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Dinner Date
Catherine could hear the discussion that had been going on for hours in
the study as she came up from her tunnel visit. It was late in the
evening, as the clock chimed
She smiled as she recalled the time her youngest son, Joey, asked her a
strange question. “Hey Mom, do you know why Dad wanted to look over my
books on baseball today? I never knew Dad was interested in baseball.”
She only shrugged and said, “Not sure honey.”
Then a little thought made her chuckle to herself.
He’s boning up for his evening
with Joe, I’ll bet.
Catherine loved the fact that Vincent, even with his limited experience
in many areas, was at times able to swing Joe to his way of thinking.
Joe was always amazed at his friend’s knowledge in so many diverse
areas. In the Above world he knew Vincent would be a leader in whatever
field he would have chosen.
Joe occasionally felt sadness for his friend; that this extraordinary
man was not free to go out into the world. At the same time he was a
little envious of all the wonders Vincent had in his expanded yet
sheltered life.
He had his beautiful Catherine and their four amazing children, living
in the world she worked so hard to create for him Above.
Then he had the remarkable world
Below with all its own wonders and extended loving family.
“Vincent, can I ask you something? It’s kind of personal. So if you
don’t want to answer, I’ll understand…ok?” Joe asked.
“Joe, you may ask me anything. I will answer it as long as it doesn’t
break any confidence I have promised to keep,” he said, smiling at Joe’s
inquisitive look.
“Ok, here goes. Is there anything you would really like to do that you
haven’t been able to do, aside from the most obvious things, of course?”
He sat pondering for a few minutes, then nodding his head and smiling,
Hmm…yes, there is something.
“Yes Joe, there is something. Not a big thing to you maybe, but for me,
it’s only a dream that I have now and again.”
“What? Come on, Vincent. Out with it. What would you like to do that you
have never been able to?” Joe prodded in his best courtroom voice.
He smiled at Joe, tilted his head and said, “Take my beautiful wife on a
date out to dinner at a fancy restaurant. Joe, she has given up so much
to be…with me. She has built a life unimaginable for me, for us, for our
children.”
Vincent
stood quiet for a few seconds, reflecting on his life.
“Joe, I still sometimes think it’s all a dream and I will awake to find
myself alone and empty. Her heart is so full of love and she gives it
freely. Catherine asks for so little in return. Without her love my
heart would surely be a hollow empty shell.”
Joe sat watching and listening to his friend. A seed had been planted.
“Vincent it’s getting late, and before Cathy comes up to toss me out,
I’ll say goodnight. I enjoyed our discussion tonight – as usual, my
friend. See you next week, and say 'Hi'
to all Below for me,” Joe said, heading down the stairs and toward
the front door.
“Night, Radcliffe.”
“Goodnight, Joe. See you next week.”
Lying in bed propped up with pillows and reading, they were relaxed in
the warm contentment of their Bond. Jacob was away at school. Charles
was out with a group of friends. Joey and Jenny were Below for the
weekend, taking a small group of tunnel children on a camping trip with
Cullen. They weren’t sure who to feel sorry for the most – Cullen, or
the children.
“Vincent, I could hear you and Joe – well, really Joe – down in the
kitchen. You two really were giving strong argument to each side of…
what were you debating tonight anyway?” She asked, looking wickedly into
his big blue eyes.
“Oh, nothing too controversial…just world peace,” he answered, smiling
and touching her cheek.
“I’m so happy you and Joe are friends. It gives both of you someone to
argue…no, debate…with that
doesn’t result into bad feelings. You both respect each other’s opinions
and will listen to each other. Most people argue and won’t even listen
to what either side has to say.”
She sat up a little to fluff her pillow, and moved a tad closer to him.
“In the beginning, I was afraid Joe wouldn’t be able to accept our
relationship. That was before he met you, my love. But you won him over.
I love Joe like a big brother and didn’t want to exclude him from the
happiness of our life. But you, Vincent, made it all possible, and for
that I will always be grateful.”
Catherine leaned over to place a kiss on his fuzzy nose.
