Destiny of my Heart!
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Twenty-Three
________________________________________________
Yes indeed, the D. A.’s Christmas Party had begun, and as the
planning committee, which consisted of Edie and Linda, looked on,
they were pleased everything came together so nicely.
They had planned for the party to begin about 2:00, and as the
8th floor employees emerged from either their office, corner
cubical, or assigned desk, they did so gaily, to gather in the lobby,
to p-a-r-t-y.
And so as the typical doldrum day, evolved into an afternoon of
cheerful holiday excitement, which would segweigh into a long
Holiday break, well, how couldn’t everyone be in a good mood?
For eats, they set out catered meat/cheese and relish trays,
along with delicious sides, with the dessert category subject to
potluck. And although alcohol wasn’t permitted on the premise, the
committee served a fruit punch, which proved to be a nice vehicle
for anyone’s secret DADT stash!
As Edie got everyone’s attention, she announced the gift
exchange numbers were to be called momentarily, and she warned
everyone to listen up, cause this year was going to be different, she
would not be repeating them over and over again, because people
weren’t paying attention!
As Catherine heard her number called, she quickly stepped up to
claim her gift, privately hoping to have impressed Edie by being
expedient just as she had instructed.
Edie however caught Catherine off guard when she gave her a
sideways look, and said, “Look at the new kid hustle up here!”
Edie then smiled as she teasingly praised Catherine by saying,
“…NOW that’s how to get it done! Here’s your gift girlfriend, and
I hope it’s not a re-gifter.”
Catherine laughed, thinking she really liked this Edie’s style.
Going back to sit by Paul, she excitedly un-wrapped a beautiful
scarf from its tissue paper.
Paul, who was eagerly watching for her reaction, asked, “Well
what do you think? Do you like it?”
Wrapping it around her neck, Catherine declared, “I love it!”
Informatively, Paul noted, “You know its reversible…err, at least
that’s what the tag here says.”
Suspiciously, Catherine asked, “Paul…did I get the gift you
brought in for the exchange?”
Sheepishly, he admitted she did, and then once the cat was out
of the bag, he happily showed her how to turn it inside out for the
alternate color.
Catherine then told him, “You did a great job choosing a gift. I
really do love it, and am so glad I was the one who got it. What
were the odds of that?”
Warmly smiling at his dear friend, Paul softly said, “Pretty slim I’
d imagine, Merry Christmas Cathy.”
After giving him a hug, she then noticed he had not opened his
gift yet. And so she urged, “Come on and open! Let’s see what you
got for the exchange.”
Paul laughed as he said, “Yes, well I was trying to get up the
nerve to look…last year I got the worse gift! I got some bright red
socks with green stripes!”
He then said, “I guess there is no where to go but up uh? Well
here goes!”
And so as he ripped off the festive paper, they both started
laughing, as Paul unveiled a pair of boxer shorts which featured
images of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” all over them!
Paul tried not to look disappointed as he was unsure if the person
who brought them to the exchange may be watching! So under his
breath, he smiled as he said to Cathy, “Well how do you like
that…it could get worse!”
Just then Edie walked up rubbing her wrist, looking a bit
uncomfortable, and worriedly she asked Cathy and Paul, “I got this
perfume…its called, “Ode to the night”! Is it supposed to cause a
tingling burning sensation?”
But before they could answer, Edie noticed Paul’s boxers, and
happily said, “Oh you got the “Rudy” shorts I brought! Don’t you
just love Holiday underwear, socks, and t-shirts? They are soooooo
fun!”
Catherine looked at Paul and they both burst out laughing as they
realized Edie was most likely the guilty bad gift giver last year
too!
Looking from one to the other, Edie asked, “What’s so funny
you two?”
As his laughter died away, Paul stood up to give Edie a hug and
said, “Oh nothing Edie…thanks for the gift.”
Sincerely Edie replied, “Your welcome Paul, wear them in good
health!”
As the party wound down, Joe made a small speech saying in
essence to be careful over the Holiday, cuz he needed each and
everyone back in tact to take care of business! He then softened
his tone, and warmly he wished everyone Happy Holidays!
