Destiny of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Seven
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As Mary escorted the Chandlers, Charles expressed his
concern they had somewhere along the line, lost track of Peter!
Just then Peter caught up with them, and said, "There you are!
Here I promised Vincent I would bring you back, and I got
waylaid back there and lost you. Sorry about that."
To which Charles replied, "No problem...Mary came to our
rescue."
With an approving nod, Peter said, "I sure am glad you had my
back."
Blushing a bit, Mary said, "Well, I had noticed you were talking
to Beatrice, so I thought to myself, there is no telling how long you
may be!"
Mary then informatively told the group, "She has some serious
issues with her...well shall I just say her daily constitution. And
gracious me, I know all about it because I have been hearing about
it all week!"
Surprised that Mary revealed the ailment plaguing Beatrice,
Peter said, "Mary that is doctor patient privledge...that should be
private...don't you think?"
"I'm not a doctor!" Said Mary, and then she added, "Besides
the whole tunnel community knows already. She's broad-casted it
herself."
Peter then said, "Well just a reminder about tomorrow, think
"Confidential"! Are there any supplies we are short on I need to
bring with me?"
Reaching into her pocket, Mary said, "Oh Dear! Thank you for
reminding me...here is a list of items."
Handing the list to Peter, he began to read, "Let's see
here...Cotton balls, witch hazel, toothbrush, hair combs, Noxema,
J.R. Liggett's Shampoo, Apple Blossom toilet water...uh?!!"
Reaching into her other pocket Mary screeched, "Give me
that Peter, that list is for someone else! Here's your list."
Clearing his throat, he gave Mary a sideways glance and read
the intended list aloud, "Alcohol, cotton balls, gauze, and goody's
headache powder...well now this sounds more like it."
Feeling embarrassed Peter read aloud her personal list, she
showed the three their specially assigned seats, and quickly
excused herself, because she had some things to check on.
The three of them sat down and Peter stretched out his long
legs, and sighed, "Ah now to relax and wait for the show."
"Peter!" Called out Kanin, as he, and his concerned wife, who
was holding Lukey, came racing his way.
Startled from his laid back pose, Peter sat up and asked what he
could do for them. Olivia and Kanin then both began to speak at
the same time, explaining that lately, little Lukey was cranky and
crying quite a lot, which was so out of character for him.
Well it didn't take a detective (or a doctor) to figure out what
the problem was. As Peter took out his handkerchief to wipe
Lukey's face, he asked, "Does he always drool this much?"
Looking at one another, Olivia and Kanin both said, "Lately
Yes!"
Then Olivia elaborated, "He drools so much, he gets his shirts
soaking wet."
Digging into his medical bag, Peter brought out a tube and
handing it to Olivia, he told her, "Lukey is just sprouting a new
tooth. Just rub some of this numbing gel on his gums and it will
make him so much more comfortable. I bet he'll even stop
growling at ya."
They thanked him profusely, and admitted they both felt foolish
that it didn't occur to them what the problem was!
They said they would try the gel right away, and then for a
quick get away line, Kanin embarrassingly suggested, "Olivia we
better get our seats."
Happy for the hook line, Olivia quickly agreed, "Yes, we better
had. Good evening Catherine...Charles, sorry for the interruption."
Sweetly Catherine said, "Oh not at all. It's always nice to see
little Lukey."
With that Lukey smiled at her and tried to reach out for her, but
knowing his drool pool would drench Catherine, Olivia tried to
discourage the interaction. "Oh Lukey no. Catherine is dressed so
nice."
With that said, Catherine stood, and told Olivia, "Oh if I may, I
would love to hold him."
With a nervous smile, Olivia looked to Kanin for approval and
then back at Catherine saying, "Well...If you want to."
Reaching out for the little rascal, Catherine nestled him in her
arms, and laughed with the rosy cheeked fella, who was cooing
and gurgling a strange baby language.
Laughter rang all through the group gathered there as Lukey
seemed better already with the extra attention he was getting.
He then reached back for his Mama, and as they gathered up
their boy, the little family headed for their seats.
Catherine sat back down, and commented on how cute Lukey
was, and of how much he had grown since she last saw him.
Peter agreed, and as he settled back again, Charles looked over
at Peter, and joked that maybe now he could relax since the tooth
cutting mystery had been solved.
Meanwhile, Vincent and the others, were still tending to
Natalie, and they assuredly told her the pain would pass, and after
wiping the last of the tears from her eyes, it seemed Natalie's crisis
was over.
Vincent then looked up and around to see if he could find
Catherine. Just then Catherine herself looked back over toward
him, and sweetly they exchanged an acknowledging look. Leaning
down to Natalie, he told her Catherine was there with her Father
and Peter, and asked if she would like to say hello to them.
Excitedly, Natalie said she did, and so tenderly he took her by
the hand, and approached them.
With a wide grin, Natalie greeted the three of them, and they all
warmly replied, universally expressing their concern for her. Very
much appreciating the attention, Natalie bravely said she would be
fine, cuz Vincent told her so.
"Well how do you like that...?" Peter chided Natalie, "Here I
am, a doctor, and you don't even ask for my opinion!"
Looking up at him, Natalie sincerely offered, "You can look at
it too... I know how much you like looking at yucky stuff."
Clearing his throat, he amusedly looked around at everyone
before he went into his doctor mode.
Slipping on his glasses, he officially slid them down to the end
of his nose, and looked at the scrape. With a professional tone, he
told her, "I think you;re gonna live kiddo. It looks like Vincent
already put a little medicine on it uh?"
Nodding Natalie replied, "Yup! Vincent put some of his Auntie
Biotik's cream on it."
