Destiny of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Twenty-One
________________________________________________
Vincent and Devin walked with their Father back to his
chamber, and as they entered, Vincent began looking about for his
Snow globe, and finally when he didn’t see it, he had to ask, “My
Snow Globe…I know it was here yesterday before I took the
children on their hike. I told Devin the rest of the story behind it,
and I wanted to show him the inscription on the bottom.”
Knowing Peter absconded with the globe for repair, Jacob
was at a loss for an explanation! And so he stammered a bit, as he
cleared his throat and said, “Your snow globe you say? Hmm, it
must be somewhere…”
Vincent, feeling pressed for time, said, “I haven’t time
to look now, Mouse is waiting for me.”
Relieved for the reprieve, Jacob, urgently said, “Go…go, not
to worry!”
Vincent then looked to Devin, and said, “Enjoy your tea with
Father.” And he then bounded up the stairs, eager to finish the
framing on Catherine’s Christmas gift.
As Jacob poured their tea, he chuckled as he told
Devin about the fractured snow globe which was in need of repair,
and of how actually, Peter had it as per Catherine’s request. He
then added, “I dare say, I’m not sure how long I can put Vincent
off without him becoming anxious about it.”
To which Devin said, “Yeah, it means so much to him. The
history of that globe is extradinary! To think it once was his
Catherine’s!”
He then asked, “What do you make of this....this weird
coincidence?”
To which Jacob profoundly answered, “Coincidence? In this
instance, because we are talking about Vincent and Catherine, and
because their connection or bond to one another is at times
emphatic… I don’t know if the word coincidence
applies here.”
Jacob then pensively questioned, “And I am not sure if it is
possible to chronicle the origin of their bond, or if an
explanation is even possible..."
With a slight chuckle in his voice he concluded, "But I do
know this, however you want to describe it, weird, uncanny, or
mysterious, you are correct…the globe’s history is extraordinary.”
As he handed Devin his tea, he asked, “You still like it with a
stick of cinnamon?”
Feeling humbled his father remembered, Devin looked
downward as he smiled and said, “Still do.”
As Devin sat down with his cup of tea, he looked upon his
Father’s desk, and as he took a closer look he guardedly noted, “Is
this a King James Bible.”
“Why yes…yes it is.” Jacob then went on to explain
the whole story of how he and John Pater had found this during
their migration to the tunnels, and of how because of Paracelsus’
change of heart, had only last night, relinquished ownership to him.
Devin looked back to the antique tome, and in an awestruck
manner exclaimed, “This one looks really old! And it looks like…”
Before lifting the relic, Devin asked, “May I?”
Thinking Devin was onto something, Jacob answered, “Of
course…of course.”
As Devin opened the bible, he laughed as he nodded saying,
“Hmm I thought so…”
He then excitedly told Jacob he had a 1611 first addition of
the Authorized Version here!
As Jacob hobbled closer to look over his shoulder, he asked,
“How can you tell?”
To which Devin knowingly pointed out, “Well because of the
title page. You see, the 1611’s title page shows the Apostles Peter
and Paul seated above the central text, which is flanked by Moses
and Aaron. And then the rest of the Apostles are standing around
them. And look, at the very top is the Tetragrammaton "יהוה"! It’s
all right here…very very cool. Not to mention the type print!"
Impressed with Devin’s deciphering of the information before
him, Jacob noted, “You sound very learned in this area.”
Humbly, Devin answered, “Well you learn a few things
working for the acquisitions department at the University of
Manitoba.”
Astonished, Jacob inquired, “You mean way up in
Winnipeg? Canada?”
Expecting a scolding or a remark of sorts, with a nod, Devin
guardedly said, “Yeah…way up in Canada.”
Impressively, Jacob said, “Hmm…imagine that!”
Devin was relieved by his father’s reaction, and privately
thought one day though…he would reveal the full extent of his
travels to him, places so far and remote, it truly would stun
him…but for now he left it at this, and then warmly conveyed, “I
have traveled far Father…its funny…but I guess I needed to go
away, just to find my way back home.”
Affected by Devin’s reply, Jacob put his arm about his son
and said, “Yes…sometimes we do have to step back to recognize
what we have…or where we belong…and where we are happiest.”
