As Catherine and Peter entered the tunnels, they passed Pascal, who was going back to the Pipe Chamber.
To which Peter jokingly said, “Hey, you’re going the wrong way! The concert is this way!”
Smiling at the two, Pascal replied, “I can't go! I must get back to the pipes! I just had to help move some of the tables."
Thinking it was sad Pascal would miss the concert, Catherine lamented, "So you can't go? Not even for a little while? Seems a shame you will miss seeing the children."
With a wave of his hand, Pascal happily mentioned, "Not so! I was there while they rehearsed, and so I can sincerely say, it will be one of the finest concerts the children have put on yet.”
Pascal then turned to Catherine, and graciously said, “The kids will be glad you are here tonight. I heard them say they hoped you could come."
And because Catherine needed to hear some encouraging words proving she belonged here, Catherine warmly replied, "Awe really? Well, I didn't want to miss it."
To which Pascal answered, "Hey, that's terrific! You'll make their night."
Taken back a bit by these kind words, from "A" usually very shy Pascal, Catherine reflected on their relationship. It had been an easy friendship, based on a limited level. They never really discussed anything too personal before, just kind of stuck to universal topics. But Catherine knew she liked him, and found Pascal to be quite interesting, maybe even a bit mysterious in a curious sort of way. She wondered what it was that drove him, what was it inside his heart, which made it so easy to give up all else, for his job? She decided for Pascal, his work was more of a vocation rather than a job. It was a service he performed for the tunnel community, a duty he executed gladly. So like his Father before him, he made the Pipe Chamber his life.
And so because Pascal was anxious to get back to work, he walked backwards as he said, “In case you want Vincent, he was headed for the Library where the children are getting ready."
As they bade Pascal a good evening, Peter’s beeper sounded off. Disappointedly, he noted, “Oh boy Cathy, I have to answer this.”
To which Catherine understandably said, “Of course.”
With hope, Peter speculated, “It might be something as easy as phoning in a prescription. Hopefully I will be back in no time. I’m really sorry Kiddo.”
Saying it really was Okay, and hoped it wasn't too serious, Catherine then good naturedly assured Peter, “I’ll be fine.”
To which Peter, in a fatherly tone, said, “OK...save me a seat by ya.”
With a smile Catherine said, "Will do..."
And so after Peter left her, Catherine heaved a sigh, because she secretly dreaded going without the good doctor. Yes, Catherine was still feeling a bit uncertain about her position with the children, and with Vincent.
But shaking the insecurities, Catherine took in a deep breath, and then headed for the Library on her own. Feeling both nervous, yet anxious to see Vincent.
And so as Catherine approached the darkened library doorway, she was just about to enter when she heard Lisa call for Vincent, saying, "Vincent, let's show Eric the proper way to hold his dancing partner."
And then Lisa instructed, "Remember Eric, you must hold your partner tenderly...now watch Vincent and I will show you..."
Lisa then sweetly turned to Vincent and prompted, "Vincent would you be so kind? If I remember correctly you are an excellent dancing partner.”
Vincent though reluctant at first, stepped forward, to take Lisa’s outstretched hand.
They stood for a moment in each other's arms, before they began. At first, Vincent felt nervous holding Lisa, being this close to her once more...and because she had such an air about her, she could still intimidate Vincent, and it would seem their past perhaps still held a power over him...but their history was not all heartrending, they had a playful, fun past too. And as they danced, those good times came flooding back.
And truthfully, Vincent did enjoy the feeling of being connected with the person he once considered his childhood friend. They had done everything together. They all did. There was Vincent, Lisa, Devin, Pascal, Rebecca, and Winslow, and they all had a wonderful camaraderie growing up. They would play games together, study alongside one another, and when they were much younger in the days before any adolescent self-consciousness crept in, they swam carefree, skinny-dipping in the pond, below the falls. Yes, they were huckleberry friends, and shared everything a happy childhood encompasses.
So as the nervousness left him, Vincent focused on those good times, and was able to look down at Lisa, with the warmth one would hold for a long lost friend.
As they waltzed about the room, Vincent for that moment, felt comfortable with Lisa. And it pleased him to hear the squeals of delight from the children as they danced. For them to see Vincent dance was a remarkable sight. Oh what a treat for the children.