“Catherine, I feel as close to Joe now as I did to Devin growing up.
He’s a good man and he loves you. Although in the beginning, he was
hoping for more, I believe, than brotherly love. He – as I – only wants
you to be happy, and will do what ever it takes to do so. Thus, in the
beginning, if having to accept me did it, he was happy to do it for
you.”
Catherine put down her book, rolled slightly toward him, and started
running her hand over his chest, slowly letting it drop lower.
Vincent put down his book,
pulled her onto his lap, and started trailing butterfly kisses down her
neck and shoulder.
“Hmmm…you’re not so hard to accept my wonderful husband, lover, friend
or whatever you want to be right now,” she whispered, slightly out of
breath.
“I believe I shall go with lover,” Vincent whispered, rolling her over
onto her back and sliding her night gown up over her head in one flowing
motion. They then slowly and sensually loved each other until they
finally floated down from the combined explosive celebration of their
love. He purred softly as she lay on top of him, tenderly kneading his
chest in contentment. A late summer breeze was flowing in the French
doors of their bedroom, with hints of honeysuckle and roses making it
feel thoroughly enchanted. They knew how blessed they were and accepted
it gratefully. ****
Summer turned into fall, and a myriad of colors from the spring and
summer flowers changed to the golds, oranges, coppers and reds of
autumn. The air was a little cooler and the winds brought the scent of
bonfires lightly into their study. They sat reading and listening to
classical music playing softly in the background.
Above them they could faintly hear the music of their teenage children.
Catherine was sure her music never sounded that bad. Of course, Vincent
had never heard anything like it before. He was trying to understand
what his children saw in the loud and sometimes unintelligible
noise. But, as Catherine
pointed out occasionally, her
father never liked my music either, guess it must be a right of passage.
“Vincent, Joe and Jenny are coming over tomorrow evening for dinner. You
and Joe will, of course, solve the problems of the world? Jenny wants to
shop early for Halloween costumes. Okay?” she asked, grinning
mischievously.
“Yes, I believe Joe is, and I am looking forward to solving more of the
world’s problems. Isn’t Jenny starting a little early? Or is she looking
for something special?” he asked quizzically.
“I don’t know. But it will be fun. Shopping with Jenny is nothing if not
an adventure,” she said at the thought of her best friend.
The next day, dinner was over and the ladies had left the gentlemen to
fend for themselves for the evening.
“Vincent, remember a few months back I asked you a question about doing
something you couldn’t do, but would like too?” Joe asked when they were
alone in the study.
“Yes, I believe I do. Why do you ask, Joe”?
“Because I think I can work it out so you can. If I can, will you go for
it?"
“Joe, please…I don’t think I fully understand what you’re saying,” he
replied to his friend with questioning eyes.
“Remember, you said you’ve dreamed of taking Cathy out to dinner at a
fancy restaurant? I think I have it all worked out so you can,” he said,
totally proud of himself.
“Joe, how could this be? It’s an almost impossible dream.”
“Again, if I can work everything out, are you game to try?”
“Tell me your plan, please.”
“Ok, here goes. We do it on Halloween, first of all. It’s the only night
you can be out without looking out of place. I’ll arrange for a limo – a
buddy of mine has one and he owes me a few favors.”
Vincent stood with his hands on his hips, listening intently to Joe’s
plan.
“You send a message to Cathy and Jenny, telling them you’ll be late and
to wait at the house for you. She’ll just think you got hung up Below a
little. I’ll pick you up in the park. We come here, pick up the ladies
in style and off we go. What do you think?”
Vincent still looked apprehensive at what Joe was telling him.
“Jenny knows about this and will stall if need be. She has a cousin who
opened a new restaurant – the new
hot spot, as it
were. Reservations are hard to come by. Everyone will be in costume,
so you’ll fit right in. Are you still with me?” Joe asked an astounded
Vincent.
“I’m
amazed that you even remembered a trivial everyday event for most. But
it’s truly a dream for me. I don’t know what to say. It seems you have
put a great deal of time and thought into this,” Vincent said, shaking
his shaggy mane and smiling.
