Journeys
Lynn
Chapter Nine
The back garden was Kanin’s province. Since a high stone wall and a gate were needed, his expertise in stonework made him the logical choice. He searched through junkyards and companies that specialized in rescued architectural parts, and found the perfect gate. Wrought iron arched over the top, and the gate itself was solid oak and eight feet tall. It was a double gate, large enough for a car to pass through, but Mouse was recruited to engineer a smaller entrance into one of the doors, for foot traffic. Kanin was a little hesitant when he approached Catherine. "It’s pretty pricey, Cathy. I hope not too much for the budget, though, because it’s really nice, the perfect thing."
Catherine assured him that if it was right, it was not too expensive. "This is going to be our front door. We’ll take a look." She looked, agreed that it was perfect, and wrote a check. So Kanin went happily to work, with the cooperation of Mouse and Hank, another tunnel dweller who had been an electrician in his former life. Doorbells, an electric gate opener, and an inconspicuous TV surveillance system for the gate area were installed along with the wall and the gate.
But not without some problems.
Mouse had Mouse’s way of doing things, and it nearly came to a
pitched battle when Hank insisted on doing everything according to code.
"Code? What’s the use of code? This way is best."
Vincent was finally called in to mediate, and explain to Mouse about code.
Mouse listened with poorly disguised impatience, and said stubbornly, "This
way is best." when the explanation was finished. Vincent was obliged
to tell him that code must be followed. Mouse sulked for about fifteen
minutes, muttering to himself, and then returned with his usual sunny smile
and began work again.
Catherine was surprised when Kanin recommended the TV surveillance. "What do we need that for?"
"Do you want to know who’s ringing the doorbell before you open the door in the gate?"
Catherine thought for a minute. "Yes, you’re right. We need to know that. OK, go ahead."
Vincent said the same thing she had when she told him about it. "Why do we need that?"
"Well, if we’re stretched out in the garden, soaking up sun, and a stranger rings the bell, we’ll have to move. But if it’s someone from the Tunnels, or someone you already know, we’ll just push the button and let them in. Right?"
"Stretched out, soaking up sun? That sounds marvelous. I’ll agree to anything that promotes that idea."
***********
Target date for moving into the new home was April 12, their third anniversary; as the winter passed and work progressed, it was seen to be easily achievable. Wallpapers were up and carpeting was down by March 15, and the furniture began to be delivered. Vincent had second thoughts about the cost again when he saw how much furniture it took to fill up what had turned out to be a very large house.
"Catherine, would you care to tell me how much you estimate this whole project has cost? "
"No, I would not care to tell you! Better you should not know, Vincent. Just be assured that there is plenty left for whatever I may need in the future. Plenty! There are some kids we’ll be putting through college in a short time, and I’ve made a special separate fund for college expenses. But even after that, there will be ample money left. And actually, the work that you and the tunnel people have done has saved many thousands of dollars in labor cost, which is usually the biggest expense in building. Don’t worry, Vincent. Trust my word, there is more than enough money."
"I do trust it. I will. But Catherine…college? Do you mean the tunnel children?"
"Yes, of course I do. We can’t let them try to do it on their own, although I certainly will expect them to do as much as they can. I know they will, and they should, but college is beyond what they can do alone without great hardship. If we don’t help, they’ll be years getting through, and living on the edge all of that time. It’s not necessary, and we’re not going to let it happen. I’ve been thinking that when they’re employed after they graduate, we could ask them to contribute to the fund for subsequent kids, as they’re able to. What do you think about that?"
"Good. It sounds right. A good plan. Catherine, your generosity continues to take me by surprise." Vincent reached down to kiss her lightly.
Catherine answered, "Speaking of generosity, think about the hundreds of hours that were given by all of the tunnel residents to help us build our house, without any expectation of return. Vincent, as at least a partial thanks for the magnificent help we’ve had from the tunnel folk, let’s throw a real bash!"
"Catherine? A…bash?" Vincent was puzzled.
"A blowout. A…a party, Vincent! An open house." She laughed up at him, her hand reaching up to touch his face lightly. "Everyone deserves a chance to walk around the whole house and to see what their labor has produced. This house is truly a product of the love and effort of our family Below. I want to be sure that they know that we understand that, and that we love them for their help and their caring. Every single person Below has had some part in the creation of our home, and every single person should know that we know that, and that they’re always welcome here."
Vincent thought for a minute. "How would the twelfth of April be for the celebration?"
"Oh, yes, a wonderful thought."
