Meanwhile, Catherine met Jennifer at the curb with her luggage, and though she tried to smile at her dear friend, Jennifer already knew something was wrong.
And so her Mom wouldn't hear, Jennifer whispered, "Hey, what's up Cath?"
With a tremble to her voice, Catherine replied, "Everything is fine Jen, let it go, Okay?"
With a questioning nod, Jennifer replied, "Okay, I'll let it go for NOW!"
Jennifer then turned to open the trunk, and loaded up Catherine's gear, and in an effort to instill some fun into the outing, Jennifer declared, "Ready or not...Aunt Doris, here we come!"
So up till then, the girls traveled along uneventfully, until Jennifer asked, "Hey, you are kinda quiet back there Mom, you okay?"
To which Mrs. Aranson painfully answered, "Not really! That burger from "BILL'S GRILL" has given me GAS!"
Upon hearing the GAS alert comment, both Catherine and Jennifer exchanged worried looks, which prompted Jennifer to hurriedly pass back the Bean-O bottle to her Mother, and expressed, "I hope this will help!"
With the courage of a martyr, Jennifer's Mom told her, "Oh I'll be fine, now don't worry about me. I think I'll just rest my eyes for a while. Cathy will you give me my Hemorrhoid Ring? It should be right up there on the floorboard by your feet."
With an expedient gesture, Catherine handed Jennifer's Mom her ring, to which Mrs. Aranson adjusted her ample girth upon the donut shaped pillow, promptly popped a couple of the ant-acid tablets, and with hope, closed her eyes.
Meanwhile, Catherine and Jennifer made some idle chit chat, until they heard the sweet, sweet sound of Mrs. Aranson SNORING, which gave Jennifer the green light to do some interrogating!
So searchingly, Jennifer insistently said, "Now don't try to kid a kidder Cath...there's problems with Mr. Mysterious aren't there?"
As Catherine thought of how to answer Jennifer, she hesitated because there was so much she could not tell her friend. But how she wished she could confide in Jennifer. Catherine felt so isolated at times because of her relationship with Vincent, which DID set her apart from the other people in her life she also loved.
So thoughtfully, Catherine began, "Yes, there is a problem, but Jen I can't take advantage of you by crying on your shoulder, and just tell you a part of my problem! I know that would drive you even more crazy!"
And because she felt Catherine was about to crack, Jennifer spurred her along by saying, "No it wouldn't Cath! I promise it won't...just tell me what you feel ready to tell me. I mean you don't have to tell me who he is or anything, just speak in generalities."
Upon hearing Jennifer's generous offer of being her sounding board, Catherine expressed, "You are such a Dear friend Jen, and I want you to know it is so hard leaving you out of any part of my life...but it's just that..."
As Jennifer listened to Catherine's emotional reply, she couldn't take it any more, and so she butted in, and said, "Oh STOP Cath, I feel so guilty!"
Being taken totally off guard by Jennifer's outburst, Catherine quizzically asked, "Guilty, about what?"
As Jennifer gave Catherine a knowing look, she took a deep breath and confessed, "Because, I know who he is! I know who you are seeing, and trust me I think it is so exciting! In fact, I think I am even a little jealous! Imagine a secret romance no one else can know about!"
Upon hearing Jennifer's claim, Catherine gave her a disbelieving look, knowing there could be no possible way she could know about Vincent!
And so she dared her, as she said, "You don't know, I think you are just trying to bait me!"
In response, Jennifer nodded, and bearing a huge grin on her face, she insisted, "Oh yes I do! And I want you to know you can trust me! These lips are sealed!"
And because Catherine wouldn't or couldn't be fooled by Jennifer, she scolded, "You are relentless, please stop it. You don't know him."
To which Jennifer dreamily cooed, "Don't be embarrassed, I can't think of anything more romantically sweet than a relationship where a couple is so much in love, that it doesn't matter to either one of you, that you are so different from one another! A love that is so strong, you can look beyond the differences, because they are inconsequential. To LOVE each other so much, that you do not care what anyone else thinks! Oh yes! I do envy you! To be that much in love, that you are willing to throw caution to the wind, and just go-for-it!"
