Upon arriving to Narcissa's realm, they found her hunched over, stirring a
potion in a cast-iron pot, that was resting over a fire.
Calmly she greeted them saying, "Hello Vincent...Catherine. What brings you
here?"
Warmly Vincent replied, "I need to inform you of some changes that are taking
place Narcissa. And Catherine wanted to come as well."
With a smile Narcissa replied, "Nice of you to want to come and visit an old
crazy woman such as myself, child."
To which Catherine sweetly argued, "I love coming to see you, and
Narcissa...you are not crazy."
Raising a brow, Narcissa, in an all-knowing manner asked, "Is that NOT how I
am referenced, as old crazy Narcissa? The old lady who lives deeply below the
shattered rooms far from everyone?"
Catherine looked helplessly at Vincent, as she wondered how to answer her,
because Narcissa was correct! Some of the community did look upon her that
way.
With truthfulness and wisdom, Vincent replied, "If they do refer to you that
way, it is only because they do not know you as we do..."
Kindly, he then asked, "How are you Narcissa?"
Continuing to stir her brew, she answered, "I am getting older...getting
older...but you Vincent! You are doing well...come here closer...I know there is
something different about you."
Looking over at Catherine before he began his trek to Narcissa's side, he
stepped up to her, waiting to see what the old woman would say she noticed
about him.
As she touched his face, she said, "My blindness prevents me from seeing the
brightness of your aura Vincent, but I can feel its intensity! What has brought
such happiness to your life? Catherine perhaps?"
Nodding, Vincent simply said, "Yes...Catherine has consented to be my wife.
We will marry in a few weeks, and we hope you will come to the upcoming
celebration for us."
With an even farther away look in her milky glazed covered eyes, she said,
"This is a good union...you will make each other a good mate. Yes, I must
come to this celebration."
Vincent then privately informed Narcissa of the bridal shower which would be
given to Catherine tomorrow night, and though she did not promise, she did
nod, indicating she would try to come.
Meanwhile, Catherine voiced her happiness that Narcissa would come to their
wedding, and it was then Vincent informed Narcissa when she came, it would
be via a new route.
Vincent then told her of all the concerns Paracelsus is bringing to the tunnels,
saying, "Because of Paracelsus, we must close off the tunnel that opens up to
the shattered rooms above the stone circle. Father believes Paracelsus is using
that route, and so we ask you now use the tunnel that rises above the catacombs
via the petrified crags."
Compliantly Narcissa answered, "I will travel the way you suggest...Vincent."
With care he asked, "Is there anything you need? Any thing you could use some
help with?"
Matter-of-factly she answered, "No...no nothing boy. I have all that is essential
to my well being."
Vincent and Catherine said their good-byes, and as they started to exit her
cavern, a shudder ran through Narcissa, that caused her to cry out, "Beware of
the gift!"
Stopping in their tracks, they turned back toward Narcissa, who kept stirring her
brew, as if she had said nothing.
Vincent who was used to such outbursts from her, turned around and kept
walking. He knew if there was more information Narcissa could share, then she
would have.
There was no use asking her what this foretelling meant.
Anxiously though, Catherine grabbed Vincent's hand, and asked, "What did that
mean?"
Thoughtfully he answered, "I am not sure. Time will tell Catherine..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Jennifer was busy preparing her dish for the reunion and anxiously
awaited Ronald's arrival.
However...though she was excited, she owned some reservations as
well...because she was never sure what to expect from her Mom.
Hearing Ronald's knock on the door, Jennifer rushed to open it and welcomed
him inside.
Happily she said, "I am almost ready! Come sit down and have a cup of Java,
while I put some foil over the lasagna."
As she poured them some coffee, Ronald asked, "Tell me about this place we
are going for your family reunion Jenny."
Handing Ronald his mug, she told him about the park where her family would
be congregating, saying, "Well, we are going to Morningside Park, which is
named for the sunny eastern side of the cliff that separates Morningside Heights
from Harlem in Northern Manhattan. So we can just take 113th Street and enter
the park there after we pick up my Mom on the upper West Side."
