Appreciatively, Lin looked up at her husband, and said, "Oh yes kind sir, please bring us some Egg Drop Soup to start, some Spring Rolls, and Egg Rolls to sample, and an order of Almond Boneless Chicken, Moo Goo Guy Pan, and oh yes, General Tso's Chicken, as well."
To which Henry politely said, "Of course."
Happy to hear Lin's choices, sounded so good, Catherine turned to Lin, and happily said, "You ordered my most favorite dish...I love Almond Boneless Chicken."
In agreement, Lin smiled and said, "I must confess, of all the dishes we prepare, it is one of my most favorites too. I ordered a variety, thinking it would be fun to share."
As the girls sat and talked awaiting their food, Catherine complimented Jennifer, saying, "Your hair looks so great by the way. Gloria DID come through for you Jen! The trim, and color looks so natural."
As Jennifer fluffed her hair, she agreeably said, "Thanks, the cut does feel really good, and glad she fixed my hair color too! And believe me when I say, I did not look good as a blond!"
The girls then proceeded to fill Lin in on Jennifer's Hair Mayhem, to which she expressed, "Oh Dear! I shudder to think what I would look like as a blond! Henry would faint!"
They all laughed, and then Catherine thought to ask Lin if she had any suggestions for a Christmas gift for Vincent.
Lin thought for a moment, and hesitantly said, "Nothing comes to mind at the moment, but I will give it some serious thought and get back to you on this. And speaking of Vincent..."
Lin then looked back to make sure her husband was out of earshot, and continued, "...I believe Henry would scold me for getting involved again, however...Vincent never did get to have his dinner date with you. Perhaps we could plan it for after hours on a Friday or a Monday, after we close."
A slow smile came to Catherine's lips, feeling so pleased Lin brought up the subject of doing this for Vincent again. It would seem with Catherine in the drivers seat, nothing could go wrong this time.
And so eagerly, she agreed, and asked, "Is tomorrow night too soon to plan?"
To which Lin happily said, tomorrow night would be perfect, and then with an assuring look, she added, "...leave it all to me."
Feeling so excited, Catherine expounded, "Lin...thank you."
As Jennifer took all this in, dreamily noted, "How romantic, having the whole restaurant to yourselves!"
Remembering Jennifer had told her she would be seeing Jimmy Ames again this Friday, Catherine then teasingly mentioned, "And what about you Jen? Aren't you having a romantic date tomorrow night yourself, with Jimmy?"
In reply, Jennifer excitedly shared her plans, saying, "Well, I am not sure about romantic, but YES, we have a date! And because of Jimmy's....err rather James' influential connections, he was able to nab two tickets to see the Islanders! And they are playing against the Rangers! Can you believe it! It should be quite a game!"
Upon hearing all these names of teams, of which Lin was clueless about, she quizzically asked, "Are we talking about Football, Basketball...err maybe Soccer?"
In reply, Jennifer exasperatingly explained, "No Lin! I am talking HOCKEY! Only the best sport in the world! How can you live in New York City, and not know who the Rangers and Islanders are?"
In response, Lin laughed as she said, "I am afraid I don't follow sports very closely..."
Catherine then looked at Lin, and proceeded to tell her of how Jennifer lives and breathes Hockey!
So with a raised brow, Catherine said to Jennifer, "It would seem you finally found a guy who loves Hockey as much as you do uh?"
With a nod, Jennifer excitedly explained, "Yes! That is the great thing, I think he is as excited about going as I am!"
Happily Catherine said, "That is wonderful Jen!"
To which Jennifer thoughtfully concluded, "Yes, I found my James again, a real brute, who suits me just fine, and you Cathy, found your intellectual Vincent who loves all that cultural stuff you like...and what about you Lin?"
Humorously, Lin chimed in, saying, "And I found my Henry, who is a really great cook!"
The girls all laughed, and it was then the food arrived. As they ate the delicious cuisine, they talked about work, the Holidays, and Vincent.