Upon hearing Jennifer's comments, Catherine was absolutely flabbergasted, thinking that maybe somehow, Jenny DOES know about Vincent!
So because of Catherine's speechlessness, Jennifer was sure she was on to something and was right about who Mr. Mysterious was! And so she inquisitively asked, "I am dying to know, what do you think your Dad would have said about this unconventional relationship? Do you think he would have approved?"
In a stunned manner, Catherine answered, "I...I...I'm not sure! I know he wanted me to be happy..."
Nodding knowingly, Jennifer agreed, and then asked, "I suppose kids are out of the question uh?"
Catherine was sitting quite dazed! She couldn't believe she was talking about any of this with Jennifer!
So in a mechanical fashion, Catherine shrugged her shoulders, as she thought about Jennifer's question and answered, "I...I...I don't know, we never discussed it, but I..."
Butting in, Jennifer quickly fired another question at her, asking, "So what happened between you two tonight anyway? Did you have a quarrel?"
Saddened, as she thought back on the events of the evening, she carefully assessed their conversation, and replied, "No not a quarrel exactly. It was more like we came to a moment-of-truth impasse."
Assuming the impasse must have been about SEX, Jennifer nodded, and surmisingly asked, "Problems in the old sack uh?"
To which a very private Catherine, hesitantly AND embarrassingly shared with her close friend, "I don't know if you can say we have a problem in that area...you see we haven't..."
As Catherine heard her own words, she realized how uncomfortable she was talking about this topic, and so she relented, saying, "Jenny, forget I said anything, you know, I'm not really comfortable talking about things like this!"
In an understanding voice, Jennifer said, "Oh I see, sexual incompatibility! Although, I have read where men can have sex well into their eighties, I can't imagine you would want sex at that point though! But even though he is alot older than you, he seems healthy, and I can imagine he..."
In astonishment, Catherine looked at her friend and asked, "Into their eighties? What are you talking about Jen?"
Heaving a deep romanticized breath, Jennifer replied, "A May-December" romance of course! Like Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn in "Love in the Afternoon! How positively romantic!"
Cautiously Catherine then asked, "Maybe you better just tell me who it is you think I am seeing Jenny?"
Assuredly, Jennifer answered, "I'm talking about Peter of course. I saw him entering your building earlier this evening on our way to Cosco."
As Catherine heaved a sigh of relief, she still had to shake her head in wonderment!
Not noticing her friend's reaction, Jennifer went on, and conceded, "Yes, I imagine your Dad would have approved. Peter makes big bucks, and he treats you good, although, it must be kinda weird, since he is like a second Father..."
Suddenly Catherine shouted, "Stop, Jenny stop! It isn't Peter!"
Just then, Jennifer's Mom, who was stirred from her sleep, shouted out from a dreamlike state, saying, "Clem you rascal!"
Upon hearing Mrs. Aranson's outburst, Catherine and Jennifer exchanged looks of astonishment, and as they exited the Lincoln tunnel heading for Hackensack, Jennifer with a furrowed brow wondered aloud, "Who in the world is Clem? Dad's name was Herman!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Vincent awoke from a restless night, harboring the same thoughts he had when he drifted off to sleep. How is Catherine?
He had such anxiety knowing Catherine had traveled out of the city, and was so far from him. He loved having her near him, close by so he could guard, and protect her.
Jacob greeted Vincent warmly, as they met in the tunnel on their way to breakfast, saying, "Good morning, how did you sleep?"
Vincent stayed silent for a moment, before he turned to him, and said, "Until Catherine returns safely, I will be unsettled. I just want her home. It is because of me she went away."
As Jacob struggled along with his cane, Vincent slipped a supportive arm through his, and they continued on their way.
