As Catherine entered her apartment, she went to the balcony doors, and to Vincent, who was already there, waiting...
With a nod, Catherine hopefully asked, "Won't you come in, and stay, just for a minute?"
As Vincent stood within the threshold, he hesitated, as he reluctantly said, "If I stay...I will never want to leave..."
Endearingly, Catherine glanced toward the fireplace, and said, "I was hoping we could light a fire to warm you, before you go back outside."
Slowly Vincent raised his eyes to look back at her, and as she slipped her coat off from her shoulders, Vincent knew he could not leave.
And so after reaching for her hand, Vincent allowed Catherine to pull him inside from the cold.
While Vincent walked to the fireplace, Catherine watched as he completed his task, and then contentedly noted, "Hmm, what a perfect fire..."
Upon feeling satisfied this was so, Vincent then sat down by Catherine, and they both watched the dancing flames, as he held her in his embrace.
Vincent then upon noticing all the letters on the table, he said, "I know the stationary, are those all from Lin?"
With a nod, Catherine replied, "Yes, I told her tonight how much I appreciated her concern, and felt terrible she thought I was angry at her."
Knowing Lin is a devoted friend to Catherine now too, Vincent said, "Lin is a good friend...and is quite sensitive..."
To which Catherine replied, "Yes she is, and I am so happy to know her now. We are meeting for lunch soon, and she asked me to invite Jennifer too."
So for a bit longer, they contentedly sat, when Catherine heard Vincent take in a breath, readying himself to speak, and so she tightened her embrace, and said, "No Vincent...don't say it....don't say goodbye..."
Touched by Catherine's plea, Vincent tipped his head, and with a helplessness, he asked, "Would you have me leave...without a word?"
To which Catherine replied, "Yes...I cannot bare to hear you say goodbye...not tonight, that will mean my first Winterfest has officially ended. I guess that must sound silly to you..."
But because Vincent understood what Catherine was feeling, he said, "Not silly Catherine..."
Vincent raised his eyes once more to meet Catherine's, slipped his cloak on, and stepping to the balcony doors, he with one last look back at his sadly silent Catherine, left her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, as Catherine awoke, still feeling the warmth of Vincent's closeness, and the happiness of being together once more.
And as she gathered her wits for the day, Catherine was suddenly struck by the silence, of her very, very quiet apartment.
There was no Noodles to nudge at her, or beg for her attention, and so now, Catherine, who never really longed for a pet, was surprised how much she had grown attached to him, and missed their little routine they had established.
So upon shaking the melancholy from her heart, and contemplated the day ahead, Catherine knew she wanted to go with Jennifer to the police station, and needed to bake cookies for the skating excursion later that night. And so after Catherine checked her cupboard for what she needed, she made a list, and looking at the clock, Catherine thought it would be a good time to call Jennifer.
So as Jennifer answered the phone, she began to ask Catherine a million questions about last night, to which Catherine said, she wanted to fill her in, and to also hear about her date with Jimmy too, but then said, "Before we get into all that, Jen, I think you should go to the Police station today to fill out a report, and I will go with you. Vincent is sure he is the same guy who had attacked me, and so it is important we tie your attacker with mine..."
To which Jennifer butted in, as she alarmingly asked, "Wait a minute, YOU were attacked?!!"
So guiltily, Catherine confessed, "I didn't want to tell you, but yes, it happened one night when I was walking Noodles...and actually, Vincent saved us too."
And so after Jennifer digested this information, she then said, "No wonder
you have been acting like a Mother Hen lately, always telling me to be
careful."
And then Jennifer with umbrage said, "Ya know, I should be mad at you
for not telling me!"
To which Catherine explained, "I know, now I am thinking if I had, you
would have been more careful."
In response, Jennifer said, "No one is more careful than I am, so don't
feel guilty Cath, it's like I just said, you've been driving me crazy lately,
coaching me on my personal safety! I just mean you should tell me when
bad things happen to you! You know, so I can be supportive and stuff."
