WFOL 2022
BBTV Round Robin
MYSTERY LETTER
By
PerlAnn SnowStar
Catherine smiled as she quickly moved through the Park. She was so happy she wore the coat with the zippered pockets. The night sky hardly had any stars to help guide her way, yet she easily found the path toward the Bridge. Her heart was beating so fast; she kept looking around to make sure she was safe, as well as scanning the area for any familiar faces. She calmed down the moment she saw the figure of Vincent behind some trees.
He stepped out and had a smile on his face. “Catherine, why did you want me to meet you here? We could have met at the brownstone or our chamber.”
“Shall we walk to our favorite area?” She reached out to take his hand. “Let’s enjoy a bit of this daring adventure. Once we get to the drainage area and are securely behind the gate, I will explain.”
He gave her a quizzical look. “You know, I have to meet with the Council early tomorrow and discuss a project…”
She placed a finger on his lips. “Please, Vincent, no more duties, no more have-to-dos. Let’s just enjoy our little adventure.”
As they walked hand in hand through the Park in silence, she kept looking around. He was studying her as he was scanning the area for danger. He started to smile.
Looking at him, she inquired, “What?”
“I hear an owl.”
“No people.”
He shook his head. “No, actually this late on a chilly November night, there are few people around, and no one near us.”
The drainage ditch came into sight. They both picked up the pace and looked around before entering.
“Why did you want to take such a chance, Catherine?”
“Why did you not argue with me or dissuade me?”
“I felt your determination, just as I feel it now. Along with a feeling of…”
“Let’s just say I am puzzling over a puzzle.”
They walked up to the gate. “I just wanted to see if anyone would be around, meeting someone as well.” She hugged him. “Besides, I wanted a little adventure with you all to myself.”
He opened the gate and they stepped into the passageway. He turned to close the gate, as well as the door panel. Facing her, he said, “We should not have dared to travel this late through the Park. It is more dangerous now than in the past.”
Laughing, she said, “Really? Was it ever safe at all? Especially at 11 at night?”
“Catherine, we are getting on in years.”
“Yes, but even we need a little time just to be with each other.”
“The brownstone would have been a better place for us to be alone, away from Below.”
“And then Kipper or Mouse or someone would know where we were and come knocking, saying that there was an emergency.”
“I doubt that, especially at this late hour.”
“It has happened before. Besides, we were growing too comfortable in our new roles. And with Jake in college, Caroline getting ready to go, and Charles completing his high school lessons Below and online,” she shrugged and looked at him, “I think we got too set in our ways.”
“Catherine…”
“Vincent, aren’t you glad we took a little walk on the wild side?”
He looked at her. “This is not only about us. There is something else on your mind.”
“Yes.” She unzipped one of her coat pockets and handed Vincent the note. He looked bewildered.
Looking at her, he said, “Catherine, I did not write this.”
“I know.” She quickly took the note. “Still, it was so like us and the notes we used to write.”
Looking at the note, she read it aloud. “‘Beloved, I need to meet you tonight. At our usual bridge, usual time. Love you forever, Your Heart’.”
She placed the note back into her pocket and zipped it up. “Today, Angela sent over some books that she and others donated. We had some Helpers from Up Top bring down the boxes of books and they placed them on the table in Father’s Library. Lin, Henry, Angela, and John.” She shook her head, smiling. “Angela…I’m so glad she took over Mr. Smythe’s Bookshop when he died.”
“Over these two years, she has turned into a friend, then a trustworthy helper. And so young.”
“She is just a few years older than Jake.” She paused. “But I am getting away from the note. Mouse, Darryl, Caroline, Charles, and Kipper were helping me place the books into different piles so we can put them on the bookshelves. There were books to help the children with lessons, books to enjoy and read. Some were paperback, some hardcover, some were what Charles said were ‘fanzines.’ They had chores to do and left, promising me they will be back tomorrow to place them on the bookshelves, that it would be all right to leave them on the table. Mouse had commented that maybe a few might wind up being taken for reading.”