Catherine gathered her empty dish from the dessert table, along
with her new scarf, and after wishing a personal Merry Christmas
to Edie and a few other new friends, She then went up to Joe to
discreetly give him a personal gift from herself. Looking down at
the envelope with a bow on it, he quizzically asked, “What’s this
kiddo?”
In reply Catherine said, “It’s your Christmas present.”
With a knitted brow, Joe shamefacedly said, “Ah….you didn’t
have to give me anything! What did you do that for?”
Catherine laughed as she answered, “Because you’re the boss,
and we lowly employees are supposed to suck up! You know how
it goes!”
She then explained, “Now before you open, I want you to know
I didn’t actually buy these…they are really more from my
dad…Ok…now you can open.”
In his anxious manner, Joe opened the envelope as he repeated,
“From you Dad uh? What in the world could this be?”
As he took the contents out of the envelope, he couldn’t believe
his eyes, and when he found his voice, he acknowledged,
“Springsteen tickets! Ten of them! How did you get these? I stood
in line for hours, and I still didn’t get to buy any! They sold out
before I could get them!”
Calmly Catherine explained, “My Dad handles his legal affairs,
and so he gets tickets all the time. And since I knew you were a
fan...”
Joe broke in saying, “A fan? That’s an under statement! OH
man, there’s enough here to take my whole fam! Thanks
Chand…err. thanks Cathy…tell your Dad thanks! Wait maybe I
should call him, and thank him myself, do you think I could?”
Catherine wrote down her dad’s phone number and said, “My
dad would love that.”
As she slipped on her coat, she said, “Well…I better get a move
on…its getting late.”
As he looked at his tickets once more, he shook his head in
disbelief, and warmly said, “Hey, I really mean this…thanks…and
Merry Christmas Cathy.”
Smiling kindly back at him, she replied, “Merry Christmas
Joe.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since all was set for the tunnel Christmas Eve gathering, there
was a mass exodus from the tunnel main, to everyone’s individual
chambers to get ready for the party.
Vincent needed to get ready too, however, more importantly; he
needed to stop in at his father’s chamber, to finish searching for his
coveted snow globe.
As he anxiously looked about, he became a bit agitated as his
Father told him once again, not to worry, that he was sure it would
turn up.
As Vincent turned over maps, looked under books, and checked
out any object which could be concealing it from view, Vincent
explained, “But it was here Father, remember the other night
when Mouse and I brought it here to show Peter, Charles and
Mary?”
With assurance, Jacob replied, “Of course I recall, I am merely
attempting to ease your mind by saying I am sure it will turn up.”
Looking at his Father, Vincent suspiciously asked, “Father has
something happened to it? Do you know something and don’t wish
to tell me the bad news?”
Prodding a bit further, Vincent asked, “Father?”
Expelling a troubled breath, Jacob pleaded, “If I admit to
knowing something, and at the same time assure you shall have
your globe returned to you very soon, can you let it go at that?”
As his eyes searched his Father’s face, a slow smile came to him,
as he realized this must have something to do with a gift or a
surprise of sorts for himself. And as he further assessed why he
could not explain, he figured that must mean his Father would have
to betray a trust he has with someone.
And so with a nod, Vincent replied, “Yes…with your
assurances…I can Father, and I shall.”
With a calm, Jacob suggested to his son, “Now go ready yourself;
the time is nearing for the Christmas Eve assembly.”
Warmly he then added, “We have much to be thankful for this
year, do we not? Devin is home, and we have wonderful new
friends in Charles and Catherine to share our world with this
Christmas season.”
Giving his father an introspective nod, Vincent with a subtle spirit
agreed with him about their blessings, but deep in his heart, he felt
a sorrow somehow…for some reason…and it occurred to him it
was because of the disruptive feelings he sensed in the Great hall.
He was certain someone had been there…but who and for what?
Keeping his concerns to himself Vincent with a loving embrace,
managed a smile, and in accordance he replied, “Yes Father…very
much to be thankful for.”
