By
Sharon Holtz
Chapter Four
Catherine was struck at how lost she was feeling, because of not having plans with Vincent. She found since her Father had died, she was depending upon him, and he was becoming more and more important to her.
Ever since her Father died, she now felt so very alone in the world. Yes, Catherine has now suffered through the deaths of both of her parents, and it took much to regain her foothold in the world, and it was Vincent who helped her through her grief, and they grew closer because of it. Yet, for reasons Catherine could not seem to define, when it came time for her moment-of-truth, she chose a life above over a life in the tunnels.
Catherine couldn’t help but ask herself, how or why she arrived at this decision, when felt as deeply as she did for Vincent. And well now, since Lisa had moved back to the tunnels again, Catherine had to live with regretting her decision.
Yes, the news of Lisa living below in Vincent’s world, made Catherine feel so very forlorn. She thought if only Vincent wouldn’t have seemed so affected by Lisa’s presence, she wouldn’t have all these insecurities.
But affected, and shaken Vincent was, causing Catherine to feel separated and set apart from Vincent for the first time since they met.
She knew being needy, was not fair to Vincent. Maybe it was wrong of her to wait for him to call on her, but being with Vincent was all she wanted and hoped for. Catherine knew, he had an active life down in the tunnels, with so many responsibilities. He had many people depending on him, and even before Lisa's arrival, they never had as much time together as they would like.
So Catherine decided, until she and Vincent arrive on a common ground, she would somehow have to live a more fulfilling life above for herself.
After all, she had friends above too. And sadly, Catherine felt as if she was losing touch with many of them, but one friend she would never let this happen to was Jennifer.
Deciding to give Jennifer a call, Catherine thought she would see if she could go to the theater tonight. Catherine had been dying to see "Phantom of the Opera” again, and it was now being performed at the Majestic.
Just as she had decided to call Jennifer, the phone rang, and it was her! Cheerfully she said, "Cathy, I have a huge favor to ask you!”
Catherine, who was surprised at the coincidence of Jennifer calling just as she was about to call her, giggled and asked, "What is it Jen?”
In a pleading voice Jennifer asked, "Will you take care of Gonzales for the weekend? I have to drive Mother to Aunt Doris’s over in Jersey. She has to pick up some of the spring bulbs Aunt Doris had dug up from Grandma and Grandpa’s old farmhouse before it was sold. So guess what? I am the elected Chauffeur!”
In a questioning tone, Catherine clarified, "Gonzales?”
Optimistically, Jennifer chimed in, "He won’t be any trouble, I promise!”
To which Catherine disappointedly answered, "I am not worried about that, I mean how much trouble can a turtle be! Its just that I...well never mind, it wasn't important. Sure bring him over.”
Heaving a relieved sigh, Jennifer replied, "You are a life saver. I couldn’t imagine Gonzalez and Felix (Jen’s cat) spending the week-end alone here together!”
Catherine then decided to say, "You know I was just about to call you.”
Hearing a sadness in her friends voice, Jennifer inquired, "Why? What’s up?"
In reply, Catherine answered, "I was going to see if you wanted to go see the Phantom, but we can do it another time.”
Sensing Catherine was feeling a little lonely, Jennifer excitedly asked, "I have an idea! Why don’t you come along with us!”
Pondering the invitation, Catherine thought it might be fun! She used to spend weekends with Jennifer at her Aunt Doris’s, when they were teenyboppers. They would go visit Jennifer’s cousin Debbie, who was also their age. They would do the club scene on the Boardwalk, and just hang out.
Hopefully, Jennifer begged, "Come on! Say yes. You would be rescuing me from a weekend filled with talk of Bunions, corns, and constipated bowls! Oh my God the list of ailments go on and on!”
Catherine hated to say no, but she really thought maybe she needed some time to herself. So disappointedly she replied, "As tempting as you make it sound, I think I will stay put. Just bring Gonzales over.”
Pouting, Jennifer said, "Oh you are heartless! I’ll be over as soon as I get his things packed. See you in a bit.”
As Catherine hung up the phone, she began to have second thoughts about saying no. She knew Jennifer would make her laugh, and they would have a ball. But her ties with Vincent were so strong, the thought of being so far away from him, just seemed so impossible. And Catherine still had hope, Vincent would come to her tonight.
As Catherine finished dusting the last of her knick-knacks, she heard a knock on her door. Thinking it was probably Jennifer, she matter-of-factly opened the door.
To her surprise, it was Kipper, and Samantha, and so with a hug and a smile, Catherine asked the Tunnel children to come in. Warmly, she then asked, "What brings you here to see me?”
Kipper politely began, "We want to invite you…”
Butting in, Samantha added, "Formally that is!”
Agreeing, Kipper corrected himself, continuing, "Yes Formally invite you, since Vincent probably told you all about the concert tonight. But we wanted to give you a special written invitation.”
Proudly, Samantha told Catherine, "Yes! We thought we should give written invitations, because Lisa tells us a production, is only as successful as it’s presentation! So she helped us make these invitations!”