They both fell silent for a moment reflecting on the
association between them, both from this underground civilization,
an unconventional father who had developed this place, and his
wayward son who was born there and had chosen to come back...
feeling connected once more, because now...to them both this was
called home.
Changing the subject back to the subject of his King James
Bible, Jacob lightened the tone as he cleared his throat, and
excitedly asked; “Now Devin… tell me more of what you know
about my acquisition here.”
Grateful for the transition, Devin thoughtfully said, “Well let
me think…it’s been awhile since my tenure there…well I DO
recall most of the remaining First Editions at the time I worked
there, were owned by The British Museum, a few were in the
Biblical Museum in Jerusalem, and some were in university
libraries here in the United States. Not to mention the few which
are owned by wealthy collectors, but man…a complete
King James First Edition Bible almost never comes up for sale, but
you know…I do remember hearing one sold at an auction at
Sotheby's, for $143,000.”
Upon hearing the rarity of his Bible, Jacob whispered,
“Stunning, stunning in deed!”
As Devin recalled some more appealing facts, he amusedly
pointed out, “Well I know this will be of interest to you, it is said
that Shakespeare translated psalm 46. Some of the clues or hints
were that in 1611, Shakespeare was 46 years of age. And now the
number 46 is important, cuz if we take Psalm 46, the 46th word
from the beginning is ‘shake’ and the 46th word from the end is
‘spear’! Ahh it is all supposition, and then again many believed it
was Francis Bacon who did much of the translation. But who
knows, so much is in dispute.”
Jacob was taken aback to hear these facts from Devin about
his beloved Shakespeare and Bacon, and as they both became
immersed in their conversation about theology and such, much
time had passed, and unnoticeably, their tea had grown
cold before them.
And when Jacob realized he should be checking on the
preparations for the Christmas Eve Celebration, they both agreed
to revisit this subject, and to continue their conversation later.
So as they set out into the tunnel main, this time it was Devin
who considerately slipped his arm through his father’s, aiding him
in his walk as they made Jacob’s desired rounds. One of which
they both decided, would be to Vincent’s chamber to see how he
and Mouse were doing.
As they walked Jacob chuckled a bit as he noted, “Listen to
me saying Vincent’s chamber, I suppose I should be saying yours
as well!”
Jacob then thought to offer, “Unless you would like to lay
claim to a chamber of your own? Kanin’s previous
chamber before he married Olivia is still vacant…”
He then scratched his chin as he recalled, “…but then there
may be a reason for that…there is a protruding stone in the middle
of the threshold’s floor, which either you trip on or you have to
walk around as you enter…very annoying.”
Devin was about to reply, when Jacob optimistically added,
“Ah yes and I nearly forgot about Winslow’s empty
chamber…May he rest in peace.”
To which he then sadly surmised, “Ahhh, but I suppose
Winslow’s old chamber may be difficult for you to...”
Thoughtfully, Devin interjected, “I will think about those
options…but for now though, until I feel I am crowding my little
brother, it’s kinda nice staying there with him. It’s giving us some
time to reconnect ya know?”
“I understand…we will leave it at that then.”
Meanwhile, Vincent stepped back to admire the completed
project and appreciatively said, “Thank you Mouse…once again,
your help has been immeasurable!”
Proudly Mouse replied, “Looks good. Devin will like it.”
Vincent then urgently said, “Now I must find a place to
conceal his gift...”
He then wrapped the sphere shaped object in cloth, and
carefully placed it into the chest, when just then, Jacob and Devin
entered, causing Mouse to clear his throat coughing in warning to
Vincent!
To which Jacob commented, “Mouse you must do something
about that cough! You checked out well the other day when you
were examined did you not?”
In reply Mouse answered, “I’m good FATHER and
DEVIN…must be the dust!”
Vincent rose up from the chest, and with an appreciative nod
to Mouse, Vincent graciously greeted them both and asked, “How
was your tea?”
“Tea?” Chuckled Jacob, “I dare say, I nary had a sip!”
Jacob then went on to explain of how he and Devin lost
complete track of time talking ethics and of how Devin was a font
of information about his King James!