Seeing Ronald furrowed brow, she looked at him worriedly as he seemed to be
concerned about something. Jennifer spoke his name, and then quizzically
asked, "What is it Ronny? You don't like the route?"
Confessing his nervousness, he then relayed, "No, no, the route is good, its
just...well I am a little concerned about meeting your mother. What if she
doesn't approve of me Jenny? We are of such different ancestry."
Jennifer in an awing manner approached him and asked, "What is there not to
like? Don't worry, she will love you. In fact I am more worried you may not
like her! My mother can be very outspoken, cranky, and at times, demanding.
But what can I say...I love her, she's my mom."
Hugging him she understandably added, "I guess it has been a long time since
you have had to worry about such things though huh?"
Resting his chin on Jennifer's hair, he answered, "Yes....yes it has been a very
long time."
In an attempt to lighten the subject, he declared, "All I can say is, if you are not
concerned, then neither am I. And just so you know, you are not going to scare
me off with your description of your Mother Jenny. I still very much want to
meet her."
Teasingly Jennifer said, "You are a very, very brave man!"
She then kissed him, to which he so very sweetly responded, saying, "I suppose
we should go Jenny, before..."
Softly Jennifer asked, "Before what?"
Hugging her tenderly to him, he answered, "Before I lose my nerve, and suggest
we stay home instead."
And so with one last kiss, they then gathered everything they needed for
Jennifer's contribution for the reunion, and took the elevator down to the garage.
As they got into Jennifer's car, she turned to him and asked, "Would you like to
drive?"
Shaking his head no, he thankfully declined, answering, "I will play passenger
today, but maybe next time...truthfully, I would love to get behind the wheel
again."
To which Jennifer told him, "Yeah I love driving too. You know, just hopping
into the car, listening to tunes while your are cruising...there's nothing better."
With a longing in his voice, Ronald admitted, "Yeah, I do miss it. Living below
in the tunnels, you leave these kinds of little pleasures behind. But you
know...there is much to be said about how Father has designed our world. The
simpler way of life as we know it below, pares away the material aspects of life,
things we deem as necessary for everyday living here above, simply are not
relevant."
Jennifer then carefully asked, "Do you think you will live down there forever?
Would you ever want to move back up here?"
Contemplating Jennifer's question, he answered, "I always thought I would
come back one day. I haven't completely severed my life here. I have a friend
whom I shared an accounting firm with that reminds me I have a position back
with him any time I like. So in answer to your question, yes Jenny...I know one
day I will move back to the city."
Jennifer could not hide her smile as this information made her very happy.
Looking over at Ronald, she said, "Well I sure do like hearing that."
Arriving at her Mom's, she took Ronny by the hand, and as she opened the
door, she shouted, "We're here Mom! Come and meet Ronny."
With the sound of a flushing toilet resonating throughout her small apartment,
and thankfully the sound of Mrs. Aranson washing her hands, she exited the
bathroom, and shrieked, "Yes...yes...I am very anxious to meet this Ronny!"
As she adjusted the hat on her head, she said, "So you are this fantastic Ronny I
have been hearing so much about?"
Politely, he admitted to being him, and as he held out his hand to shake with
hers, he said, "I am pleased to meet you Mrs. Aranson."
To which she in turn pumped away as she shook his hand, and said, "Now I
hear you are an accountant?"
In response, Ronald smiled as he answered, "Yes, accounting is my schooled
profession."
Narrowing her eyes, she noted, "Oh my...an accountant with a pony tail! I
remember when a pompadour, and horn rimmed glasses was the norm for an
accountant! Times are a changing I guess!"
Mrs. Aranson then changed gears by asking, "Ronny, please give me a hand
getting my casserole out of the oven for me...now be careful it is hot!"
Looking at her daughter, she then expressed, "I tell ya, since my hernia, and
hemorrhoid operations, I just cannot bend over like I used to."