Entering his chamber, Vincent found Devin sitting on the bed,
leafing through a book. Looking up at Vincent, Devin expounded,
“I remember when Father assigned this book to us, making us read
it and then write a report…I gotta tell ya Vincent…it just about
drove me nuts back then to sit that long to read! I felt so restless.”
He then smiled and admitted, “If it wasn’t for you studying with
me…I don’t think I would have survived my childhood!”
Looking down at his handsome older brother, Vincent nodded
remembering those days as well and loved knowing Devin
remembered too. And so humbly Vincent replied, “It made me feel
good helping my big brother with something; it was normally you
guiding and advising me.”
Devin smiled as he owned, “Yeah…well, I guess I had a few good
pointers for you.” Sizing up his unique brother, he added, “For
instance, the longer hair style is really working for you! Oh man,
Father sure got mad at me when he heard it was me who suggested
you boycott the routine hair cuts Lou gave us!”
Vincent reciprocated with a smile and with a raised brow, he said,
“I remember….”
After a moment of fond recollection, Vincent changed the subject
as he realized it was time to head onward to the hot springs
chamber. And so he asked Devin, “It is time to ready ourselves.
Are you coming?”
“Yeah…yeah, just give me a minute; I kinda wanted to give you
something before everything got too crazy around here…everyone
exchanging gifts and what not…” And so with an excited
humbleness, Devin reached into his satchel, and brought out a
crudely wrapped bundle, and continued to say, “I thought it might
be something you may wanna wear tonight, or maybe
tomorrow…or whenever…I don’t know…just check it out. See if
you like it.”
As Vincent unrolled a gothic looking garment from its wrapping,
he held it up and looking over at Devin, with his voice full of
emotion he said, “You remembered…”
To which Devin replied, “Damn straight I remember! I will never
forget when we went through our “Viking” stage, how we swore
we needed real doublet’s to properly fence! Well when I saw this
at the Stratford Warehouse in Ontario, I had to get it for you. Does
it fit? You really like it?”
Slipping it on Vincent flexed his shoulders a bit, and since it felt
just right, he happily said, “It does, and I do. I like it very much,
thank you brother. And you know…I believe I shall wear it this
evening.”
Happy to know Vincent liked his gift, Devin replied, “Really?
Cool! Hey you know the sleeves are removable…” He then
assisted Vincent, and when the sleeves were off, he said, “Yeah, I
like it like that better I think!”
Looking downward at his doublet, Vincent concurred, “I do as
well. Again…thank you Devin.”
Knowing he had something special for Devin as well, he thought
it was the perfect time to give him his gift now too. And so he
subtly said, “I appreciate your idea of exchanging gifts between us
now while it’s calm and private…”
So opening up his trunk, Vincent brought out Devin’s gift, and as
he gave it to him, he said, “I hope you like it. For me it represents
your worldly travels, your adventurous spirit…your restless heart.”
Devin smiled and with a hint of tearful emotion in his eyes, he un-
wrapped his gift, and when he saw the stained glass globe, he asked
“Did you make this?”
Vincent nodded, saying, “I did.”
After rolling the globe in his hands, he said, “It’s magnificent!”
Devin then softly said, “You know Vincent…where ever I went;
I went there for us…you were in my heart and mind with every
destination.”
With a tip of his head, Vincent revealed, “I believe I knew.
Sometimes my dreams were so vivid, beyond any personal
knowledge I had intentionally gained…there was no logical
explanation for my knowing certain facts or experiencing certain
sensations other than…through you.”
Optimistically, Devin replied, “I felt I was getting through to
you, at least I hoped I was.”
To lighten the mood with a hint of humor, Devin put his arm
around Vincent, and began to chant their old mantra, “Brothers
forever….”
And then in unison, Vincent joined in, “…Brothers to the end.”
They both laughed, and then both agreed they best head to the
hot springs chamber to get ready for the Christmas Eve party. And
as they walked arm in arm, Vincent jokingly accused Devin,
“Remember the time you had that spicy meal in Mexico…”
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-Four
: }
By Sharon Holtz
Chapter Twenty-Three
________________________________________________
Yes indeed, the D. A.’s Christmas Party had begun, and as the
planning committee, which consisted of Edie and Linda, looked on,
they were pleased everything came together so nicely.