“Mouse and that comment.” She paused. Could it be?
“Catherine?”
“Anyway. Even though I, too, had things to do, I was curious. Especially about the fanzines. I did not want the children to find anything inappropriate. So, I took some that seemed to be only for the adults and placed them up high in a pile in an empty spot on the top shelves. There was one that caught my curiosity.”
Looking at Vincent, she blushed. “It is such an interesting fanzine. About a Vulcan meeting a human and, well…”
He, too, started to blush. “Catherine...”
She hugged him. “Let’s get back home, shall we? I will show you the fanzine. I left it in our chamber.”
He nodded and as they walked down the passageway, she continued, “I made sure to take it with me back to our chamber, and not because the content was interesting. You know, I am not too fond of science fiction, but it was in that fanzine that I found the note. Right in the middle.”
He looked at her, surprised.
“I know. Vincent, it said tonight, today, and I felt concerned for whomever was meeting their loved one. I sat down and waited an hour, but no one came into the Library, so I took the note and fanzine with me into our chamber and reread it over and over and knew I just had to do this.”
“Perhaps someone placed it with the donated books by mistake. Angela had many people giving books as a donation to those without.”
“Yes,” she nodded. “I thought the same. Yet, Vincent, Joe did not have any legal cases for me to help him with. The last time I spoke with him, his new private practice was going well. He now has all the interns he needs. I just needed to…” She got quiet for a moment. “I was needing something to make me feel like my old self, alive and excited.” Seeing the look on his face, she quickly added, “I am not bored after 20-plus years being with you…”
“And I could never be bored with you, either, Catherine.” He reached out and pulled her to his side.
“But our routines are so,” she paused, “so set in stone. That note got to me. The thrill of finding out who wrote it.”
“Catherine, without initials, a name, you may never find who…”
She quickly kissed his cheek. “I know, there is no way to know who wrote it as it’s all so vague. But…”
He chuckled. “You could not resist.”
“I think I can find who wrote this. I hope I can find them. I can’t think of a couple missing a chance to be together. And why so mysterious? Why place the note in the fanzine? Why not give it to the person directly?”
They stopped walking and he turned to face her. “Perhaps, like us when we pursued our dream, they had to be careful. To go with care?”
“Vincent, if we would have had others help us to get closer together, we could have avoided some dangerous…situations.” She started to get tears in her eyes. “What if these two people need help to keep their love alive, to get a chance to meet? I have to help them.”
“Catherine, you are so bound and determined to find these lovers. But they may never be found.”
“True, but I’ve got to try.”
They resumed walking. “You could have discussed this…”
“Oh, come on.” She grabbed his arm with both of her hands. “Interruptions. Maybe the person who wrote the note heard stories about us. Besides, our Halloween this year was cut short because of weather and that sudden emergency.”
“We still enjoyed walking out in the daylight for at least an hour.”
“Until it started sleeting. Then after we got into our costumes and went Below, we barely had time to be alone. And going up to our brownstone did not help.”
“Jake stopped by to see us.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “And life goes on. Anyway, it was nice of Angela to give us those books.”
“She truly is a wonderful young lady.”
“Yes, Vincent, she is. I am glad we took the time to know her and that she became a Helper, of course with the Council’s approval.”
“Darryl seems so fond of her.” Vincent looked at her. “I remember when Jake asked us about bringing Darryl to our world.”
She gave him a gentle push. “And you grilled our son so harshly about who he was. Especially since he was just as young as our teenage son and needed help. He was still a child.”
“It was not harsh. We had to make sure about who we were going to bring Below to live with us.” He gently stroked her hair. “With Father gone, I have to take extra precautions, just as Father did, to keep our community safe.”
“Yes, but it felt like you were giving him the third degree.”