***************
The guest list posed very few problems; no one was to be left out. The tunnel inhabitants of course, including all of the children. Catherine spoke about her thoughts on the matter to Vincent. "There are others too. All of the helpers should be invited. Devin has already promised to be here. I made sure that he understood that we want him here without fail on the twelfth of April. And M’bago too. He was planning to be in New York the next month anyway, so he’s changed his plans to be with us." She paused, and looked down, unsure of his reaction to her next thought. "And…Vincent…how to you feel about…do you think we could invite…Elliot? Would you be comfortable meeting him? I…" She stopped. "Maybe not. You have no way of knowing whether he’s trustworthy, and his past certainly gives you no reassurance. I just thought that he’s at least as responsible as anyone else for our happiness…and…"
Vincent stopped her, holding up his hand. "If you think that Elliot is trustworthy, that’s all I need to know. Invite him; I will be happy to meet him, and thank him in person for all his kindnesses in the past. Yes, I think that’s a very good idea. …And while we’re on the subject, is there anyone else?"
She looked up at him, smiling. "How did you guess? There is: Jenny."
"Then by all means invite her also."
"Jenny is a perfect candidate for helper, Vincent. I’ve thought of this before, but it just never came up when I was with you. I know she’ll be thrilled to help. She’s a Jew, and she knows from her parents and their friends about secrets and hiding. Her father escaped from Germany one step ahead of death."
"I will talk to Father immediately." Vincent smiled ruefully. "I learned my lesson when we surprised him with M’bago. Although he liked M’bago very much, and agreed that he’s perfectly trustworthy, he was not happy that he and the Council were not consulted beforehand. I was obliged to listen to a long and repetitive tirade on that subject; I have no wish to go through it again."
"I will be happy to witness for both of them before the Council if necessary. Elliot has many resources that can be invaluable to the Tunnel community, and they’re going to love Jenny. Everyone does." Catherine smiled, thinking of Jenny’s ability to charm anyone in the world. "Maybe she’ll charm Elliot. Wouldn’t that be nice for both of them? Hm-m."
Vincent looked quizzically at her. "May I offer some unsolicited advice? Matchmaking is dangerous. I speak from experience; many years ago I nearly drove a man, who shall be nameless, out of the Tunnels, because I thought he’d be a suitable mate for a woman…who shall also be nameless. …No, don’t ask. I promised." He smiled as Catherine looked at him curiously.
Her look turned to one of chagrin. "Oh. You promised…well, that’s the end of that. But I think you’re right about matchmaking. I’ll stay out of it." Her curiosity came back, in a different area. "Did you do something? Try to set them up?"
"No! I merely made a suggestion. But I was treading on very dangerous ground without knowing it, and the reaction was out of proportion to the stimulus. I learned that it’s not wise to meddle with someone else’s life. One can never know where the tender places may be."
***********
Catherine was indeed planning a
bash. She hired a caterer to come in and set everything up, and then
leave. She made arrangements to have additional food delivered to
the door if she called, so she wouldn’t worry about enough to eat and drink,
and then she spent the last few days before April 12th putting in the final
additions to the New Home.
Catherine had take care to furnish the third floor study with mostly old furniture found combing the antique shops. Both side walls were solidly lined with built-in bookshelves, another treasure from architectural salvage, seamlessly reinstalled in the study with Cullen’s skill and artistry. Many of the decorative items from Vincent’s chamber had found a new home on the bookshelves, along with his books and hers. There were two large and richly colorful old oriental rugs complementing the polished oak floor. She had found a huge and beautiful antique carved mahogany desk that she was keeping for an anniversary gift for Vincent. The desk presently in the study, which he thought would be his, she intended for her own use. There were several groupings of chairs and sofas placed around the room, all provided with side tables and good reading lamps. And lastly, there was a large divan strategically placed, where Vincent could ‘stretch out in the afternoon and read in the sunshine.’
On the eleventh, they had still not heard from Devin. "If he doesn’t show up I’m going to…I don’t know what!" Catherine was annoyed.
Vincent smiled. "I don’t know what to say to you. If he’s here he’ll be here. If he’s not, there’s probably a reason, though we may never find out just what that was."
"Well, his room’s all ready for him. I know he freezes staying in the Tunnels, he should be happier in our guest room. Maybe he’ll even stay awhile."
"Don’t count on it." Vincent smiled indulgently, being well aware of his brother’s irresponsible and unpredictable behavior on occasion.
"As he would say, ‘You got that right!’"
**********
The day of the party dawned warm and clear. The garden was not yet in bloom, but it had been landscaped and Kanin had put in a beautiful flagstone terrace with raised flower beds. Catherine spent part of the morning on a ladder hanging lanterns in the young trees that had been planted. Vincent came outside in midmorning and stood on the stone terrace watching her. "Catherine, couldn’t you find someone else to do that?"