Meanwhile at the library's threshold, Catherine stood in the shadows watching too, and she saw how Vincent beamed as he whirled Lisa about the room, and Lisa smiled, and swooned as she swayed to Vincent’s moves. And as Catherine stood there feeling invisible, she thought that normally, Vincent would have felt her presence. So often he would look up before she even entered a room. Yes, having a sense of her, was a gift Vincent was given via their connection, their bond. But tonight as he danced with Lisa, he never knew she was present.
And so as they completed the demonstration for the children, an elated Lisa said, “Thank you Vincent! And may I say, you DO dance divinely!”
Vincent bowed graciously, and told Lisa, “You do as well Lisa.”
Turning to Eric, Vincent told him, “Perhaps you should practice with Samantha again. You will get it, it just takes practice.”
Looking up at Vincent, Lisa replied, “Yes...pracitice makes perfect they say, hmmm, I wonder, how many hours do you suppose we danced together in the Great Hall? Too many to count, I am sure, however, I do remember those times with a great fondness.”
To which Vincent nodded agreeably, and warmly replied, “I as well.”
To which Vincent privately recalled how Lisa loved to dance, and put on shows, and he would be a most willing audience. Yes, she did love the attention her dancing got her, and she loved having adoring eyes on her. And Vincent as a young boy did adore her...she was so beautiful...
So as they stood for a moment remembering, Vincent returned Lisa’s gaze, as she lovingly smiled at him, when suddenly, he remembered there were a few finishing touches yet to be done in the Hall.
And so as Vincent prepared to leave, he told the children, “I hope all goes well everyone.”
Turning then to Lisa, he encouragingly said, “You have done a wonderful job here with the children.”
Moved by Vincent's encouraging words, Lisa replied, "It is because of your giving me another chance. I will see you after the show, and Vincent, we can have that talk."
To which Vincent sincerely replied, "Till then Lisa."
As Vincent began to approach the threshold, Catherine was unsure what to do! Should she stay where she was? Should she leave? All she DID know, was she was too hurt, and embarrassed to speak with Vincent right now, and if she moved quickly, he wouldn't even know she had been there.
Deciding to leave, she quickly left the threshold, and exited the tunnels.
Safely back in her world, she began to cry as the elevator door closed, and she wondered what was happening? Was her worse fear coming to pass? Was Vincent falling back in love with Lisa? The way they danced and looked at each other today, was evidence to Catherine, that this was so.
So suddenly, an overwhelming urge to escape enveloped Catherine, wanting to get away, so she could think her situation through.
And so she called Jennifer, to ask if she could still join her and her Mother on their weekend jaunt.
Excitedly Jennifer squealed, "Oh Cathy, how wonderful, we will be by to pick you up shortly, we are just throwing the last of the bags in the car now."
Happy she was not too late to hitch a ride, Catherine replied, "I will be ready."
Suddenly remembering she was "Turtle-Sitting", with concern she asked, "Oh Jen, what about Gonzy?"
To which Jennifer stated, "Just put the time released feeder in his bowl. It is in that little red velvet pouch, I left by his little rocks. Believe me he will still be better off at your place than here with Felix."
Catherine took in a deep breath, and told her, "Thank you for letting me come along."
Giggling, Jennifer replied, "Are you crazy? I should be thanking you."
As Jennifer detected a little sadness in Catherine's voice, she inquired, "Hey, are you all right?"
Trying to sound light-hearted, Catherine told her intuitive friend, "Everything is fine Jen...I just felt like getting away for the weekend..."
And although Jennifer knew better, she kindly answered, "Well if you say so Cath, be ready, cuz we'll be right over to pick you up."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, everyone was either seated, or finding a seat as the community anxiously awaited the children's concert, when Vincent took one more look around for Catherine and Peter.
Finally, Vincent saw Peter dash in, and as they gave each other a nod, Vincent wondered where Catherine was!
And so Vincent worriedly approached Peter to say, "I thought Catherine was coming with you."
To which Peter smiled as he and informed him, "She did! She's here somewhere and promised to save me a seat! But where is she? I don't see her."
Upon hearing Peter's answer, a very puzzled Vincent, said, "Catherine isn't here!"