They had planned for the party to begin about 2:00, and as the
8th floor employees emerged from either their office, corner
cubical, or assigned desk, they did so gaily, to gather in the lobby,
to p-a-r-t-y.
And so as the typical doldrum day, evolved into an afternoon of
cheerful holiday excitement, which would segweigh into a long
Holiday break, well, how couldn’t everyone be in a good mood?
For eats, they set out catered meat/cheese and relish trays,
along with delicious sides, with the dessert category subject to
potluck. And although alcohol wasn’t permitted on the premise, the
committee served a fruit punch, which proved to be a nice vehicle
for anyone’s secret DADT stash!
As Edie got everyone’s attention, she announced the gift
exchange numbers were to be called momentarily, and she warned
everyone to listen up, cause this year was going to be different, she
would not be repeating them over and over again, because people
weren’t paying attention!
As Catherine heard her number called, she quickly stepped up to
claim her gift, privately hoping to have impressed Edie by being
expedient just as she had instructed.
Edie however caught Catherine off guard when she gave her a
sideways look, and said, “Look at the new kid hustle up here!”
Edie then smiled as she teasingly praised Catherine by saying,
“…NOW that’s how to get it done! Here’s your gift girlfriend, and
I hope it’s not a re-gifter.”
Catherine laughed, thinking she really liked this Edie’s style.
Going back to sit by Paul, she excitedly un-wrapped a beautiful
scarf from its tissue paper.
Paul, who was eagerly watching for her reaction, asked, “Well
what do you think? Do you like it?”
Wrapping it around her neck, Catherine declared, “I love it!”
Informatively, Paul noted, “You know its reversible…err, at least
that’s what the tag here says.”
Suspiciously, Catherine asked, “Paul…did I get the gift you
brought in for the exchange?”
Sheepishly, he admitted she did, and then once the cat was out
of the bag, he happily showed her how to turn it inside out for the
alternate color.
Catherine then told him, “You did a great job choosing a gift. I
really do love it, and am so glad I was the one who got it. What
were the odds of that?”
Warmly smiling at his dear friend, Paul softly said, “Pretty slim I’
d imagine, Merry Christmas Cathy.”
After giving him a hug, she then noticed he had not opened his
gift yet. And so she urged, “Come on and open! Let’s see what you
got for the exchange.”
Paul laughed as he said, “Yes, well I was trying to get up the
nerve to look…last year I got the worse gift! I got some bright red
socks with green stripes!”
He then said, “I guess there is no where to go but up uh? Well
here goes!”
And so as he ripped off the festive paper, they both started
laughing, as Paul unveiled a pair of boxer shorts which featured
images of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” all over them!
Paul tried not to look disappointed as he was unsure if the person
who brought them to the exchange may be watching! So under his
breath, he smiled as he said to Cathy, “Well how do you like
that…it could get worse!”
Just then Edie walked up rubbing her wrist, looking a bit
uncomfortable, and worriedly she asked Cathy and Paul, “I got this
perfume…its called, “Ode to the night”! Is it supposed to cause a
tingling burning sensation?”
But before they could answer, Edie noticed Paul’s boxers, and
happily said, “Oh you got the “Rudy” shorts I brought! Don’t you
just love Holiday underwear, socks, and t-shirts? They are soooooo
fun!”
Catherine looked at Paul and they both burst out laughing as they
realized Edie was most likely the guilty bad gift giver last year
too!
Looking from one to the other, Edie asked, “What’s so funny
you two?”
As his laughter died away, Paul stood up to give Edie a hug and
said, “Oh nothing Edie…thanks for the gift.”
Sincerely Edie replied, “Your welcome Paul, wear them in good
health!”
As the party wound down, Joe made a small speech saying in
essence to be careful over the Holiday, cuz he needed each and
everyone back in tact to take care of business! He then softened
his tone, and warmly he wished everyone Happy Holidays!
