Chapter 39
Trying and failing to keep the stern look on his face Vincent relented and gave her a toothy grin. "Catherine unless you were doing something that would endanger yourself I doubt I could ever be truly angry with you. Everyone is very excited about the gift and I am sure William is already planning many different ways to use it."
"I'm so glad Vincent!" she beamed. "I really did want to do something that would express my thanks for the warm caring treatment I got while I was Below."
"Then why didn't you send a note saying that with your gift Catherine?"
"Because I didn't want your father to think I was trying to buy my way into the tunnels. So I thought the anonymous give would be best."
He nodded his understanding. At times, Father was a bit difficult to reason with. Catherine could very well have been right about this.
When Vincent didn't reply, she thought it might be a good time to change the subject. "I made some tea for us and got a special treat when I was at the store today. I have to admit they have been a favorite of mine since childhood. Have you ever had chocolate covered cherries Vincent?"
"We do not get much chocolate Below Catherine and on the rare occasions we do it usually goes to the children first. Quite honestly I haven't had any kind of chocolate in almost a year and never the cherries covered in it that you mentioned."
"Well then! You are in for a real treat! These are to die for! And I bought a whole box!" she told him as she headed to the kitchen to get the tea and treats.
Once the tea was poured, Catherine opened the box and offered first choice to Vincent. He ever so delicately lifted one out of its plastic tray and then did something that surprised and delighted her. He lifted the candy to his nose and inhaled deeply of the special aroma. Then he took a small nibble, but it was enough!
The syrupy juice inside the chocolate coating escaped and dribbled down his chin. Vincent looked startled and tried to catch it with his tongue, but by that time more juice had oozed onto his fingers and he didn't know what to mess to try and clean up first.
She, of course, was of not help at all because she was giggling hysterically at his plight.
"Catherine! Is there some secret way that you are supposed to eat these delicious but disastrous treats?"
Attempting to control herself enough to answer him, she explained, "There are actually a number of ways to eat them Vincent…however, none of which is yours!" She almost started laughing again when she saw the vexed look on his face, but took pity on him long enough to advise, "Some people put the whole thing in their mouth at once. Then some eat it right a way while others just let it melt in their mouth until the chocolate is gone and they reach the inside flavors. Now I always thought that allowed the experience to be over too fast, so I am of the school of eating half of it at a time…"
Vincent interrupted to protest, "But that would still allow the liquid in the center to leak out!"
She did giggle just a bit at his protest, but quickly went on to tell him, "The way to eat it half at a time is to either bite the top or the bottom off first."
"How do you decide which to do?" he questioned.
"It all depends on which you decide your favorite part is. You, of course, want to save that part for last. So, if you like the cherry best, you would turn the candy upside down and bite the bottom off thus eating the cream first and saving the cherry for last. But, if you like the cream best, then you would bite the top off, eating the cherry first."
"Which do you do Catherine?"
This time she laughed gaily, "I am fickle! One time I will eat the cherry first and the next, I will save it till last. Are you sure you can love someone so indecisive as I, Vincent?"
Smiling back at her as he finally popped the remainder of the candy into his mouth and reached for a napkin to clean his fingers and chin, Vincent replied, "I think that I might be able to put up with that idiosyncrasy if I try very hard Catherine."
To be continued….