Destiny of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Twenty-Six
________________________________________________
Catherine felt the little hands she was holding, tightened with
excitement at the sight of the tunnels Christmas tree! Excited
herself, she smiled as she looked down at both Joseph and
Samantha and asked, “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Oh yes!” Said Samantha, “It is the most beautiful Christmas
Tree I have ever seen…”
Joseph looked back at Catherine, and replied, "I think it is
awesome! See the snowman? I hung him on the tree right in the
front.”
Nodding with approval, Catherine said, “Nice placement
Joseph…nice placement.”
Just then Natalie reached over for Catherine as she said, “I
want to show you the Christmas stocking I hung on the tree too!”
Catherine happily took Natalie from Vincent, and as they
made the transfer from his arms to hers, their eyes met. Both
thinking how much they loved being together this Christmas Eve,
sharing each others families, friends and lives…thinking how
much they loved each other.
As she turned her attention back to Natalie, Catherine said,
“Oh I can see the stocking, right there in front. You did a very
nice job Natalie.”
It was then, Samantha seized her moment to gain Catherine’
s attention, as she informed her, “And I hung the Chinese
Lanterns Dr. Wong and Lin gave us….see them way up there?”
Looking upward, Catherine asked, “OH my! How did you
manage that Samantha…it is higher than I can reach!”
“Easy…” Said Samantha proudly, “Vincent lifted me! He
said I will never be too big for him to pick up.”
Joseph had to teasingly add, “Unless you gain a whole bunch
of weight and weigh 1600 pounds or something, uh Vincent?”
With a tilt of his head, Vincent replied, “I believe if Samantha
needed my aid, I would find a way to lift her…even if she
weighed 1600 pounds.”
Samantha smiled up at Vincent and assuredly said, “Cuz that’s
what friends are for uh Vincent…we help each other no matter
what.”
In reply, Vincent added, “Friends and family…yes that’s true
Samantha…we help each other no matter what.”
As their conversation reverted back to the Christmas tree,
they discussed other elements it hosted, and by now Zach and
Kipper had joined the bunch, along with a few other tunnel
children too. They all began to look over the gifts that had been
placed there, and as their excitement peaked, they all agreed they
could not wait until morning!
With great curiosity, Samantha looked up at Catherine and
asked, “What was Christmas Eve like for you when you were a
little girl?”
Catherine glanced at Vincent, and with a questioning look, she
was wondering if it was all right to tell about her life above. She
was privately wondering if it may make the children feel a
discontentment of sorts, but as Vincent gave her an approving
nod, saying it was all right, she smiled as she said, “Well…” she
began, “…when I was a little girl, we gathered together, just as
you do. My aunts and uncles, cousins, Grandma and Grandpa
from both sides of the family would come over, and even Great-
grandma came until she died at a very old age.”
With great interest, Joseph asked, “Did you have a Mom and
a Dad and a house?”
To which Samantha inserted, “Of course she had a Dad silly!
Her Dad is Charles!”
Catherine serenely answered as she continued, “Yes that’s
right Samantha...”
And before Catherine could say anything about her Mom,
Joseph asked again, “And a Mom?”
Catherine smiled as she thought about her Mom, and putting
emotions aside as she spoke to the children about her, she
answered, “Yes…I had a Mom too, a wonderful Mom, but sadly,
she died when I was about Zach’s age…”
Catherine then shared, “This was a very sad time for my Dad
and I, and the way we miss her, still makes us sad.”
Nodding, Kipper said, “I know what you mean…when my
Mom died it changed everything…but then I came here…and
hey…life is pretty darn good now, I mean I still miss her and
stuff…but everyone here is my family now.”
Catherine smiled as she acknowledged, “Yes...it is the tough
times we go through that help us know when things are going…as
you say Kipper, “pretty darn good.”
Zach stood thoughtful for a moment, before he inserted, “I
guess it’s like Father says, once in a while we need a bad day to
make a good day that much better.”
To which Kipper dispatched, “Oh yeah, I heard him tell you
that when you screwed up Big Time on the algebra test...you were
so mad!”
Embarrassed that Kipper had brought up the failing mark he
had gotten in front of Catherine, Zach shot Kipper a dirty look as
he urgently replied, “Yeah, well I understand it now…”
Then as he looked up at Catherine he announced, “…in fact I
actually love algebra now!”