Humbly, Catherine replied, "I know, I should have...but I didn't want to
upset you...I am sorry Jen."
So in wanting to change the subject, Catherine hopefully asked, "Anyway,
is it okay if we meet up at Sherman's first? I need to pick up a few things,
and then on to the Police Station?"
To which Jennifer said since she needed to shop today too, that would work out perfect!
Hanging up the phone, Catherine thought since she was on a roll, she wanted to call her Dad too.
So as Charles answered, he said, "Hi kiddo! How did the rest of Winterfest go after we left?
To which Catherine said, things died down quite a bit after he had left, but then asked, "I was actually calling to see how you were doing after partying last night."
In response, Charles said, "Ya know, I am feeling great! And am glad I went, I think Jacob would have been disappointed if I would've been a no-show."
And then Charles eagerly added, "And...I am glad YOU showed up too honey."
Thoughtfully, Catherine shared with her Dad, "Once I knew Vincent
intended to invite me...I had to come."
Kindly Charles noted, "Yes, it made not only Vincent, but everyone happy you came. And what a night! The whole celebration was quite unique."
With a smile, Catherine mentioned, "Well, you sure seemed to have a good time."
Admittedly, Charles replied, "You know...I did! The tunnels, and all its
people..."
Charles then tried to explain his viewpoint of this place, he had just become privy to. And so searchingly, Charles said, "The whole atmosphere of the society Jacob had developed, is quite entrancing, isn't it? I mean, the whole premise, is so idealistic, and yet, somehow...it works for them!"
To which Catherine dreamily agreed, saying, "Yes...the tunnels, and the people there, all work together for a common goal, and they all seem to have a calm, that a serene existence brings..."
And as what Catherine said resonated with Charles, he responded, "Yes,
perhaps that's it...they have a serenity..."
The two then stayed thoughtful for a moment, as they both considered the enchantment of the Tunnels, and of how it has affected them.
It was then Catherine thought to ask, "Oh, and how did it go taking Jessica
home?"
To which Charles raised a brow, and said, "Pleasant...she is a very nice woman, and oh yes, Jessica told us that Evelyn, and Sylvia, are meeting her here in New York City this coming week. They want to see the
sites, do some shopping, and maybe take in a Broadway show."
As Catherine smiled, she asked, "And?"
To which Charles self-consciously asked, "And? And What?"
In reply, Catherine clarified, saying, "Not "And What" but "And Who"?"
With a smile, Catherine asked, "Did Evelyn say anything about wanting to see you while here?"
With a coyness, Charles shared, "I guess she did mention she wanted to look me up while in town..."
In reply, Catherine warmly said, "How nice Dad. From what you have told me, she sounds like a very lovely person, and thoughtful too. The card and flowers she sent you while in the hospital were so nice."
To which Charles admitted, "Yes, that was nice of her...at any rate, Jessica will get a hold of Peter and I when they come to town."
And then changing the subject, Charles mentioned, "Oh and since I am doing so well, with work tomorrow, you needn't spend the night, I know it's more convenient just getting ready there at your place. And besides, Peter is coming over to watch the game, and not sure how much fun you would have hanging out here."
Thinking her Dad was right, Catherine agreed, and said, "Sounds good Dad, I guess I will see you in the salt mines tomorrow then. I better get going, I have plans with Jenny in a bit, and oh, you will love this, but I will be skating later on with...drumroll please....Brigit!"
After hearing the whole scenario, Charles told his daughter to have fun, and warmly added, he was pleased things were back on track, and that she is so happy.
After Catherine with heart said thanks to her Daddy, they said bye for now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So later, as the two pals met up at Sherman's, the girls made their way down the grocery aisles.
And as they shopped, they talked away, informing each other about their dates.
To which, of course Jennifer went first, as she said, "Ah James is wonderful Cathy! And...he has a really great job too! James is a Bean inspector for Bush Beans, and he, by the way, can get all the Bean product you could want! So if you ever need a crate of beans...well James is your man."
