Sweet Passage!
Part 4
by Sharon HoltzCatherine’s excitement was mounting as the hour grew near for Vincent to come for her. She'd taken the day off to get ready for the party tonight. She felt maybe just a twinge of guilt, recalling her conversation with Joe that morning.Was he really going to ask me out?
She thought back to their talk.
“Taking the day off? Cathy, I was hoping to take my most beautiful investigator to lunch!”
Catherine thought he sounded a bit flirtatious and asked him, “Are you flirting with me, Joe?”
Joe stammered a bit, “Who me, Radcliff? What's wrong with a boss showing a little appreciation now and then?”
“Well, thanks anyway Joe, but I have plans.”
“Any one I know, Cathy?”
“I don’t think so.”
Joe, sounded a tiny bit jealous as he asked, “Who is this guy Cathy? Is he a fugitive, or some big underground thug?”
Catherine laughed at the underground comment, and simply said, “Something like that Joe. I'll see you tomorrow.”
Joe was so adorable, but just not her type.
Catherine had much to do. She needed the entire day to prepare Vincent’s gift, and to bake her cookies, and she also needed to gather suitable music for the party. She'd received word from Brook only yesterday asking her help in this matter. Thinking back on how the message was passed to her made her smile. A note came to her via Jerry, the vendor who brought the lunch cart around. He'd insisted on her taking the tongue sandwich, of all things! She had no idea that he was a Helper. Inside the sandwich was a note from Brook. It read:
Dear Catherine,
Father has given us permission to have music at The Sweetheart’s Dance tomorrow night. Will you help us? If you can, please bring down a portable player and some romantic music to dance to. We will be forever grateful!
Sincerely BrookCatherine was very surprised, and when she looked up at Jerry. He was standing there smiling, and he patiently waited for Catherine’s reply to the note. He asked her, “Is the tongue fresh today Miss Chandler?”
Catherine smiled back at Jerry, and quickly wrote a reply saying that she would be happy to help. Folding the note, and placing it back inside the sandwich, she told Jerry, “I don’t think that the tongue is very fresh Jerry. Please take this back and I'll pass on a sandwich today. Thank you anyway!"
Catherine loved this New World that she was becoming a part of. She wondered if she would ever get used to all these interesting forms of they had - messages clanging through the pipes, and now a note inside a sandwich!
Catherine barely made it through the last two days of work. She couldn’t wait to see Vincent again. His words stilled her heart that night, and were still making it skip a beat each time she thought of his velvety, passionate voice, when he said he loved her.
Catherine finished cutting up the last of the seven-layer cookies she'd prepared for the party. She placed them inside a huge heart-shaped box she had found at the store that day. This should make up for my Lasagna the other night! I have to try to salvage my reputation somehow!
She noticed the time, realizing that she'd better get ready. Vincent would be there in an hour and she wanted to look extra special tonight. She hadn’t talked to Vincent since Sunday and missed him so much. She couldn’t wait to see him.
Catherine planned on wearing a white dress with a deep v-neckline that it would show off her beautiful crystal necklace Vincent had given her. Stepping out of the shower, and drying her hair, her thoughts were full of anticipation. She hoped tonight would be special for her and Vincent. She felt that they were a real couple now, not only in her heart but in Vincent’s heart as well. They had broken down a few barriers the other night, openly speaking of their love for each other. Vincent had shared some of his deep seeded fears with her. Yes, Vincent seemed to be ready to except the love which she so badly wanted to give him!