Catherine looked back at Zach as she shared, “You know
math was never my strong subject, but for some reason, once I
took Algebra, something clicked, and I did ok with it.”
It was then that Joseph deduced, “Ok, so we know you had a
Dad and a Mom, but what about a house?”
As Catherine continued telling the children of her life as a top-
sider child, Vincent, had stepped back, to listen to the exchange
between her and the sweet children, thinking what a natural she
was with them, and of how much they all liked her.
It was then Vincent felt an unexpected tug within his heart,
knowing because of a life with him, she would not have any
children of her own and…well that was where he stopped himself,
deciding not to go there again…not tonight.
Tonight was a joyous time, and she looked so happy, and he
sensed her heart was at peace and happiness therein was in
abundance. And so silently he stood watching them, when just
then…Charles walked up and stood beside him, also thinking and
feeling the same things Vincent had been.
Vincent looked over at him, and with a silent
acknowledgment; he then looked downward…unable really to
speak. And with that Charles also looked downward for a
moment, and as he found his voice, he smiled toward Catherine,
and with heartfelt emotion said, “My daughter is great with
children, always was. She loved to baby-sit for friends of ours as a
young girl…and helped out in the local nursery school…and
orphanage.”
He then thoughtfully continued, “…and of what I have
discovered through the years, there are so many children in this
world in need of love…and kindness, well what I mean to say, it
is just as fulfilling, and maybe in some ways, even more so when
you reach out to those children who are alone.”
He then added, “When I look at Catherine and see how happy
she is with these children…well, when you have a giving heart
like hers…caring for, and loving these kids can be enough…I don’
t believe I have never seen her so content and happy…and its
because of you Vincent.”
Charles then with emotion added, “I realize what you two
have is rare to find in this lifetime, I had it, so I know.”
Vincent, who had been silent till now, was taken aback by the
kindness within this man.
Vincent recognized Charles was letting him know, he
understood because of who Vincent was, Catherine would most
likely not ever have a child she would give birth to…but was
saying this did not mean she couldn’t be a mother to another
child. Vincent also felt Charles was letting him know, the
happiness of his daughter was what mattered most to him in the
world, and because of this, he could accept this unconventional
relationship with him.
And so with a lone tear making its way down his cheek,
Vincent softly said, “Besides my own father, I have never known
such a selfless man…your words will resonate within my heart
always.”
Charles looked over at Vincent and with bit of a guilty look,
he admitted, “Selfless…I’m not sure about that…it may be selfish
of me needing to know there is someone who will always be there
for her, who will always have her back.”
With a resolved nod, Charles then added, “I know I’m not
gonna be around for ever, and as I get older…it is important for
me to know she won’t be alone. I am really all she has…and what
I sense from you Vincent, I know you will always be there for my
daughter.”
With heartfelt conviction, Vincent answered, “Until my last
breath, I will be.”
Heaving an emotional sigh, Charles looked downward for a
moment and before looking back at Vincent with tear-filled eyes,
he said, “I cannot ask for more than that.”
So because neither one wanted Catherine to see them having
such a serious conversation, they both walked up to her and the
children, to join in their joyful conversation. Charles filled in
Catherine's stories with a few tidbits of his own about her as an
anxious child waiting for Christmas to come. And as it turned out,
his vantage point ended up being quite humorous to the children.
And happily he answered their endless questions about little
Catherine, when suddenly Charles noticed a bit of a commotion
on the far side of the hall!
And so he asked, “What is the attraction over there?
Everyone seems to be looking at something.”
Looking over himself, Vincent became concerned as the
hubbub was at the location he noticed something was amiss
yesterday. And so with apprehension he concurred, “You are
right Charles, perhaps, we better go see.”
And so, as they wondered over to the crowd, he could hear his
father calling for him, urgently saying, “Vincent! Vincent!”
Looking at Catherine, Charles and the children, Vincent told
them, “I better go and speak with Father.”
He then instructed, “Children stay together right here.”
With understanding, Catherine said, “Yes go to your father,
we’ll watch the children.”
Stepping up to the front of the crowd, Vincent said, “I am right
here Father what is it?” And at the same time he asked, he also
looked up, and actually saw what was causing all the excitement!
It was the presence of two new tapestries! Two beautiful new
tapestries of the Nativity!