Because of Jennifer's delivery, Catherine tried not to laugh as she said, "Well, it is so good to know I have a reputable bean connection!"
But turning serious, Catherine then sincerely asked, "Well tell me about him, what is the grown up Jimmy like now?"
To which Jennifer, who was reading a box, held up her index finger, and said, "Just a minute..." she then finished reading the back of a hair straightening kit, and as she threw the box into her cart, she turned to Catherine, and whimsically said, "What is James like...well, he is funny, and well...maybe a little hunky, some would perhaps describe him as chubby, but he is so hugable! And oh yes, remember all that hair he used to have? Well, he has lost some of it...I suppose maybe I should say...most of it...and he is...."
Hesitantly, Catherine clarified by asking, "Bald?"
To which, Jennifer in reply, expounded, "Well all right, YES! James is as bald as an Eagle, but I think hair is overrated anyhow! Let's face it, at our age, finding a guy with all of his hair follicles in tact, is slim to none!"
With umbrage, Jennifer, then looked at Catherine, and accusingly asked, "What about the man with the orgasmic inducing voice...can you honestly say Vincent isn't balding?"
Introspectively, Catherine dreamily envisioned Vincent's miles of thick long hair...and she tried not to sound smug, as she said, "Well, no he isn't balding."
And then Jennifer noted, "Well I know he has long hair, but does he always wear a ball cap or his hood? Maybe he is one of those guys who only get bald on top of his noggin!"
As Catherine imagined Vincent in such a way, she gulped but said, "Well I have seen him without his hood..and though I haven't inspected his hair density, I don't think he is going bald like that..."
As Jennifer, plopped a box of Hamburger Helper into her cart, she said, "That's right! You don't think...but just wait and see...he might wake up one day, without a single hair in his head!"
And as Catherine absorbed what Jennifer had said, both bald options passed through Catherine's mind, and she thought "Oh my!"
And because Catherine had a strange look on her face, with concern Jennifer asked, "Are you all right?"
As Catherine cleared the image of a "Hairless Vincent" from her mind, she answered, "Yes Jen, I am fine...it's just you got me to thinking of a bald Vincent! But anyway...getting back to Jimmy..."
Happy to be talking about her newly renewed crush, Jennifer dreamily shared, "You know Cath, Jimmy may be a bald chubby guy, but I think he's sooo cute! Oh, and I better let you know, Jimmy goes by James now...NOT Jimmy, and we are going out again next Friday!"
Happy to hear things were progressing along, Catherine thoughtfully shared, "You know Jen, I always liked Jimmy, err James back in the day. He was always so much nicer than the other boys."
With a dreamy sigh, Jennifer agreed, and then added, "AND I want you to know, I am going to take things slooooowwww..."
Over for Pic of the Girls and Lady
Just then a little old lady who was following closely behind, listening in, gave Jennifer an approving look, as she said, "That is wise to take things slow honey, a man will not buy the cow if he can get the milk for Free! I married four times using that philosophy, and I have outlived, and buried them all!"
The older lady, then crossed herself, and said, "God bless their pension laden souls."
And then with a wink, she said, "Now...I am on the look out for hubby #5!"
And then off the lady went, leaving a shocked Catherine and Jennifer in her wake! And because they were so surprised by this encounter, all they could do was laugh!
Continuing on down the aisle, Jennifer said, "Well before we were interrupted by the Merry Widow, I was about to confess I am taking a tip from you and Vincent! I am not going to be so quick to hop into anything!"
To which Catherine smiled, and said, "Well keep me posted on Jimm...ooops sorry, I mean James!"
After Jennifer said she would, she then anxiously asked, "Now tell me about Vincent! Was he happy you came to his candle party?"
Upon hearing Jennifer call Winterfest a "Candle Party" again, caused Catherine to chuckle, as she said, "Well, Winterfest is not a candle party Jen, it is a celebration of sorts, and the candle, well the candle IS actually THE invitation. So if you receive one, then you know you are invited..."