Catherine’s heart sank at the sound of Lisa’s name, and the fact Vincent, had NOT yet told her anything about the concert! She couldn’t help but wonder if, Vincent wanted to even invite her.
Trying to hide her sadness, Catherine looked at the invitation, and said, "You did a wonderful job! They are very eye-catching.”
Kipper smiled up at Catherine, as he informed her, "Lisa says the playbill for our concert must grab people’s attention, make them want to come. Lisa said after all, if a performer has no audience, then it is like a tree falling in a forest. Does it make a sound, if no one is around to hear it fall?”
Catherine agreeably replied, "Yes, she does have a point.”
Samantha curtly turned to Kipper, to remind him, "We better deliver these others invitations, because Lisa is expecting us back at 11:00 to work on the introduction number.”
Catherine smiled, and told them "Well Thank for the invitation. It means so much to me you brought
me one.”
With hope, Samantha asked, "You will come won’t you Catherine?”
Lowering her eyes, she looked down at the invitation once more, she noticed the concert is tonight, at 7:00 p.m. She then wondered if Vincent was planning to come for her as darkness fell to personally invite her. She then had to ask herself, what should I tell the children?
With a smile Catherine replied, "I’ll try Samantha.”
Kipper, excitedly chimed in, "Ah come on Catherine, you have to come, it wouldn’t be the same unless you are there.”
Lovingly, she rubbed Kipper’s full head of hair, and answered, "I promise if I can, I will be there. Now you better run along, you worn’t want to make Lisa wait. And children, thank you.”
Meanwhile, "Vincent, Vincent are you here?” Called Jacob, as he entered his son's chamber. Finding him daydreaming at his writing table, he saw his son with a pen poised, seemingly searching for a word! Little did Jacob know, Vincent was reaching for a word, to convey the turmoil within his heart.
Standing now beside his boy, he handed him the note he had received from Lisa. Sternly, Father asked "Do you know anything about this?”
Taking the note from his Father, Vincent read;
Dearest Father,
I wish to have an audience with you this morning at 10:00 a.m.
Vincent and I have a proposal to run by you. I do hope you will be
receptive to it.
Most appreciatively
Lisa
Vincent with a nod answered, "Yes Father, I believe I do.”
Looking at the note again, Jacob spoke a bit nervously, saying, "I don’t like this, not one bit. I feel she is plotting her way back here! And I am certain if she does, it is going to complicate things! I FEEL IT. I feel an uneasiness down to my toes!"
Vincent stood, and resting a reassuring arm around his Father, he told him, "Father please, we must give Lisa a chance. She so badly wants to do good things here. She wishes to be useful and helpful.”
Just then Samantha and Kipper excitedly ran in, shouting, "Vincent, Mouse needs you. He found an old blocked tunnel, and wants you to help him move this HUGE rock. He is in the north east branch of the 42nd street tunnel.”
Nodding at the Children, Vincent anxiously asked, "Father can we talk about this later?”
In reply, Jacob answered, "Yes, yes of course Vincent, be careful won’t you. We had a cave in not too far from that area years ago.”
Easing his Father’s mind, Vincent assured him, "Of course Father, I know the blocked area Mouse is at. I think it would be best to keep it undisturbed. I will tell him.”
Turning back to the children, Vincent noticed their pent up excitement. And so he asked them, "What is with you two?”
Jacob smiled at the children, and surmised, "I believe they are anxious about their performance tonight. Am I correct children?”
As Samantha replied, Vincent's mind began to race! He had forgotten all about the concert! Gleefully, she replied, "Oh yes Father, it is going to be our best concert yet. And look Vincent and Father, we made up formal invitations for everyone, and we have one for each of you too. We just returned from above. We gave one to Peter, Lou, Catherine, to Lin and her Dad…”
Vincent couldn’t believe he had forgotten to invite Catherine last night! Eagerly, he asked, "You saw Catherine? Did she say if she will be coming to the performance?”
Kipper sadly relayed, "Not sure, but she said she would try.”
Politely, Samantha asked Jacob, "May we be excused Father?”
Noticing Vincent’s angst, Jacob dismissed the children, saying, "Yes, yes of course, and thank you for the invitation. I am so impressed you are using the proper protocol for the occasion.”
After the children left them, Jacob approached Vincent, and asked, "What is it my boy?”
Reluctantly, he admitted, "Father, I neglected to issue Catherine a verbal invitation last night when I saw her."Berating himself, he lamented aloud, "Oh how could I have forgotten to tell her?”
Fuming at the gills, Jacob scolded Vincent, saying, "Because of Lisa that’s why! Vincent you must come to terms with these issues, before Lisa’s presence does some real damage!”
Sadly nodding, Vincent replied, "I know you are right Father. Please excuse me. I must go assist
Mouse, he becomes so impatient at times."
Stopping before he exited, he turned slightly to say, "I will return in time for the meeting with Lisa.”
To be continued