Peter contemplated for a moment. He thought about all the
helpers and tunnel residents, and knew none of these people, were
ever referred to as an "auntie" to Vincent! And so he questioned,
"Auntie Biotik? Who in the heck is that"
With a cocked brow, Vincent humorously suggested, "Linger
for a moment on behalf of the referred situation Peter..."
Realizing there's a joke here somewhere, Peter thought back on
the injury, and the ointment, before it finally dawned on him just
what the little girl meant! So with a howl, Peter said, "Oh my
goodness you mean antibiotic cream?"
With that everyone laughed, entertained by Natalie's cute
interpretation of a word she had not heard before.
Changing the subject Vincent asked how the tour went at
Elizabeth's.
Catherine answered it was wonderful for her to revisit there, to
which Charles agreed, saying, "It would seem as if the paintings
there, are like a history lesson of the tunnels. Magnificent! What a
lady that Elizabeth is. I admire her work very much."
In appreciative reply, Vincent said, "She gives us so much...she
rarely leaves there. For instance, I couldn't get her to join us for
this festive Christmas event this evening."
To which Catherine said, "Speaking of festive, the
decorations...everything is so beautiful."
Assessing the Hall as if by a newcomer, Vincent had to agree,
the tunnels did look festive. Giving credit to the community for
working very diligently to make it so, he replied, "Yes the
Christmas Season is upon us....and has arrived here today in the
tunnels."
Charles looked about, and said, "I enjoy the vintage bulbs,and
eclectic assortment. Stunning."
Nodding, Vincent explained, "We utilize what we have,
decorations found from the world above, and that which is given
us. Each year we..."
Vincent saw Mary poised for an announcement, and so with a
nod in her direction, he said, "It appears Mary is about to speak..."
"Merry Christmas everyone! Welcome one and all to our, my,
oh my, what shall I call it? Let's see, I guess it's our "First Annual
First Tunnel Christmas Story Recitation Celebration Night". That
is a bit wordy now isn't it? Well next year it will merely be called
our "Annual First Tunnel Christmas Story Recitation Celebration
Night"
Nervously smoothing back her hair, Mary cleared her throat
and continued, "Any way, what ever we call this celebration, what
a treat for us tonight, that Father is going to tell us the story as it
really happened back then. Yes yes, and that isn't the only treat,
the children will sing for us, and William has baked us some of his
well known oatmeal raisin and sweet ginger cookies to go along
with the vat of hot coco he prepared for us to enjoy. Oh what a
festive evening we have planned, so come on up and get your-self
a mug of hot coco and a plate of cookies, and then settle back and
enjoy"
Just then, Vincent heard Rebecca call his name from across the
hall. There she was by the pantry, frantically waving for him to
come her way! Vincent explained to Catherine it looked as
Rebecca has an issue of some sort, and he better check things out.
He then asked his guests to help them selves, and he would join
them just as soon as he could. Taking little Natalie by the hand, he
suggested she better come along so she could join the other
children.
Delivering Natalie to Samantha, Vincent instructed her to look
after the younger one, before rushing to Rebecca's side.
Vincent urgently asked "What is it?"
Raising her eyes Heavenward, Rebecca lamented, "Father
seems to have a case of stage fright! I think he has lost it!"
Steadily placing his hands on Rebecca's shoulders, Vincent
calmly asked, "Where is he?"
Looking back in the direction of the kitchen, she worriedly
answered, "He's in the pantry taking inventory of our food supply!"
Confused, Vincent asked, "This isn't the time to be doing that!"
To which Rebecca hysterically replied, "My point exactly! For
God's sake, please go talk to him, its almost time for him to begin!
If Mary gets wind of this..."
Assuredly, Vincent offered, "Don't worry...I will speak with
him."
With a hopeful nod, she replied, "Good luck."
Entering the cool stone storage room, Vincent tepidly crossed
the clay bricked floor and softly addressed Jacob, "Father?"
Nervously turning to his son, he grumbled, "Oh now you made
me lose count!"
Stepping up to him, in a questioning voice, Vincent asked,
"What are you doing?"
Feeling annoyed by the obvious question Vincent posed, Jacob
grumbled, "Just what it looks like I am doing! I am doing
inventory!"
Turning his father toward him, Vincent calmly said, "Father, It
is time for you to tell the story of our first Christmas, not to do
this!"
Feeling both annoyed and embarrassed his son could see
through him, Jacob guiltily said, "I know! I know, Vincent I know!
If truth be told, I suppose I am stalling."
Kindly Vincent expressed, "I have never seen you like this
before. What is it"
Nervously looking up at his son, he confessed, "I don't know! I
have never been nervous to speak to our community before. In
fact most times I enjoy it. I suppose it may be everyone's
expectations are heightened so. And it's my entire fault!"
Standing before his father, a man he was so proud of, and
looked up to, Vincent was humbled to know his father too had
moments of self doubt. Searching for something to say, or do to
help him through this tough spot, Vincent told him, "Simply DO,
what you always do. You bring us warmth, security, and strength
with your words. You could never let us down Father, not ever."
Adding a touch of humor to the situation, Vincent reminded him,
"And...May I say...this IS your chance to get back in Mary's good
graces?"
With a trembling smile, Jacob nodded and said, "You are right
there! God knows for no other reason, I do need to achieve that
very deed. It's unbearable when I feel Mary's...or anyone's
disappointment in my judgment. And the children...I cannot let
them down, not to mention all our helpers who traveled to be here
with us this night, Catherine...Charles...Oh my! The list of reasons
to get it together is endless now isn't it?"
Nodding, Vincent cautiously agreed, "At the risk of adding
more pressure, I must agree Father."
Taking in a deep breath, Jacob gave his son a trembling smile,
and said, "I am ready."
With an assuring embrace, Vincent said, "I will tell Rebecca."
To be continued
Chapter Eight