Feeling a little confused himself, Peter said, "Well sure she is! We even got here a bit early, but then my pager went off, and I had to check in. Yeah she's here, I left her near the library where Pascal told us you were!"
To which Vincent worriedly declared, "I never saw her!"
With an urgency, Peter asked, "Do you think she could have gotten lost? But we were so close to the library, I don't see how! I mean she knows her way around pretty good right?!"
Thinking getting lost probably was not an option, Vincent then thought back on the rehearsal in the library, and he suddenly felt as if he had been thunderstruck, as he wondered if Catherine could have seen him dancing with Lisa!
Noticing Vincent's color suddenly looked very ashen, Peter worriedly asked, "What is it Vincent?"
And as Vincent finished piecing things together, Peter urgently demanded, "Well use that BOND thing, and find Catherine!"
Quietly Vincent answered, "Peter, I am afraid Catherine may have seen something that upset her. Lisa and I were dancing in the Library earlier, showing the children how to waltz."
Instantly discounting that possibility, Vincent declared, "However, if she had been there, I would have known! I would have sensed her!"
Noticing the heavy conversation from afar, Jacob approached, and quickly got the gist of the conversation, and so accusingly, he asked his son, "Are you so sure you would have felt Catherine's presence? You haven't been the same since Lisa arrived here."
Turning toward his Father, he told him, as well as Peter, "What have I done? I am sick at heart thinking Catherine may have misinterpreted what she saw."
Upon hearing all this, Peter then filled in some blanks, by explaining Catherine's state of mind earlier in the day. And so informatively, he said, "You know Vincent, she almost didn't come tonight because you hadn't invited her yourself! But I told her, you most likely wanted the children's invitation to be a surprise, and so she finally agreed to come. Now if she DID see you and Lisa dancing, well that certainly would have been enough to give her second thoughts, and make her feel out of place."
To which Jacob angrily agreed, espousing, "Indeed!"
After putting the likely scenario together, Vincent anxiously declared, "Then I must go to Catherine, I have to explain to her what transpired here."
With a raised brow, Peter sternly insisted, "Yeah you better! And let us know she's all right as soon as you can!"
To be continued
Chapter Nine
To which Peter jokingly said, “Hey, you’re going the wrong way! The concert is this way!”
Smiling at the two, Pascal replied, “I can't go! I must get back to the pipes! I just had to help move some of the tables."
Thinking it was sad Pascal would miss the concert, Catherine lamented, "So you can't go? Not even for a little while? Seems a shame you will miss seeing the children."
With a wave of his hand, Pascal happily mentioned, "Not so! I was there while they rehearsed, and so I can sincerely say, it will be one of the finest concerts the children have put on yet.”
Pascal then turned to Catherine, and graciously said, “The kids will be glad you are here tonight. I heard them say they hoped you could come."
And because Catherine needed to hear some encouraging words proving she belonged here, Catherine warmly replied, "Awe really? Well, I didn't want to miss it."
To which Pascal answered, "Hey, that's terrific! You'll make their night."
Taken back a bit by these kind words, from "A" usually very shy Pascal, Catherine reflected on their relationship. It had been an easy friendship, based on a limited level. They never really discussed anything too personal before, just kind of stuck to universal topics. But Catherine knew she liked him, and found Pascal to be quite interesting, maybe even a bit mysterious in a curious sort of way. She wondered what it was that drove him, what was it inside his heart, which made it so easy to give up all else, for his job? She decided for Pascal, his work was more of a vocation rather than a job. It was a service he performed for the tunnel community, a duty he executed gladly. So like his Father before him, he made the Pipe Chamber his life.
And so because Pascal was anxious to get back to work, he walked backwards as he said, “In case you want Vincent, he was headed for the Library where the children are getting ready."
As they bade Pascal a good evening, Peter’s beeper sounded off. Disappointedly, he noted, “Oh boy Cathy, I have to answer this.”
To which Catherine understandably said, “Of course.”
With hope, Peter speculated, “It might be something as easy as phoning in a prescription. Hopefully I will be back in no time. I’m really sorry Kiddo.”
Saying it really was Okay, and hoped it wasn't too serious, Catherine then good naturedly assured Peter, “I’ll be fine.”