"Well, yes, I could have, but I wanted to do it myself." She grinned at him. She had a tendency to want to ‘do it myself", which Vincent found amusing.
He smiled, amused now. "Really. Anything else that isn’t done yet that you don’t trust anyone else with?"
"You know, instead of making fun of me, you could get that ladder over there, and help!" She frowned down at him in mock anger.
"I’m flattered. You trust me to help?" His smile broadened.
She chuckled in spite of herself. "Vincent, get your body up on that ladder!"
They laughed comfortably and finished the job together.
*************
Catherine kept Vincent away
from the study while the delivery men moved the new desk in. When all was
ready, she brought him to the door, and then stopped him. "There’s
something here for you." She followed him into the room.
His reaction was all she could have hoped for; he stopped dead when he
saw his new desk in the space where the old one had stood, and then slowly
approached it. "Oh, Catherine, is this for me? For me to use?
It’s truly wonderful." He ran his hands slowly over the surface of
the wood. "It glows! What a magnificent piece. What a
wonderful finish it has, and the carvings…look," He looked up, smiling,
"…a lion’s head. Thank you, Catherine, thank you."
He turned to her with a face full of love. "My sweet one, I love you so…" The kiss that they shared was as tender as any they had ever known. When Vincent lifted his head he looked down into her face wordlessly for a long moment, then whispered, "…My love…" and another soft kiss followed. "I have something for you, also." He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small carved wooden box. "Oh, Vincent, what a beautiful thing!" Catherine exclaimed over the little box.
"Open it." Inside was a ring. A gold ring, very plain, two strands of gold entwined. Catherine looked down at it for a long moment, and then Vincent saw tears falling on it. "Oh, my love, tears? Don’t, don’t…" His arms went around her, and she cried quietly in his embrace for a few moments. Then she raised her head and smiled at him.
"I’m a little overwhelmed…I love it so. It’s absolutely perfect. I couldn’t be more pleased with anything in the world. Thank you, my love…thank you."
"Cullen made it. I wanted it to be from the tunnels, from my world." He took her hand and slid the ring on her finger. "You’re mine. This ring says you’re mine." He looked up at her. "Is that all right? May I say that you’re mine?"
"I am yours. Just as you are mine. I have no objection to being yours," she grinned. "After all, I worked for it for three years!"
Vincent’s smiling face sobered as another thought took him. "Catherine, would you like to be joined, formally, in the tunnels?"
"No, it’s not necessary. I’m yours, and you’re mine. We both know that. What more can we ask of life than to live together?"
They stood embraced for a long, long minute. Then they separated, looked at each other, smiled, kissed, and went on with their very busy day, having snatched a few moments to express their love for each other, on this their third anniversary. As they parted, Vincent turned back and spoke, "Catherine…"
She turned.
"...Later…" His voice was a purring, growling half-whisper and his gaze warmed her all over. Then he went on his way.
*************
By five in the afternoon all was ready, and the guests began to arrive. The elevator ran continually, bringing tunnel folk dressed in their party best up from the basement entrance, and the "front" gate bell rang so often that Catherine stationed Kipper there to be "the official gate keeper". He was thrilled with the job, but Catherine told him that after half an hour he should trade off with another child. "You don’t want to be stuck there all night, Kipper; there’s food inside."
The tunnel folk were particularly interested in the fourth floor when it became known that the rooms there were meant for the young people ready to enter college. "It makes it seem that all those who had a part in making the New Home are helping them to go to school." Mary’s face glowed with the thought of her beloved children having the chance to go on to college. "I must make quilts. I’ll start tomorrow. …Oh, maybe you won’t want to disturb your decorations, Catherine. I don’t need to do that. You already have many beautiful blankets."
"Yes, you do need to! Do you think that blankets could ever take the place of one of Mary’s quilts with the tunnel children? And what could be more in keeping with the decoration than a hand made quilt? Mary, what a lovely idea. Do you think that you could make enough quilts for the kids to take them for their own when they finish school? I know there’s not one kid that wouldn’t love that! But it’s really a burden to lay on you, Mary. Do you think…maybe you could let some of us help? Could we have a ladies’ sewing circle?"
Catherine and Mary retired for some time to a quiet corner to make plans for "Mary’s Quilting Circle". Vincent watched with tender amusement, and with a warm upsurge of love for Catherine, who had made Mary feel an important part of the New Home in two quick minutes.