“Jake is very…”
“Liberal and wild, and yet he is now going through college, studying law. And let me tell you, the law is not easy to study.” She looked at him with a sad look. “I wished he would have chosen Harvard or Radcliffe or…”
“He wanted something close, so he chose Columbia.” He took her in his arms. “He only wanted to learn about the legal system so he can become a Senator or Congressman.”
“That was surprising!”
They both laughed.
“Still, to continue,” she looked at him and grinned, “the story in the fanzine is very interesting. And at times, quite specific. A human and non-human in love.” She looked at him intently. “Are you sure you are not some prince or ambassador from another planet?”
A gentle growl was her response, followed by, “Catherine?”
“Oh, don’t look so shocked.” She grinned. “You could be.”
“Have you set a time limit for this search?”
“I decided to keep at it until I find out who. Or at least for the next few weeks. I am going to start with Mouse, Darryl, Caroline, Charles, and Kipper.”
“You could perhaps start with Angela.”
“No, I want to eliminate those here Below before I go to her. Sort of eliminating the ones that I feel it could not belong to. And don’t worry, I won’t neglect my other tasks, my oh, so serious husband.”
Vincent gently stroked her back. “Are you saying that I am no longer fun?”
“Oh…” She started to rub his back. “Let’s just say it feels like you are becoming like Father.”
He stopped and pulled her toward him. “Really?” He passionately kissed her.
As their lips parted, she said, “Oh, that is definitely the man I know.”
“It is late.”
Whispering in his ear, she said, “Maybe not too late for some romantic evening? Or are you too tired?”
“Are you?” She knew now he was teasing her. Just as she felt his arousal, he must have felt hers.
They started laughing. She would start the investigation tomorrow. Let the rest of the night be pleasurable.
***********************
Catherine was tired after helping the children with their lessons, but the opportunity was there for her to ask Mouse about the note. He came in with his wife, Teresa. This would be simple and quick. Of course, she knew he did not write the note, but you eliminate the ones that are not responsible first, then move in on the ones who could be.
Catherine walked up to him. “Mouse, I need to ask you a question.”
“Sure.” Mouse reached for Teresa’s hand.
Catherine looked at Teresa with a smile, then back to Mouse. “Need to talk to you alone, please.”
Teresa kissed Mouse on his cheek. “I will see you later.”
Catherine looked around, making sure no one else was in the Library. Noticing Mouse was getting anxious, she turned to him. “Mouse, there is a mystery I need to solve.”
Mouse smiled. “OK. Mouse help.”
“Thank you, Mouse.” She pulled out the note from her pocket. “I found this in one of the books, actually one of the fanzines that were brought to the Library yesterday.” She gave it to Mouse to read.
Mouse looked at the note and frowned. “Not me. Not Mouse.” He gave it back to her.
“I know it isn’t you, but who else could it be?”
“Mouse faithful. Mouse only have one love.”
“Mouse, I am not saying this note was written by you; of course, it wasn’t. I just need to know if you recognize the handwriting.”
Mouse shook his head. “Not Teresa. Teresa loves Mouse.”
This was not going well. It was obvious Mouse was already guilty about something else and he may have felt as if he was being accused of now writing this note.
“Mouse, I am only interested in finding out who would have left this in one of the donated books. And I thought you might have an idea about who would have placed this note in that fanzine. Or who seems to be acting secretively, perhaps?”
Mouse shifted from one foot to another. “No, Mouse no know.” Quickly he scampered away.
Well, that did not go right, but Mouse can be eliminated. Who next?
As if right on cue, Kipper walked in.
“Kipper, can I ask you a question?”
He looked around. “OK, I guess. By the way, Mouse looked a little upset as I passed by him.”
“I will ask you the same question I asked him. Yet he thought I was accusing him.”
“Well, Catherine, you do have that lawyer tone.”
She looked at him. “Really?” Walking up to him, she showed him the note. “I found this in one of the donated books that was brought down yesterday.”