To which Jennifer expounded, "Mother really! Ronny doesn't want to hear
about all of your procedures!"
Flatly Mrs. Aranson replied, "It is the facts of life Sissy girl. I just don't have the
mobility I used to have. Who would ever guess now, that back when I was a
girl, I could do back flips and the splits. I am double jointed you know."
This was a truly frightening picture Mrs. Aranson was painting! An image that
made Jennifer cringe, and Ronald smile.
Then Mrs. Aranson asked, "Oh Ronny...could I ask one more favor? Please
change the light bulb in the hall for me? You are so nice and tall, I bet you can
reach right up there. I myself, need a chair or a ladder to do it since I am so
petite, and, I really shouldn't go climbing around with my vertigo acting up!"
To which Jennifer shrieked, "You better not be climbing up on chairs Mom!
Vertigo, or no vertigo! All you need is a broken hip or something!"
Calming her daughter down, she enforced, "Well, now that I can ask Ronny...I
won't have to! So don't go worrying your curly little head Jennifer."
Mrs. Aranson then turned to Ronald and added, "Her hair is naturally curly you
know!"
In response, Jennifer expressed, "Mom really!"
To which her Mom replied, "It's true! No lies to be told here! Nary a dime has
been spent on perms! Now straighteners are another subject!"
Well since Ronald could see Jennifer cringing, he thought he would change the
subject by offering, "Mrs. Aronson, just save any chores you need done, and I
will be glad to help."
With a smile, Mrs. Aronson, said, "That is music to an old lady's ears! I may
have a few things lined up for you, and pay you back with my famous Pot
Roast dinner!"
As Ronald finished screwing in the light bulb, he nodded, saying, "From what
Jenny has said about your cooking, it sounds like I am getting the best of this
deal."
Jennifer smiled to herself, knowing her Mom must like Ronald, otherwise, by
now, she would be asking Jennifer into the bedroom, to privately voice her
disapproval of him. But instead, she was giving him chores, and with her Mom,
this was always a good sign.
So with all tasks completed, Ronald helped load up Mrs. Aronson's dishes into
the car, as requested, and they were ready to hit the road to meet the rest of
Mrs. Aronson's side of the family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, since Catherine and Vincent were off visiting Narcissa, all the
females, took advantage of this time to prepare their shower gifts for Catherine's
Tunnel Bridal Shower.
Ever the overseer, Mary made her rounds to see what everyone was making.
She saw that Rebecca was making a candle ring out of some twigs, and crystal
bits from the crystal cavern which they had in the Craft Box, to encircle the
lovely candle she had poured for the wedding couple.
And Brooke, was busily sewing a lovely pajama tunic, which was made from a
white gauze type material, with some lovely light blue cotton material for accent.
Meanwhile, Jamie, who had acquired some wood, which was left over from
Peter's chamber reno, to build a coat stand.
And Laura was monogramming some hand towels for Catherine and Vincent.
Olivia, knowing about the kitchenette, opted to sew a lovely apron, from some
of the left over rosebud material. Trimming it with some wide frilly lace that
was available.
And the children, such as Natalie and Samantha, sewed some brightly colored
pot holders, as per Mary's suggestion.
And Mary herself, for her shower gift, made a lovely quilted coverlet.
As Mary sat back down, feeling pleased with all the lovely projects the girls
were working on, she also did a mental inventory, going over all the other
Shower plans.
Yes the Invitations were all delivered. Luckily Vincent would be telling Narcissa
of the shower during his visit today, Mary informed Elizabeth of the upcoming
Tunnel Bridal Shower, and Mouse had personally delivered invitations to Lin,
Lisa, Rosa, and Lena, and last but not least, Ronald promised to remind Jennifer
about the event tomorrow night as well.
Meanwhile, since her project was finished, Mary excused herself from the
crafty bunch of ladies, and she went to the kitchen to discuss the party fare with
William.