And as they finished their lunch which was full of meaningful conversation, giggles and eating...the three new friends then hugged their good-byes, and as Lin presented the girls with their to-go boxes, she told Catherine she would be in touch later on, with the final details for Friday Night.
As the girls stepped out into the cold December weather, Catherine and Jennifer shared a cab back into Manhattan.
As they sat in the back seat, Jennifer turned to Catherine, and said, "That food was so delicious! Oh my, but I think I ate too much...now I feel like a stuffed Turkey!"
To which Jennifer continued, and with a dead-pan look mentioned, "Speaking of Turkey...I haven't heard from Tom since I declined his invite to go to his Christmas party!"
Catherine sighed and said, "Well unfortunately I did this morning, so after apologizing for his behavior at the Masquerade Party, he then had the nerve to ask for Janey's phone number!"
To which Jennifer asked, "Hmmm, think he wants to ask her to go to his firm's Christmas Party?"
Informatively, Catherine shared, "No, not the Christmas Party, but for The Grand Winter Gala. Hal Sherwood is coming into town again from Atlanta, and he needs a date so he can impress him while he wines and dines the commission!"
Jennifer raised a brow and suggested, "I bet he was hoping you would offer to go with him."
Nodding Catherine admitted, "Could be, but I am reeling in my charitable ways...at least as far as ex-boyfriends go."
Inquisitively, Jennifer asked, "Are you talking about Steven too?"
With a troubled look, Catherine told Jennifer, "Yes, Steven too...last night I received a very disturbing call from him. He was really angry at me just because I did not return his call right away! And after I hung up the phone, I couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling he gave me...causing me to understand how right Vincent was about him..."
Surprisingly Jennifer asked, "Why? What does Vincent think?"
To which Catherine explained, "Vincent said he detected something sinister about his tone...and I admit, at first I thought Vincent was just acting over-protectively, maybe even a little jealous, but as I say after that phone call late last night...I am pulling back."
Upon hearing this update, with relief, Jennifer said, "Good idea...there has always been something too intense about him...even back in college when he had the world by the tail. So just think of how much more intense he must be since all the terrible things have happened to him since those golden days!"
It was then Jennifer began to call off the abysmal events, saying, "Let's see...first, you broke up with him because he turned into a real jerk...then he lost both of his folks in that tragic car accident, of which he was driving, and now his terminal illness! But remember, all these misfortunes, he brought on himself, except for his proposed illness I guess..."
Upon hearing Jennifer say proposed illness again, Catherine noted, "That is the second time you implied Steven isn't really sick."
With a tip of her head, Jennifer suggestively replied, "Obviously, he is still in love with you, and how else could he get you to talk to him again, but to appeal to your sympathetic nature...but maybe he is sick, I don't know...all I am saying is all these terrible events have most likely fed into his eccentric psyche, and his eccentricities seem to have intensified! I mean wigging out over a delayed phone call is definitely a code red alert, and you are smart to listen to Vincent. And also consider, there is a good reason why he had no one else to turn to other than an ex-girlfriend he hasn't seen in five years."
Looking at her good friend, Catherine said, "I love the way you can cut through the fog, and make it all so clear. I know you and Vincent are right...I will distance myself, and only help when absolutely necessary."
With a relieved sigh, Jennifer said, "Good...that would certainly make me feel better."
And then Jennifer switched topics, as she hesitantly asked, "So...how's it going at work...thinking of changing your mind at all?"
Thoughtfully, Catherine sat, before she truthfully shared, "There was a moment when I contemplated it...but Jen, I am ready for the new challenge."
With emotion, Catherine then admitted, "It has been hard though...I am much more emotional about leaving the firm than I thought I would be...but I AM going to do it, I am following my heart..."
With a nod, Jennifer admiringly said, "Wow! I am really proud of you..."
And then after hearing herself, Jennifer excitedly noted, "Hey did you see what I did there? I am doing our new thing, I complimented you!"