Catherine gathered her empty dish from the dessert table, along
with her new scarf, and after wishing a personal Merry Christmas
to Edie and a few other new friends, She then went up to Joe to
discreetly give him a personal gift from herself. Looking down at
the envelope with a bow on it, he quizzically asked, “What’s this
kiddo?”
In reply Catherine said, “It’s your Christmas present.”
With a knitted brow, Joe shamefacedly said, “Ah….you didn’t
have to give me anything! What did you do that for?”
Catherine laughed as she answered, “Because you’re the boss,
and we lowly employees are supposed to suck up! You know how
it goes!”
She then explained, “Now before you open, I want you to know
I didn’t actually buy these…they are really more from my
dad…Ok…now you can open.”
In his anxious manner, Joe opened the envelope as he repeated,
“From you Dad uh? What in the world could this be?”
As he took the contents out of the envelope, he couldn’t believe
his eyes, and when he found his voice, he acknowledged,
“Springsteen tickets! Ten of them! How did you get these? I stood
in line for hours, and I still didn’t get to buy any! They sold out
before I could get them!”
Calmly Catherine explained, “My Dad handles his legal affairs,
and so he gets tickets all the time. And since I knew you were a
fan...”
Joe broke in saying, “A fan? That’s an under statement! OH
man, there’s enough here to take my whole fam! Thanks
Chand…err. thanks Cathy…tell your Dad thanks! Wait maybe I
should call him, and thank him myself, do you think I could?”
Catherine wrote down her dad’s phone number and said, “My
dad would love that.”
As she slipped on her coat, she said, “Well…I better get a move
on…its getting late.”
As he looked at his tickets once more, he shook his head in
disbelief, and warmly said, “Hey, I really mean this…thanks…and
Merry Christmas Cathy.”
Smiling kindly back at him, she replied, “Merry Christmas
Joe.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since all was set for the tunnel Christmas Eve gathering, there
was a mass exodus from the tunnel main, to everyone’s individual
chambers to get ready for the party.
Vincent needed to get ready too, however, more importantly; he
needed to stop in at his father’s chamber, to finish searching for his
coveted snow globe.
As he anxiously looked about, he became a bit agitated as his
Father told him once again, not to worry, that he was sure it would
turn up.
As Vincent turned over maps, looked under books, and checked
out any object which could be concealing it from view, Vincent
explained, “But it was here Father, remember the other night
when Mouse and I brought it here to show Peter, Charles and
Mary?”
With assurance, Jacob replied, “Of course I recall, I am merely
attempting to ease your mind by saying I am sure it will turn up.”
Looking at his Father, Vincent suspiciously asked, “Father has
something happened to it? Do you know something and don’t wish
to tell me the bad news?”
Prodding a bit further, Vincent asked, “Father?”
Expelling a troubled breath, Jacob pleaded, “If I admit to
knowing something, and at the same time assure you shall have
your globe returned to you very soon, can you let it go at that?”
As his eyes searched his Father’s face, a slow smile came to him,
as he realized this must have something to do with a gift or a
surprise of sorts for himself. And as he further assessed why he
could not explain, he figured that must mean his Father would have
to betray a trust he has with someone.
And so with a nod, Vincent replied, “Yes…with your
assurances…I can Father, and I shall.”
With a calm, Jacob suggested to his son, “Now go ready yourself;
the time is nearing for the Christmas Eve assembly.”
Warmly he then added, “We have much to be thankful for this
year, do we not? Devin is home, and we have wonderful new
friends in Charles and Catherine to share our world with this
Christmas season.”
Giving his father an introspective nod, Vincent with a subtle spirit
agreed with him about their blessings, but deep in his heart, he felt
a sorrow somehow…for some reason…and it occurred to him it
was because of the disruptive feelings he sensed in the Great hall.
He was certain someone had been there…but who and for what?
Keeping his concerns to himself Vincent with a loving embrace,
managed a smile, and in accordance he replied, “Yes Father…very
much to be thankful for.”