And then Catherine tenderly added, "...so you see Jen, without the candle, I wouldn't have gone. So Vincent asked me to thank you for finding it, and delivering it for him."
To which Jennifer asked, "So did you tell him I said thanks for saving me from the mugger creep?"
With a nod, Catherine answered, "I did! I did tell him you wanted to thank him, and he said he was just so glad he was there. And in a funny way we have Steven to thank for that. Vincent mentioned that because Steven was visiting me, he assumed he and I were back together...and that is why he left without giving me the candle invitation. And then he heard you scream, and well he was in the right place at the right time."
To which Jennifer feeling stunned by all the happenstance, said, "Wow...to think I could be mince meat right now if you wouldn't have gotten an ill-timed visit from Stodgy Steven!"
And although Jennifer felt thankful, she still sternly said, "Now just because Vincent saved my hide, don't think he is totally off the hook yet! Did Vincent apologize for putting you through HELL...AGAIN?"
To which Catherine answered, "Yes he did apologize."
And then, in response, Jennifer sternly said, "All I can say is he better have!"
And then Jennifer softened her tone, as she conveyed, "I hafta admit, Vincent, has the sexiest voice I have ever heard!"
Jennifer's comment, caused Catherine to smile, because she privately agreed with Jennifer about that!
And then Jennifer added, "Now I understand why you keep giving him so many chances!"
Jennifer then fancifully asked, "Was it wonderful being together again?"
To which Catherine shyly sighed, as she answered, "Yes Jen, we had a very romantic evening, I met all his friends, we danced, listened to music, ate some delicious food, drank cider, and talked from our hearts."
Touched by all Catherine said, Jennifer said, "Awe...good, I am so glad for you..."
And it was then it struck Jennifer to ask, "Oh, and I gotta know, did you ever find out how Vincent was on the balcony without..."
Luckily for Catherine, she never had to answer Jennifer's question, because the temporary repair job she had performed on her purse strap gave way, with much of its contents dumped onto the floor!
Ticked off at this happenstance, Jennifer expounded, "That darn mugger last night! When he grabbed at my Louis Vuitton, he ripped the strap loose! And this is my favorite Purse too!"
Well though Catherine felt badly about the damage done to Jennifer's purse, she had to laugh when she saw the stretched out safety pin, Jennifer had expected to hold the strap to the purse!
And as she helped Jennifer retrieve the contents from the floor, she astonishingly said, "Your purse must weigh 20lbs! You couldn't have expected that little golden safely pin to hold up under those demands! Why don't you take it to Geppetto's for repair?"
To which Jennifer explained, "I thought of that, but they're closed on Sunday's, so hopefully I will get over there tomorrow."
And so upon speaking about Jennifer's mugging, Catherine handed Jennifer the last of what she had picked up from the floor, and then suggested, "I suppose we better head to the P.D. and get that report filled out."
Being in total agreement, Jennifer replied, "Yes, I am ready, let's head for the check outs."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, a short time later, as Jennifer gave her statement to Sgt. Shultz, Catherine made sure he linked Jennifer's ordeal with hers, by mentioning the fact, that both of their muggers, had the same patch on their coats, and both executed martial arts movements.
As it so happened, similar muggings have been occurring in other parts of the city, by guys wearing the same "Inverted Peace Sign" patch on their coats. And so Sgt. Shultz expressed his frustration that this crime ring had not been stopped yet! He then thanked the girls for coming in, and said, "Hey...be careful out there!"
Saying they would, and then said the same to him. Meantime, just as Catherine and Jennifer were about to go out the station's door, their friend Paul came walking in.
Both Jennifer and Catherine happily greeted him, and after exchanging hugs and niceties, Paul asked them what they were doing there.
And so after they both told Paul their stories, he sincerely expressed his relief, they both had managed to escape injury from their muggings.
Then, Paul turned to Catherine, and asked how she was doing dealing with the breakup, to which Catherine told him the good news, that they have reconciled.