Catherine looked up, as she often did, searching for Vincent. When she found him, his eyes were on her, and the message in them was clear: I love you. And there was another message, one that disturbed her peace for the second time that afternoon. Later…
Elliot arrived at the back gate, and the child on duty sent a message to Catherine, as he had been instructed. Catherine came to the gate and opened it herself to welcome Elliot in.
"I’m going to introduce you to Vincent, Elliot, but we need to talk for a moment first."
"The man you…have chosen?" Elliot looked around quickly. "Where is he?"
"I’ll take you to him, but first I need to tell you…well, he’s…an unusual man. His looks are…extraordinary."
"Cathy, please! I’m a pretty cosmopolitan person, I believe. If he’s disfigured or ill or whatever, I believe I’m able to meet him without my jaw dropping." Elliot was insulted that she thought he needed to be warned.
Catherine smiled. "All right, I’ll say nothing more. We’ll see."
Elliot was mystified by this whole situation, but he followed her up the stairs to the third floor, where the crowd had cleared, since dinner was being served downstairs.
The lights were low in the study, and Vincent was alone, looking again at his new desk.. Elliot moved quickly toward Vincent, his hand out. "I’m very pleased finally to be able to shake your…" Vincent turned and his head came up. Elliot’s jaw did drop, for just a moment, but being in truth pretty cosmopolitan, he recovered his poise almost instantly. "…your hand." His hand remained out, and Vincent took it.
Vincent shook his head at Catherine, smiling his small smile. "Catherine, did you give the man no warning at all?" His arm came up to close around her as she moved to his side.
"He said he didn’t need it." She smiled at Elliot. "That’s what you said."
"Cathy, you took advantage of my ignorance!" Elliot shook his head, still looking at Vincent. "She’s a handful! But I’m sure you know that by now."
Vincent’s low tones were gentle as he looked down at Catherine. "I do know. Catherine is her own person." His glance lingered on her for a moment, then he looked back at Elliot. "I’m very pleased to be able to express my thanks to you in person for the loan of your airplane." He smiled his small smile again. "Perhaps it’s clearer now that you have seen me why it is that we needed a private plane. I have lived all my life in the tunnels, and for me to see Africa was a pleasure and a privilege that…well, it was a lifetime experience for me, and it was made possible by the loan of your airplane. I can’t thank you enough."
Elliot answered graciously, and then spoke about M’bago and his own experiences at Akami. In a minute the two men were comparing notes about the wildlife, and then Elliot told them about some of the plans he and M’Bago had made for Akami. Vincent was very much interested in that, and what looked like a long-term discussion was initiated. Finally Catherine said, "Dinner is on downstairs, and I really should be there. Will you two excuse me?"
Elliot said, "I’m hungry, how about you, Vincent? Let’s talk about this while we eat, all right? I warn you though, I can discuss it all night!" Vincent agreed and the three of them headed for the stairs, the conversation continuing between Elliot and Vincent without interruption. Catherine watched the instant affinity between them with bemused wonder. Was there anyone whom Vincent couldn’t charm within five minutes? Apparently not.
When they got to the buffet, they found M’bago just filling a plate. Vincent and Elliot descended on him immediately, and Catherine wondered when they sat down at a table if they knew what they were eating, they were all so deep in Akami. She saw them settled and then went to take care of her guests, but as she left she turned for a goodbye look at Vincent, and found that he was looking at her. There it was, that same look. I love you…and that second expression, the one that made her shiver. …Later…
The guest that she found first was
Jenny, who had met Vincent several days before the party.
Catherine thought the logistics would be too difficult if there were two
people to be introduced to Vincent amidst the confusion of the party, so
she invited Jenny to see the house, and the introduction was accomplished.
Jenny’s reaction on first seeing Vincent was rather different from Elliot’s.
"My God, Catherine, he’s beautiful!"
Catherine and Vincent both laughed helplessly, and Jenny got a view of Vincent’s canines seldom allowed to anyone but his intimates. In fifteen minutes they were laughing again at Jenny’s tales of woe in the publishing business. Vincent said afterwards that he could see why she was Catherine’s best friend. "She lights up the world wherever she goes."
Catherine was struck by his insight. Sometimes people thought Jenny was nothing but a comedian, missing the fact that her view of the world was real. The sunshine that she radiated was not a comedic self-protection, but a reflection of her soul. But I guess I should have known that he’d go to the heart of her, and see the gold shining there.
*********
She found Jenny at the buffet table. "Wow! Great food, Cathy! I’ve gained weight just looking at it!" Catherine filled a plate, and they went to sit down. "Cath, who’s the great looking guy talking to Elliot Burch and Vincent?"