With bewilderment, he continued looking at the wondrous
sight, when his Father, urgently questioned, “Do you suppose…”
Just then Pascal, who had been looking all over for Vincent,
ran up, drowning out Jacob, to breathlessly say, “There you are!
What do you make of this? This is where you noticed the floor
had been scuffed yesterday! Do you suppose?”
Mary too standing in the mix, with awe, asked, “Are you all
thinking what I am thinking? Vincent…do you suppose?”
Devin, who was standing at his Father’s side, was dying to
know what Vincent was supposed to be supposing! And so he
urgently asked, “For Heaven’s sake…suppose what?!!!”
To which Vincent explained, “These tapestries were not here
yesterday, and so we can only guess who had hung them here. My
guess is…”
Just then Sam the helper stepped up and said, “Hey maybe I
can clear up the mystery, I saw the guy. I was just delivering the
poinsettias Rose sent down, when he finished hanging these rugs.”
With urgency Mary asked, “What did he look like? Was he
short, kinda hunched with a goatee?”
With astonishment, Rebecca looked at Mary to say, “Why
that sounds like…are you actually thinking it was Paracelsus?”
To which Mary vehemently answered, “I think we are all
thinking it was Paracelsus!”
Not knowing the whole history of the tunnels thus far, or who
evil Paracelsus was, Sam simply shook his head no, and in trying
to remember his name, he said, “I know he didn’t say his name
was Paracelsus, he said it was…oh man, what in the heck did he
say his name was?”
Father then stepped up to Sam, and with thought, he told him,
“Now this is very important Sam, tell us all you know and can
remember.”
Sam shrugged his shoulders, and said, “Well, let’s see, I
introduced my-self, you know, so he didn’t think I was just some
top-sider wondering around down here, and then he said he was
John…yes that’s it…he said he was John Pater. And then he said
these rugs were a gift to the community and that I was supposed
to tell Jacob and everyone here a Merry Christmas.”
And so cheerfully, Sam innocently announced, “So hey
everyone…Merry Christmas from John Pater!”
Everyone was aghast Paracelsus…errr John Pater had been
there, and it was he, who gave them these gorgeous tapestries in
honor of Christmas.
Deep in thought, and with much emotion, Jacob stepped closer
to look at the gifts his old friend bestowed upon the community he
helped develop all those many many years ago. He then
thankfully realized Paracelsus, the man who had also forsook this
world…was no more. The mad man persona John once evolved
into was now gone, and the man remaining, was his old friend,
who was once again, wanting to be known by his given name of
John Pater.
With a comforting arm about his father’s shoulders, Vincent
stood beside him, and said, “I guess all things are possible Father.”
With a tremble in his voice, Jacob said, “Indeed…”
As he was now joined by his other son, who also offered a
comforting embrace, Jacob managed to gather his emotions, and
in wanting to uplift the mood for the Christmas Eve celebration,
he audaciously turned to the community and said, “Let us
celebrate the good tidings of the season. Shall we?”
With tears glistening in her eyes, Mary put her arm around
Rebecca and whispered, “What a wonderful Christmas for Father,
he is so happy! I mean first, it was Devin’s homecoming and now
the deliverance of his old friend.”
Rebecca nodded, but then defensibly added, “Yes Mary, I
agree with you, Father is happy, but Vincent is too! I mean not
only because of the reasons you just sited, but in addition to the
other wonderful events happening around here as well!"
She then went on to say, "I mean just think about it..because of
Vincent and Catherine's unshakable bond, enabling them to finally
find one path, well our circle has increased, now including her
AND her father, not to mention Lin and Henry's baby news, well
if you ask me, it has turned out to be a wonderful Christmas for us
all!"
To which Mary, overcome with a full heart, nodded in
agreement with all Rebecca had just said, replied, "You are right
Rebecca....it is a wonderful Christmas for us all."
With that said, it was then Rebecca joyfully suggested,
"Come let’s celebrate! Let’s get some of William’s cranberry
cider and have a toast to Christmas!"
To which Mary cocked a brow, and gave Rebecca an
obligatory stern look, but then actually began to contemplate the
suggestion, when Rebecca seized the day, and pushed a little
more, as she devilishly added, "I heard the cider has fermented to
perfection this year.”
Mary then softened her look, and cheerfully agreed, “Well,
perhaps a little taste of cider can't hurt....and I do agree...these
wondrous events do give us reason to celebrate."