To which Catherine smiled as she said, "I saw..."
And then because Catherine wanted to remind Jennifer of Saturday's itinerary with Gertrude and Robert, she said, "Remember, come over early so we can pick up Gerty and Robert from the depot, and then we'll go shopping, go have dinner with my Dad, and then off to see the The Phantom!"
To which Jennifer excitedly said, "This will be the third time, I will see it!"
Catherine then mentioned this will be her second time, and they both agreed, they cannot wait to see it again.
Dreamily, Jennifer fantasized, "Ah the Phantom, what a passionate yet tragic figure of a man. A victim of unrequited love...it makes you so sad for him. Imagine what it must be like to have someone love you like that..."
And as Jennifer heard herself, she marveled at the irony, as she said, "Did you just hear me describe the Phantom...I might as well have been describing Steven and the way he feels about you! But why are all these traits so sexy, romantic and sympathetic in the Phantom, but weird and creepy in Steven?"
Catherine pondered the irony too, and really had no answer to her good friend's question. But could only try to change the tone by teasingly suggesting, "I don't know, maybe the mask helps."
Jennifer laughed, and then thoughtfully said, "Well I may never find a weirdo who loves me obsessively like the Phantom loved Christine in the play, or the way Steven creeps after you, but I have found my Jimmy again...and I think he really likes me Cathy."
To which Catherine replied, "How could he not Jen...you are the best..."
Looking suspiciously back at Catherine, Jennifer accusingly said, "Hey you're good! You are doing our new thing too right?"
With a warm smile, Catherine nodded as she replied, "I guess I am Jen..."
With gusto, Jennifer replied, "Thanks for the ego boost my friend...well here's my stop, and my share of the fare."
They then said adieus, and would talk later on, and each of the girls reported back to their perspective work places, with tons of left overs, and very, very full tummies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So as Catherine returned, she popped into her Dad's office to ask if he wanted some lunch, but when she entered, both he and Rita stopped talking!
Upon feeling like she butted into something, she apologetically excused herself, and was about to close the door, when they both welcomed her in.
And then Rita started to explain she was asking Charles for legal advice, and then went on and on with some long explanation.
As Catherine stood listening to this convoluted story, her mind was spinning! It took a minute or so, before she was able to say, "Well, I'll let you two get back to work, I only wanted to share some lunch...interested?"
And because they both were hungry, and hadn't had a chance to break for lunch yet, both Charles and Rita dove at the boxes of food, and thanked Catherine for her thoughtfulness.
And so meantime, just as Catherine approached the door to exit, Marilyn barged in to excitedly relay an update to Charles and Rita, saying, "Good news! Just spoke to Holtermann's, and we can pick up the ca..."
But when Marilyn saw Catherine, she stopped dead in mid sentence, and in a feeble attempt to cover up, Marilyn nervously said, "Funny, I forgot what I was going to say!"
And because this was kinda humorous, Catherine looked over at Rita and her Dad to share a smile with them, but when she looked back, they both instead had very shocked looks on their faces.
And so because of this, Catherine stood thinking everyone was sure acting strange today.
And so to diffuse any embarrassment Marilyn may have for being forgetful, Catherine also offered Marilyn some food, saying, "There's plenty if Dad and Rita will share."
And so because all three were thankful for the diversion Catherine threw their way, Charles pulled up a chair, saying, "Oh heavens yes we will share! Come over here Marilyn!"
And as they all chowed down, Charles raved, "Thanks so much kiddo, this sure hits the spot! Now where is this food from?"
To which Catherine said, "It's from Pai's Dad, where I always get Chinese take out."
As Charles enjoyed his next bite, he recalled, "Oh yeah...Pai's in China Town."
Catherine nodded, and as she headed for the door, she said, "Well, enjoy..."
And so as Catherine worked out her day, it seemed everywhere she went, people either stopped talking, or were whispering, and because of this, she deduced, they must be planning something for her last day. Oh she had been through this drill a million times herself. Parties were always being planned for either birthdays, retirements and such. So she was no stranger to the behind the back planning. So Catherine played along, and pretended not to notice that anything was going on.