Clarifying Catherine's plans, Jacob asked, "She will be returning tonight Vincent, is that right?"
Vincent nodded, "Yes tonight Father, I promised Catherine, when she returned, I will have dealt with the issues that stand between us."
Jacob wondered if Vincent and Lisa had resolved anything last night. He did know Lisa sought Vincent out after the concert, and so he assumed, and hoped, they had a chance to talk, but he hated to ask Vincent again. So he waited, as Vincent seemed to have something on his mind, perhaps he will
tell him on his own.
Thoughtfully, Vincent walked along, wanting to explain to Jacob how Lisa felt all those years ago, when he had sent her away. Of how she felt so alone and abandoned. Yes once again, in her young life she had been abandoned. But he knew Jacob already had guilt feelings on how he handled the situation, but there were some things he needed to know, if he was ever going to make things right with her. Only then can Lisa, hopefully achieve serenity, and have peace of mind. He very much wanted to help her in this, as she had helped him.
Wanting to be careful on how he broached the subject with Jacob, Vincent spoke reflectively, finally saying, "Lisa and I spoke last night. She told me things that have helped me understand the darkness of our past. Her honesty has righted that past with truths, truths in which I was not aware of."
Relieved to hear this news, and for the fact his son opened up to him, Jacob happily said, "I am glad to know she was able to do that for you. After all these years, she finally did right by you my boy. It is so important to admit ones shortcomings, and have the courage to apologize! I was beginning to wonder if anything I had tried to instill in her as a child, tarried with her!"
These words from Jacob, fueled Vincent's resolve, and he thought it was time for him to practice what he preached! And so Vincent firmly said, "Yes, Lisa's words have healed a part of me, and now it is time for you to do that for her."
Jacob looked surprisingly at Vincent, and asked, "Whatever do you mean?"
Pensively, Vincent looked downward, not knowing how to make his father understand, without hurting him. Slowly, he began, "Do you remember when Lisa came to us as a small girl?"
Jacob's look became sullen, as he relied on his memory of that day. With a smile in his eyes, he said, "Why yes I do. Mary had just come to live below here with us, and she was finding it hard to sever herself from the world above, from her life as a Top-Sider. It seemed she found an excuse nearly every day to run an errand above. It was Mary who had found Lisa hurt and all alone, so she brought her below to me. It looked as if her little arm had indeed been injured! And as I recall she was, Oh my, she was so frightened...so frightened. It took a while for me to gain her trust so I could even look at it. So I examined her, and soothed her, and as I recollect, besides Mary, I was the only one who could get her to eat, I was the only one Lisa would allow near her, I was the only, the only one she trusted."
As Jacob spoke these words, he was taken aback. He had forgotten how fragile Lisa had been both physically, and mentally. And Jacob had also forgotten what he must have meant to her, as a broken abused child. He suddenly found it hard to walk another step. So he made his way to the side of the tunnel wall to stand for a moment.
As Vincent held on to him, he asked, "Father are you all right?"
With a tremble to his lips, and a tear in his eye, he said, "I can see now that I have been a heartless old fool!"
Vincent stopped Mouse, as he passed by them, and asked, "Please get Father some water."
Jacob waved off the medical attention, saying, "It is nothing, nothing I will be fine."
Vincent looked at his Father, and with concern, he said, "Your memories of Lisa have upset you, I am sorry. I shouldn't have made you talk about it."
Jacob gripped his son's arm, and assuredly said, "It is good you did. I see things now, I couldn't see before. Perhaps, I didn't want to. At any rate, I need to talk to Lisa, can you tell her?"
Calming his Father, Vincent lovingly said, "We'll talk more about this later on. For now, I am taking you back to your chamber to rest. I will have breakfast brought to you."
As Vincent tried to re-direct his Father back to his chamber, Jacob insistently asked once more, "Vincent please! Will you tell Lisa I need to speak with her?"
Seeing how important this was to him, Vincent nodded as he aided his Father back home, and told him, "Of course I will. Let's get you settled in first."