“Hey pal, isn’t it Cathy that always says
nothing is impossible? Come
on, Vincent, where’s your faith
in me?” Joe asked, with his hands over his heart looking hurt.
“Joe, I’m without words. It’s for Catherine…so I must try.”
“Seeing you at a loss for words makes this all the more fun,” Joe said,
grinning at Vincent and cuffing him on the arm.
“Joe, I’ll need money and I won’t use Catherine’s. I need to earn it.”
After a moment of quiet thought, he said, “And I think I know how I can.
I’ll need to speak with Jenny.”
The following week, before their weekly debate, Vincent closed the study
door, crossed the room and smiled at Joe.
“Joe, I know how I can earn the money for our dinner. And at the same
time, do something useful,” he whispered.
“What are you whispering for, Vincent? You can’t be heard outside this
room when you speak naturally,” Joe said shaking his head and smiling at
his friend.
“Okay, first, how are you going to earn the cash, and second, what has
my Jenny got to do with this?” Joe asked, as he stood with his hands on
his hips, trying to look alarmed.
“Jenny told me once that my voice was very soothing. She also knew
people who used their voice for audio recordings. She told me if I ever
wanted to do it, let her know.”
Vincent was starting to pace as he explained his plan to Joe.
“Well I let her know, and she contacted a friend who did recordings for
the blind. I did a test recording. She said they were greatly pleased.”
“How could anyone not like listening to you read? Heck, even I like it
when you read to the kids,” Joe said.
Vincent continued. “We used a helper’s home for the test reading, and
can do the actual recordings there also. A few hours here and there in
the evening will be all I need. Catherine will think I’m just out
walking in the park, as I do sometimes to relax. This way, I can truly
take my beautiful wife out to dinner with the money I earned like any
regular husband,” he said.
“You know, pal, you are everything she ever said you were. I’m really
glad that we’re friends. In the beginning, I was a little more than
skeptical about you. But I’ve come to know and understand you and am
honored to call you my friend. Or, if I may, a brother,” Joe said with
pride.
“Thank you, Joe. I’m truly humbled that you would consider me a brother.
I hope I never let you regret that. I see this is another gift of
Catherine’s love that I must accept,” he quietly said with the hint of
tears in both of their eyes.
The plan went along smoothly. Joe made all the Above preparations and
Vincent did his recordings at the helper’s home. All was completed
approximately two weeks before Halloween, leaving Joe and Vincent happy
and proud of their undercover accomplishments. They actually felt like
two teenagers who got away with something neat.
Halloween arrived with all the usual pomp in the household. Their
children considered themselves too old to trick or treat Above, so they
went Below to help make the tunnel children’s night fun and exciting.
Vincent, Catherine, Jenny and Joe were going to go walking in the city,
and then Below for the evening.
Catherine and Jenny were finishing their makeup and costumes; they
looked like two fairy princesses, all lacy and demure.
Joey
came up from Below to deliver Vincent’s message.
“Hey, Mom! Dad said he’d be a few minutes late, so please wait for him
here.” Joey yelled up the stairs and then disappeared again.
“Really, I have to wait on him for a change. Now there’s a first!
Charles,
I guess you’re the one who will be passing out the treats this year for
the trick or treaters. Okay, sweetie?” Catherine asked as she handed him
the bowl of goodies.
”No problem, Mom. I always like to see what costumes the kids come up
with. Every year it’s something new, and besides, I like to tease them
with my empty dish trick. They look really surprised when I show them
the empty dish and tell them it’s all gone.”
“Charles, it's terrible to tease little kids that way,” Aunt Jenny said,
shaking her finger at him.
“Nope, it’s fun,” he said, looking devilish. “Hey, Mom, there’s a limo
pulling up out front. Are you expecting someone special tonight?”
Charles asked.
“Yes, sweetie. Your father…but he doesn’t have a limo,” she said,
starting toward the front door curiously.
