Sweet Passage!
Part 3
by Sharon Holtz
The Tunnels were bustling in preparation for the party. Every child was assigned a task, but it was the older children, Brook, Michael, Stephen, and Angela, who took full charge of all the preparations for the party. They were busy making decorations, arranging tables, and, with Rebecca's help, making batches of candles for the Sweet Hearts Dance. There was very little red dye left over from the Christmas candles, but donated what she had, and it made the loveliest pink - which was just perfect for the occasion!
William even allowed them access to his kitchen on Tuesday night, so they could make their heart shaped cookies, and the cupcakes they planned to serve.
Finally, the night of the big event arrived, and the entire community seemed to be lifted out of the usual mid-winter doldrums in anticipation of this romantic holiday party. It seemed to Vincent that love just seemed to be in the air, when he passed by Mary’s chamber and he heard her singing …she sang:
Dear heart
Wish you were here
To warm this night
My Dear Heart,
Seems like a year
Since you’ve been out of my sight,
A single room,
A table for one,
It’s a lonesome town all right
For soon I’ll kiss you hello,
At our front door
And dear heart
I want you to know
I’ll leave your arms never more!Vincent couldn’t help but wonder if this Valentine’s Day could signal a new beginning in the relationship between Father and Mary. He was heading for Father's library to see if he had his copy of Romeo and Juliet. The plan was to place his lock of hair inside of it and include this book as part of Catherine’s gift. To his surprise and amusement, as he neared Father's chamber, he heard Father singing.
My funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable…Vincent listened for a moment, enjoying this impersonation of Frank Sinatra. “Bravo Father, Bravo!”
Jacob looked up, not the least bit embarrassed, and to Vincent's delight, attempted a soft-shoe dance using his cane as a prop. Unfortunately, he got a bit carried away, and nearly tripped and fell.
Vincent managed to grab hold of him before any real damage was done. “Easy, Father, you're going to hurt yourself!”
“Yes, you're right my boy. I don’t want to be out of commission for the big night! You know, Vincent, last night after you left me I realized that perhaps I too should be concerned about a gift . . . a gift for Mary. A gift that would be a token of friendship, you understand.”
Vincent smiled understandingly. “Of course! That's a wonderful idea. Did you decide on the perfect gift, Father?”
Jacob headed in the direction of his reading table, but stopped a moment and answered Vincent’s question. “Yes, yes indeed! I wish to give Mary this hair ornament.” A slight humbled laughter accompanied his next words. “I stayed up until nearly three carving it!” He picked up the hand-crafted hair ornament from his table and showed it to Vincent.
“Father, this is lovely! I can see you did some delicate carving here. Father, I'm certain this will delight Mary.”
Father nodded. “Well, she always wears her hair swept up so lovely, and I thought that perhaps she would enjoy it.”
"I'm sure she will," Vincent replied, as he began searching through a stack of books for Romeo and Juliet. "Father, have you noticed how delighted the children are with their party? And so excited you consented to having music at the celebration. Catherine will be bringing her player, with some music she feels will be appropriate for the occasion.”
“Wel,l yes my boy, it was too short of notice to gather our usual Winterfest musicians, and we must have music! Valentine’s Day must be accompanied by music, so that we can dance! Dance my boy, dance!” Uncharacteristically, Jacob grabbed Vincent around the waist, putting his hand in Vincent’s, he started to waltz him about the chamber. The two were beside themselves laughing when Mary appeared at the chamber entrance!
“AHEM!” she said, to get their attention. “Oh my Father, Vincent, I can come back at another time…”
The two men stopped in their tracks, feeling very embarrassed. They both stammered a bit before Vincent finally came to his senses enough to say, “Thank you for the refresher course, Father.”
Jacob appreciated this small tale. “Of course, son. Next week we shall work on the box step!”
Mary looked sideways at them both. “Jacob, I had no idea that you give dancing lessons!”
Finding his book, Vincent said, “Ah, here it is! Shakespeare’s tale of woe. Father, I'm giving this to Catherine as well.” He looked down fondly on his cherished possession. “It's Catherine’s favorite…I must depart away, Father, Mary, I will see you both at the Celebration."
Mary turned to Jacob. “Jacob, I just wanted to let you know that the preparations are completed. The children are most excited.” She shyly looked down before continuing. “It was very sweet of you to let the children plan this night. This undertaking has given them responsibility, which is a marvelous learning tool!” Then she turned to leave.
“Mary," Father said, stopping her. "I'm looking forward to this evening too. Shall I come for you around seven?”
Mary blushed, “I will be waiting. Until then, Jacob.”
Father was taken by surprise, and his old ticker started to race at the sound of Mary’s words. He thought to himself, oh my!