Since Mrs. Aranson complained of feeling carsick in the back seat, Catherine offered to trade seats for the trip home.
Once they were on the road, in a scolding tone, Jennifer argued, "Mom you shouldn't have allowed Aunt Doris to pick up the check for Dinner! I was going to put it on my charge.”
In a matter-of-fact manner, she replied, “She offered to pay.”
Then Jennifer pointed out, “Yes, that's true, but Ma, it was after you ripped the bill out of my hands, and stuffed it into Aunt Doris's clenched fist, she had no choice!"
Mrs. Aranson sternly told her daughter, "I buy her food, whenever she comes into The City!"
Jennifer then added, “And about the restaurant we went to, you know Aunt Doris really wanted to go to China Gourmet."
Mrs. Aranson sternly told her daughter, "Your Aunt Doris KNEW I have been wanting to try "Pudgies" Famous Chicken! She just threw in the China Gourmet option, to make me feel guilty! Besides, I let her pick the place when she comes into The City to visit me."
Helplessly Jennifer looked at her Mom and pleaded, "Now Mom, you have to stop doing that."
Innocently Mrs. Aranson looked at Jennifer, and asked, "Doing what Dear?"
Looking at her mom, she could tell she knew exactly what she was talking about! Which was the way she referred to NYC as THE City! This reference really bugged her sister, and Mrs. Aranson knew it!
But, for the hundredth time, Jennifer explained the issue to her mom! So in an exasperated tone, she said, "You always refer to NYC as "THE City"! You know it really irritates Aunt Doris when you say that!”
Jennifer then added, “I hate to say this, but you have become a real "New York City" snob Mom!"
Mrs. Aranson folded her arms in front of herself, as she replied, “Ah she's too sensitive! I am a little upset at YOUR Aunt Doris anyway! Did you see how many of Grandma's Tulip bulbs she kept for herself! She gave me only a fourth of what I saw she had stored in her tool shed...and further more..."
Catherine laid her head back, and listened to the good-natured bickering, between Jennifer and her Mother, she thought they were quite a pair! And, she amusedly thought privately, that in a few subtle ways, Jennifer was evolving into her Mother!
As she tuned out her traveling companions, her thoughts turned to Vincent. She hoped when she saw him tonight, he would enfold her in his arms once more, where she felt so safe, cherished, and secure, the way it was before Lisa re-entered his world.
Catherine thought of how much she missed knowing she was the one who was upper-most in Vincent's heart, and mind. She couldn't help but wonder what all had transpired in her absence.
Did Vincent resolve the pain of the past by talking to Lisa? What kind of memories and anguish had been drudged up between them? Was Catherine wrong to demand so much from Vincent?
So many questions tormented her, and she no longer felt sure, what she asked of Vincent was the right thing for her to do. She hoped he had not resented her for it. Though she knew Vincent himself, felt the uncertainties and unresolved issues with Lisa had to be banished if they would ever be able to go forward. Forward without Lisa’s shadow between them, hindering a complete bond they both longed for, a bond which held no limits.
Catherine was plagued with so many thoughts, and "What-ifs" that her head was spinning. She finally reconciled it was out of her hands, and she would soon know where things stood between them.
Deciding to write in her journal, Catherine composed a letter to Vincent, one she wouldn’t send, but in this mythical letter, she would write all the things, she could never tell him. How could she? She didn't
want to saddle Vincent with the knowledge, of how badly she needed him. Then he would be compelled to stay with her out of pity, instead of devotion.
Thoughtfully, she wrote:
Dearest Vincent,
I know I asked you to follow your heart, but right now I am
frightened in doing so, your heart may not lead you to me.
I wonder how I would handle it if you were to tell me your feelings
for Lisa were stronger than you knew, and it is to me you will say goodbye to.
If the life we have begun building together would end, if this gift
was taken from me, how would I begin anew, knowing all I had lost.
You are so treasured, I am not sure you realize to what measure.
I not only owe you my life but what my life has become as well.
I pray where your heart leads you, will be to me.
If you need more time, more time to sort out your feelings, I
understand and I will be here waiting at the rainbows end for you,
hoping you come back to me.