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-Six
potion in a cast-iron pot, that was resting over a fire.
Calmly she greeted them saying, "Hello Vincent...Catherine. What brings you
here?"
Warmly Vincent replied, "I need to inform you of some changes that are taking
place Narcissa. And Catherine wanted to come as well."
With a smile Narcissa replied, "Nice of you to want to come and visit an old
crazy woman such as myself, child."
To which Catherine sweetly argued, "I love coming to see you, and
Narcissa...you are not crazy."
Raising a brow, Narcissa, in an all-knowing manner asked, "Is that NOT how I
am referenced, as old crazy Narcissa? The old lady who lives deeply below the
shattered rooms far from everyone?"
Catherine looked helplessly at Vincent, as she wondered how to answer her,
because Narcissa was correct! Some of the community did look upon her that
way.
With truthfulness and wisdom, Vincent replied, "If they do refer to you that
way, it is only because they do not know you as we do..."
Kindly, he then asked, "How are you Narcissa?"
Continuing to stir her brew, she answered, "I am getting older...getting
older...but you Vincent! You are doing well...come here closer...I know there is
something different about you."
Looking over at Catherine before he began his trek to Narcissa's side, he
stepped up to her, waiting to see what the old woman would say she noticed
about him.
As she touched his face, she said, "My blindness prevents me from seeing the
brightness of your aura Vincent, but I can feel its intensity! What has brought
such happiness to your life? Catherine perhaps?"
Nodding, Vincent simply said, "Yes...Catherine has consented to be my wife.
We will marry in a few weeks, and we hope you will come to the upcoming
celebration for us."
With an even farther away look in her milky glazed covered eyes, she said,
"This is a good union...you will make each other a good mate. Yes, I must
come to this celebration."
Vincent then privately informed Narcissa of the bridal shower which would be
given to Catherine tomorrow night, and though she did not promise, she did
nod, indicating she would try to come.
Meanwhile, Catherine voiced her happiness that Narcissa would come to their
wedding, and it was then Vincent informed Narcissa when she came, it would
be via a new route.
Vincent then told her of all the concerns Paracelsus is bringing to the tunnels,
saying, "Because of Paracelsus, we must close off the tunnel that opens up to
the shattered rooms above the stone circle. Father believes Paracelsus is using
that route, and so we ask you now use the tunnel that rises above the catacombs
via the petrified crags."
Compliantly Narcissa answered, "I will travel the way you suggest...Vincent."
With care he asked, "Is there anything you need? Any thing you could use some
help with?"
Matter-of-factly she answered, "No...no nothing boy. I have all that is essential
to my well being."
Vincent and Catherine said their good-byes, and as they started to exit her
cavern, a shudder ran through Narcissa, that caused her to cry out, "Beware of
the gift!"
Stopping in their tracks, they turned back toward Narcissa, who kept stirring her
brew, as if she had said nothing.
Vincent who was used to such outbursts from her, turned around and kept
walking. He knew if there was more information Narcissa could share, then she
would have.
There was no use asking her what this foretelling meant.
Anxiously though, Catherine grabbed Vincent's hand, and asked, "What did that
mean?"
Thoughtfully he answered, "I am not sure. Time will tell Catherine..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Jennifer was busy preparing her dish for the reunion and anxiously
awaited Ronald's arrival.
However...though she was excited, she owned some reservations as
well...because she was never sure what to expect from her Mom.
Hearing Ronald's knock on the door, Jennifer rushed to open it and welcomed
him inside.
Happily she said, "I am almost ready! Come sit down and have a cup of Java,
while I put some foil over the lasagna."
As she poured them some coffee, Ronald asked, "Tell me about this place we
are going for your family reunion Jenny."
Handing Ronald his mug, she told him about the park where her family would
be congregating, saying, "Well, we are going to Morningside Park, which is
named for the sunny eastern side of the cliff that separates Morningside Heights
from Harlem in Northern Manhattan. So we can just take 113th Street and enter
the park there after we pick up my Mom on the upper West Side."