To be continued
Chapter Twenty Seven
: }
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Twenty-Six
________________________________________________
Catherine felt the little hands she was holding, tightened with
excitement at the sight of the tunnels Christmas tree! Excited
herself, she smiled as she looked down at both Joseph and
Samantha and asked, “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Oh yes!” Said Samantha, “It is the most beautiful Christmas
Tree I have ever seen…”
Joseph looked back at Catherine, and replied, "I think it is
awesome! See the snowman? I hung him on the tree right in the
front.”
Nodding with approval, Catherine said, “Nice placement
Joseph…nice placement.”
Just then Natalie reached over for Catherine as she said, “I
want to show you the Christmas stocking I hung on the tree too!”
Catherine happily took Natalie from Vincent, and as they
made the transfer from his arms to hers, their eyes met. Both
thinking how much they loved being together this Christmas Eve,
sharing each others families, friends and lives…thinking how
much they loved each other.
As she turned her attention back to Natalie, Catherine said,
“Oh I can see the stocking, right there in front. You did a very
nice job Natalie.”
It was then, Samantha seized her moment to gain Catherine’
s attention, as she informed her, “And I hung the Chinese
Lanterns Dr. Wong and Lin gave us….see them way up there?”
Looking upward, Catherine asked, “OH my! How did you
manage that Samantha…it is higher than I can reach!”
“Easy…” Said Samantha proudly, “Vincent lifted me! He
said I will never be too big for him to pick up.”
Joseph had to teasingly add, “Unless you gain a whole bunch
of weight and weigh 1600 pounds or something, uh Vincent?”
With a tilt of his head, Vincent replied, “I believe if Samantha
needed my aid, I would find a way to lift her…even if she
weighed 1600 pounds.”
Samantha smiled up at Vincent and assuredly said, “Cuz that’s
what friends are for uh Vincent…we help each other no matter
what.”
In reply, Vincent added, “Friends and family…yes that’s true
Samantha…we help each other no matter what.”
As their conversation reverted back to the Christmas tree,
they discussed other elements it hosted, and by now Zach and
Kipper had joined the bunch, along with a few other tunnel
children too. They all began to look over the gifts that had been
placed there, and as their excitement peaked, they all agreed they
could not wait until morning!
With great curiosity, Samantha looked up at Catherine and
asked, “What was Christmas Eve like for you when you were a
little girl?”
Catherine glanced at Vincent, and with a questioning look, she
was wondering if it was all right to tell about her life above. She
was privately wondering if it may make the children feel a
discontentment of sorts, but as Vincent gave her an approving
nod, saying it was all right, she smiled as she said, “Well…” she
began, “…when I was a little girl, we gathered together, just as
you do. My aunts and uncles, cousins, Grandma and Grandpa
from both sides of the family would come over, and even Great-
grandma came until she died at a very old age.”
With great interest, Joseph asked, “Did you have a Mom and
a Dad and a house?”
To which Samantha inserted, “Of course she had a Dad silly!
Her Dad is Charles!”
Catherine serenely answered as she continued, “Yes that’s
right Samantha...”
And before Catherine could say anything about her Mom,
Joseph asked again, “And a Mom?”
Catherine smiled as she thought about her Mom, and putting
emotions aside as she spoke to the children about her, she
answered, “Yes…I had a Mom too, a wonderful Mom, but sadly,
she died when I was about Zach’s age…”
Catherine then shared, “This was a very sad time for my Dad
and I, and the way we miss her, still makes us sad.”
Nodding, Kipper said, “I know what you mean…when my
Mom died it changed everything…but then I came here…and
hey…life is pretty darn good now, I mean I still miss her and
stuff…but everyone here is my family now.”
Catherine smiled as she acknowledged, “Yes...it is the tough
times we go through that help us know when things are going…as
you say Kipper, “pretty darn good.”
Zach stood thoughtful for a moment, before he inserted, “I
guess it’s like Father says, once in a while we need a bad day to
make a good day that much better.”
To which Kipper dispatched, “Oh yeah, I heard him tell you
that when you screwed up Big Time on the algebra test...you were
so mad!”
Embarrassed that Kipper had brought up the failing mark he
had gotten in front of Catherine, Zach shot Kipper a dirty look as
he urgently replied, “Yeah, well I understand it now…”
Then as he looked up at Catherine he announced, “…in fact I
actually love algebra now!”