Kipper read it and smiled. “Not me. I am good with the one I have.”
“That is why I am eliminating Mouse and you, so I can then concentrate on who might have written it.”
“Do you really think you will find who put a note in a book?”
She shrugged. “I am going to give it a try. I want to help these two.”
“Why not ask Angela? It came from the bookstore.”
“Before I go up to ask her, I want to check here Below, with the ones who brought the boxes of books down.”
“Ah, clear the suspect list and then dive into the most likely culprit!” Kipper grinned. “Good idea. But, really, I wish you good luck. Anyone could have placed it in that book.”
Catherine sighed. It wasn’t Kipper. He did not correct her and say that it was found in a fanzine. “Have you seen Darryl, Caroline, or Charles?”
“Your son and daughter are helping out with various projects here below.” Kipper got serious. “Darryl…he was acting so strange yesterday after bringing the boxes down. I haven’t seen him around today. He was going to help Vincent with a project; maybe he is already working on it. Anyway, I doubt it is him. He rarely goes Up Top and I don’t recall him having feelings for one of the girls here Below or even Up Top.”
She thought about that. Jake told Vincent and her that when he met Darryl, he was sleeping in one of the alleys. He wanted to help him out and eventually got close enough to him to become his friend. Later, with everyone’s approval, he moved Below. Sad to think that a young teenager was homeless and had no place to go. Now that Jake was in college, Darryl kept mostly to himself. He could have chosen a college to go to, but he did not want to. He just wanted to stay Below, do his chores, and then, like Mouse, found places to hide to be by himself. Still, after being Below for four years, maybe he found someone, somehow?
“Kipper, I will check with my children, but if you see Darryl, can you please ask him to come and see me?”
“Sure, Catherine Holmes.” Kipper walked out laughing.
It could not be her children. Could it? Did they have a love and not let their parents know about it?
She walked out of the Library and down a passageway. “Still working on the love note?” Vincent’s voice startled her.
“Yes, I am.” She looked at him. “I have eliminated the unlikely suspects, Mouse and Kipper.”
“That could explain why Mouse was acting like he had done something wrong.” He chuckled.
“He thought I was accusing him. He is guilty about something else, but that is not my mystery to solve right now.”
They walked down the passageway. “Our children?”
“They would come to us and let us know, wouldn’t they?” She was concerned.
“Catherine, they are starting to become fine young adults. But,” he shrugged, “who knows? I did not tell Father everything.” He took her hand in his.
She started to laugh. “And I did not tell mine everything, either.” She hugged him. “I’m looking for Darryl.”
“As am I; he was to help us out with fixing up one of the passageways.” He had a worried look on his face and Catherine felt his concern. “These last two years he has shown how talented he is in rebuilding furniture and showing promise in other skills with woodwork. He has skills like Cullen and Kanin. Very needed skills for our Community. But I have not seen him at all. He has never neglected to do his chores, so that is unusual.”
“Maybe this is the one time that he forgot about his chores. It can happen. And like Mouse, he does prefer being alone. Maybe you should check by the waterfall. He does like to wander down there.”
“Perhaps…”
“While you check down there for Darryl, I am going to find Caroline and Charles and check with them regarding the note. Good luck, Watson.”
As Catherine walked away, Vincent called out to her. “Watson?”
She laughed as she continued down the passageway.
************************
She was sitting at the table when Vincent came in. She noticed and felt how concerned he was about something. “Vincent, what is it?”
“Darryl.” He started to put the lamp outside their chamber and pull the curtain down. “I decided to go back to the passageway that was being worked on and he was there, alone, working on shoring up the tunnel walls. I advised him that it was late and that he should not be working on the beams alone, but he said he felt bad that he had forgotten his promise. He seemed so distracted. I advised him that it was late and that we can work on it tomorrow.”
“As I told you earlier, he did forget and felt bad about it. We all have our moments when something distracts us from what we planned to do.”