So as the work day went, Catherine and Harvey tied up many loose ends, knowing they all cannot be touched upon, as they logistically discussed, because many tasks are learned as you go.
Catherine also had a few sessions with both Rita and Marilyn, and of course...with her Dad as well. All the while avoiding the topic of finality as the torch was being passed. Yes it was a tough day, but Catherine knew tomorrow would be the toughest of all...walking out the doors of her office for the last time.
And so much later, after the work day drew to a close long ago for everyone else, only Catherine, her Dad and Marilyn were still there. And so she peeked into her Dad's office to see if they were leaving yet, and was surprised to see Harvey there too, and they all three were conducting a conference call.
So as they all looked up, to acknowledge Catherine, they silently said goodbye with a wave. And then Charles held his hand over the receiver, to explain, "Conference with Lord, Day & Lord...almost done but don't wait around, I'll just see you in the morning kiddo."
With a sweet smile, Catherine in reply, nodded and said, "Sure thing...bye Dad."
And then Catherine sadly thought to herself, "Hmm, there was a time, I would've been included on this vital conference call..."
And then she reconciled, "...now it's Harvey...which is as it should be."
As Catherine then walked out into the empty lobby of the law offices, she looked around and thought, of how final this all really was. She then entered the elevator alone, and as she rode the many floors downward, she began to really feel sad.
As the doors opened, Bruno was there to greet her, and asked, "Ah good, there you are! Catie accounted for...but I haven't seen your Dad, Harvey or Marilyn leave yet..."
To which Catherine replied, "They were still on a conference call when I said goodbye, but hopefully it won't be much longer."
In response, Bruno said, "Ok, well I will be looking for them. Want me ta hail a cab for ya?"
Saying she appreciated it, but said she could do it, but then as she walked out into the wintry night, and took in the crisp air, she turned back to Bruno and said, "You know, actually, I think I will walk home. I love a night like this."
With caution, he said, "All right, but bundle up...it is chilly. AND be careful!"
With a smile Catherine said good night to this nice man, and began her trek home.
As Catherine continued, the snow began to fall, and the huge billowy snowflakes were so beautiful that she was thankful she had made the decision to walk.
Then, just half way down the sidewalk the music began to filter through the air, from Wollman rink, and reminded her of the fun she and Vincent had there.
And as she stopped to look into the park, knowing just beyond a short way, Vincent was there in his secret world, and because she missed him so much, Catherine began to consider going to visit.
So as Catherine adjusted the workload in her arms, she headed for the tunnels' entrance.
And just as Catherine was about to knock on the huge iron door, to her surprise it began to open, and there stood Vincent, and he looked so brilliant...that it took her breath from her.
Sweetly, in greeting, Catherine said, "Hello Vincent...were you going somewhere?"
To which Vincent in reply said, "As a matter of fact, I had just given into the temptation to come see you, when all of the sudden, I sensed you were near."
Smiling, Catherine hugged him, and said, "I love we are like minded in this way..."
And because Vincent was too, he softly said, "I do as well Catherine...
And it was then Vincent noticed the weather development, and so he elatedly mentioned, "Ah Catherine...it is snowing..."
Looking back, Catherine excitedly shared, "It just started! Oh Vincent, it is so beautiful!"
Upon looking out, Vincent agreed, and said how happy he was to see her.
With a smile, Catherine happily shared, "Oh, well here's some fun news, I saw Lin today! Jen and I had lunch with her, and we really had a good time. I really like her."
Vincent nodded in agreement, and then mentioned, "Since we had developed our alliance with Lin and her family many years ago, she has always been a kind person, albeit, determined, and very sweetly outspoken as well..."
Detecting Vincent implication Lin was very strong spirited, Catherine smiled as she asked, "I think you are telling me Lin has a gentle strength?"