To be continued
Chapter Eleven
And so her Mom wouldn't hear, Jennifer whispered, "Hey, what's up Cath?"
With a tremble to her voice, Catherine replied, "Everything is fine Jen, let it go, Okay?"
With a questioning nod, Jennifer replied, "Okay, I'll let it go for NOW!"
Jennifer then turned to open the trunk, and loaded up Catherine's gear, and in an effort to instill some fun into the outing, Jennifer declared, "Ready or not...Aunt Doris, here we come!"
So up till then, the girls traveled along uneventfully, until Jennifer asked, "Hey, you are kinda quiet back there Mom, you okay?"
To which Mrs. Aranson painfully answered, "Not really! That burger from "BILL'S GRILL" has given me GAS!"
Upon hearing the GAS alert comment, both Catherine and Jennifer exchanged worried looks, which prompted Jennifer to hurriedly pass back the Bean-O bottle to her Mother, and expressed, "I hope this will help!"
With the courage of a martyr, Jennifer's Mom told her, "Oh I'll be fine, now don't worry about me. I think I'll just rest my eyes for a while. Cathy will you give me my Hemorrhoid Ring? It should be right up there on the floorboard by your feet."
With an expedient gesture, Catherine handed Jennifer's Mom her ring, to which Mrs. Aranson adjusted her ample girth upon the donut shaped pillow, promptly popped a couple of the ant-acid tablets, and with hope, closed her eyes.
Meanwhile, Catherine and Jennifer made some idle chit chat, until they heard the sweet, sweet sound of Mrs. Aranson SNORING, which gave Jennifer the green light to do some interrogating!
So searchingly, Jennifer insistently said, "Now don't try to kid a kidder Cath...there's problems with Mr. Mysterious aren't there?"
As Catherine thought of how to answer Jennifer, she hesitated because there was so much she could not tell her friend. But how she wished she could confide in Jennifer. Catherine felt so isolated at times because of her relationship with Vincent, which DID set her apart from the other people in her life she also loved.
So thoughtfully, Catherine began, "Yes, there is a problem, but Jen I can't take advantage of you by crying on your shoulder, and just tell you a part of my problem! I know that would drive you even more crazy!"
And because she felt Catherine was about to crack, Jennifer spurred her along by saying, "No it wouldn't Cath! I promise it won't...just tell me what you feel ready to tell me. I mean you don't have to tell me who he is or anything, just speak in generalities."
Upon hearing Jennifer's generous offer of being her sounding board, Catherine expressed, "You are such a Dear friend Jen, and I want you to know it is so hard leaving you out of any part of my life...but it's just that..."
As Jennifer listened to Catherine's emotional reply, she couldn't take it any more, and so she butted in, and said, "Oh STOP Cath, I feel so guilty!"
Being taken totally off guard by Jennifer's outburst, Catherine quizzically asked, "Guilty, about what?"
As Jennifer gave Catherine a knowing look, she took a deep breath and confessed, "Because, I know who he is! I know who you are seeing, and trust me I think it is so exciting! In fact, I think I am even a little jealous! Imagine a secret romance no one else can know about!"
Upon hearing Jennifer's claim, Catherine gave her a disbelieving look, knowing there could be no possible way she could know about Vincent!
And so she dared her, as she said, "You don't know, I think you are just trying to bait me!"
In response, Jennifer nodded, and bearing a huge grin on her face, she insisted, "Oh yes I do! And I want you to know you can trust me! These lips are sealed!"
And because Catherine wouldn't or couldn't be fooled by Jennifer, she scolded, "You are relentless, please stop it. You don't know him."
To which Jennifer dreamily cooed, "Don't be embarrassed, I can't think of anything more romantically sweet than a relationship where a couple is so much in love, that it doesn't matter to either one of you, that you are so different from one another! A love that is so strong, you can look beyond the differences, because they are inconsequential. To LOVE each other so much, that you do not care what anyone else thinks! Oh yes! I do envy you! To be that much in love, that you are willing to throw caution to the wind, and just go-for-it!"