“You are very intent on solving the mystery of the love note. Yet, you have stopped your search for today to finish things up that needed your attention.”
He started to remove his cloak and tunic. She smiled. “Is that a hint, Watson?”
He looked at her. “Watson?”
She got up and, laughing, started to remove his shirt. “Kipper called me Catherine Holmes.”
“Catherine, are you now married to someone else?” He had a mischievous grin.
“Stop it...”She walked over to the bed. “It’s very late and this old lady needs to get some sleep.” She reached for the bedsheet just as he came up behind her.
“You are not old,” he whispered as he gently reached for her shirt.
She turned and faced him as they started to remove their clothing. “I am glad to see that you don’t think so.” She started giggling.
“I just need to let my lady know she is beautiful,” he kissed her neck, “exciting,” he kissed her on top of her collarbone, “amazing,” he whispered as he nibbled at her ear.
“And you…” She grabbed him and pulled him with her into the bed. “Are still a frisky young lion!”
************************
The next day, after lunch, Catherine was heading Up Top, to the bookstore, when her children saw her.
“Mom, going somewhere?” Charles asked. Catherine looked at her son, who looked so much like Vincent, except with brown hair.
“Mom,” Caroline, who reminded her of her mother, reached for the shoulder bag she was carrying. “Let me take that.”
“Caroline, I can carry a simple bag.” She held onto the strap.
“Looks heavy,” Charles said.
“Not that heavy at all.” She smiled at her children. “And I need to ask you both a question.”
Caroline belted out, “’Hello, young lovers, whoever you are, I hope your troubles are few….’”*
Charles chimed in, “’All my good wishes go with you tonight, I’ve been in love like you…’”*
Catherine laughed. “All right, you two. Keep that up and you both will join the chorus for the Christmas carols.”
“We know about the note, Mom.” Caroline grinned. “And Mouse finally realized you eliminated him as the writer of the note, as well as Teresa and Kipper.”
“And it is not us,” Charles said firmly. “I just graduated from high school. Don’t want no messy situation as Dad and you had. I am still young.”
“And I like my single life. I have no desire to get involved in a love affair,” Caroline added.
“Mouse acted so guiltily,” Catherine said.
“That’s because he found something for Teresa Up Top and did not want anyone to know. Swears he did not steal but took. He wants to surprise her.” Charles laughed. “Dad told me. And don’t worry, I will take care of the children’s lessons for today. How’s the search going?”
“I just realized that if anyone in our Community Below wrote the note and placed it in the fanzine, they would have come forward by now.”
“Whew.” Caroline wiped her hand over her brow. “That is a relief.”
“So, now I am going to go to Mr. Smythe’s Bookstore and see if Angela can help out. I am taking the fanzine and the note with me.”
“OOOOOOOH.” Caroline chuckled, then got serious. “Maybe we can come along.”
Charles looked at Caroline, shocked. “Caroline, it is not Halloween. You know…”
Caroline gave Charles a playful shove. “Relax. I can go with Mom. Besides, I have to make sure Mom is okay.”
“I am fine,” Catherine quickly said, “but I would be very happy to have you come with me.”
Charles kissed Catherine on the cheek. “Then I am on my way.” He lifted his hand high. “To my duties!”
Charles moved quickly ahead, turning down the passageway to the left as Caroline and Catherine turned to walk down a passageway to the right.
“You know, Mom, this could be just menopause,” Caroline sarcastically said.
Catherine glared at her. “Caroline…”
Caroline laughed. “Don’t take it the wrong way, Mom, I am just saying that maybe you wanted this adventure due to hormones or stuff. Anyway, you are still as spry as a chicken.”
“So now I am a chicken?” Catherine placed her hands on her hips.
Caroline hugged her. “Not a chicken. The owl. And does your pussycat know his owl is going Up Top? Or can he sense what you are doing?”
“You know your Father can sense my feelings,” Catherine responded. “Besides, we did dress up in other types of costumes over the years. I was once the cat.”
