Something Else Again
Margaret NoelVincent sat in the chamber of the falls and stared unseeing at the sight before him. He was lost in thought. Once again he and Father had argued about his attachment to Catherine. Once again Father had stated that loving her would only cause him pain. Vincent did not know what to do. He could not stop loving Catherine any more then he could stop the beating of his heart. It was just beyond his control. He knew beyond a doubt that Catherine would never hurt him nor would she ever do anything to jeopardize his world. Her love brought him an inner peace. Why couldn’t Father see that? With a heavy sigh Vincent rose to his feet. There had to be some way to make him understand.
"How does one politely tell one’s overprotective parent to but out?" Vincent wondered. With a shrug and one last glance at the falls he headed back to the heart of the tunnel community.
Entering Father’s study Vincent was surprised to find it a hub of activity.
Seeing him enter Samantha looked up from the box she had been rummaging through. "It's books Vincent. A helper brought them. She said her daughter was moving away and couldn’t take them so she brought them here. Isn’t that wonderful."
"That is wonderful indeed." He replied. "What type of books are they? Fiction, poetry?"
"There are all types" Father responded, " So many new titles I thought perhaps everyone could take a volume or two and share a passage or verse they particularly enjoyed with the community tomorrow night."
"Father that is a wonderful idea" Mary stated as she came up beside him.
"Here Vincent" she continued handing him a small stack of books. "I think you might find something you can relate to in these."
If he thought Mary’s comments unusual Vincent said nothing. Returning to his chamber he arranged himself comfortably against the pillows on his bed and picked up the top book from the stack Mary had given him. He was mildly surprised to see that not only was it a book of song lyrics and music but that she had marked a particular page.
His eyes widened and a smile flickered across his features. "It’s perfect" he whispered.
The following evening the community gathered in Father’s study for the readings. Catherine was seated at Vincent’s side. He had sent her a message asking her to come.
When his turn came to read Vincent looked around at the gathered group he said, "I have chosen something a little different to share this evening. I want to read you the lyrics of a song. It is called ‘Something Else Again’ by Chris de Burgh."
In his velvet tones he read,
When he finished he glanced at Father who was staring at Catherine as though seeing her for the first time. Looking at Mary he mouthed the words "Thank You." He had made his point. Peace and understanding is the wisdom of her world, She loves without a reason; she gives without a word, There are those who make me smile, brighten up my day, But oh this woman she is something else again; All the nights I've ever known are waiting in her eyes, Sparkling like the silver, brimming like the wine, Other lovers laid me down, took my breath away, But oh this woman she is something else again, Oh she is a friend to me, Holds me in my tears, She said, "Yes, you will be young again When you look back through the years"... So take your woman by the hand, love her till she dies, Be strong when she needs you; hold her when she cries, And if a man should say to you, love just brings you pain, You tell him "No, my woman's something else again, Oh my woman's something else again, oh my woman's something else again"...The end