Chapter II


"Mary! You look stunning. That outfit was made for you". Catherine was flabbergasted at the change in Mary. She looked like a totally different person. Her hair had been cut into a short stylish bob of deep burnished auburn. Her skin had been given a warm glow with complimentary makeup. The makeup artist, because that is precisely what she was, who did Mary’s makeup had "opened" her eyes with the deft use of shadow, liner, and dark brown mascara. A soft lipstick completed Mary’s look. She looked wonderful with a timeless, elegant beauty. Mary was a tall woman, and the outfit she wore, a flowing, draping pantsuit in shades of green completely complimented her delicate coloring and set off her height.

"Catherine, I don’t know if I can accept all this. The spa treatment was enough, but the make over, and now this outfit. Why the shoes alone cost a small fortune", Mary began.

" Manolo Blahnik. Only the best will do. Besides, we’re on a mission," Catherine deadpanned, and then dissolved into a fit of giggles that was so infectious Mary was soon doubled over with laughter. She had certainly laughed with Catherine this day.

"Catherine, girl, you are too much. Okay, we’ll do it your way --- ‘Lead on McDuff’!

Mary looked at Catherine and wished for a fleeting moment that this loving, laughing young woman could have been her natural daughter. Elyse had only been thirty years old when she had died of a drug overdose. Mary had done everything she could to save her only child, but in the end, the siren song of cocaine was stronger than a mother’s love.

Catherine caught the look of sadness brush across Mary’s features, "Mary, what is it?"

"Nothing dear…just a memory from long ago," said Mary sadly. "You reminded me of someone who will always be very dear to me". Impulsively, Mary reached out to hug Catherine tight, when she released her, Catherine could see the unshed tears glistening in Mary’s eyes.

"Mary, what is it? What’s wrong?" Catherine asked gently.

"I was just thinking about my daughter, Elyse". Mary answered quietly. "She had so much to live for, I look at you and see what she could have been. Unfortunately, she chose another path."

"What happened to her Mary? Was she ill?" Catherine asked.

"Yes, you could say that. She was ill, and ultimately her illness claimed her life. My daughter… was a cocaine addict. She started treatment at twenty-five, got better for a little while, then started up again. She could never seem to stay away from the drugs, and finally, one day she overdosed." Mary finished speaking, and turned away to pull herself together. Catherine stood quietly by and gave Mary the time she needed, and felt honored that Mary had chosen to tell her what was probably her deepest hurt. Catherine reached out a hand to touch the older woman’s shoulder, "Mary, are you all right? Do you want to go home?"

"No dear, I’m all right. I guess this has been a somewhat emotional day for me. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to burden you with my misfortune. Thank you for listening though. It means a lot", Mary said through a somewhat watery smile.

"Oh hey Mary, believe me, it’s not a burden, not at all. All the times you’ve stood by me, listening to me, and just being there when I needed someone to talk to. Besides, that’s what friends are for. You and Vincent, and even Father too, all the wonderful people in the tunnel community taught me the real meaning of friendship. Be there for each other, no matter what."

Mary caught Catherine’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze, "Thank you dear, I appreciate that."

"So," said Catherine, "You want to go get something to eat?"

"You bet", Mary smiled.

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"Father", Vincent called out as he entered his father’s chamber. The chamber was a cluttered mixture of books, papers, odds and ends, but Vincent found it all strangely comforting.

"Ah, Vincent, my dear boy! I didn’t expect to see you till later this evening. How are you?"

Father had extricated himself from the far end of his chamber where he had been sitting hunched over a rather large volume of literature. Upon Vincent’s arrival, Father had laboriously stood up, grabbed hold of his ever present cane and made his way slowly towards his pride and joy, his son Vincent.

"I’m well Father." Vincent smiled affectionately at this man whom he loved so much. "I wanted to know how you’re feeling. You said your hip had been troubling you. How is it today?"

"Oh what can I say, Vincent. I’m an old man with an old man’s complaints," then seeing the look of concern in Vincent’s deep azure eyes, he added, "I’m better. It's actually not as bad as it was yesterday. This morning I went and took a soak in the hot spring, and that seems to have loosened it right up a bit. ‘Arthur’ has been quiet so far".

Vincent chuckled softly at father’s colloquism. He had often heard Father refer to his arthritis as "Arthur".

"Well, let us hope that ‘Arthur’ will continue to remain silent," said Vincent.

"Vincent, I understand Catherine and Mary went Above?" Father tried to ask as casually as possible, but his curiosity was killing him.

"Yes, Catherine wanted to treat Mary to a day out". Vincent didn’t want to say that this was Catherine’s way of thanking Mary for running interference for them. Although Vincent knew that Father accepted his marriage to Catherine, he was still displeased at how Father had treated her at first. Vincent wasn’t one to harbor grudges, so he pushed the momentary flash of displeasure away.

"Oh. That’s very sweet of Catherine…she is such a dear girl. You know Vincent, I do love her very much, she’s like a daughter to me", Father said softly, then he added, "I sometimes worry about our dear Mary, I think a little day trip will do her a great deal of good."

"Vincent, is something wrong?" Father asked as he noticed the blue eyes blinking in what appeared to be astonishment. "No…no Father, I just…I’m just glad that everything seems to be working itself out," Vincent stammered out. "I’m just happy that our relationship is back as it should be, and that you and Catherine have developed a good relationship too."

Chuckling lightly, Father embraced his son’s shoulder and said, "Well, consider this. I may be an old dog, but I can learn some new tricks! Catherine loves you with all that she is, any fool could see that a mile going. And Vincent, you have positively blossomed within the sphere of that love." Clapping Vincent on the back, Father decided to try one more time to find out where exactly Catherine had taken Mary for the day, "Um Vincent, where did you say Mary and Catherine were going?"

It was Vincent’s turn to chuckle as he replied, "You seem somewhat concerned about Mary’s whereabouts Father." This remark was accompanied by a knowing smile.

Father shot him a look, "Okay! I admit, I just want to know. Besides, I do worry about Mary sometimes, she works too hard you know. What with her nursing duties and assisting me with my medical duties, and then working with the younger children everyday, she needs to take some time for herself."

"Yes, Father, I agree. Catherine took Mary to something called a ‘day spa’. I understand that women and men go there to get massages, facials, and one can even get the nails on one’s fingers and toes trimmed and polished," He then added mischievously, "Father, have you ever considered going to a spa?"

"Very funny!," Father grumped before shuffling off to retrieve a sheaf of papers which he laid on the table in front of Vincent.

"Here son, when you get a chance, take a look at these plans for the new living quarters Mouse and Kanin drew up. They look pretty good, but I’d like to know what you think. We’ll decide one way or another at the next council meeting."

Vincent nodded and placed the papers inside his vest pocket. "Father," he began almost shyly, but decided to ask the question that had come up into his mind. "Do you ever think about falling in love again? I sometimes look at you and Mary, and I think you two look so right together."

Father looked as his golden son and then dropped his head slightly, when he raised it again, Vincent could see that he wore a sad little smile as he answered, "Look at me Vincent. I have an arthritic hip that gives me no end of trouble, and on top of all that, I’m a grouchy old bachelor who’s set in his ways. Mary is a fine woman, and any man would be honored to be with her. But I don’t think I’m that man."

"I think you’re selling yourself short Father. You have done what few men could do in a lifetime. You put an entire world together where people can come and live in peace, and in safety. Look at me. If it weren’t for you, I would be dead or worse. Locked in a caged somewhere, and treated as a curiosity, possibly used as an experiment. No Father, I believe you and Mary would honor each other."

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