Upon hearing Jennifer's comments, Catherine was absolutely flabbergasted, thinking that maybe somehow, Jenny DOES know about Vincent!
So because of Catherine's speechlessness, Jennifer was sure she was on to something and was right about who Mr. Mysterious was! And so she inquisitively asked, "I am dying to know, what do you think your Dad would have said about this unconventional relationship? Do you think he would have approved?"
In a stunned manner, Catherine answered, "I...I...I'm not sure! I know he wanted me to be happy..."
Nodding knowingly, Jennifer agreed, and then asked, "I suppose kids are out of the question uh?"
Catherine was sitting quite dazed! She couldn't believe she was talking about any of this with Jennifer!
So in a mechanical fashion, Catherine shrugged her shoulders, as she thought about Jennifer's question and answered, "I...I...I don't know, we never discussed it, but I..."
Butting in, Jennifer quickly fired another question at her, asking, "So what happened between you two tonight anyway? Did you have a quarrel?"
Saddened, as she thought back on the events of the evening, she carefully assessed their conversation, and replied, "No not a quarrel exactly. It was more like we came to a moment-of-truth impasse."
Assuming the impasse must have been about SEX, Jennifer nodded, and surmisingly asked, "Problems in the old sack uh?"
To which a very private Catherine, hesitantly AND embarrassingly shared with her close friend, "I don't know if you can say we have a problem in that area...you see we haven't..."
As Catherine heard her own words, she realized how uncomfortable she was talking about this topic, and so she relented, saying, "Jenny, forget I said anything, you know, I'm not really comfortable talking about things like this!"
In an understanding voice, Jennifer said, "Oh I see, sexual incompatibility! Although, I have read where men can have sex well into their eighties, I can't imagine you would want sex at that point though! But even though he is alot older than you, he seems healthy, and I can imagine he..."
In astonishment, Catherine looked at her friend and asked, "Into their eighties? What are you talking about Jen?"
Heaving a deep romanticized breath, Jennifer replied, "A May-December" romance of course! Like Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn in "Love in the Afternoon! How positively romantic!"
Cautiously Catherine then asked, "Maybe you better just tell me who it is you think I am seeing Jenny?"
Assuredly, Jennifer answered, "I'm talking about Peter of course. I saw him entering your building earlier this evening on our way to Cosco."
As Catherine heaved a sigh of relief, she still had to shake her head in wonderment!
Not noticing her friend's reaction, Jennifer went on, and conceded, "Yes, I imagine your Dad would have approved. Peter makes big bucks, and he treats you good, although, it must be kinda weird, since he is like a second Father..."
Suddenly Catherine shouted, "Stop, Jenny stop! It isn't Peter!"
Just then, Jennifer's Mom, who was stirred from her sleep, shouted out from a dreamlike state, saying, "Clem you rascal!"
Upon hearing Mrs. Aranson's outburst, Catherine and Jennifer exchanged looks of astonishment, and as they exited the Lincoln tunnel heading for Hackensack, Jennifer with a furrowed brow wondered aloud, "Who in the world is Clem? Dad's name was Herman!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Vincent awoke from a restless night, harboring the same thoughts he had when he drifted off to sleep. How is Catherine?
He had such anxiety knowing Catherine had traveled out of the city, and was so far from him. He loved having her near him, close by so he could guard, and protect her.
Jacob greeted Vincent warmly, as they met in the tunnel on their way to breakfast, saying, "Good morning, how did you sleep?"
Vincent stayed silent for a moment, before he turned to him, and said, "Until Catherine returns safely, I will be unsettled. I just want her home. It is because of me she went away."
As Jacob struggled along with his cane, Vincent slipped a supportive arm through his, and they continued on their way.
Clarifying Catherine's plans, Jacob asked, "She will be returning tonight Vincent, is that right?"