To which in reply, Paul said, he was happy to hear that, and pleasingly added, it was nice to see that spark back in her eyes.
Sweetly Catherine thanked Paul, and then asked how he was doing recovering from his breakup. To which he pshawed it saying, "I'm doing good, in fact I've been so busy with work, I never think about Tiffany at all anymore...well...work may be one reason why, and the other reason is there is this really cute girl who works in records...and, she agreed to going out with me next weekend, so I am moving on!"
Both the girls expressed their delight for Paul, and then Jennifer curiously asked, "Hey, what are you doing here?"
To which in reply, Paul said, "I need to pick up some police files for a case I am assigned to."
And then because he knew Catherine's family firm was working on the case prior to Mr. Benjamin's murder, Paul clarified, "Well, you know the case Cathy, its the Benjamin case."
Hoping to hear there was some progress in solving his murder, Catherine anxiously asked, "Is there a break in the case?"
To which Paul nodded, and said, "Could be...I was going to give you a call tomorrow, about some of the information in the files you gave to my boss. It would sure be helpful if you could fill in a few blanks for me. But hey, I will talk to you about that bright and early tomorrow, Monday morning."
But because Catherine wondered about Paul's work week, she asked, "So, you have to work on Sunday's?"
In reply, Paul explained, "Yeah...right now we are short handed at the
D. A. so we all do what we can on the weekends."
Upon hearing what Paul said, Jennifer shot Catherine a knowing smile, and waited for Catherine to tell Paul the news! That she would soon be working at the DA with him.
And so Catherine looked back at Jennifer, and then cleared her throat, and said, "Well, I happen to know, that the week after next, you will have a new employee to push some of the work load onto..."
Wondering how Catherine knew about Joe hiring someone, he asked, "How do you know about the new employee Cathy? Do you know this spoiled rich girl named Radcliffe? Cuz if you do, I could use a heads up on her since she is going to be my assistant!"
To which Catherine raised a brow, as she sternly said, "Oh I know Radcliffe all right...and you are looking at her! That nickname, happens to be Mr. Maxwell's idea of a "BAD" joke!"
As Paul stood there shell shocked, he could not have been sorrier for letting Joe's private comment slip out!
And so Paul apologetically said, "Yikes! I mean obviously Joe could not be more wrong thinking you are a spoiled do-gooder..."
Realizing he was digging a deeper hole for his boss, Paul tried to smooth things over, by saying, "What I mean to say is, he will be eating crow once he realizes you're not running back to Daddy after the first day of work...err gee, maybe I better just shut up!"
Upon seeing Paul squirm, Catherine kindly said, "Don't worry Paul, I won't say anything to Joe, but the fact is, you didn't spill anything new. I already knew Joe viewed me that way, because he told me so himself."
Helplessly Catherine then looked at her two friends, and asked, "Am I crazy to go to work for a man, who I do not click with, and who obviously dislikes me so much?"
Knowing it will all work out, Paul gave Catherine a brotherly hug and said, "Hey, it'll be fine, I'll have your back, and look on the bright side, we will be working side by side again! I think it will be great, and Joe will come around, and he'll grow on you...you'll see."
Paul finally got Catherine to give up a smile, and said, "Well now that I know I will be working with you Paul...I won't change my mind."
Then jokingly, Catherine added, "To be on the safe side though, I better update my resumé!"
The three of them shared a much needed laugh, and then Paul looked at his watch, and said, "Well, I better get going, I have to be at Ma's for Pot Roast Sunday. Ma's Beef Roast, and mashed potatoes are to die for!"
And so they all hugged good-byes to one another. Each going their separate ways, Jennifer was going home to straighten her hair, Paul was heading to his Mom's for a family dinner, and Catherine, was going home to bake some Peanut Butter cookies for Vincent, Pascal...and yes, even Brigit!
To be continued
Chapter Three
| Treasure of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Two ____________________________________ |
