincent, I better go. I shall see you tomorrow night for Mary's class."
Vincent stood silent, as he watched Lisa leave. He could not deny these ties that bound them together from their childhood, nor did he want to.
Thinking on his childhood ties, there was one tie, which has never been broken, not once through the years, and that was with Pascal. And so Vincent felt this would be a good time to ask Pascal...to stand up for him as his best man.
And so as he entered the pipe chamber, he called out for Pascal, who replied, "Be there in a minute Vincent!"
As he came into view, he explained how he was monitoring a pipe from 84th street, Pascal then said, "Turned out to be nothing..."
Wondering what Vincent was doing there, he asked, "So what's up?"
Warmly Vincent replied, "Of all the people in my life, besides Father, you have been my one constant...I want you to know what our friendship means to me."
With a humble nod, Pascal replied, "I do...and I feel the same about you my friend."
As Vincent stepped closer, he then asked, "This is why, I would like to ask you to be my best man at my wedding."
Pascal stood silent for a moment, because although there was no doubt Vincent was on the top of his list, he wasn't so sure he was on Vincent's. Because their activities were so much in contrast with one another's, Pascal assumed perhaps, Ronald would be asked. They after all did so much together, and well, Pascal was so very pleasantly surprised to be asked. And so he replied, "Of course I will Vincent, of course I will."
With a brotherly embrace, Vincent thanked him, and said, "Good Pascal...you honor me."
As he departed from Pascal's 14 gauge tubular oubliette, feeling so good for the camaraderie he felt with him, Vincent then met up with Mouse in Peter's chamber, and they worked together through the late morning.
A while later, Ronald stepped inside Peter's chamber too, and asked, "Hey Mouse, I just finished clearing that debris, do you and Vincent need some extra help in here?"
Mouse said they could use his help, and it was then Vincent said the window was ready, and needed help lifting it into place."
It took all three to gingerly lift the window, and then Vincent secured it with the grouting he had mixed. Ronald and Mouse both said it was outstanding, and Peter should be very much impressed with it.
Vincent sincerely thanked them for their kind words about his craftsmanship, and said, "I hope Peter will be pleased."
As they stood looking at the Window, Mouse went back over to the job he was working on, previous to Ronald's arrival.
Vincent took this moment to say to Ronald, "I saw Lisa this morning, she is concerned she may have appeared foolish in your eyes. She seems to be quite enamored with you, and hopes she has a chance to make amends."
Ronald confessed he had been a little taken aback by their encounter a few nights back, but still there was something...yet...he enjoys his time so much with Jennifer. He really was at a loss, of how he should explore his feelings for both of these women.
They both happened to enter his world at the time, when he finally felt emotionally ready, to go forward with his life.
He truly was clueless how to handle two relationships, let alone one.
Just then the lunch announcement rang through the pipes, and they each commented and wondered why lunch would be early today. They then cleaned up, and readied themselves for the walk to the Dining Hall.
Because Vincent was steps ahead, Mouse asked, "Hungry Vincent?"
To which Ronald suggested, "Either that Mouse, or...he is eager to see Catherine!"
Vincent slowed his pace, to fall back with his friends, and confessed, "I am eager to hear how Catherine's class went with the children. She wants so much to contribute here in some fashion, and impact them with the astute Literary appreciation, Father has initiated. And when I left her, she seemed a little on edge as well."
Ronald smiled, as he shook his head and said, "The kids love her, what could go wrong?"
The three rounded the corner just in time to see Catherine coming their way, and so Vincent shouted, "Catherine, I was just coming to find you."
But as she got closer,she continued past them, and the guys could see she was crying!
And so Vincent asked again, "Catherine? Are you coming with us? It is time for lunch."
To which she tearfully cried, "No its not!!!"
Vincent looked at his two friends, and as he raised his brow, he noted, "Hmmm, she is contrary and trite, I better see what is troubling her."
Ronald nodded, and said, "Remember tenderness my friend...tenderness!"
Mouse then said, to Ronald as they continued onward, saying, "Women sure do cry a lot don't they?"
Ronald slapped Mouse on the back and said, "Well Mouse...women look at things differently than men do, I suppose from their view point, there is much to cry about."
To be continued
Chapter Three
| Sweet Dreams! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Two |
