Where Rainbows End!
By
Sharon Holtz
Chapter Five
Catherine rested on her bed, as she processed the information she gained from the children. Normally she would have been beside herself with joy to receive a visit from them, but this visit left her sad. She had to face the realization, that perhaps Vincent wouldn’t be comfortable having her below, now that Lisa was there. And it sounded as if Lisa managed to win a place in the children’s hearts, maybe even inching her out there too.
Just as Catherine gathered her self to begin her day anew, the telephone rang, and it was Peter, saying, "Hi kiddo, I wanted to check on my favorite patient.”
Putting her sorrow aside, she was so happy to hear from Peter, and so Catherine teased back, "Patient Peter? What do you mean?”
In a scolding tone, Peter said, "I see you totally forgot. You were supposed to come in and have your annual checkup yesterday, but you never showed!”
Catherine apologized profusely, as she said, "Oh Peter, it was yesterday? I thought it was next week! I am so sorry.”
Peter replied understandingly, "I know, you have a lot on your mind lately. How are you coping kiddo?”
With a heavy sigh Catherine answered, "I’m doing all right, but I miss Dad so much. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you, and Vincent. You both have helped me through the toughest of times.”
Peter warmly replied, "I will always be there for you Cathy, you know that. And Vincent too. The time you spent in the tunnels together, seemed to have been quite healing for you, really, a healing time for you both."
Questioning Peter's comment concerning Vincent, Catherine asked, "Healing for Vincent?"
In reply, Peter thoughtfully shared, "Yeah, I'd say so. You see, its because of the closeness you two share, Vincent seems stronger, more confident. I guess I mean to say more self-assured. You have been wonderful for him. If you would’ve known Vincent back in the dark days, well anyway, that is OLD news, and anyway, I just wanted to check on you and make sure you are all right."
Thoughtfully, Catherine replied, "I'm fine, maybe a little forgetful..."
Butting in, Peter with care said, "Not a problem Cathy, I will just have your appointment rescheduled for one day next week. Is Thursday or Friday good? I have a convention in London on Tuesday, but back in the office on Thursday.”
Catherine excitedly noted, "London uh? That sounds like fun!”
Informatively, Peter replied, "These medical conventions are all alike no matter where they are held! And I can describe it with one word, BORING!"
Catherine laughed at Peter's description, and listened as he continued, "Well, on a more exciting note, I’ll look forward to seeing you tonight at the Children’s concert.”
Catherine thought back on what Peter had said earlier about she and Vincent sharing a closeness. This may have been true before Lisa came to New York, but now things are different.
In reply, Catherine softly answered, "About the concert, I’m not sure if I should go.”
Peter asked, "NOT SURE? You received your invitation today didn’t you? The children told me they had just delivered your invitation to you, before they delivered mine.”
Catherine hesitated a moment, before she answered, "Yes I received my invitation.”
Peter good-naturedly chided, "Then what’s the problem Cathy?”
Slowly Catherine explained, "The invitation came from the children, not from Vincent.”
Softly Peter said, "Well it IS the children’s concert.”
Catherine wasn’t sure if Peter knew Lisa was living below again, and so thoughtfully, she told him, "There is a little more to my dilemma Peter, you see Lisa has returned to the tunnels to live. Vincent helped her move back in yesterday.”
With concern, Peter replied he didn’t know. He then added, "That doesn’t mean her moving back, had anything to do with Vincent not mentioning the concert. Do you suppose he knew the children would be issuing you an invitation, and he didn’t want to spoil the surprise? I really think you should attend Cathy. Hey, how about going with me?”
Catherine thought over the "surprise” possibility, and conceded, "You know Peter, that does sound like Vincent. He would want me to be surprised. He knows how I love the children, and he would know how I would enjoy that. Yes, on second thought, I will go with you.”
Relieved, Peter said, "Great! Now don’t allow Lisa to intimidate you Cathy. You must hold your ground with Vincent. I know your relationship can withstand this test. Enough said, I will be by for you around 6:45. See you then.”
Catherine felt so much better after talking to Peter! All he said, made sense! Yes it was true, Peter did know Lisa, and all the history surrounding her and Vincent’s adolescent incident, because Jacob had called on Peter to perform the cosmetic surgery on Lisa’s shoulder. Yes, it was a dark time down in the tunnels for everyone.
Meanwhile, as Vincent appeared at Lisa's threshold, she looked up and scolded, "There you are! I am so glad you are here. I couldn’t have faced Father without you.”
Vincent soberly answered, "I spoke to Father earlier, and he is expecting us.”
Lisa took Vincent’s arm, and excitedly replied, "My contact with the children so far has been so positive and rewarding! I cannot wait to ask Father.”
As they headed for Jacob's chamber, Lisa looked up at Vincent, Vincent now the man. She considered, how his looks had grown more handsome through the years, the blue in his eyes, Lisa thought had intensified since his youth! And his body had become so strong and very powerful. Unconsciously, Lisa found herself smiling as she looked at him.
Shyly, Vincent looked downward as he caught her grin, and so he had to ask, "Is something amusing?”
Holding his gaze, she answered, "Being back here, walking the tunnels once again with you, it is a dream come true for me. And if I may compliment you, you are more striking than ever.”
Looking up at her childhood friend, she noticed a strand of hair caught in his eyelashes, and so she said, "Bend down a bit.”
As she smoothed the hair from his eyes, she looked at him with such intensity, as if trying to tell him how she felt about him. With care, she said, "There, that’s better.”
Lisa then quizzically asked, "Vincent?”
Vincent caught himself heaving a shuddering breath, and found he still felt so very unnerved by her power. Politely, he answered, "Yes?”
Looking downward, she asked, "You’re not the least bit curious about the things I wished to reveal to you last night, and about the things I told you in my letter?”
Mindfully, he bowed his head, as the inevitable happened. He should have known Lisa would bring up the subject he so very much wanted to avoid. Sincerely, he offered, "I think it would be for the best, if we didn’t talk about it. I have Catherine in my life now, and I feel talking about these feelings is a betrayal to her. I could not bare to hurt her.”
Lisa selfishly pouted, "What about me Vincent, what about my feelings? I simply must tell you or I will burst. Although, I suppose it can wait until later. For now I must concentrate on winning Father over. Oh Vincent I am so excited about my dance class!”
Vincent looked over at Lisa and told her, "Do not expect too much from Father.”
She looked at Vincent with a cunning smile, and said, "You are sweet to be concerned, but I believe I have learned a thing or two out in the world, and I believe Father will come around.”
To be continued
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