With a tip of his head, Vincent replied, "I am, which came in handy while dealing with certain illegal factions of their community back during darker days."
To which Catherine replied, "Sounds like there's quite a story to tell."
In response, Vincent admitted, "Yes, there is, in fact, it was because of those trying times, Father befriended Dr. Wong...and Father..."
But because Vincent would much rather talk about Catherine and her day, he changed course, saying, "...and because there is as you say, quite a story to tell, perhaps we shall save it for another time. I should mention, Father inquired about you earlier, and asked me to send his regards when I next saw you..."
Pleased to hear she was spoken about, Catherine eagerly inserted, "How nice, send mine to him, and would you also tell him, I am taking good care of his book, "Paradise Lost". I just haven't had the time to read it yet. But if he is anxious to have it back, maybe I should give it to you, and borrow it again another time."
Assuredly, Vincent told Catherine, he was certain his Father was not concerned about it, and to keep the book as long as she liked.
And then Vincent grew thoughtful, and though he wanted to, Vincent was determined not to harangue Catherine about Steven. Yes, Vincent held back, and did not mention the things he has been sensing from Catherine off and on over the last twenty-four hours.
And because Vincent's silence was noticed by Catherine, with concern she asked, "Is everything all right?"
Stepping away, Vincent turned, as he admitted, "I was wanting to ask this very same question of you Catherine..."
Quizzically, Catherine asked, "Of me? Yes everything is fine. Why?"
Cautiously he answered, "Because, last night, and then today, I sensed something, something troubling your heart."
Heaving a sigh, Catherine answered, "Well, I wasn't going to say anything to make you worry even more, but yes...I am troubled. I received an odd phone call from Steven last night, and it just alerted me to what you had sensed about him."
As Catherine continued, she promised, "I want you to know I will be taking your advice, and proceed with immense care where he's concerned."
To which Vincent, feeling much relief about this, replied, "Good...then I don't need to say anything more..."
With a sheepish smile, Catherine said, "Trust me...I understand what you have been trying to tell me...as I feel it now too."
Vincent then changed the subject, as he asked how her last days working with her Dad were going, and she replied it was going well, but was also very bittersweet.
Catherine, then with emotion, relayed that tomorrow, she believes a surprise "Fare-well Party" was being planned for her. She then went on to say that all through out the day, there was either whispering going on, or else people would stop talking when she came by.
To which Vincent acknowledged Catherine's suspicions, by warmly noting, "A person such as you shall be sorely missed Catherine...you have a rich history, and emotional ties to each and every person there. I am not surprised they would want to honor you in this way."
Vincent's kind words, released all Catherine's pent up emotions, and tearfully she replied, "Yes, you are right...all through out my life, the firm has been my home away from home, and some of the people there are family to me..."
Vincent then raised her chin, and as he dried her tears, he told her, "This is a very monumental change you are making...and it comes with questions and unsure feelings, wondering if you are doing the right thing...but Catherine...know this...you are never wrong if you follow your heart."
Stepping into his embrace, Catherine replied, "Thank you Vincent...I needed to be reminded of that."
Before they said a final goodbye to each other, Vincent said he was most pleased she came to see him, then sorrowfully said, "I know with your cousins visit this weekend, it may be a while before I see you."
Upon hearing Vincent lament over their separation for a few days, Catherine felt so badly keeping tomorrow nights dinner date a secret, but she knew if it is to be a surprise, then she had to.
So simply Catherine replied, "If there is a way to see you before, I promise I will make it happen."
Vincent then embraced Catherine, and with heart felt farewells said to one another, Catherine ventured for home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upon entering her apartment, she found a note from Lin, telling her to be at the restaurant tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m, and to leave the rest to her! Lin assured Catherine she had a fool proof plan to get Vincent there.
Excitedly Catherine closed the note, and thought of how she could not wait until tomorrow night!
Catherine then plopped her brief case full of files on the table she needed to finalize, and then made a pot of coffee, thinking to herself she would be needing it!