Catherine looked back at Zach as she shared, “You know
math was never my strong subject, but for some reason, once I
took Algebra, something clicked, and I did ok with it.”
It was then that Joseph deduced, “Ok, so we know you had a
Dad and a Mom, but what about a house?”
As Catherine continued telling the children of her life as a top-
sider child, Vincent, had stepped back, to listen to the exchange
between her and the sweet children, thinking what a natural she
was with them, and of how much they all liked her.
It was then Vincent felt an unexpected tug within his heart,
knowing because of a life with him, she would not have any
children of her own and…well that was where he stopped himself,
deciding not to go there again…not tonight.
Tonight was a joyous time, and she looked so happy, and he
sensed her heart was at peace and happiness therein was in
abundance. And so silently he stood watching them, when just
then…Charles walked up and stood beside him, also thinking and
feeling the same things Vincent had been.
Vincent looked over at him, and with a silent
acknowledgment; he then looked downward…unable really to
speak. And with that Charles also looked downward for a
moment, and as he found his voice, he smiled toward Catherine,
and with heartfelt emotion said, “My daughter is great with
children, always was. She loved to baby-sit for friends of ours as a
young girl…and helped out in the local nursery school…and
orphanage.”
He then thoughtfully continued, “…and of what I have
discovered through the years, there are so many children in this
world in need of love…and kindness, well what I mean to say, it
is just as fulfilling, and maybe in some ways, even more so when
you reach out to those children who are alone.”
He then added, “When I look at Catherine and see how happy
she is with these children…well, when you have a giving heart
like hers…caring for, and loving these kids can be enough…I don’
t believe I have never seen her so content and happy…and its
because of you Vincent.”
Charles then with emotion added, “I realize what you two
have is rare to find in this lifetime, I had it, so I know.”
Vincent, who had been silent till now, was taken aback by the
kindness within this man.
Vincent recognized Charles was letting him know, he
understood because of who Vincent was, Catherine would most
likely not ever have a child she would give birth to…but was
saying this did not mean she couldn’t be a mother to another
child. Vincent also felt Charles was letting him know, the
happiness of his daughter was what mattered most to him in the
world, and because of this, he could accept this unconventional
relationship with him.
And so with a lone tear making its way down his cheek,
Vincent softly said, “Besides my own father, I have never known
such a selfless man…your words will resonate within my heart
always.”
Charles looked over at Vincent and with bit of a guilty look,
he admitted, “Selfless…I’m not sure about that…it may be selfish
of me needing to know there is someone who will always be there
for her, who will always have her back.”
With a resolved nod, Charles then added, “I know I’m not
gonna be around for ever, and as I get older…it is important for
me to know she won’t be alone. I am really all she has…and what
I sense from you Vincent, I know you will always be there for my
daughter.”
With heartfelt conviction, Vincent answered, “Until my last
breath, I will be.”
Heaving an emotional sigh, Charles looked downward for a
moment and before looking back at Vincent with tear-filled eyes,
he said, “I cannot ask for more than that.”
So because neither one wanted Catherine to see them having
such a serious conversation, they both walked up to her and the
children, to join in their joyful conversation. Charles filled in
Catherine's stories with a few tidbits of his own about her as an
anxious child waiting for Christmas to come. And as it turned out,
his vantage point ended up being quite humorous to the children.
And happily he answered their endless questions about little
Catherine, when suddenly Charles noticed a bit of a commotion
on the far side of the hall!
And so he asked, “What is the attraction over there?
Everyone seems to be looking at something.”
Looking over himself, Vincent became concerned as the
hubbub was at the location he noticed something was amiss
yesterday. And so with apprehension he concurred, “You are
right Charles, perhaps, we better go see.”
And so, as they wondered over to the crowd, he could hear his
father calling for him, urgently saying, “Vincent! Vincent!”
Looking at Catherine, Charles and the children, Vincent told
them, “I better go and speak with Father.”
He then instructed, “Children stay together right here.”
With understanding, Catherine said, “Yes go to your father,
we’ll watch the children.”
Stepping up to the front of the crowd, Vincent said, “I am right
here Father what is it?” And at the same time he asked, he also
looked up, and actually saw what was causing all the excitement!
It was the presence of two new tapestries! Two beautiful new
tapestries of the Nativity!