Upon reaching the door, she looked out to see the driver opening the
passenger door. Vincent and Joe stepped out, both smiling like the
proverbial
“Ladies, may we have the honor of escorting you to dinner this evening?”
Vincent asked, glancing back at Joe and winking.
Catherine just stood there looking totally bewildered. But she smiled as
she looked into his heavenly blue eyes.
“Vincent, what did you say?”
“I asked if you would do me the honor of going out to dinner with me, my
love.”
“But….”
“No buts. Please be careful on the steps. Take my hand – you seem a bit
unsteady. And may I say, you look beautiful when you’re perplexed.”
With that, he kissed her hand as he escorted her down the front steps to
the limo. Joe was smiling along with Jenny as he helped her into the
car.
Once seated, they were off to the restaurant and dinner in style.
The ride to their destination was quiet; Catherine was silent in her
amazement, and the others enjoyed the fact that they could pull this
off.
Vincent looked dashing in his white ruffled shirt, black velvet pants
and matching vest. His black thigh high boots were shined smartly, and
his cloak capped the outfit magnificently.
Jenny thought to herself, She
really is surprised. Great! The evening is only beginning. We three are
going to expand her world for as change!
Catherine’s eyes were as big as saucers. The look on her face was
priceless. Vincent was enjoying the feeling of multiple emotions in
their Bond: wonderment and joy, confusion and disbelief, but most of
all, love.
They arrived at the restaurant and were seated with a flourish by the
owner. Their table was by the window overlooking the river. The glowing
lights on the walkway made star-like shapes on the water. The restaurant
was bathed in soft lighting, making it seem as if a thousand candles
were shimmering.
“My love, you’re so quiet. May I ask why?” Vincent whispered softly in
her ear.
“Vincent, it’s like a dream I’ve had occasionally. You, my love, have
made it come true. How did you know?”
“Catherine, it had been a dream of mine also…for you, for us. You have
given up more than you realize to love and be with me. I can never give
you enough for the gifts you have given me. At least I could try
tonight. Now, with Joe and Jenny’s help, I have been able to fulfill one
of your dreams…I hope.” His heart was so full of love for this woman.
“Vincent, you have made all my dreams come true from the moment I met
you. Granted, there were more than a few hurdles. But we took them
together and we never looked back, my love.”
She
touched his cheek and caught the tear her words brought to his eyes.
“Hey, you two, if you keep that up you’ll need a room,” Joe said, trying
to keep the evening light.
“You’re correct, my friend. Tonight is to be fun. Good food and
wonderful friends,” Vincent said with a grin that let his canines show!
Their dinner was excellent, the champagne sparkling and the dessert
sinful. They were like any other couple out for the evening and having a
great time. When the waiter brought the check, Catherine started to
reach for her purse.
“My dear wife, please allow me,” Vincent said with a smile.
She looked at him in disbelief. Then, with a smile, shrugged her
shoulders and watched in amazement.
He reached inside his vest and took out a small leather pouch and
produced the money to take care of the bill plus a generous tip for
their waiter. She simply looked at him in bewilderment.
Back in the limo, they all sat laughing. Even Catherine had given up
wondering and was truly enjoying the evening. Their driver told them all
to sit back and let him give them the grand tour. True to his words, the
driver took them all over the city. It was Vincent who contributed most
of the dialogue. His knowledge of the city and its history was
remarkable for someone who never lived in the Above world. They were
amazed at his awareness on so many levels.
As they returned home to the brownstone, the driver told Vincent, “Hey
buddy, any time you need a job as a tour guide, let me know.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, knowing that it would
never happen.
All was quiet in the house when they got home. A note from Charles said
he had gone Below after giving out the treats to the tricksters.
“Vincent, I don’t know how you did all this. It was wonderful in so many
ways. Thank you, my love. And thank you, Joe and Jenny. It was an
incredible evening.” Catherine smiled and hugged them one at a time.
“Hey Radcliffe, did we expand your world for a change?” Joe asked, ever
so pleased with their combined efforts.
“Yes.”
The End |