“Yeah, but I like the story of the first time you two went Halloweening.” Caroline grinned. “Halloweening is over and now gobble gobble.”
Catherine just shook her head. “I thought Charles and you were the serious ones.”
“Hey, Jake’s not the only one with a sense of humor.” Caroline looked at her. “This is going to be a long walk. Need me to sing a song?”
Catherine raised her hand. “No, I am fine.”
As the two of them continued onwards, Catherine hoped that she would soon find the owner of the fanzine and note. Miracles can happen. Mysteries can be solved.
*************************
Catherine and Caroline walked into the bookshop and then stopped as they looked towards the counter.
“Aha!” Caroline whispered to Catherine.
Darryl was standing behind the counter with Angela. They were hugging each other and laughing.
Catherine and Caroline looked at each other before walking up to the counter. Angela and Darryl saw them and let go of each other.
“Mom, look at the counter,” Caroline said.
On the counter were books, fanzines, and magazines. And the titles of those items were fantasy and science-fiction stories.
“Uh, Catherine, Caroline.” Angela’s cheeks were turning red as she shifted around. Darryl cleared his throat.
“I think you two just helped me solve a mystery,” Catherine purred. She took the fanzine out of her shoulder bag.
“Catherine, I…” Darryl looked at Catherine, at Caroline, then at Angela. “We, ah…”
Catherine could see Caroline was trying hard not to giggle. She turned towards the counter and gave the fanzine to Angela. “Yours, I believe.”
Angela nodded. “I was too much in a hurry and must have accidentally placed this in the boxes going Below.”
Catherine took out the note. “And this was in the middle of the fanzine.”
Angela took the note, read it, and gave it to Darryl, who glanced at it. They just looked at each other.
“Catherine, Angela and I are… are…”Darryl looked so uncomfortable.
“Dating!” Caroline blurted out.
“Caroline.” Catherine looked at her, then at Angela and Darryl. “I am so glad this mystery was solved quickly. But why the secrecy?”
“Catherine,” Darryl sounded so serious as he looked at Caroline, “you know how rumors spread Below, just like in a small town. I wanted to try to keep this quiet.”
“Did not work,” Caroline said, giggling.
“And I was concerned; after all, I am five years older than Darryl,” Angela said
quickly. “I know Vincent and you are close to Darryl since he is Jake’s best friend
and close to his age.”
“Young lady, that does not matter.” Catherine looked at Angela and Darryl. “Angela, you do know that it has only been a few weeks since the Community accepted you knowing about Below. Darryl, you do know our concerns about someone Below dating a new Helper?”
“Catherine, Angela and I met a year ago, when I was looking for something for Jake. And, well,” Darryl looked at his feet, “I liked her so much we agreed to…”
Caroline spoke up. “Date!”
“We would meet after I closed the bookshop at nine, by the bridge.” Angela looked at Catherine. “It was only the past few weeks that I learned that was the same place Vincent and you used to go.”
“That is a very dangerous area of the park,” Catherine said.
“But we were careful to make sure no one noticed us. And of course, it is by the place where I live.” Angela looked at Darryl. “And I was so concerned about Darryl. He made sure I made it home safely after our meetings, but I never was sure he got safely Below until Sammy or the other children brought me a note.”
Catherine grinned. “Relax, you two. Just do me one favor.”
Angela and Darryl both asked, “What?”
“Next time you leave notes in books or whatever, please use initials. Then if found, by whomever, and they give it to me, I will discreetly locate you two and hand the note over.” Catherine looked at Caroline. “And not a word, young lady, to your brothers or anyone until I discuss this with your Father.”
“Mom….” Caroline moaned. Catherine gave Caroline a look and Caroline sighed. “Oh, OK.” Caroline looked at Angela and Darryl. “But you two will acknowledge you are seeing each other?”
Darryl looked at Caroline. “It’s obvious, and probably going to be the talk of Below.”