Devin then spoke up and excitedly shared with Vincent and
Mouse, “When I realized what Father had…I couldn’t believe it! I
mean scholars and dealers of religious artifacts claim there are less
than a hundred of these First Editions!”
Vincent listened to his Father and brother as they eagerly
relayed their time together. And as he looked from one illuminated
face to the other, he was so pleased and thankful they seemed to
have found their common ground. And he thought perhaps...this
shall turn out to be what he had wished for them, which was a
chance to find their one thing that shall bind them together.
As they wound up the recap, with interest, Devin asked
Vincent and Mouse, “Did you finish your soldering project?”
Well, because they had finished Catherine’s framing early on,
it was Devin’s gift that was lastly on Mouse’s mind, and so upon
hearing Devin’s question about a project, Mouse grew puzzled! So
quizzically, Mouse turned to Vincent, and asked, “Thought it was
a surprise?”
Grasping the situation immediately, Vincent covered up best
he could by emphasizing, “CATHERINE’S GIFT shall be a
surprise Mouse!”
With an “I got it” look on his face, Mouse beamed as he said,
“Right! Catherine’s gift!”
Vincent turning to Devin, he quickly interjected a reply
to him before Mouse could say anything more, and said, “In
answer to your question, yes…we finished the framing.”
He then splayed his hand toward the table where the stained
glass pictures cooled, and asked them both, “Would you like to
see how they turned out?”
Eagerly Jacob replied, “Indubitably! Yes, yes indeed!”
As they all looked over the table at the two stained glass
pictures, Jacob and Devin both marveled at the artisanship
involved.
To which Father commented, “So this is what has been
occupying your spare time! I dare say, I must stop in more often!”
He then questioned, “How did you manage to do
this without electricity?”
Vincent turned to Mouse, because he wanted him to receive
his much deserved kudos, asked him to explain the process.
Proudly he showed off his piece of machinery, and said,
“Use this!” He then worriedly looked to Jacob, and quickly added,
“Found it Father, not stole it!”
Raising a brow, Jacob said, “Yes yes...well WHERE it was
found, IS the question!”
He then waved his hand, as he vehimently stated, “And I do
not believe I want an answer to that question Mouse!”
As Mouse stammered out an explanation anyhow, they all
chuckled at the uncertainty, the junk pile he said he found it on,
was in fact, a legit free-for-all!
So in an attempt to get his friend off the hook, Vincent put his
arm around his pixilated buddy, and conveyed, “What I can tell
you for certain is this…without my friend Mouse’s aid, and his
knowledge of machinery, I wouldn’t have been able to bring my
idea for Catherine’s gift to fruition.”
Beaming with pride, Mouse modestly inserted, "Machines are
easy to understand!"
Jacob complimented him as well by adding his two cents,
saying, "I must admit..there have been times your knowledge and
acquistions of said machines, have...shall we say...saved our
bacon!"
Vincent agreed, and then sited different examples, filling
Devin in on Mouse's expertise!
After expressing how genuinely impressed he was with
Mouse's talent, Devin, interested in the little machine before them,
transgressed, and asked, “Hmm, so how does this one work?”
To which Vincent explained, “It is a wind up generator. You
turn the handle here and it stores electricity, enabling us to use the
soldering gun.”
With caution Vincent added, “It only perseveres just so long
however…so it is a timely process. We did a little each day.”
Impressed with the work involved, in an awestruck manner,
Jacob commented, “Imagine that! These depictions are really
beautiful...Catherine will be truly delighted with her gift!”
Proudly, Vincent relayed, “That is my wish Father.”
Devin agreed, and then asked Mouse, “Hey maybe you could
show me how to use that thing uh? This is great! The things you
could do with it!”
In a Barney Phiffe like manner, Mouse protectively said,
“Only I know how to use…but I will help!”
Realizing he overstepped his bounds with Mouse a bit, Devin
respectfully said, “That’s a deal! Gee now to come up with a
project…well I will let you know when I think of one.”
Just then a message from William sounded through the pipes
asking for all hands on deck in the Great Hall! Preparations for
Christmas Eve are to begin!
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-Two
: }