Seeing Ronald furrowed brow, she looked at him worriedly as he seemed to be
concerned about something. Jennifer spoke his name, and then quizzically
asked, "What is it Ronny? You don't like the route?"
Confessing his nervousness, he then relayed, "No, no, the route is good, its
just...well I am a little concerned about meeting your mother. What if she
doesn't approve of me Jenny? We are of such different ancestry."
Jennifer in an awing manner approached him and asked, "What is there not to
like? Don't worry, she will love you. In fact I am more worried you may not
like her! My mother can be very outspoken, cranky, and at times, demanding.
But what can I say...I love her, she's my mom."
Hugging him she understandably added, "I guess it has been a long time since
you have had to worry about such things though huh?"
Resting his chin on Jennifer's hair, he answered, "Yes....yes it has been a very
long time."
In an attempt to lighten the subject, he declared, "All I can say is, if you are not
concerned, then neither am I. And just so you know, you are not going to scare
me off with your description of your Mother Jenny. I still very much want to
meet her."
Teasingly Jennifer said, "You are a very, very brave man!"
She then kissed him, to which he so very sweetly responded, saying, "I suppose
we should go Jenny, before..."
Softly Jennifer asked, "Before what?"
Hugging her tenderly to him, he answered, "Before I lose my nerve, and suggest
we stay home instead."
And so with one last kiss, they then gathered everything they needed for
Jennifer's contribution for the reunion, and took the elevator down to the garage.
As they got into Jennifer's car, she turned to him and asked, "Would you like to
drive?"
Shaking his head no, he thankfully declined, answering, "I will play passenger
today, but maybe next time...truthfully, I would love to get behind the wheel
again."
To which Jennifer told him, "Yeah I love driving too. You know, just hopping
into the car, listening to tunes while your are cruising...there's nothing better."
With a longing in his voice, Ronald admitted, "Yeah, I do miss it. Living below
in the tunnels, you leave these kinds of little pleasures behind. But you
know...there is much to be said about how Father has designed our world. The
simpler way of life as we know it below, pares away the material aspects of life,
things we deem as necessary for everyday living here above, simply are not
relevant."
Jennifer then carefully asked, "Do you think you will live down there forever?
Would you ever want to move back up here?"
Contemplating Jennifer's question, he answered, "I always thought I would
come back one day. I haven't completely severed my life here. I have a friend
whom I shared an accounting firm with that reminds me I have a position back
with him any time I like. So in answer to your question, yes Jenny...I know one
day I will move back to the city."
Jennifer could not hide her smile as this information made her very happy.
Looking over at Ronald, she said, "Well I sure do like hearing that."
Arriving at her Mom's, she took Ronny by the hand, and as she opened the
door, she shouted, "We're here Mom! Come and meet Ronny."
With the sound of a flushing toilet resonating throughout her small apartment,
and thankfully the sound of Mrs. Aranson washing her hands, she exited the
bathroom, and shrieked, "Yes...yes...I am very anxious to meet this Ronny!"
As she adjusted the hat on her head, she said, "So you are this fantastic Ronny I
have been hearing so much about?"
Politely, he admitted to being him, and as he held out his hand to shake with
hers, he said, "I am pleased to meet you Mrs. Aranson."
To which she in turn pumped away as she shook his hand, and said, "Now I
hear you are an accountant?"
In response, Ronald smiled as he answered, "Yes, accounting is my schooled
profession."
Narrowing her eyes, she noted, "Oh my...an accountant with a pony tail! I
remember when a pompadour, and horn rimmed glasses was the norm for an
accountant! Times are a changing I guess!"
Mrs. Aranson then changed gears by asking, "Ronny, please give me a hand
getting my casserole out of the oven for me...now be careful it is hot!"
Looking at her daughter, she then expressed, "I tell ya, since my hernia, and
hemorrhoid operations, I just cannot bend over like I used to."