Angela gently touched Darryl’s hand as she looked at Caroline. “Darryl is Jake’s best friend. And you know how private he is. This can be embarrassing for him.”
Caroline got quiet. Looking at her Mom, she said, “What are we to tell the others?”
“That I solved the mystery, it is a private matter and no one else’s business. Also, that no one is in any danger because of this matter. Case closed.”
“You two will eventually let the Community know?” Caroline pleaded as she looked at Angela and Darryl.
“I suppose, Darryl, our rendezvous with each other is now out in the open, but I will leave it up to you.” Angela looked at Darryl.
Darryl smiled as he looked at her. “I have nothing to be ashamed about. Just, well, people ask so many questions and I just want to quietly go on with my life. Happy to have you in it.”
Angela kissed his cheek. “I am happy to have you, too.”
Catherine reached out to Angela and Darryl for a hug. “I know how both of you feel; when Vincent started seeing me, I suppose he only told Father. At least, that was what I thought, until the time I was looking for him as I sensed something was wrong. I started to roam the tunnels and found a lion’s head that I turned and the next thing I knew I was in Mouse’s chamber. And when I told him I was Catherine, he asked ‘Vincent’s Catherine?’ so I knew the Community probably knew we were meeting each other.” Catherine blushed.
“See, Mom, secrets do come out.” Caroline grinned. “But boy, I would love to be there when you tell Father who our lovers are.” Seeing the look her Mom had on her face, she added, “But I will behave. After all, I am a responsible young adult now.”
Catherine doubted that Caroline would keep this a secret for long. “Well, since I am here, I am going to look for something new for Vincent and me to read together. And I am not going to stick to tradition, so Angela, what do you recommend?”
Angela grinned. “You, know, I got plenty of steamy stories about aliens and humans or fae and humans…”
“Angela, please.” Caroline looked uncomfortable. “Much as I know Mom and Dad…well…” Caroline looked around. “I am going to go look around for something for me to read as you help Mom bring some excitement to her love life.” Caroline turned and walked to a section of books as Catherine laughed.
Catherine turned to Angela. “I am not much of a fantasy lover, but I am open, so show me.”
Darryl spoke up. “How about the Elf Merchant who meets a human when he fell into her world?”
“Perfect,” Angela said.
Catherine was proud of herself. She solved a mystery. Kipper was right. She was like Sherlock Holmes. Better, the old Cathy was back. After all these years, she was not only a good lawyer, but a good investigator.
She looked through the fanzine and felt a little warm. Could Vincent be an elf?
“Catherine?” Angela got her attention.
“Something in here caught my eye. Do you mind if I take this back with me?” Catherine asked her.
“No, Catherine, I don’t mind, and thank you for finding my zine and note. “ Angela placed her hand on Catherine’s.
“I am so happy to help lovers. To have a love is the most wonderful thing in the world, Angela and Darryl.” Catherine sent an I love you feeling to Vincent. She started to plan her evening with him. They would read this fanzine together and then, she will see what will happen.
“Catherine, when you are ready, I will walk Caroline and you back down,” Darryl said.
“That would be wonderful. And both of us can talk with Vincent about maybe having Angela come down more? If only to see you. I know how much I would have loved to have come Below more often to see Vincent when we were seeing each other many years ago. And you both will realize as the years go by how much deeper and wondrous your love will become.”
Catherine hugged Darryl then Angela. “Caroline?”
“Coming, I found what I wanted.” Caroline walked over and placed a book on the counter.
“Shakespeare Love Sonnets?” Catherine looked at Caroline.
“Mom, don’t start investigating me. I just want to be ready, just in case.”
“Well, just in case, Caroline, listen to the advice your Mother gave Darryl and me, if there are any notes to anyone, make sure you put initials for to and from.”
They all laughed.
*Song-Hello Young Lovers by Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rogers from The King and I
BBTV Classic Round Robin Story Index