Eternally yours,
Catherine
As Catherine finished her letter, she wiped a fallen tear from her cheek. She felt so very sad, and homesick for her life with Vincent. She then thought back, wondering exactly when things had taken such a turn.
Now it was she, who was questioning, and unsure. When Catherine and Vincent met, he seemed to be the needy one. Afraid to hope for love, thinking it was not his destiny to be cared for by a woman.
But their bond developed so suddenly, she never had time to question the sanity of a relationship such as this. It was as Vincent said, they were something that had never been before.
And yes this was because of Vincent's questionable lineage. But despite his primal facade, Catherine never felt she was bending downwards to love Vincent, but rather, felt as if she were lifted up by his spirit, and his gentle heart.
She felt as if she was chosen by a very special man, and it was an honor to be connected to him. Never had she felt it was the other way around.
Catherine knew as they re-entered the Lincoln Tunnel, it would not be long before she would be with Vincent again, and she would know what was in his heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, as Vincent entered his chamber to prepare for his journey above, the sadness of Lisa's farewell had faded. The thoughts of Catherine filled him with an excitement, and such infinite joy, he could not wait to see her again.
He could feel a sense of her, and the love she held for him. Although he was troubled by the sorrow he sensed from her too, he hoped that would fade when they were together again.
Vincent couldn't wait to tell her everything was all right. The past may now be cast aside, and no longer will its demons haunt them.
As darkness descended upon the world above, it meant their time was drawing near, their time, when they could be together again.
As Vincent readied himself, he heard Jamie at his threshold, saying, "Can I talk to you?"
Looking over at her, as he grabbed his cloak from the wardrobe, he asked, "What is it Jamie?"
Nervously, Jamie asked, "Are you on your way out?"
Impatiently Vincent said, “Yes, I am going to see Catherine."
The concern on Jamie's face was obvious, and this worried Vincent, so urgently, he stepped up to Jamie, and asked, "Tell me what is on your mind Jamie?"
Hesitating a moment, Jamie finally asked, "I was just wondering if you have seen Mouse lately?"
To be continued
Chapter Fifteen
Once they were on the road, in a scolding tone, Jennifer argued, "Mom you shouldn't have allowed Aunt Doris to pick up the check for Dinner! I was going to put it on my charge.”
In a matter-of-fact manner, she replied, “She offered to pay.”
Then Jennifer pointed out, “Yes, that's true, but Ma, it was after you ripped the bill out of my hands, and stuffed it into Aunt Doris's clenched fist, she had no choice!"
Mrs. Aranson sternly told her daughter, "I buy her food, whenever she comes into The City!"
Jennifer then added, “And about the restaurant we went to, you know Aunt Doris really wanted to go to China Gourmet."
Mrs. Aranson sternly told her daughter, "Your Aunt Doris KNEW I have been wanting to try "Pudgies" Famous Chicken! She just threw in the China Gourmet option, to make me feel guilty! Besides, I let her pick the place when she comes into The City to visit me."
Helplessly Jennifer looked at her Mom and pleaded, "Now Mom, you have to stop doing that."
Innocently Mrs. Aranson looked at Jennifer, and asked, "Doing what Dear?"
Looking at her mom, she could tell she knew exactly what she was talking about! Which was the way she referred to NYC as THE City! This reference really bugged her sister, and Mrs. Aranson knew it!
But, for the hundredth time, Jennifer explained the issue to her mom! So in an exasperated tone, she said, "You always refer to NYC as "THE City"! You know it really irritates Aunt Doris when you say that!”
Jennifer then added, “I hate to say this, but you have become a real "New York City" snob Mom!"
Mrs. Aranson folded her arms in front of herself, as she replied, “Ah she's too sensitive! I am a little upset at YOUR Aunt Doris anyway! Did you see how many of Grandma's Tulip bulbs she kept for herself! She gave me only a fourth of what I saw she had stored in her tool shed...and further more..."
Catherine laid her head back, and listened to the good-natured bickering, between Jennifer and her Mother, she thought they were quite a pair! And, she amusedly thought privately, that in a few subtle ways, Jennifer was evolving into her Mother!