To which Peter, in a fatherly tone, said, “OK...save me a seat by ya.”
With a smile Catherine said, "Will do..."
And so after Peter left her, Catherine heaved a sigh, because she secretly dreaded going without the good doctor. Yes, Catherine was still feeling a bit uncertain about her position with the children, and with Vincent.
But shaking the insecurities, Catherine took in a deep breath, and then headed for the Library on her own. Feeling both nervous, yet anxious to see Vincent.
And so as Catherine approached the darkened library doorway, she was just about to enter when she heard Lisa call for Vincent, saying, "Vincent, let's show Eric the proper way to hold his dancing partner."
And then Lisa instructed, "Remember Eric, you must hold your partner tenderly...now watch Vincent and I will show you..."
Lisa then sweetly turned to Vincent and prompted, "Vincent would you be so kind? If I remember correctly you are an excellent dancing partner.”
Vincent though reluctant at first, stepped forward, to take Lisa’s outstretched hand.
They stood for a moment in each other's arms, before they began. At first, Vincent felt nervous holding Lisa, being this close to her once more...and because she had such an air about her, she could still intimidate Vincent, and it would seem their past perhaps still held a power over him...but their history was not all heartrending, they had a playful, fun past too. And as they danced, those good times came flooding back.
And truthfully, Vincent did enjoy the feeling of being connected with the person he once considered his childhood friend. They had done everything together. They all did. There was Vincent, Lisa, Devin, Pascal, Rebecca, and Winslow, and they all had a wonderful camaraderie growing up. They would play games together, study alongside one another, and when they were much younger in the days before any adolescent self-consciousness crept in, they swam carefree, skinny-dipping in the pond, below the falls. Yes, they were huckleberry friends, and shared everything a happy childhood encompasses.
So as the nervousness left him, Vincent focused on those good times, and was able to look down at Lisa, with the warmth one would hold for a long lost friend.
As they waltzed about the room, Vincent for that moment, felt comfortable with Lisa. And it pleased him to hear the squeals of delight from the children as they danced. For them to see Vincent dance was a remarkable sight. Oh what a treat for the children.
Meanwhile at the library's threshold, Catherine stood in the shadows watching too, and she saw how Vincent beamed as he whirled Lisa about the room, and Lisa smiled, and swooned as she swayed to Vincent’s moves. And as Catherine stood there feeling invisible, she thought that normally, Vincent would have felt her presence. So often he would look up before she even entered a room. Yes, having a sense of her, was a gift Vincent was given via their connection, their bond. But tonight as he danced with Lisa, he never knew she was present.
And so as they completed the demonstration for the children, an elated Lisa said, “Thank you Vincent! And may I say, you DO dance divinely!”
Vincent bowed graciously, and told Lisa, “You do as well Lisa.”
Turning to Eric, Vincent told him, “Perhaps you should practice with Samantha again. You will get it, it just takes practice.”
Looking up at Vincent, Lisa replied, “Yes...pracitice makes perfect they say, hmmm, I wonder, how many hours do you suppose we danced together in the Great Hall? Too many to count, I am sure, however, I do remember those times with a great fondness.”
To which Vincent nodded agreeably, and warmly replied, “I as well.”
To which Vincent privately recalled how Lisa loved to dance, and put on shows, and he would be a most willing audience. Yes, she did love the attention her dancing got her, and she loved having adoring eyes on her. And Vincent as a young boy did adore her...she was so beautiful...
So as they stood for a moment remembering, Vincent returned Lisa’s gaze, as she lovingly smiled at him, when suddenly, he remembered there were a few finishing touches yet to be done in the Hall.
And so as Vincent prepared to leave, he told the children, “I hope all goes well everyone.”
Turning then to Lisa, he encouragingly said, “You have done a wonderful job here with the children.”
Moved by Vincent's encouraging words, Lisa replied, "It is because of your giving me another chance. I will see you after the show, and Vincent, we can have that talk."
To which Vincent sincerely replied, "Till then Lisa."
As Vincent began to approach the threshold, Catherine was unsure what to do! Should she stay where she was? Should she leave? All she DID know, was she was too hurt, and embarrassed to speak with Vincent right now, and if she moved quickly, he wouldn't even know she had been there.
Deciding to leave, she quickly left the threshold, and exited the tunnels.