Entering his chamber, Vincent found Devin sitting on the bed,
leafing through a book. Looking up at Vincent, Devin expounded,
“I remember when Father assigned this book to us, making us read
it and then write a report…I gotta tell ya Vincent…it just about
drove me nuts back then to sit that long to read! I felt so restless.”
He then smiled and admitted, “If it wasn’t for you studying with
me…I don’t think I would have survived my childhood!”
Looking down at his handsome older brother, Vincent nodded
remembering those days as well and loved knowing Devin
remembered too. And so humbly Vincent replied, “It made me feel
good helping my big brother with something; it was normally you
guiding and advising me.”
Devin smiled as he owned, “Yeah…well, I guess I had a few good
pointers for you.” Sizing up his unique brother, he added, “For
instance, the longer hair style is really working for you! Oh man,
Father sure got mad at me when he heard it was me who suggested
you boycott the routine hair cuts Lou gave us!”
Vincent reciprocated with a smile and with a raised brow, he said,
“I remember….”
After a moment of fond recollection, Vincent changed the subject
as he realized it was time to head onward to the hot springs
chamber. And so he asked Devin, “It is time to ready ourselves.
Are you coming?”
“Yeah…yeah, just give me a minute; I kinda wanted to give you
something before everything got too crazy around here…everyone
exchanging gifts and what not…” And so with an excited
humbleness, Devin reached into his satchel, and brought out a
crudely wrapped bundle, and continued to say, “I thought it might
be something you may wanna wear tonight, or maybe
tomorrow…or whenever…I don’t know…just check it out. See if
you like it.”
As Vincent unrolled a gothic looking garment from its wrapping,
he held it up and looking over at Devin, with his voice full of
emotion he said, “You remembered…”
To which Devin replied, “Damn straight I remember! I will never
forget when we went through our “Viking” stage, how we swore
we needed real doublet’s to properly fence! Well when I saw this
at the Stratford Warehouse in Ontario, I had to get it for you. Does
it fit? You really like it?”
Slipping it on Vincent flexed his shoulders a bit, and since it felt
just right, he happily said, “It does, and I do. I like it very much,
thank you brother. And you know…I believe I shall wear it this
evening.”
Happy to know Vincent liked his gift, Devin replied, “Really?
Cool! Hey you know the sleeves are removable…” He then
assisted Vincent, and when the sleeves were off, he said, “Yeah, I
like it like that better I think!”
Looking downward at his doublet, Vincent concurred, “I do as
well. Again…thank you Devin.”
Knowing he had something special for Devin as well, he thought
it was the perfect time to give him his gift now too. And so he
subtly said, “I appreciate your idea of exchanging gifts between us
now while it’s calm and private…”
So opening up his trunk, Vincent brought out Devin’s gift, and as
he gave it to him, he said, “I hope you like it. For me it represents
your worldly travels, your adventurous spirit…your restless heart.”
Devin smiled and with a hint of tearful emotion in his eyes, he un-
wrapped his gift, and when he saw the stained glass globe, he asked
“Did you make this?”
Vincent nodded, saying, “I did.”
After rolling the globe in his hands, he said, “It’s magnificent!”
Devin then softly said, “You know Vincent…where ever I went;
I went there for us…you were in my heart and mind with every
destination.”
With a tip of his head, Vincent revealed, “I believe I knew.
Sometimes my dreams were so vivid, beyond any personal
knowledge I had intentionally gained…there was no logical
explanation for my knowing certain facts or experiencing certain
sensations other than…through you.”
Optimistically, Devin replied, “I felt I was getting through to
you, at least I hoped I was.”
To lighten the mood with a hint of humor, Devin put his arm
around Vincent, and began to chant their old mantra, “Brothers
forever….”
And then in unison, Vincent joined in, “…Brothers to the end.”
They both laughed, and then both agreed they best head to the
hot springs chamber to get ready for the Christmas Eve party. And
as they walked arm in arm, Vincent jokingly accused Devin,
“Remember the time you had that spicy meal in Mexico…”
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-Four
: }