As she tuned out her traveling companions, her thoughts turned to Vincent. She hoped when she saw him tonight, he would enfold her in his arms once more, where she felt so safe, cherished, and secure, the way it was before Lisa re-entered his world.
Catherine thought of how much she missed knowing she was the one who was upper-most in Vincent's heart, and mind. She couldn't help but wonder what all had transpired in her absence.
Did Vincent resolve the pain of the past by talking to Lisa? What kind of memories and anguish had been drudged up between them? Was Catherine wrong to demand so much from Vincent?
So many questions tormented her, and she no longer felt sure, what she asked of Vincent was the right thing for her to do. She hoped he had not resented her for it. Though she knew Vincent himself, felt the uncertainties and unresolved issues with Lisa had to be banished if they would ever be able to go forward. Forward without Lisa’s shadow between them, hindering a complete bond they both longed for, a bond which held no limits.
Catherine was plagued with so many thoughts, and "What-ifs" that her head was spinning. She finally reconciled it was out of her hands, and she would soon know where things stood between them.
Deciding to write in her journal, Catherine composed a letter to Vincent, one she wouldn’t send, but in this mythical letter, she would write all the things, she could never tell him. How could she? She didn't
want to saddle Vincent with the knowledge, of how badly she needed him. Then he would be compelled to stay with her out of pity, instead of devotion.
Thoughtfully, she wrote:
Dearest Vincent,
I know I asked you to follow your heart, but right now I am
frightened in doing so, your heart may not lead you to me.
I wonder how I would handle it if you were to tell me your feelings
for Lisa were stronger than you knew, and it is to me you will say goodbye to.
If the life we have begun building together would end, if this gift
was taken from me, how would I begin anew, knowing all I had lost.
You are so treasured, I am not sure you realize to what measure.
I not only owe you my life but what my life has become as well.
I pray where your heart leads you, will be to me.
If you need more time, more time to sort out your feelings, I
understand and I will be here waiting at the rainbows end for you,
hoping you come back to me.
Eternally yours,
Catherine
As Catherine finished her letter, she wiped a fallen tear from her cheek. She felt so very sad, and homesick for her life with Vincent. She then thought back, wondering exactly when things had taken such a turn.
Now it was she, who was questioning, and unsure. When Catherine and Vincent met, he seemed to be the needy one. Afraid to hope for love, thinking it was not his destiny to be cared for by a woman.
But their bond developed so suddenly, she never had time to question the sanity of a relationship such as this. It was as Vincent said, they were something that had never been before.
And yes this was because of Vincent's questionable lineage. But despite his primal facade, Catherine never felt she was bending downwards to love Vincent, but rather, felt as if she were lifted up by his spirit, and his gentle heart.
She felt as if she was chosen by a very special man, and it was an honor to be connected to him. Never had she felt it was the other way around.
Catherine knew as they re-entered the Lincoln Tunnel, it would not be long before she would be with Vincent again, and she would know what was in his heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, as Vincent entered his chamber to prepare for his journey above, the sadness of Lisa's farewell had faded. The thoughts of Catherine filled him with an excitement, and such infinite joy, he could not wait to see her again.
He could feel a sense of her, and the love she held for him. Although he was troubled by the sorrow he sensed from her too, he hoped that would fade when they were together again.
Vincent couldn't wait to tell her everything was all right. The past may now be cast aside, and no longer will its demons haunt them.
As darkness descended upon the world above, it meant their time was drawing near, their time, when they could be together again.
As Vincent readied himself, he heard Jamie at his threshold, saying, "Can I talk to you?"
Looking over at her, as he grabbed his cloak from the wardrobe, he asked, "What is it Jamie?"
Nervously, Jamie asked, "Are you on your way out?"
Impatiently Vincent said, “Yes, I am going to see Catherine."
The concern on Jamie's face was obvious, and this worried Vincent, so urgently, he stepped up to Jamie, and asked, "Tell me what is on your mind Jamie?"
Hesitating a moment, Jamie finally asked, "I was just wondering if you have seen Mouse lately?"
To be continued
Chapter Fifteen
| Where Rainbows End! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Fourteen |