Safely back in her world, she began to cry as the elevator door closed, and she wondered what was happening? Was her worse fear coming to pass? Was Vincent falling back in love with Lisa? The way they danced and looked at each other today, was evidence to Catherine, that this was so.
So suddenly, an overwhelming urge to escape enveloped Catherine, wanting to get away, so she could think her situation through.
And so she called Jennifer, to ask if she could still join her and her Mother on their weekend jaunt.
Excitedly Jennifer squealed, "Oh Cathy, how wonderful, we will be by to pick you up shortly, we are just throwing the last of the bags in the car now."
Happy she was not too late to hitch a ride, Catherine replied, "I will be ready."
Suddenly remembering she was "Turtle-Sitting", with concern she asked, "Oh Jen, what about Gonzy?"
To which Jennifer stated, "Just put the time released feeder in his bowl. It is in that little red velvet pouch, I left by his little rocks. Believe me he will still be better off at your place than here with Felix."
Catherine took in a deep breath, and told her, "Thank you for letting me come along."
Giggling, Jennifer replied, "Are you crazy? I should be thanking you."
As Jennifer detected a little sadness in Catherine's voice, she inquired, "Hey, are you all right?"
Trying to sound light-hearted, Catherine told her intuitive friend, "Everything is fine Jen...I just felt like getting away for the weekend..."
And although Jennifer knew better, she kindly answered, "Well if you say so Cath, be ready, cuz we'll be right over to pick you up."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, everyone was either seated, or finding a seat as the community anxiously awaited the children's concert, when Vincent took one more look around for Catherine and Peter.
Finally, Vincent saw Peter dash in, and as they gave each other a nod, Vincent wondered where Catherine was!
And so Vincent worriedly approached Peter to say, "I thought Catherine was coming with you."
To which Peter smiled as he and informed him, "She did! She's here somewhere and promised to save me a seat! But where is she? I don't see her."
Upon hearing Peter's answer, a very puzzled Vincent, said, "Catherine isn't here!"
Feeling a little confused himself, Peter said, "Well sure she is! We even got here a bit early, but then my pager went off, and I had to check in. Yeah she's here, I left her near the library where Pascal told us you were!"
To which Vincent worriedly declared, "I never saw her!"
With an urgency, Peter asked, "Do you think she could have gotten lost? But we were so close to the library, I don't see how! I mean she knows her way around pretty good right?!"
Thinking getting lost probably was not an option, Vincent then thought back on the rehearsal in the library, and he suddenly felt as if he had been thunderstruck, as he wondered if Catherine could have seen him dancing with Lisa!
Noticing Vincent's color suddenly looked very ashen, Peter worriedly asked, "What is it Vincent?"
And as Vincent finished piecing things together, Peter urgently demanded, "Well use that BOND thing, and find Catherine!"
Quietly Vincent answered, "Peter, I am afraid Catherine may have seen something that upset her. Lisa and I were dancing in the Library earlier, showing the children how to waltz."
Instantly discounting that possibility, Vincent declared, "However, if she had been there, I would have known! I would have sensed her!"
Noticing the heavy conversation from afar, Jacob approached, and quickly got the gist of the conversation, and so accusingly, he asked his son, "Are you so sure you would have felt Catherine's presence? You haven't been the same since Lisa arrived here."
Turning toward his Father, he told him, as well as Peter, "What have I done? I am sick at heart thinking Catherine may have misinterpreted what she saw."
Upon hearing all this, Peter then filled in some blanks, by explaining Catherine's state of mind earlier in the day. And so informatively, he said, "You know Vincent, she almost didn't come tonight because you hadn't invited her yourself! But I told her, you most likely wanted the children's invitation to be a surprise, and so she finally agreed to come. Now if she DID see you and Lisa dancing, well that certainly would have been enough to give her second thoughts, and make her feel out of place."
To which Jacob angrily agreed, espousing, "Indeed!"
After putting the likely scenario together, Vincent anxiously declared, "Then I must go to Catherine, I have to explain to her what transpired here."
With a raised brow, Peter sternly insisted, "Yeah you better! And let us know she's all right as soon as you can!"
To be continued
Chapter Nine
| Where Rainbows End! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Eight |