With bewilderment, he continued looking at the wondrous
sight, when his Father, urgently questioned, “Do you suppose…”
Just then Pascal, who had been looking all over for Vincent,
ran up, drowning out Jacob, to breathlessly say, “There you are!
What do you make of this? This is where you noticed the floor
had been scuffed yesterday! Do you suppose?”
Mary too standing in the mix, with awe, asked, “Are you all
thinking what I am thinking? Vincent…do you suppose?”
Devin, who was standing at his Father’s side, was dying to
know what Vincent was supposed to be supposing! And so he
urgently asked, “For Heaven’s sake…suppose what?!!!”
To which Vincent explained, “These tapestries were not here
yesterday, and so we can only guess who had hung them here. My
guess is…”
Just then Sam the helper stepped up and said, “Hey maybe I
can clear up the mystery, I saw the guy. I was just delivering the
poinsettias Rose sent down, when he finished hanging these rugs.”
With urgency Mary asked, “What did he look like? Was he
short, kinda hunched with a goatee?”
With astonishment, Rebecca looked at Mary to say, “Why
that sounds like…are you actually thinking it was Paracelsus?”
To which Mary vehemently answered, “I think we are all
thinking it was Paracelsus!”
Not knowing the whole history of the tunnels thus far, or who
evil Paracelsus was, Sam simply shook his head no, and in trying
to remember his name, he said, “I know he didn’t say his name
was Paracelsus, he said it was…oh man, what in the heck did he
say his name was?”
Father then stepped up to Sam, and with thought, he told him,
“Now this is very important Sam, tell us all you know and can
remember.”
Sam shrugged his shoulders, and said, “Well, let’s see, I
introduced my-self, you know, so he didn’t think I was just some
top-sider wondering around down here, and then he said he was
John…yes that’s it…he said he was John Pater. And then he said
these rugs were a gift to the community and that I was supposed
to tell Jacob and everyone here a Merry Christmas.”
And so cheerfully, Sam innocently announced, “So hey
everyone…Merry Christmas from John Pater!”
Everyone was aghast Paracelsus…errr John Pater had been
there, and it was he, who gave them these gorgeous tapestries in
honor of Christmas.
Deep in thought, and with much emotion, Jacob stepped closer
to look at the gifts his old friend bestowed upon the community he
helped develop all those many many years ago. He then
thankfully realized Paracelsus, the man who had also forsook this
world…was no more. The mad man persona John once evolved
into was now gone, and the man remaining, was his old friend,
who was once again, wanting to be known by his given name of
John Pater.
With a comforting arm about his father’s shoulders, Vincent
stood beside him, and said, “I guess all things are possible Father.”
With a tremble in his voice, Jacob said, “Indeed…”
As he was now joined by his other son, who also offered a
comforting embrace, Jacob managed to gather his emotions, and
in wanting to uplift the mood for the Christmas Eve celebration,
he audaciously turned to the community and said, “Let us
celebrate the good tidings of the season. Shall we?”
With tears glistening in her eyes, Mary put her arm around
Rebecca and whispered, “What a wonderful Christmas for Father,
he is so happy! I mean first, it was Devin’s homecoming and now
the deliverance of his old friend.”
Rebecca nodded, but then defensibly added, “Yes Mary, I
agree with you, Father is happy, but Vincent is too! I mean not
only because of the reasons you just sited, but in addition to the
other wonderful events happening around here as well!"
She then went on to say, "I mean just think about it..because of
Vincent and Catherine's unshakable bond, enabling them to finally
find one path, well our circle has increased, now including her
AND her father, not to mention Lin and Henry's baby news, well
if you ask me, it has turned out to be a wonderful Christmas for us
all!"
To which Mary, overcome with a full heart, nodded in
agreement with all Rebecca had just said, replied, "You are right
Rebecca....it is a wonderful Christmas for us all."
With that said, it was then Rebecca joyfully suggested,
"Come let’s celebrate! Let’s get some of William’s cranberry
cider and have a toast to Christmas!"
To which Mary cocked a brow, and gave Rebecca an
obligatory stern look, but then actually began to contemplate the
suggestion, when Rebecca seized the day, and pushed a little
more, as she devilishly added, "I heard the cider has fermented to
perfection this year.”
Mary then softened her look, and cheerfully agreed, “Well,
perhaps a little taste of cider can't hurt....and I do agree...these
wondrous events do give us reason to celebrate."
To be continued
Chapter Twenty Seven
: }