Vincent nodded, "Yes tonight Father, I promised Catherine, when she returned, I will have dealt with the issues that stand between us."
Jacob wondered if Vincent and Lisa had resolved anything last night. He did know Lisa sought Vincent out after the concert, and so he assumed, and hoped, they had a chance to talk, but he hated to ask Vincent again. So he waited, as Vincent seemed to have something on his mind, perhaps he will
tell him on his own.
Thoughtfully, Vincent walked along, wanting to explain to Jacob how Lisa felt all those years ago, when he had sent her away. Of how she felt so alone and abandoned. Yes once again, in her young life she had been abandoned. But he knew Jacob already had guilt feelings on how he handled the situation, but there were some things he needed to know, if he was ever going to make things right with her. Only then can Lisa, hopefully achieve serenity, and have peace of mind. He very much wanted to help her in this, as she had helped him.
Wanting to be careful on how he broached the subject with Jacob, Vincent spoke reflectively, finally saying, "Lisa and I spoke last night. She told me things that have helped me understand the darkness of our past. Her honesty has righted that past with truths, truths in which I was not aware of."
Relieved to hear this news, and for the fact his son opened up to him, Jacob happily said, "I am glad to know she was able to do that for you. After all these years, she finally did right by you my boy. It is so important to admit ones shortcomings, and have the courage to apologize! I was beginning to wonder if anything I had tried to instill in her as a child, tarried with her!"
These words from Jacob, fueled Vincent's resolve, and he thought it was time for him to practice what he preached! And so Vincent firmly said, "Yes, Lisa's words have healed a part of me, and now it is time for you to do that for her."
Jacob looked surprisingly at Vincent, and asked, "Whatever do you mean?"
Pensively, Vincent looked downward, not knowing how to make his father understand, without hurting him. Slowly, he began, "Do you remember when Lisa came to us as a small girl?"
Jacob's look became sullen, as he relied on his memory of that day. With a smile in his eyes, he said, "Why yes I do. Mary had just come to live below here with us, and she was finding it hard to sever herself from the world above, from her life as a Top-Sider. It seemed she found an excuse nearly every day to run an errand above. It was Mary who had found Lisa hurt and all alone, so she brought her below to me. It looked as if her little arm had indeed been injured! And as I recall she was, Oh my, she was so frightened...so frightened. It took a while for me to gain her trust so I could even look at it. So I examined her, and soothed her, and as I recollect, besides Mary, I was the only one who could get her to eat, I was the only one Lisa would allow near her, I was the only, the only one she trusted."
As Jacob spoke these words, he was taken aback. He had forgotten how fragile Lisa had been both physically, and mentally. And Jacob had also forgotten what he must have meant to her, as a broken abused child. He suddenly found it hard to walk another step. So he made his way to the side of the tunnel wall to stand for a moment.
As Vincent held on to him, he asked, "Father are you all right?"
With a tremble to his lips, and a tear in his eye, he said, "I can see now that I have been a heartless old fool!"
Vincent stopped Mouse, as he passed by them, and asked, "Please get Father some water."
Jacob waved off the medical attention, saying, "It is nothing, nothing I will be fine."
Vincent looked at his Father, and with concern, he said, "Your memories of Lisa have upset you, I am sorry. I shouldn't have made you talk about it."
Jacob gripped his son's arm, and assuredly said, "It is good you did. I see things now, I couldn't see before. Perhaps, I didn't want to. At any rate, I need to talk to Lisa, can you tell her?"
Calming his Father, Vincent lovingly said, "We'll talk more about this later on. For now, I am taking you back to your chamber to rest. I will have breakfast brought to you."
As Vincent tried to re-direct his Father back to his chamber, Jacob insistently asked once more, "Vincent please! Will you tell Lisa I need to speak with her?"
Seeing how important this was to him, Vincent nodded as he aided his Father back home, and told him, "Of course I will. Let's get you settled in first."
To be continued
Chapter Eleven
| Where Rainbows End! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Ten |