To which Jennifer expounded, "Mother really! Ronny doesn't want to hear
about all of your procedures!"
Flatly Mrs. Aranson replied, "It is the facts of life Sissy girl. I just don't have the
mobility I used to have. Who would ever guess now, that back when I was a
girl, I could do back flips and the splits. I am double jointed you know."
This was a truly frightening picture Mrs. Aranson was painting! An image that
made Jennifer cringe, and Ronald smile.
Then Mrs. Aranson asked, "Oh Ronny...could I ask one more favor? Please
change the light bulb in the hall for me? You are so nice and tall, I bet you can
reach right up there. I myself, need a chair or a ladder to do it since I am so
petite, and, I really shouldn't go climbing around with my vertigo acting up!"
To which Jennifer shrieked, "You better not be climbing up on chairs Mom!
Vertigo, or no vertigo! All you need is a broken hip or something!"
Calming her daughter down, she enforced, "Well, now that I can ask Ronny...I
won't have to! So don't go worrying your curly little head Jennifer."
Mrs. Aranson then turned to Ronald and added, "Her hair is naturally curly you
know!"
In response, Jennifer expressed, "Mom really!"
To which her Mom replied, "It's true! No lies to be told here! Nary a dime has
been spent on perms! Now straighteners are another subject!"
Well since Ronald could see Jennifer cringing, he thought he would change the
subject by offering, "Mrs. Aronson, just save any chores you need done, and I
will be glad to help."
With a smile, Mrs. Aronson, said, "That is music to an old lady's ears! I may
have a few things lined up for you, and pay you back with my famous Pot
Roast dinner!"
As Ronald finished screwing in the light bulb, he nodded, saying, "From what
Jenny has said about your cooking, it sounds like I am getting the best of this
deal."
Jennifer smiled to herself, knowing her Mom must like Ronald, otherwise, by
now, she would be asking Jennifer into the bedroom, to privately voice her
disapproval of him. But instead, she was giving him chores, and with her Mom,
this was always a good sign.
So with all tasks completed, Ronald helped load up Mrs. Aronson's dishes into
the car, as requested, and they were ready to hit the road to meet the rest of
Mrs. Aronson's side of the family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, since Catherine and Vincent were off visiting Narcissa, all the
females, took advantage of this time to prepare their shower gifts for Catherine's
Tunnel Bridal Shower.
Ever the overseer, Mary made her rounds to see what everyone was making.
She saw that Rebecca was making a candle ring out of some twigs, and crystal
bits from the crystal cavern which they had in the Craft Box, to encircle the
lovely candle she had poured for the wedding couple.
And Brooke, was busily sewing a lovely pajama tunic, which was made from a
white gauze type material, with some lovely light blue cotton material for accent.
Meanwhile, Jamie, who had acquired some wood, which was left over from
Peter's chamber reno, to build a coat stand.
And Laura was monogramming some hand towels for Catherine and Vincent.
Olivia, knowing about the kitchenette, opted to sew a lovely apron, from some
of the left over rosebud material. Trimming it with some wide frilly lace that
was available.
And the children, such as Natalie and Samantha, sewed some brightly colored
pot holders, as per Mary's suggestion.
And Mary herself, for her shower gift, made a lovely quilted coverlet.
As Mary sat back down, feeling pleased with all the lovely projects the girls
were working on, she also did a mental inventory, going over all the other
Shower plans.
Yes the Invitations were all delivered. Luckily Vincent would be telling Narcissa
of the shower during his visit today, Mary informed Elizabeth of the upcoming
Tunnel Bridal Shower, and Mouse had personally delivered invitations to Lin,
Lisa, Rosa, and Lena, and last but not least, Ronald promised to remind Jennifer
about the event tomorrow night as well.
Meanwhile, since her project was finished, Mary excused herself from the
crafty bunch of ladies, and she went to the kitchen to discuss the party fare with
William.
To be continued
Chapter Twenty-Six
| Sweet Dreams! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Twenty-Five |