Cathy turned to look. "That’s M’bago, the director of Akami. I told you about him."
"You didn’t tell me he was so big…and so good-looking. Is he married?"
"No. Are you looking for an introduction?"
"Not sooner than about thirty seconds from now!"
"How about Elliot, do you want an introduction there, too?" Catherine was surprised at the direction Jenny’s interest had taken. Elliot seemed the more obvious choice, he was handsome, rich and charming. Then she shrugged to herself; Jenny had never been predictable.
"Sure. Maybe he’ll write a book. ‘My Life as a Captain of Industry’. You know the sort of thing; if they’re willing to dish some dirt, it’s a sure best seller."
Catherine smiled. "I’m not sure that’s Elliot’s kind of thing. He’s very much involved right now with Akami, that’s what they’re talking about over there. I wish they hadn’t decided to do it tonight, in the middle of the party. I can’t very well leave my other guests to hear what they’re saying, although I’m sure they need me to tell them how it should be done." She laughed with Jennie; it was an old joke between them that Catherine was sure she knew the best way to do everything.
Jenny got her introductions, and the party drifted away from the buffet, into the living room, where Catherine had installed the baby grand piano from her father’s house. Catherine was stunned when Elliot sat down and began to play skillful lounge piano. She walked over to him with a delighted smile on her face. "Elliot! Undiscovered talents!"
"I put myself through college playing the piano. Don’t have much time for it any more, I’m pretty rusty."
"It sounds wonderful, you’re really good. I’m afraid you’ll be besieged with requests as long as you sit here; if you don’t want to play I suggest you get up right now, or you may be forced to stay all evening."
Elliot smiled, and kept on playing. Catherine moved away to greet some other latecomers, and when she looked back there was a circle of admiring listeners around the piano. Well, I warned him.
Devin showed up late, but he got there. "And it’s a good thing, Devin. You’d have been on my list for sure!" Catherine laughed and hugged him. "It’s good to see you. Where have you been? No, I’d better not ask, I might not want to know."
Devin laughed in return and shook his head. "You wouldn’t."
Vincent came up to embrace his brother. "You came. I’m pleased to see you, Devin. The evening wouldn’t have been complete without you."
"Well, here I am. How’s the old man? Don’t see him around."
"I think he’s up in our study, let’s go up and see."
As they moved toward the elevator, Devin looked around him with admiration. "Pretty elegant quarters you’ve got here, bro!"
"Yes, they are. We, that is the tunnel folk and I, and Catherine of course, did it ourselves. I had no idea how satisfactory it would be to make a home for Catherine and myself. I have enjoyed this winter’s work more than any other task in my life, I believe." As he spoke, they got off the elevator, and started down the hall toward the study. "This floor is for Catherine and me. Our bedroom and our study."
They entered the study on that remark, and found Father sitting in the desk chair in front of Vincent’s new desk. He looked up as they came in, and a smile crossed his face as he saw Devin. "My boy, I’m glad to see you!" He got out of the chair and they embraced. "There now, how was that? A better greeting? I’m learning, you see. Even an old fogy like me can learn!"
"’Fogy’ is not the word I’d use to describe you, sir." Devin’s smile was wry.
Father quickly held up his hand. "Don’t…don’t tell me what word you would use. Let’s keep this meeting friendly!" They all laughed, glad to have the first encounter over on an amicable basis.
Father turned to the desk and
sat down again, his hands moving over the deeply translucent surface. 
"I must say, Vincent, I admire this desk. It is a truly beautiful
piece."
"Catherine knows what pleases me. She couldn’t have found anything that I’d rather have had."
"I believe that. It is a rare find, I doubt there’s another like it in the world." Father’s eyes dwelt on the desk with appreciation and no small amount of envy.
"This was a gift from Catherine?" Devin asked.
Vincent answered after a moment’s hesitation. "…It’s our third anniversary." He felt a little reluctant to admit to such a sentimental occasion to Devin, the least sentimental of people; derision was likely to follow.
"Ah. And what did you give her?" Devin grinned. He knew exactly why Vincent had hesitated, but decided not to tease.
"A ring. A gold ring. You might call it a wedding band, I imagine."
Father’s head came up. "Are you planning a joining?"
"We hadn’t thought it was necessary. Do you think so?"
Father shook his head. "No. Not unless you want to do it."
"I think not, then. This celebration can stand for our joining."
Father stood up. "All right. Now, let’s rejoin the party. You have guests, Vincent!"
Vincent smiled at the chiding tone;
Father never got over being a parent.